Forum Archives
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
NAWBO Northeast Ohio members all have a story. A story of inspiration, empowerment and a story of how they came to be in the female-led business community. We invite you to share your story. Please email to [email protected].
Why Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Matter
Posted by [email protected] on $$DATE$$ / Inspiration & Empowerment / Subscribe 0
by Pat Bennett, Owner, Pat's Granola, & Member NAWBO Cleveland DEI&B Committee
In the last 10 years, a common trend is that companies have expanded their executive boards to include titles with the words equality and diversity to ensure a more equitable workplace. It’s a catchall phrase–all for a noble, worthy goal: to increase belonging throughout their workforce. We can acknowledge that the world around us has changed (understatement of the last 3 years), and employee retention has done more flips than an Olympic gymnast. McKinsey estimates that US companies spend $8 billion a year on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to produce an outcome of belonging, which helps their bottom line.
The business case for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, DEI&B remains stronger than ever. And while some have expressed weariness about the subject, DEIB is a business imperative, not something companies should implement simply because of social or legal pressure or because it is the “in” thing to do. Diversity brings into organizations new ideas from various backgrounds and experiences, resulting in greater innovation and creativity.
The fight for diversity and inclusion in the workplace isn't going away. The need for inclusion is amplifying as workforces move toward globalization and virtual teams. And as the workforce modernizes, employees are beginning to realize that work/life balance and a sense of belonging are necessities for psychological and physical well-being. www.shrm.org
"Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is a behavior. But belonging is the emotional outcome that people want in their organization," said Christianne Garofalo, a partner at Heidrick Consulting and a diversity consultant.
The NAWBO Cleveland Chapter DEI&B Committee will focus our attention on inclusion and belonging, which represents how we view our membership. The lens by which each of us views the world is different and provides for meaningful relationships, building valuable networking and business connections, partnerships and community outreach.
0 Comments