Customising the Business Case for Senior Leaders

One of the most important roles a diversity officer plays is to help senior leaders appreciate the value of diversity and inclusion and commit to their own set of D&I goals. Although business leaders may have an intellectual grasp of the general business case (demographics, talent market, company brand, etc.), in order to work up real enthusiasm for the effort, most will need to see very specific and direct ways D&I is going to impact their own immediate concerns. Our job is to help them trace those links. We can't do it for them, but we can facilitate the thought process by asking the right questions. Here are a few examples that can get the discussion started:

To execute our business strategy, what sorts of talent will we need? Do we know where to find these people and do we understand what will motivate them to come to or stay with our company?

Will the business strategy require us to change our organisational culture, or are changes in the in the composition or location of the workforce likely to lead to changes in culture or work environment?

Are we reaching into new markets or expanding our customer base? Are our product development, marketing, distribution, financing, and other supply chain systems responsive to the demands of each region or market segment?

By asking pointed follow up questions in each of these areas, diversity officers can help their business leaders find the diversity nexus, the sweet spot where diversity and inclusion concerns intersect with business concerns and provide opportunities for envisioning a D&I strategy that will truly advance the business. The next step is to help the executive team craft challenging but achievable—and measurable—goals for themselves and their business units.

The process of tailoring diversity business case goals and strategy to business objectives is addressed fully in Foundations of Diversity Strategy and Practice, an introductory workshop for new diversity professionals, diversity council members, business champions, and others involved in creating effective, sustainable D&I initiatives. Coming sessions are scheduled for 5 November in London and 19 January 2011 in Washington, DC. Foundations can also be delivered privately to your team on site. For more information, contact Michal Fineman (Michal.Fineman@orcww.com).