Bridging the DE&I Gap. We discuss topics including the Living Wage through to Tokenism-Free Events
Gabrielle Austen-Browne FRSA (she/her)
Award-Winning DEI Consultant | Implementing Diversity, Equity, Accessibility & Inclusion Strategies in Events & Beyond | Mentor | Speaker | Legacy Creator
Welcome to this week's Diversity Alliance Newsletter, where we dive into pressing issues at the intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the events industry and beyond. From exploring the impact of the Real Living Wage to celebrating National Read a Book Day, we're covering a range of topics that matter to professionals committed to creating more inclusive spaces and practices. So without further ado...
In This Week's Newsletter:
?? Exploring the potential impact of the Real Living Wage on DE&I efforts
?? How to avoid tokenism in events and create truly inclusive speaker lineups
?? Updates on the REACH Events Scholarship and new supporters
?? Drawing parallels between the dance world and business strategies for DE&I
?? Supporting caregivers in the events industry
?? Featured Article: "Bridging The Gap: DE&I In The Events Industry" - key findings and insights form CVENT
How much impact can the Real Living Wage have??
As businesses strive for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Real Living Wage initiative could be a powerful tool to move closer to greater equity and inclusion.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary scheme, that has already been adopted by over 15,000 UK businesses, and it goes beyond fair pay -it's about providing dignity and showing respect in the workplace.
But the impact of the Real Living Wage extends beyond individual employees, how?:
1. It can uplift a community. Businesses paying a living wage can contribute to stronger local economies, reducing reliance on food banks and increasing local spending.
2. It can help in addressing wage disparities. This initiative also happens to spotlight compensation inequalities, particularly for women and part-time workers, which is helping to drive much needed conversations about fair pay.
3. Industry Transformation. Sectors traditionally associated with low wages, like hospitality, are reimagining their approach to compensation, this can create viable long-term careers and attract diverse talent across the board. Win Win for our industry.
For the events industry, this presents an opportunity to lead by example. As an industry, we should be
- Implement the Real Living Wage for all staff, including temporary event workers.
- Incorporate living wage standards into supplier contracts.
- Use industry platforms to amplify the movement and drive change.
By embracing the Real Living Wage, businesses not only enhance their DE&I efforts but also contribute to a more equitable society. It's a prime example of how strategic business decisions can catalyse meaningful social change and create workplaces where everyone can truly thrive.
Interested in learning more about the Real Living Wage? https://livingwage.org.uk/what-real-living-wage
Friday is National Read a Book?Day
Reading for me (like many) is the ultimate escapism. As an only child, books were my friends, teachers, and entertainers. Through reading about inspiring humans and places, I was able to imagine the life I wanted to have and the person I wanted to be. It gave me a strong sense of imagination and expanded my world into a place full of possibilities.
Books offer an affordable way to broaden our horizons, gain new perspectives, and even change our outlook on life. That's why I prefer a book over a film any day (though, TBF I do love both)!
So, I'm personally excited that Friday (6th) marks National Read a Book Day - an opportunity to celebrate the power of reading and reconnect with the joy of losing yourself in a great story or insightful non-fiction book.
Whether you're a bookworm or someone who finds reading challenging, National Read a Book Day is the perfect occasion to explore new genres and discover a book that captivates you. So, visit your local library, browse a bookstore, or dust off that novel you've been meaning to start.
Share your favourite books with colleagues and friends.
If you want some inspiration head over to the Diversity Alliance IG account where you'll find some books recommended by our podcast guests.
Remember, as Paul Sweeney said, "You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend."
You can spot a tokenistic event a mile away, can’t you? ??
What does that mean and how can we avoid this? ??
It means going beyond just having a few representatives from different groups. It’s about truly integrating diverse voices and perspectives across all aspects of the event (this means their ideas, opinions and experiences too) from start to finish.
? Ideally we want speakers prioritised who reflect a range of experiences and identities, to ensure that every conversation is rich, inclusive and representative of the diverse world we live in.
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AND speaker diversity isn't just about ticking boxes. It's about giving space to and highlighting voices that truly represents our world whilst considering intersectionality as well as events and business needs.
After all, don't we want our events to be representative as well as spark real conversations and reflect genuine diversity?
If you want to work towards events that genuinely reflect and respect the complexity of our communities - we want to partner and work with you.
Interested?
Pop us an email [email protected] or
Drop a ?? in the comments if you're ready to make your events truly inclusive!
Some amazing news to share with you! ??
?? A huge thank you to BCD Meetings & Events and ACA Live for pledging your support as our 2024 donors. I’m excited to see the difference you’ll make for this year’s cohort of students!
As we continue our mission to increase diversity from the ground up, I’m calling on more companies to join us in this transformative journey, just like our previous donors DRPG , Identity , TRO , Northstar Group , emc3 | Certified B Corp YOU Search & Select where we can make a lasting impact on the events sector!
Let’s keep this momentum going—REACH out if you’re interested in getting involved!
At the recent Conference News Sustainability Summit, Dale Parmenter drew a parallel between the sports world and the events world and it made me think how the dance and business worlds are soulmates too- both demanding commitment, resilience, creativity, testing your limits, fearlessness, overcoming the word “no”, practice and a whole lot of hard work ????
Trust me ?? I began my career as a professional dancer, where the ethos was always about setting goals, pushing boundaries, and measuring progress to improve consistently. This ambition and drive are strikingly similar in the business world.
Just as in dance, success in business often revolves around data and benchmarks. However, when it comes to DE&I, things get trickier because traditional metrics like ROI don’t capture the full picture. Instead, we need to focus on ROE—return on experience. This is where the emotional and experiential impact of DE&I initiatives comes into play.
I've seen the success of my clients when they shift their mindset and realise that DE&I isn’t just about hitting numbers, where their mindset shifts to focusing on creating a meaningful experiences for everyone involved. That’s why exploring frameworks and decision-making tools that balance both quantitative and qualitative data is crucial to this??
It's worth considering how we can apply lessons from the sports or dance world to our business and DE&I strategies. By focusing on return on experience, we can create more impactful DE&I initiatives that truly resonate.
What are your thoughts on blending these worlds? ??
I’d love to hear how you’re incorporating DE&I into your work and any creative approaches you’ve found effective. Feel free to add to the comments.
SUPPORTING CAREGIVERS IN THE EVENTS INDUSTRY
Many of us will face caregiving responsibilities at some point in our careers, and it's crucial that our workplaces evolve to meet these challenges.
In my recent article, I discuss the importance of the Carer's Leave Act 2023 and how it can positively impact employees balancing work with unpaid care duties. I also share strategies for creating a more supportive work environment, from implementing flexible working arrangements to fostering a culture of understanding.
I believe that by prioritising the needs of working carers, we not only enhance our organisations but also do what's morally right. I invite you to read the full article to learn more about how we can make a difference in the lives of caregivers in our industry.
Bridging The Gap: DE&I In The Events Industry
"Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility (DEIBA) is vital for attracting talent, improving staff retention and development, and achieving higher profitability and productivity.?However, despite increased support of in-house policies and DEIBA training programmes within the events industry, a recent report suggests it’s having little impact on employees.?
Driving Success Through Diversity by Diversity Alliance , in collaboration with Cvent and M&IT, reveals a significant disconnect between what organisations claim and what employees experience. For example, over half (59%) of survey respondents don’t feel their organisation values DEIBA and 40% question the sincerity of their leaders.?
Read on to discover more insights, including how effective DEIBA training is believed to be, the importance of people managers in driving workplace success, and how to eliminate barriers and bias to become more equitable".
Until next time..