What is DEI&B and Why is it important?
DEI&B stands for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. These value serve as a foundation of a work culture that accepts everyone and explores new ideas and processes to grow their company.
Everyday the world becomes a bit smaller with the use of technology. We can speak to people in different parts of the world in a matter of seconds, hear different languages on the radio, and access TV that showcases different cultures everyday.
Everyone! There is not a single person in the workforce who does not benefit from DEI&B. Having a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce where people feel they belong will only make your company stronger.
Picture this, a company only hires white, English speaking, female, PHD graduates with engineering degrees who are in their 30s. Think first the logistics of this; who will run finance? Or HR? Or even production?
Now think if the company is doing well and wants to expand globally but everyone only speaks English, who will communicate? Who will be doing the expanding?
Think about the day to day conversations and work that would be happening at this workplace. Everyone with the same training and background. Do you picture a lot of different conversations? Ideas? Opinions?
Now think about a company who hires everyone. They have a diverse workforce with people of all ages, education and training, different genders, different languages, and different backgrounds.
The second company is more likely to have an HR, a finance department, and a production department. If they were to expand they would have the ability to speak to new countries with their diverse languages. Picture their lunch room, there would be talk of different ideas, opinions, and conversations.
By creating a diverse workforce, you allow ideas and experiences to flow. You allow more stability in the company by not having to always reach outside for other resources, such as an HR department or translators. You also allow your employees to grow by giving them different people to talk to, different opinions and ideas to hear. It allows everyone more growth. Creating a supportive company where everyone belongs allows people to open and share their ideas and opinions.
Who Benefits from DEI&B?
Everyone! There is not a single person in the workforce who does not benefit from DEI&B. Having a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce where people feel they belong will only make your company stronger.
Picture this, a company only hires white, English speaking, female, PHD graduates with engineering degrees who are in their 30s. Think first the logistics of this; who will run finance? Or HR? Or even production?
Now think if the company is doing well and wants to expand globally but everyone only speaks English, who will communicate? Who will be doing the expanding?
Think about the day to day conversations and work that would be happening at this workplace. Everyone with the same training and background. Do you picture a lot of different conversations? Ideas? Opinions?
Now think about a company who hires everyone. They have a diverse workforce with people of all ages, education and training, different genders, different languages, and different backgrounds.
The second company is more likely to have an HR, a finance department, and a production department. If they were to expand they would have the ability to speak to new countries with their diverse languages. Picture their lunch room, there would be talk of different ideas, opinions, and conversations.
By creating a diverse workforce, you allow ideas and experiences to flow. You allow more stability in the company by not having to always reach outside for other resources, such as an HR department or translators.
You also allow your employees to grow by giving them different people to talk to, different opinions and ideas to hear. It allows everyone more growth. Creating a supportive company where everyone belongs allows people to open and share their ideas and opinions.
When should a company introduce DEI&B?
Ideally DEI&B is introduced at the conception of a company. While realistically that cannot happen as there are company much older than the concept of DEI&B the next best place to introduce DEI&B is as soon as you can. Ideally you will roll out a DEI&B campaign and training company wide and make it a part of onboarding from then onward.
How should a company continue to support DEI&B?
ERG or Employee Resource Groups are a great way to show continuing support for DEI&B. Check in with your employees to see what kinds of resource groups they would like to see, maybe a young professionals group? Maybe even bilinguals in the workplace group? Or even a close to retirement group? The possibilities are endless. ERGs provide an outlet for people to explore new ideas and learn more about themselves, their colleagues, and their work.
DEI&B Training
Storyboarding
I chose a mix of styles for this training. I wanted to make sure people got some background information but also that the training was interactive. I chose to go with scenario based training so people could explore different areas of DEI&B.
Training
I used Rise 360 to create the training for DEI&B. I wanted to make the training quickly without compromising on the scenario based learning or the interactive parts of the training.