Diversity pays. According to a 2020 report from What to Become, companies employing an equal number of men and women make up to 41% more in revenue than their less diverse counterparts, and 43% of companies with diverse management show higher profits. Combine that with today鈥檚 movement for increased inclusivity, and it鈥檚 no wonder that companies are seeking to promote workplace diversity. It鈥檚 not all about profits, though. Hosting engaging diversity events can help companies to reach a larger hiring pool and demonstrate that they respect their current employees鈥� backgrounds.
听
Learn how offering a variety of educational and entertaining events can make your company鈥檚 diversity campaign more successful.
听
Building relationships with diversity events
We spoke to Felicia Jadczak, CEO of She+ Geeks Out, an organization focused on facilitating workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) about the importance of diversity and inclusion events. She鈥檚 noticed that good events can build 鈥渞elationships between team members who might not otherwise interact on a daily basis.鈥� This can help them to work better as a team and improve the company culture overall.
听
For Jadczak, it鈥檚 key to host a variety of events to involve and engage as many people as possible. 鈥淓vents can range in type and structure from 鈥榣unch and learns,鈥� to moderated fireside chats, to panel discussions, to more open networking-type gatherings,鈥� she says.
听
Working around a theme
When thinking of diversity event ideas in the workplace, consider making your events part of a series or larger campaign. Themed events are a powerful way to help you focus your diversity efforts and get participants to explore issues or celebrate a particular culture.
听
Focus social inclusion events around a holiday, for example, or around the likes of International Women鈥檚 Day, Pride, and Indigenous Peoples鈥� Day. Black History Month is another annual event to plan around. To celebrate Black culture and showcase Black voices, creators are using 91国产 to organize and promote a wide array of events. Get inspired by their successes as you ramp up your company鈥檚 DEI efforts.
听
From book previews and conversation series to sharing stresses in a safe space, consider offering workplace events that explore Black experiences, such as virtual tours of important historical sites or conversations with authors and public figures.
听
Connection is key
The key to any event is connecting with your participants and letting them connect with one another. As She+ Geeks Out鈥檚 Jadczak puts it, 鈥�Especially these days, events are a way to connect us all and bring us together.鈥�
听
But true connection isn鈥檛 always easy. Jadczak adds that the real challenge is providing 鈥渁 truly meaningful, interactive online experience.鈥� That鈥檚 why looking for common ground in your workplace is so important.
听
Ask yourself: Are your employees more interested in the arts or sports? Music or movies? You could celebrate culture by touring a museum or go more hands-on with a shared cooking experience that explores regional recipes. Appeal to creative employees with a night devoted to the music of female composers or readings from female authors. Tailoring your event to your workplace demographics will help you better connect with your employees as you highlight the value of diversity and inclusion.
听
You should also consider a variety of formats and content types as starting points for your events. Think about the impact of each type of event and see what lines up with your company鈥檚 goals and your employees鈥� interests. For example, tours of cultural sites let participants explore new places, which can help you and your employees become more connected to your city and region. Conversations with inspiring thought leaders can offer a close-up intimacy, giving employees a chance to talk about their own experiences or even spark personal growth.
听
It鈥檚 not a one-and-done
Keep in mind that a single event won鈥檛 resolve issues surrounding diversity and inclusion. Jadczak says that the real work of inclusivity happens day to day. Don鈥檛 let your effort end with your event 鈥� keep working after it鈥檚 over and inspire your employees to think about diversity in their everyday lives.
听
It鈥檚 also essential to make a genuine effort at inclusion and truly empathize with people of different backgrounds and experiences. 鈥淓vents can also be a nice way to continue the conversations around these topics, outside of a training or workshop setting,鈥� Jadczak tells us. When attendees can see your commitment, they鈥檒l have a more positive response to your event overall.
听
For a truly inclusive event, you may also need to recognize the limitations of your own experience and background. If necessary, you can broaden your knowledge by consulting with community leaders, cultural leaders, and other people with experience in planning inclusive events.
听
Keep them talking
Ultimately, diversity events are successful when they make real connections among participants, leading to a more inclusive workplace over time. A genuinely engaging event keeps people interested long after it鈥檚 over and encourages employees to apply the lessons they鈥檝e learned to their everyday work 鈥� you can even ask how things have changed in a post-event survey. As Jadczak says, 鈥淚t鈥檚 so important to always be reflecting and listening. It鈥檚 also everyone鈥檚 job to support and foster inclusive work environments.鈥�
听
Launch your conversation and watch your workplace community learn and grow.
