Member Poll: Internal Communications and Diversity and Inclusion January 2015 Published by Diversity Best Practices 2 Park Avenue, 10 th Floor New York, NY 10016 DiversityBestPractices.com Copyright 2015 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.
Introduction Communications can be considered the lifeblood of an organization. And communications is especially crucial in the area of diversity and inclusion. A 2013 survey by the leadership development consultancy Greatheart Leader Labs in Seattle concluded that a failure to communicate was the reason behind most organization s diversity gaps, regardless of the company s D&I prowess. Many organizations recognize the importance of communicating their diversity objectives to external audiences, such as customers, partners, and vendors. Equally as important, though, is relaying diversity s imperative to employees and internal stakeholders. In a recent Diversity Best Practices member poll, members were asked a series of questions about their company s practices in communicating their D&I objectives and vision, such as embedding the D&I communication plan into the employee communication plan, using diversity communications to engage employees, and role of the organization s leadership in communicating diversity objectives. Sixteen organizations participated in the poll with an even split (50/50) of respondents representing multinational organizations and the remaining reporting from U.S. based companies. The organizations represented a cross section of industries, including financial services, retail sales, energy, utilities, professional services, and healthcare. The results of this poll are detailed in this report. 2 Page Copyright 2015 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.
Participating Industries: Industry: Number of Employees: Revenue: Professional Services 1,600 $300M Food Manufacturing 20,000 $9.3 B Health Care 50,000 $50B Financial 67,000 $389B Utility 2,7948 $24.6B Healthcare 100,000 $60B Retail 165,000 $45B Financial Services 5,000 N/A Retail 2.1 Million $276B Financial Services 3,300 N/A Energy 23,000 $14B Wholesale/Retail Consumer Goods 35,000 $11B Healthcare 4,860 N/A Beverage Alcohol 4,000 $4B Finance 19,000 $130B Insurance 17,000 $26B Statistic Value Total Responses 16 Are you representing your company globally? Yes 8 50% No (please indicate the region you are 8 50% representing) 3 Page Copyright 2015 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.
Our organization s top-level objectives include diversity and inclusion. 6 38% 8 50% 1 6% 1 6% Our organization s D&I communication plan is integrated with overall internal communications. 2 13% 3 19% 8 50% 1 6% 1 6% 1 6% 4 Page Copyright 2015 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.
What does your organization do especially well in regards to internal D&I communications? Responses (12) Intranet web portal showcases monthly diversity calendar and heritage events, we are developing a web page Highlight employee resource group efforts and successes on our intranet. We have designed an employee awareness branding campaign that is ready to launch. Variety of communication vehicles Integrating D&I into overall messaging, D&I portal page Just starting. Year beginning communications to over 70 managers who are held accountable for achieving D&I goals Coverage of ERG events We work with both our HR Communications team and the Corporate Communications team to maximize the impact of our communications. We also leverage our social media platforms. newsletter Weekly executive insight articles very frequently include a focus on diversity and feature both an article rating a comment engine. In 2014, a communication campaign that began in 2013 continued with a monthly feature of an employee, and why they choose to work for the bank with an emphasis on diversity. Promoting and leveraging the success of ERGs, making D&I relatable to all EEs Statistic Value Total Responses 12 Our organization shares specific D&I accomplishments through internal communications. 8 50% 3 19% 5 31% 5 Page Copyright 2015 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.
Our organization represents global diversity visually in internal communications. 5 31% 2 13% 4 25% 2 13% 2 13% 1 6% Our organization communicates D&I events, including highlighting ERG events. 11 69% 2 13% 3 19% 6 Page Copyright 2015 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.
Our organization's D&I communication helps to educate employees. 6 38% 2 13% 6 38% 1 6% 1 6% Our organization's D&I communication focuses on employee engagement. 6 38% 3 19% 6 38% 1 6% 7 Page Copyright 2015 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.
What approaches, tactics, methods, and channels does your organization use to communicate D&I initiatives and successes? Responses (16) Intranet web portal, web page, flyers on kitchens and bulletin boards, poster boards Intranet, company newsletter and employee gatherings We use videos, company intranet site articles or postings, our ERGs, partner with other internal partners, such as community relations, etc. Internal sharepoint sites, newsletters, email blasts Company portal, Company newsletter, D&I portal page, training, Executive Communications Websites, blogs, monitors, emails, internal conferences Our goal is to create our first comprehensive communication plan for 2015. However, our current communication vehicles include our internal twitter site, Employee News and updates on our internal D&I site. Internal articles, email follow up and photo submittal to internal intranet site. Corporate website, various internal websites, annual reports, weekly communication, magazine, social media... An annual report, monthly email, announcements from our ERGs and on-going D&I education for executives and associates Posters Articles on the Intranet; an Annual D&I week We have a communication plan to support our work plan for the year. We utilize our intraweb to post events and educational content. We also communicate successes related to our D&I efforts (awards, milestones, etc.). Our ERGs also have a newsletter that we use to communicate this information as well. Newsletter, chatter, organizational announcements in email, Brown-Forman TV Intranet, newsletters, executive messages, employee BRG ILPs Monthly newsletter on front page of intranet; social media capability for all employees to engage in Statistic Value Total Responses 16 8 Page Copyright 2015 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.
Managers at our organization play a visible role in internal D&I communications. 1 6% 4 25% 3 19% 5 31% 1 6% 2 13% Our organization's leaders play a visible role in D&I communications. 5 31% 4 25% 4 25% 3 19% 9 Page Copyright 2015 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.
What improvements could your organization make in regards to internal D&I communication? Responses (12) Fully integrate D&I communications into the organizational communications plan Imbed D&I messaging in all publications. We just hired a new internal communications leader, and will be working closely with her to integrate our D&I messages and communications to promote a holistic perspective for our employees to understand how D&I supports and enables the business strategy and objectives. Well developed marketing campaign Step up visibility at the top of the organization Still developing key messages and sharing them with our leaders so they feel comfortable delivering the message. Integrate D&I message in all internal training and development programs More interactive communications We would like to see more employees post comments on our communications. Finish developing our global communications strategy In 2015, the communication campaign will spotlight employee BRGs to promote their initiatives and convey organizational support for their work. Manager involvement; decentralize D&I to become part of daily life at the company Statistic Value Total Responses 12 10 Page Copyright 2015 by Diversity Best Practices. All rights reserved.