2021: the year for action

Between the global call to action racial injustice, a pandemic that halted the world and a growing economic crisis, 2020 was a difficult year. We shifted from the office to the home, relied on technology to keep us connected more than ever before and we’ve completely adjusted the way we interact with the world. 2020 was the first hope-filled year of a new decade and despite the turmoil I’m optimistic because we’re resilient. We can work together and shape a better, equitable future for everyone and if last year was for driving that awareness, this year is for taking action.

Here are some themes to focus on for 2021:

Conversations are important, action is better.

The Black Lives Matter movement taught us that silence and indifference is not an option and this year we need to see conversations about Race developing into action. Our Actions Not Words and If Not Now When events from last year focused on Black inclusion and the steps we can all take to achieve this. Listen and learn and most importantly commit to driving the charge for equality.

Over 70 CEOs from UK businesses have signed Audeliss and INvolve’s Open Letter in the Sunday Times to action change beyond words of solidarity. With more businesses coming on board in 2021, we have big plans to help companies meet their commitments to action. Watch this space.

The ‘Office’ has changed forever.

As Bruce Daisley discussed here with Audeliss and INvolve, the ‘office’ as we know it has changed forever. If 2020 was about surviving, this shift in 2021 is about thriving in it. With zoom meetings set to stay, it’s vital that remote working helps businesses succeed and supports all employees.

Inclusion IS a business priority.

Inclusive businesses perform better. More than that, driving inclusion is the right thing to do. This year businesses need to keep inclusion from falling off their priority list and put measures in place to drive change. Does your organisation have diversity targets and collect data to ensure accountability? If not now, when? This year will also see a growing pressure on businesses to report their Ethnicity Pay Gap – and INvolve have put together a general model you can use here.

Celebrate the wins.

2020 reminded us that gratitude and celebrating the wins, no matter the size, is important. We’ll be celebrating our OUTstanding LGBT+ Role Models 2020 Lists launch on Tuesday 19th January and showcasing brilliant individuals from across the globe already making positive strides in driving equality in business. Our EMpower and HERoes 2021 Role Model Lists will be bigger and more global than ever before so stay tuned for all the updates on these too!

As we look forward to 2021, let’s not forget all that we learned from 2020.

Let’s take those lessons and shape the future and our society for the better.