The Power of Ten - 10 business benefits derived from focusing on inclusion

Developing a successful inclusion strategy is crucial for creating a work environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered. Here are ten tips to help you create a successful inclusion strategy for your business:

1. Establish a clear vision and commitment: Define a clear vision for inclusion within your organization and communicate it throughout the company. Demonstrate leadership commitment and make it a priority for all levels of the organization.

2. Conduct a diversity and inclusion assessment: Conduct an assessment to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement in diversity and inclusion practices. Collect and analyse data on employee demographics, engagement, and satisfaction to understand the current state of inclusion within your organization.

3. Involve employees in the process: Seek input and involvement from employees at all levels when developing your inclusion strategy. Create opportunities for open dialogue, focus groups, and surveys to gather diverse perspectives and insights.

4. Provide diversity and inclusion training: Offer training programs to raise awareness and understanding of diversity, inclusion, unconscious bias, and cultural competence. Equip employees with the tools and knowledge to foster an inclusive workplace.

5. Establish inclusive policies and practices: Review and revise company policies and practices to ensure they are inclusive and supportive of all employees. Focus on areas such as hiring, promotion, compensation, work-life balance, and accommodation.

6. Foster inclusive leadership: Develop leadership competencies that prioritize inclusive behaviours and practices. Train and empower leaders to create an inclusive work environment, lead diverse teams effectively, and challenge bias and discrimination.

7. Create employee resource groups (ERGs): Establish employee resource groups that provide a platform for diverse employees to connect, share experiences, and support one another. Ensure these groups have the necessary resources and support to thrive.

8. Promote accountability and measurement: Set measurable goals and targets for inclusion efforts and track progress regularly. Hold leaders accountable for creating and maintaining an inclusive culture and reward inclusive behaviours.

9. Encourage diverse collaboration and decision-making: Encourage collaboration across diverse teams and empower employees to contribute their unique perspectives. Create opportunities for diverse employees to participate in decision-making processes and have their voices heard.

10. Celebrate diversity and achievements: Recognize and celebrate diversity and inclusive practices within your organization. Highlight success stories, share best practices, and create opportunities to showcase and appreciate diverse talent.

Remember, creating an inclusive work environment is an ongoing journey. Continuously assess, refine, and adapt your inclusion strategy based on feedback and changing needs. By fostering inclusion, you not only create a positive and supportive workplace but also enhance employee engagement, innovation, and overall business success.