The FMCG client mentioned in this case had hired a young management team for a company restructuring task that required more senior knowledge and skills, resulting in the company failing to meet expected results and lacking diversity. As consultants, our initial steps were to reorganise the company and help them learn and achieve their targets quickly while building simultaneously a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Solution
To promote diversity and inclusion, we designed and implemented a diversity hiring strategy, actively seeking out candidates from diverse backgrounds, ages, and genders for both executive and non-executive positions.
The policies and procedures were reviewed, and new ones were introduced to facilitate diversity and inclusion in the daily practices across the organisation. This ensured that all employees, regardless of their background or experience, participated in designing a more diverse and inclusive workplace, demonstrating a strong commitment by the leadership to creating a fair, diverse, and inclusive culture.
In addition to diversity training for all employees, we promoted diversity in leadership positions and fostered an inclusive environment by encouraging employee feedback and involvement in all decision-making processes. Employees were involved in team meetings and workshops to elaborate ideas, create solutions, and make decisions on the best alternatives.
One of the key steps taken by the consultant to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace was to review all job descriptions and recruitment processes to eliminate any unconscious biases. This ensured that every potential candidate, irrespective of their background or experience, was given a fair chance during the recruitment and hiring process. This initiative was instrumental in creating a more diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.
Another significant action taken by the consultant was to create and work with an employee resource group that focused on promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This group was voluntary and employee-led, comprising both executive and non-executive employees who worked collaboratively to develop initiatives that promoted diversity and inclusion across the organisation, and to improve the work conditions for all. The group provided a safe space for employees to share their experiences and ideas, fostering an inclusive work environment.
The employee resource group played a crucial role in improving the work environment throughout the organisation by establishing an effective channel of communication between the employees and management. This platform fostered a culture of transparency and trust, where employees could openly express their concerns, ideas and solutions, and management could take necessary actions to address them. Consequently, this initiative facilitated a positive work environment that delivered employee welfare, and led to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
Summary of Actions
The consultant:
- Designed and implemented a diversity hiring strategy to actively seek out candidates from different backgrounds, ages, and genders for both executive and non-executive positions.
- Created and worked with an employee resource group focused on promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, providing a safe space for employees to share their experiences and ideas and work collaboratively to develop initiatives.
- Reviewed and introduced missing processes, policies, and procedures to facilitate diversity and inclusion in daily practices across the organisation.
- Provided diversity training to all employees and promoted diversity in all functions and at all levels in the hierarchy.
- Conducted strategic and operational planning sessions, outlining comprehensive plans for all departments and units.
- Designed and delivered in-company training for management and teams resulting in a 40% increase in sales revenues in less than six months.
- Fostered an inclusive environment by encouraging employee feedback and involvement in decision-making processes.
- Reviewed all job descriptions and recruitment processes to eliminate unconscious biases and ensure fair consideration of all potential candidates.
- Promoted diversity in leadership positions.
- Established an effective channel of communication between employees and management through training, workshops and the employee resource group.
Results
The consultant helped the company to reorganise and create a positive work environment prioritising employee welfare, and leading to increased productivity, job satisfaction and employee retention. Our solutions not only helped the company to achieve its targets but also created a benchmark for success within the industry by establishing a diverse and inclusive workplace, ultimately resulting in the company outperforming its competitors.
If you need to change and create a diverse and inclusive workplace, speak with our lead consultants on +44 (0) 7783 908571. We have helped hundreds of organisations from 24 business sectors to thrive in diversity and inclusion.