<div class="gn-article"><div class="gn-hero gn-reveal"> <div class="gn-hero__image"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/687a235da6861294eec73166/68fa11fcb0c49c2bf4ffc6c8_651d3d4a00a7cae7f33cc820_622759fc40ef706ca01c4aaa_622734eb2b8363e058e0294c_Picture%2525201%252520(1).png" alt=""></div> <div class="gn-hero__head"> <span class="gn-kicker"><span class="dot"></span>News</span> <h1 class="gn-title">IWD: What Diversity Looks Like For Your Business In 2022</h1> <div class="gn-meta"> <strong>The GO Network</strong> <span class="pip"></span> <span>8 March 2022</span> <span class="pip"></span> <span>5 min read</span> </div> </div> </div> <div class="gn-body"> <p class="gn-lede gn-reveal">What does the word 'diversity' mean for you and your business?</p> <p class="gn-reveal">Diversity and Inclusion is a common topic of conversation among employers, hiring managers and recruitment professionals, yet for some, it still seems to be a case of ticking boxes.</p> <p class="gn-reveal">Diversity and inclusion in the workplace shouldn't be just a hiring fad, or a PR effort. With the provable benefits of a diverse workplace <a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/diverse-team-benefits" target="_blank">more visible than ever</a>, we've spoken to leaders within our network about what true diversity looks like, and how businesses can make a tangible impact.</p> <h2 class="gn-reveal"><span class="num">01</span>Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace</h2> <h3 class="gn-reveal">Creativity and Skill</h3> <p class="gn-reveal">Diversity and inclusivity can have a tangible positive effect on a business. Having a working environment filled with employees from different backgrounds, skill sets and experiences means that there will be a well of innovative and creative ideas to draw from.</p> <h3 class="gn-reveal">Talent Acquisition</h3> <p class="gn-reveal">Diversity and inclusion policies are often important factors that many people look for when an accepting a job offer. Those that see your business has employees from all backgrounds are more likely to accept the offer and feel more welcomed.</p> <h3 class="gn-reveal">Understanding Your Customers</h3> <p class="gn-reveal">Having a team that's diverse and inclusive will not only benefit you internally, but almost importantly, it will benefit your customers. This is because employees can promote the business effectively because they have similar backgrounds with the intended target audience.</p> <h3 class="gn-reveal">Higher Revenue</h3> <p class="gn-reveal"><a href="https://www.bcg.com/en-us/publications/2018/how-diverse-leadership-teams-boost-innovation" target="_blank">A 2018 study</a> by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found that diversity ultimately increases the bottom line for companies by 19%. The study found that "increasing the diversity of leadership teams leads to more and better innovation and improved financial performance."</p> <div class="gn-stats gn-reveal"> <div class="gn-stat"><span class="gn-stat__num">19<em>%</em></span><span class="gn-stat__label">Increase to the bottom line for companies with diverse leadership, per BCG 2018.</span></div> <div class="gn-stat"><span class="gn-stat__num">136.6</span><span class="gn-stat__label">Years now required to close the global gender gap, up from 99.5 years, per Global Gender Gap Report 2021.</span></div> </div> <p class="gn-reveal"><strong>Read:</strong> <a href="https://www.thegonetwork.com/news/sustainability-where-to-start-and-what-it-looks-like-from-business-leaders" target="_blank">What Real Sustainability Looks Like and Where to Start</a></p> <div class="gn-divider gn-reveal" aria-hidden="true"></div> <h2 class="gn-reveal"><span class="num">02</span>What Diversity Looks Like for Your Business: Tenth Revolution Group</h2> <p class="gn-reveal">Diversity, reflecting the term itself, can look different in every business.</p> <p class="gn-reveal">Tenth Revolution Group are global leaders when it comes to addressing the skills gap, and this understanding is crucial for them.</p> <p class="gn-reveal">As <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinefoxfrg/" target="_blank">Caroline Fox</a>, Global EDI Strategy Lead at <a href="https://www.tenthrevolution.com/" target="_blank">Tenth Revolution</a> says, "diversity looks different all over the world."</p> <blockquote class="gn-blockquote gn-reveal">"We acknowledge that minority communities in one location might be the majority elsewhere, so we find it most effective and responsible to adopt a "Think Global, Act Local" approach, so that actions we take are relevant to the places we take them in."<cite>Caroline Fox · Global EDI Strategy Lead, Tenth Revolution</cite></blockquote> <figure class="gn-fig gn-reveal"> <div class="gn-fig__media"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/687a235da6861294eec73166/68fa11fbb0c49c2bf4ffc6b5_6227329a6ee3f31d432e42b1_Diversity_Tenth%2520Revolution%2520Group.png" alt="Tenth Revolution Group diversity" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div> <figcaption>Tenth Revolution Group on diversity and a "Think Global, Act Local" approach.</figcaption> </figure> <p class="gn-reveal">For businesses that are growing quickly, the transition to a hiring process that treats a diverse workforce as a priority can be challenging. Similarly for larger institutions, investing in a new or updated process can feel complex.</p> <blockquote class="gn-blockquote gn-reveal">"Although it can be daunting to admit your shortcomings, burying you head in the sand isn't the answer and isn't going to progress you any further. When taking any steps towards improving diversity, address the cause rather than the symptom to avoid implementing short-term fixes that won't actually have a long-term or positive effect on your employees."<cite>Caroline Fox · Global EDI Strategy Lead, Tenth Revolution</cite></blockquote> <aside class="gn-quote gn-reveal"><q>By creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, you'll experience knock-on effects to many different aspects including employee wellbeing, motivation, dedication, pride, and productivity.</q><cite>Caroline Fox · Global EDI Strategy Lead, Tenth Revolution</cite></aside> <p class="gn-reveal"><strong>Read:</strong> <a href="https://www.thegonetwork.com/news/against-the-grain-rey-house" target="_blank">Interview with Julia Reynolds, Found of Rey-House</a></p> <div class="gn-divider gn-reveal" aria-hidden="true"></div> <h2 class="gn-reveal"><span class="num">03</span>A Spotlight on Diversity and Women</h2> <p class="gn-reveal">International Women's Day is celebrated around the globe annually on March 8th to commemorate the cultural, political and socioeconomic achievements of women, but it's also a time to address some of the challenges women still face in the workplace.</p> <p class="gn-reveal">According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2021, as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt, the time required to close the global gender gap has increased by a generation from 99.5 years to 136.6 years.</p> <h3 class="gn-reveal">Women in Marketing: Building a diverse business</h3> <p class="gn-reveal">Marketing is a sector that owes a huge amount to the brilliant female leaders within it. Previously, we reached out to our agency network and asked for one piece of advice they'd give to a new generation of female marketers. Here are some of their responses:</p> <figure class="gn-fig gn-reveal"> <div class="gn-fig__media"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/687a235da6861294eec73166/68fa11fbb0c49c2bf4ffc6ab_622732d8dd130fa6547e1d91_Diversity_Embryo.png" alt="Advice from female marketing leaders in the agency network" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div> <figcaption>Advice from female marketing leaders within The GO Network's agency network.</figcaption> </figure> <blockquote class="gn-blockquote gn-reveal">"Be part of the team, collaborate and build positive relationships. You don't have to come in and change everything in order to prove yourself. Learn from everyone around you, and don't burn bridges or dismiss staff as unimportant - often it's the receptionist or runner that knows the most about what's going on and know the people who can help you!"<cite>Gemma Daniels · Hydra Creative</cite></blockquote> <blockquote class="gn-blockquote gn-reveal">"It would be no different to the advice I would give any marketer - male or female. Stay curious, ask for advice, think creatively about solutions, and experiment with your style."<cite>Sue Benson · The Behaviours Agency</cite></blockquote> <p class="gn-reveal"><strong>Download:</strong> <a href="https://www.thegonetwork.com/resources/the-best-of-the-network-marketing-agency-relationships-2021" target="_blank">The Best of the Network</a></p> <div class="gn-divider gn-reveal" aria-hidden="true"></div> <h2 class="gn-reveal"><span class="num">04</span>What Diversity Looks Like for Your Business: Social Buff</h2> <p class="gn-reveal"><a href="https://socialbuff.com/" target="_blank">Social Buff</a> are performance marketing experts and members of The GO Network.</p> <p class="gn-reveal">For Social Buff, what diversity looks like is simple: 'Inclusion of all ethnic backgrounds, sex or beliefs.'</p> <p class="gn-reveal">So what's the first step for addressing a lack of diversity within your business?</p> <blockquote class="gn-blockquote gn-reveal">"It always starts with Culture."<cite>Social Buff</cite></blockquote> <figure class="gn-fig gn-reveal"> <div class="gn-fig__media"><img src="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/687a235da6861294eec73166/68fa11fbb0c49c2bf4ffc6b1_622733bac431ba3e59367792_Diversity_Social%2520Buff_2.png" alt="Social Buff on diversity and culture" width="auto" height="auto" loading="auto"></div> <figcaption>Social Buff, performance marketing experts and members of The GO Network, on building a diverse business culture.</figcaption> </figure> <blockquote class="gn-blockquote gn-reveal">"To make an instrumental change, focus on two key areas, your existing team and new employees coming into the business. With your existing team, assess whether you offer fair opportunities and progression to everyone, regardless of sex, race or beliefs."<cite>Social Buff</cite></blockquote> <p class="gn-reveal">Take a moment to evaluate how your company stacks up against others in your industry when it comes to diversity and inclusion. What are the obstacles that need to be addressed to improve the situation?</p> <blockquote class="gn-blockquote gn-reveal">"Once you've acknowledged a lack of diversity, you've already taken the first step."<cite>Social Buff</cite></blockquote> <p class="gn-reveal">Diversity can often be treated as a 'cultural issue', but there are tangible steps that can be taken and implemented.</p> <blockquote class="gn-blockquote gn-reveal">"Invest in minority background initiatives, such as graduate programmes, charities, training or recruitment. Additionally, you can then implement a diversification strategy that creates organisational and cultural change over time."<cite>Social Buff</cite></blockquote> <p class="gn-reveal"><strong>Download:</strong> <a href="https://www.thegonetwork.com/resources/against-the-grain-marketing-done-differently" target="_blank">Against The Grain - Marketing Done Differently</a></p> <h3 class="gn-reveal">What Diversity looks like in 2022</h3> <p class="gn-reveal">With so much research done that shows diverse businesses perform better, any company not prioritising the problems will struggle to survive against the modern workforce who demand it. As the workplace continues to evolve, and with proven value to be gained, there's no time like the present.</p> <aside class="gn-callout gn-reveal"> <div class="gn-callout__label">What this means for you</div> <h4>Tangible steps agencies can take on diversity</h4> <ul> <li><strong>Address the cause, not the symptom.</strong> Avoid implementing short-term fixes that won't actually have a long-term or positive effect on your employees.</li> <li><strong>Focus on culture first.</strong> Assess whether you offer fair opportunities and progression to everyone, regardless of sex, race or beliefs.</li> <li><strong>Invest in minority background initiatives.</strong> Such as graduate programmes, charities, training or recruitment.</li> <li><strong>Implement a diversification strategy.</strong> One that creates organisational and cultural change over time.</li> </ul> </aside> <p class="gn-reveal">If you're looking to engage in more diverse initiatives with your business, our network of partners and expert agencies can support on everything from gender inclusion to recruitment and hiring. Get in touch <a href="http://www.thegonetwork.com/get-in-touch" target="_blank">here.</a></p> </div></div> <aside class="gn-related gn-reveal" data-auto="related-reading"> <div class="gn-related__label">Related reading</div> <ul class="gn-related__list"> <li class="gn-related__item"> <a href="/articles/sustainability-where-to-start-and-what-it-looks-like-from-business-leaders" class="gn-related__link"> <span class="gn-related__category">Network</span> <span class="gn-related__title">Leaders Perspective: What Real Sustainability Looks Like And Where To Start</span> <span class="gn-related__excerpt">Most executives back sustainability but few act on it. Agency leaders share what real commitment looks like and how small changes build a la</span> </a> </li> <li class="gn-related__item"> <a href="/articles/who-is-your-brand-for" class="gn-related__link"> <span class="gn-related__category">Network</span> <span class="gn-related__title">Who is your brand for? 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