Are you seeing a return on your investment for DEI trainings and workshop sessions? If you're feeling frustrated because your answer is no, it's essential to reassess your company's approach to this work. Companies are often unwilling to spend time and funds on DEI training workshops and instead think of training as a "one and done" solution. DEI is an incredibly dynamic field, and progress requires a deeply rooted cultural change, stretching across thinking, feeling, and behavior. Companies doing the difficult work of continuously re-evaluating and improving their beliefs, attitudes, and assumptions are aware that they are on a journey. Yet, striking the proper tone to educate, implement, and invest in DEI remains a challenge in today's corporate environment. Holistic Inclusion Consulting works with clients to overcome their struggles and develop DEI models that pave the way for successful business structures. Fruitful DEI roadmaps come with a significant investment because they require customized strategies to address your unique business needs. We ensure a real return for your investment because we address the root of your organization's DEI struggles and create plans that implement system-wide institutional change. So ask yourself, are you seeing a return on your investment for DEI training? Let's talk about the Don'ts. First, companies should not assume conducting one training for the entire organization will lead to an immediate return on their investment.
Second, selecting employees to conduct these sessions when they don't have the expertise will not lead to a quick investment return.
Third, organizations cannot hire a DEI leader simply because it is more cost-effective. They need to not support them with the team or funding needed to drive impact. Now, let's talk about the Dos. How are you addressing systemically exclusionary practices? How are you avoiding your employees becoming disengaged or unmoved by your DEI initiatives? Holistic Inclusion Consulting is here to recommend strategies and best practices for creating actual shifts in the workplace. The key to impactful change in your organization requires buy-in from all employees. The following are the "do's" that can help get you started.
Embed trainings into your onboarding process to ensure a shared vision and cultivate buy-in for all employees.
Produce weekly micro-learnings to normalize DEI education and use a business communication platform to elaborate on these topics.
Utilize online trainings that have quizzes and conduct live virtual workshops that are interactive and thought-provoking.
Make DEI part of performance evaluation to ensure accountability and to promote equitable promotional opportunities.
Insert DEI discussions into teams' weekly meetings and focus on learnings presented earlier in the week
Hire an external DEI expert to lead monthly intimate team workshops to unpack bias and oppressive practices.
Conduct a detailed quarterly audit reinforcing and implementing the best DEI practices.
Encourage managers to invest budget quarterly towards DEI.
These steps ensure everyone in your organization has a role in DEI and has an opportunity to understand the information and its importance to the organization. Holistic Inclusion Consulting offers a range of services that have a proven track record of evolving organizations and offer strategies to help you measure the impact of your investment. Let's begin building your organization's comprehensive DEI plan today. What are you waiting for?
Looking for more? Check out last month's blog about implementing DEI tools, and tune in next month to dive into how DEI can provide your company a competitive advantage in each function.