Skilled Migrant Professionals February 2015 | Page 40

Diversity CEOs speak out on diversity Making workplace diversity work Commitment to diversity reaps rewards by Paul Fleay CEO Inclusion WA D iversity in the workplace is an enriching attribute which can add much value to teams. Greater client satisfaction, successful decision making, stronger bottom line, and improved organisational outcomes are just some of the organisational benefits that a diverse workplace can bring (Harvard Business Review, June 5, 2014). However, with an increase in diversity, can also come many, often unspoken, challenges. Differences in communication styles, values, social practices and so on can create social disconnection within the workplace which leads to exclusion (real or perceived), feelings of bias and the organisation simply not getting the best from the ‘talent in the room’. So, diversity doesn’t work unless you make it work. Research shows that organisations who go one step further than diversity and also focus on inclusion gain further benefits such as reduced turnover, increased innovation, and team engagement (HBR, 2014). We operate in times of great diversity. There are four different generations in the current workforce, with people identifying with being of different cultural background, sexuality, religion, being a person with disability, and mental illness (Dr Linda Duxbury, Carleton University). However, what research is showing, and what we at Inclusion WA understand well, is that while we should celebrate our differences, as human beings, it is the similarities, the (sometimes very small) things we have in common which bring us together and help build truly strong teams. The challenge for organisations in the 21st century is fostering an inclusive environment and developing social capital within their workplace. 40 www.smpmagazine.com.au | February 2015 by Paul Colley CEO of Total Marine Technology I am proud of how far we’ve come as a company since our founding in 1999. The company’s pioneers are bold entrepreneurs who believe that the breadth of our differences should not only define us, but also strengthen us. We have grown from a company of 15 staff members operating out of a small shed to a staff of 350 staff, with Remotely Operated Vehicles spanning over 25 units. Our broad range of products and services enables us to be there for our customers how, when, and where they need us. When people with different backgrounds come together to face challenges and solve problems, a business can be more creative, innovative, and ultimately, more successful. Great decisions come from great debates, and great debates are shaped by participants who bring a variety of perspectives that can be backed up with logic and reason. Having the level of diversity that is necessary for a high-quality debate is clearly a business imperative. Tapping into the power of diversity is essential to TMT’s overall success as a business. Selecting, developing, engaging, and retaining a diverse talent pool enables us to achieve our strategic goals. When people are at the very heart of what you do, you quickly come to value and seek out their diverse ideas and experiences. Our commitment to diversity also means helping young people reach their full potential through education. We offer apprenticeships, trainingships, and internships to high school and university graduates. This gives young and upcoming professionals the opportunity to come to TMT and see firsthand how a medium size corporation operates. TMT is proud to support programs that promote diversity because we recognise the difference that they make in the communities that we serve. It is imperative that the TMT workforce reflects the face of Australia, which is largely referred to as a migrant country. To understand and serve our geographical and ethnically diverse marketplaces in which we operate, our employees must be a diverse and dynamic group. We understand that different perspectives bring tremendous value to TMT and that diversity in our teams helps create the most innovative solutions and attract and retain the best talent.