Inclusiveness is an important topic in businesses today. In this article, we have provided a number of benefits that inclusiveness presents to all companies. Whether they are small, big, global or local.
What is Inclusiveness?
“The quality of including many different types of people and treating them all fairly and equally”
Cambridge English Dictionary
At the moment, inclusiveness is an important topic in business. Especially within the IT and Tech industry, in which women only make up 25% of workers in the field.
As it stands, only 3% of female students consider a career in technology, and only 11% of practicing engineers are women.
Inclusiveness isn’t just about women, though. This includes people of different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and ages. So with this in mind, we want to look at inclusiveness in the workplace, and what benefits it can bring to a business.
Why is Inclusiveness Important?
Working towards becoming an inclusive business can be difficult for many reasons, but it is important that every company strives for inclusiveness. Not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also for your business. Inclusiveness benefits businesses in a number of ways which we have reduced to seven main points.
7 Benefits of Inclusiveness within a Business
Variety of Different Perspectives
By becoming culturally diverse, a business creates a culture of innovation. This is a result of a variety of different perspectives that increase creativity within an organization. “Diversity of people brings diversity of thought which brings diversity in ideas.” (humorthatworks.com)
Higher Productivity
Within a company that creates a safe innovative environment, staff feel more appreciated and as a result, work harder. Also, it is proven that diverse companies have faster-problem solving and better decision-making. Hence, having a diverse team who have different perspectives and ideas, they have a higher productivity rate than other companies.
Increased Profits
There is also a correlation between diverse companies and top financial performers. This is a result of the diversity of the companies and the high productivity of those teams within them. Thus, companies can find themselves performing better by diversifying their workforce.
Higher Employee Engagement
For a company that is inclusive and diverse, their employees are happier and more satisfied with their job. Happiness is contagious in the workplace, and if the people around you are happy, then you will be too. In an organization, this positive morale helps to engage employees, making them feel like they’re a part of something bigger. Ultimately, this contributes to a business in every way.
Reduced Employee Turnover
As explained, happiness makes a massive difference in employee morale and engagement. With a positive working environment companies will find a lower employee turnover rate. Not only will they have better employees but also staff who love the brand they work for. Basically, employees won’t want to leave a company where they feel valued and believe they are working for an inclusive business.
Increased Organizational Flexibility
Within the IT and Tech industry, in particular, an organization needs to be open to adapt to new technologies or ways of working. humorthatworks.com had made the connection between diverse businesses and Organizational Flexibility. This, they say, is due to the ‘diverse, collaborative and the constant communication [which] allows people to move from one role to another with greater speed and skill.’ Therefore, an organization that has the ability to do so, has more chance of adapting better to changes within the industry.
Company Reputation
Lastly, it is great for the company reputation. Other organizations will want to work with a company who is diverse and one that performs well. As we’ve seen, inclusiveness within a business can benefit all areas of the way a company functions. Employee engagement increased profits and organizational flexibility, which are attractive qualities for potential customers and partners. TalentLyft recognizes how inclusive businesses that present a diverse workforce makes it easier for different people to relate to the brand, ‘opening doors to new markets, customers and business partners‘.
Conclusion
To conclude, it has become obvious that all companies should strive to be more inclusive. The benefits of such diversity, allows organizations to free themselves from being stuck. This applies to not only having different ideas, but also being stuck with productivity, stuck with not being able to adapt quickly, and stuck with high employee turnover. Thus, modern IT and Tech companies, who need to be innovating and progressing, have to focus on inclusiveness in order to survive and thrive.