Creating a genuinely diverse workforce remains a challenge for many businesses today. Anjali Ramachandran, co-founder of Ada’s List, emphasizes the importance of authentic representation across all metrics.
Despite the difficulties, it is crucial for companies to commit time and effort to achieve true diversity. This is not a box-ticking exercise but a continuous process requiring dedication.
The Importance of Comprehensive Representation
Anjali Ramachandran, speaking at a special meeting of diversity champions in London, underscored the necessity of measuring representation across all business metrics. True enlightenment for businesses comes when they extend their focus beyond just gender diversity. She noted, “It’s not easy to hit all of them in one shot, it’s not a box-ticking exercise and people need to know it will take time, but it just has to be done.”
Challenging the Status Quo
Ramachandran strongly believes that the common excuse of not finding people from diverse backgrounds is unacceptable. It demands hard work and proactive measures to identify and recruit such talents. “Too bad, that’s your job – you have to go and do the hard work,” she asserts.
Ada’s List began by emailing a few dozen friends. Five years on, it boasts over 6,000 members worldwide, demonstrating the impact and necessity of a global perspective in diversity initiatives.
The Benefits of Diverse Teams
Creating truly representative products leads to greater success. Ramachandran points out that women comprise 50% of the population, and 80% of people with disabilities reside in emerging markets. Understanding the problems faced by diverse populations is key to effective product development.
She adds, “When you build products that are truly representative you wind up with the most successful products.”
According to Ramachandran, storytelling can unearth and communicate diverse stories in fascinating ways, which is instrumental in promoting diversity.
Advice for Underrepresented Groups
Ramachandran advises individuals from underrepresented groups to seize opportunities wherever possible. Being a token representative can be isolating and demotivating, but one’s passion and the nature of the work can provide the impetus to drive change. “It depends on the company, the work you’re doing and how passionate you are about it – you could be the one to help a company change but if it’s going to be a constant uphill slog, maybe look somewhere else,” she advises.
Finding a supportive environment is crucial. For those feeling like the lone person in their company, it’s important to assess if there are growth opportunities or consider other workplaces more aligned with their goals.
Building an Inclusive Environment
For businesses, ensuring that diverse hires feel welcome is fundamental. This includes implementing programmes for returning mums, older employees, and other groups to integrate seamlessly into the workforce. This should not be limited to surface-level changes, such as altering job ad languages, but should extend to creating substantial opportunities within the company.
Ramachandran highlights the importance of targeted initiatives while acknowledging resource constraints. She says, “If there’s one group of people you’re specifically passionate about that’s okay because realistically there are limited resources.”
Global Focus on Diversity
Ada’s List’s global outreach exemplifies the importance of a broad perspective in diversity issues. By engaging members from around the world, it becomes possible to address diverse challenges more effectively and inclusively.
Engaging with a wide range of experiences and viewpoints enriches the collective understanding and helps in building better, more inclusive products and services.
Overcoming Challenges Through Storytelling
Storytelling is crucial in promoting diversity. Ramachandran’s venture, Storythings, aids companies in communicating complex stories, including those related to diversity, through blogs, films, and other media. This approach helps break down barriers and fosters a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives.
Employing comprehensive and sincere diversity measures is essential for modern businesses. Ramachandran’s insights highlight that while it may be challenging, the benefits of true diversity are immense.
By actively striving to include underrepresented groups and creating supportive environments, companies not only enhance their workforce but also foster innovation and success.