Diversity and inclusion can help your company increase innovation and creativity in the workplace. In the tech industry, a little innovation can go a long way. One person’s innovation could help launch the next best-selling technology product or software. Because of this, employers are always looking for new ways to improve DE&I efforts. Here are a few things you can start doing to help your IT company make the shifts it needs to be more diverse.
Why DE&I is Important for Business Success
Time and time again, it has been proven that diversity and inclusion contribute to the overall success of a business. In the information technology (IT) industry, diverse companies typically see higher revenue growth year to year. They also tend to have higher employee retention rates overall.
More importantly, diverse tech companies are always ready to innovate. You will have ideas from a wide number of different demographics just by speaking with your employees. Because your team is already so diverse, you likely already have the talent you need at your fingertips too.
Much of the increased success businesses see from creating a more diverse workforce stems from the fact that their employees know they will be treated fairly. No matter what their background is, their employer respects their work. This makes them more likely to enjoy their jobs, look forward to going to work, do their best while they are there, and stay a long time. All of this benefits the company’s bottom line.
What is an Inclusive Workplace?
Now that you know some of the benefits, you may be wondering what a diverse and inclusive workplace looks like. You want to be sure your staff represents different demographics, young and old, male and female, various nationalities, abilities, etc. However, simply hiring these people is not enough to see the benefits of DE&I efforts.
You have to also make a concentrated effort to include each of your employees in decisions made in the company. It should also be clear that each employee’s input is valued and taken into consideration. When employees know their work and input are valued, you will have truly built an inclusive work environment. Here are a few tips to help you start implementing diversity and inclusion practices in your IT company.
Set Goals for Your DE&I Efforts
Before you start making any internal changes to your company, set DE&I goals. Think about the representation you’d like to see in your business, what talent acquisition changes will need to be made, and how you will manage retention. You should also have a way of tracking progress on each of your goals. This way, you can share your DE&I efforts with the rest of your team to increase transparency.
Examine Your Recruitment Process
Examine your talent acquisition process and make sure it is set up to attract diverse candidates. Everyone could use some work in attracting diverse talent, but you can start by addressing your company’s recruitment process. Get rid of any gendered language in hiring materials or job listings. You should also ensure you aren’t limiting with your language in any other way.
Assess Your Leadership Team
Take a look at your leadership team. How diverse is the group of people leading your company? The representation you’d like to see in your workforce should be present in your leadership as well. They should each have regularly updated diversity and inclusion training too.
Build an Inclusive Company Culture
You want to create a workplace where people can be their most authentic selves. When you do this, you will automatically attract a more diverse crowd of people. You will also receive more feedback and be able to improve your own processes because your employees will feel included in the company’s core values.
Make Sure All the Voices are Heard
Once you have created a more diverse workforce, make sure all the different voices in the company are actually heard. Take everyone’s input into consideration and try to make the best decisions for everyone in the company, not just the majority. To do this, ask for feedback regularly, conduct employee surveys, and have open discussions. This will help you create a truly diverse and inclusive workplace.
Work With a Staffing Agency to Improve DE&I Efforts
Partnering with a staffing agency can help you improve your company’s efforts to be more diverse and inclusive. Our recruiters can discuss your long-term diversity goals and assist you with a hiring plan. We can also help you pinpoint talent in the IT industry that meets the needs for the position as well as your needs for your DE&I goals. Learn more about how Burnett Specialists can assist your IT company with its hiring needs.
