June 2021 – Who’s in the Room Matters
I have had the unique opportunity to live and work in San Francisco and Solano County. What a blessing to have experienced diverse communities. YES, Solano County is one of the most diverse in the country, which is why I’m screaming from the mountaintop, “Who’s in the room matters!”
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace is crucial in a diverse place like Solano County. Diverse voices at the table count. Why? Because who's in the room matters when decisions are being made. Who's in the room matters when policies are being shaped. Who's in the room matters when employee practices are affirmed or rejected.
YES, having a diverse management team is important because representation matters at all levels.
Several events in 2020 sparked a new social justice movement. DEI in the workplace is critical to moving an organization forward during this Civil Awakening.
If there had been Diversity and Inclusion at Dove, they wouldn’t have found themselves in hot water in 2011 and 2017.
In 2011 Dove ran an ad for their Dove Visible Care product, showing three women: an African American standing under a “Before Sign,” a likely Latina in the middle, and a White standing under an “After Sign.”
Who’s in the room matters.
The ad implied that using the product gives you an appealing and lighter skin tone, moving — from being Black to Latina — to White as the end goal.
Then in 2017, Dove’s racially insensitive ad left the impression on many that the Black woman’s skin was dirty, needing to be cleaned and become white. A Black woman is shown removing her top, revealing a White woman underneath. Again, who's in the room matters when final decisions could cost the company dollars and public backlash.
During my research, it seems like the global management consultants McKinsey & Company were the first to conduct studies and research on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Of course, many others have followed them, showing compelling results.
Companies that improve their DEI see higher productivity, better innovation, larger market share, increased customer loyalty, and, most importantly, higher employee satisfaction and retention. Who’s in the room matters!
Don’t know where to start? Well, you’re in the right place. Book a free consultation today at https://calendly.com/johnicon/15min or call 888-707-ICON.
We look forward to connecting you to your Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.
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