Community News C
TIPS FOR CREATING AN INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE
By Dean Swanson, volunteer Certified SCORE Mentor and former SCORE Chapter Chair, District Director, and Regional Vice President for the North West Region A s the nation’s employers struggle to attract talent and retain valued employees, many companies remain culturally short-sighted. While American businesses are still impacted by The Great Resignation, companies must look beyond merely offering competitive salaries and benefits. Local CEOs struggle with practical steps to get this done. In an employee-dominated marketplace, an inclusive workplace culture greatly influences employee job satisfaction and dedication to their employer. Nellie Akalp, one of SCORE’s several content partners has identified several tips that are applicable to our small businesses. She is a passionate entrepreneur, business expert, professional speaker, author, and mother of four. I share her work on this topic. In Deloitte’s latest report, “Unleashing the Power of Inclusion,” 80% of surveyed employees say inclusion is essential when choosing an employer, and 39% report they’d consider leaving their current companies to work for more inclusive employers. In addition, creating an inclusive workplace pays off for a growing company. Research shows that companies with inclusive cultures are six times more likely to be innovative, six times more likely to anticipate change and respond effectively, and twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets. As the owner of a growing company, I constantly strive to provide my employees with a workplace culture that celebrates diversity and encourages individuals to be their authentic selves. But to get your people on board, it’s not enough to be a boss—you have to be a leader. And inspire them. How do you do that? Keep the “I” out of Team. We’ve all heard the age-old phrase, “There is no I in team.” As an entrepreneur, it is easy to take a path of “me, myself,
and I” in all aspects of the business. But for organizations to succeed, leaders must realize that while there is no “I” in “team,” there is an “I” in “responsibility.” Once your team trusts that you have their best interests at heart, creating an inclusive workplace is easier. To read more, visit SCORE’s website at https://bit.ly/3lC7k6d
Advantage Magazine | 15
July 2022
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