In our  August Blog, we discussed three ways to sustain momentum in DEIB, and now we want to show you how to leverage DEIB to power forward in the years ahead. The impact of DEIB is far-reaching and creates pro-business results. As you continue to gain momentum, it is essential to remember that DEIB is more than an employee-friendly initiative that is a frill or culture add-on that you can take or leave. It is a necessity and requirement for organizational growth and longevity. 

DEIB simultaneously drives commerce and improves workplace culture and enhances community impact. 

Are you struggling to make the connection between DEIB and how profitable it is as an investment for your organization? DEIB drives commerce  and increases your organization's top and bottom lines by increasing business profits through innovation, problem solving and marketplace brand positioning. This ensures your organization remains a forerunner in a competitive industry. When leveraged strategically, DEIB improves organizational health and growth whether you are a small business desiring to make an impact through the vision you have cast using foundational DEI principles or a large enterprise wanting to prioritize attracting and retaining a diverse talent pool. Solidifying these practices and engaging diverse people encourages innovative thinking and problem solving. Innovative thinking sustains long-term success for overall business growth and impact. According to a Harvard Business Review study, companies with above-average diversity in their workforces have 19% higher innovation revenue and 9% higher earnings margins. Harvard Business Review.    How well are you hiring and using diverse perspectives in your overall business plan? 

DEIB also drives your culture through promoting a more diverse workplace that is free from microaggressions while ensuring you are managing biases that alienate others to ensure everyone is respected. Culture reflects how you communicate, interact, and conduct business daily. Is it possible that there are employees at your organization whose uniqueness has become a burden to them because they are isolated, unable to connect with others who are like them? Even in the absence of diverse representation, if the culture is inclusive and addresses toxic behaviors to foster belonging, non-majority populations can still thrive. Diversity ensures your culture is comfortable, respectful and open for all and not just some of its contributors. 

With higher respect levels and a greater understanding of the uniqueness in your employee base, you can create a culture of belonging where everyone’s voice matters. Imagine that the solution to a challenging problem your organization is facing is in the mind of one of your employees who does not feel like their voice will be valued or heard. We highlighted this issue in our June Blog. If the culture you’ve created limits certain people’s participation, there is a cost of this negative perception. Your culture sets the temperature for the climate you want people to experience in your organization. DEIB shines a light on favoritism or an unbalanced representation of diverse groups in leadership. How your employees perceive their value is a direct reflection of the culture you are creating. 

DEIB ensures that your organization has a far-reaching arm in the communities you serve. When they see the representation in your organization that connects to them personally, they are authentically connected to your messaging which causes them to engage as a consumer or a supporter of what you do. In turn, this continues the cycle of positive results and drives your commerce and workplace culture. If your employees feel as though they belong and are having a good experience, they are more likely to be one of your best marketers because they are excited to share what makes you a great employer. 

At KEIRUS BY KJE, we believe that the benefits of DEIB put you in the driver’s seat as to where you want to take your business. DEIB drives commerce, culture, and community and those who do not embrace this concept will be limited in how far they can go without the right interventions.