Beyond the Buzzwords: Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion has become a hot topic that demands and deserves the attention that it gets. 

A growing number of companies are recognising the benefits of having a diverse and inclusive workforce, not only from an ethical perspective but from a business standpoint. This article will explore the strengths of diversity and inclusion in the workplace and why businesses need to embrace them.

A diverse and inclusive workplace is a more productive workplace. When employees come from different backgrounds, they are likely to hold different perspectives - bringing with them a range of ideas and approaches. This diversity of thought can lead to better decision-making and more creative solutions to complex problems. When employees feel valued and included, they are more engaged and motivated, leading to increased productivity. 

Diversity and inclusion can also lead to a more innovative workplace. When employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions, they are more likely to think outside the box and come up with new and innovative approaches. This can be especially important in industries that are constantly evolving and require adaptability, as well as navigating change through times like the pandemic or a recession and responding to how this would change consumer and customer habits.

This better understanding of customers and clients is a key strength that diverse teams hold. When a company has a diverse workforce, it can better understand the needs and preferences of a wider range of customers. This can lead to more effective marketing and product development strategies. This can be demonstrated through stronger customer connection by creating an ad campaign that better represents customers or keeping accessibility at the forefront of product and content development.

In addition to these business benefits, the moral reasons for embracing diversity and inclusion in the workplace are not to be ignored. A diverse and inclusive workplace is one that not only values but celebrates the different backgrounds, abilities and neurodiversity that comes with having a diverse team. This creates a more positive and welcoming workplace culture, therefore improving employee morale and retention. 

Hiring a diverse workforce alone is not enough. To reap the benefits of diversity and inclusion, companies must create an inclusive culture that values and respects all employees. This can be done through training, policies and procedures, and leadership support. However, this traditional method alone is often still not enough to create true inclusion. As it is very difficult to achieve with a ‘cookie cutter’ or ‘one size fits all’ approach - which is often what happens with compulsory training and vague DEI statements.

To create inclusion, an employee-led approach is integral to creating sustainable change. Every company is different. And while everyone may benefit hugely from training, staff from a global company may want to dig deeper into cultural differences and how they impact working styles or how to work more effectively with neurodiverse colleagues.

Companies that put diversity and inclusion at the forefront of their priorities benefit from increased productivity, innovation, and a better understanding of their customers. Creating an inclusive workplace culture can lead to improved employee morale and retention. It is time for all businesses to see beyond using diversity and inclusion as hiring buzzwords and harness the strengths of a truly diverse and inclusive workforce.

Gen Z: Quiet Quitters or an Untapped Asset?

Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, are the latest group to enter the workforce. They get a bad rep for being a generation of TikTokers with low attention spans and little work ethic, but does this have any truth to it? 

As they begin their professional careers, they bring a unique set of strengths and abilities to the workplace. Here are some things you may not have considered:

Digital Natives

Gen Z is the first generation to grow up immersed in technology. They are true digital natives who have grown up with smartphones, social media, and instant gratification. As a result, they are incredibly tech-savvy and adept at navigating various digital platforms. This makes them valuable assets to any company, particularly in industries that require digital skills such as marketing, design, and e-commerce. Learning a new software or migrating to a new platform is not a barrier for this generation, it’s a part of how they grew up.

Collaboratives

Gen Z grew up in a world more connected than ever before. Collaboration and teamwork were emphasized. They are accustomed to working in groups and understand the importance of communication and cooperation. This makes them great team players who are willing to listen to different perspectives and work together with more effective levels of communication- yes, emojis are an efficient visual aid for status updates.

Entrepreneurs

One of the positives about growing up in the age of influencers and content at their fingertips, is that inspiration and financial advice became something Gen Z had access to. They are sometimes referred to as the "side hustle generation" because of their entrepreneurial spirit. This means that they are innovative, creative, and always looking for ways to improve processes and find new solutions to problems.

Diverse and Inclusive

They are the most diverse generation in history, with a wide range of races, religions, and sexual orientations. As a result, they are passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. They are not afraid to speak up when they see something that they believe is unfair or unjust. This makes them valuable assets to companies that are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Multitaskers

Gen Z has grown up in a world of constant stimulation, and as a result, they are excellent multitaskers. They are used to juggling multiple tasks at once and can switch between them seamlessly. This makes them valuable assets to companies that require employees to work on multiple projects simultaneously.

In conclusion, Gen Z brings a unique set of strengths to the workplace. They are tech-savvy, entrepreneurial, diverse, collaborative, multitaskers, and value flexibility. These qualities make them valuable assets to any organization and will undoubtedly shape the future of the workforce. Companies that can harness and leverage these strengths will be well-positioned for success in the years to come.