What you need to know
Diversity isn’t about being politically correct; it’s about keeping your business competitive. “Diversity allows your business to attract the best new talent,” Forte says. “You’ll be more competitive because you’ll have a better understanding of customers’ needs. You’ll continue to understand who your customers are and how they can continue to be attracted to you.”
Keep in mind the customers who you want to attract and then investigate opportunities in markets in which you want to expand or improve business. If you’re interest is in attracting a broader customer base, employees should mirror the communities in which you want to expand. Forge relationships with diverse community organizations and let them know about opportunities in your organization. Sponsoring events that interest diverse groups makes your company more attractive to diverse candidates. For example, host events in coordination with Cinco de Mayo, Chinese New Year or Disability Awareness month, and make your business’s diversity interests and job openings known.
If you’ve established affinity groups within your company, they can also help with recruiting. They may be able to give you suggestions that will help your business attract more diverse candidates and offer ideas of where to post positions.
Starting an affinity group is easy.
“Diversity is often thought about as only a race issue, because that’s the area that has challenged our society the most,” Forte says. “But there are many components of diversity. You can promote employee resource groups (also known as) affinity groups that allow employees to meet about a particular issue. They can brainstorm about projects or ways to improve a service. The point is to get the perspective of female or disabled etc. employees to better serve those consumers. Make the groups worthwhile for employees — provide incentives and time for the meetings that doesn’t detract from their work or personal time.”
Hiring managers also need to keep in mind how to motivate and manage their staff as part of a recruiting plan. Experts encourage incentives for staff contributions to a diverse work force, considering employees’ job satisfaction can be your best advertising.
“Many business opportunities are made possible through diversity,” Walker says. “Diversity helps you compete at the global level — helping the company as much as the employees. Tangible benefits include productivity, retention and an end result of profit. Employees are a company’s greatest asset and allows them to be more flexible with services and products.”
