A common focus in business awards and employer of choice awards currently is diversity and inclusion. If your organisation can demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion, not only will it be an easier road to an award win, but also to a more robust and successful business. Diversity and inclusion can lead to a stronger internal culture, brand image and ultimately, bottom line.
Why Diversity and Inclusion Matter for Awards:
Awards programs often explicitly consider an organisation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion when judging submissions. This is because a diverse and inclusive workplace fosters a number of benefits that contribute to business success, including:
- Enhanced innovation and creativity: A diverse workforce brings together unique perspectives and experiences, leading to a wider range of ideas and solutions to challenges.
- Improved decision-making: Diverse teams are more likely to consider all viewpoints and make more informed decisions.
- Increased employee engagement and productivity: Employees who feel valued and respected are more likely to be engaged in their work and contribute their best efforts.
- Stronger employer brand and talent attraction: A reputation for being a diverse and inclusive employer attracts top talent and helps companies recruit and retain the best.
Showcasing Your Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion in Award Submissions:
Here are some ways to highlight your organisation’s dedication to diversity and inclusion (D&I) in your award applications:
- Quantify your efforts: Use data and statistics to demonstrate the progress you’ve made in terms of workforce diversity, representation in leadership positions, and diversity-related initiatives.
- Share specific stories and examples: Illustrate your commitment to D&I through real-life stories of how diversity has benefited your organisation, such as a successful project completed by a diverse team or positive employee feedback.
- Outline your D&I strategy: Describe your organisation’s long-term vision for diversity and inclusion, including specific goals and action plans.
- Highlight your participation in relevant programs and initiatives: Showcase your involvement in diversity and inclusion initiatives, such as industry-specific programs or partnerships with external organisations.
- Highlight testimonials from diverse employees: Include quotes or testimonials from employees from diverse backgrounds to demonstrate the positive impact of your D&I efforts.
Beyond Awards: Building a More Diverse and Inclusive Workplace:
If you’re not actively working towards diversity and inclusion within your organisation, the awards process can be a catalyst for change. This is one of the benefits of the awards submission process – it holds a mirror up to your business and highlights what you’re doing well and areas for improvement. If you want to improve D&I in your organisation, here are four key strategies to consider:
- Develop a comprehensive D&I policy: This policy should clearly outline your organisation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, set specific goals and objectives, and provide a framework for implementing D&I initiatives.
- Implement blind recruitment processes: This helps to remove unconscious bias from the hiring process and ensure that candidates are evaluated solely on their skills and qualifications.
- Provide diversity and inclusion training: This training should educate employees about unconscious bias, microaggressions, and other diversity-related topics. It should also help employees develop the skills needed to work effectively in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Implement diversity quotas: While sometimes controversial, quotas can be an effective way to quickly increase the representation of underrepresented groups in your workforce.
Diversity and inclusion are not just box-ticking exercises for award submissions. They are essential for building a thriving and successful organisation. By showcasing your commitment to D&I in award applications and actively implementing strategies to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace, you can reap the benefits of a more engaged workforce, a stronger brand, and a more competitive edge.
Need help developing an awards strategy that highlights D&I? Green Door Co can help. Reach out today!
