Diversity and Inclusion as Part of a Business Growth Strategy

Situation:
A Fortune 500 global manufacturer of consumer products had excellent brand recognition and very good market share and profitability. The company still felt there was an opportunity to better understand its customers’ evolving needs as part of its global business growth plans. It believed that more effectively integrating diversity and inclusion into its business might help achieve these objectives.

Solution:
The senior executive team was interviewed to determine the company’s medium-term business objectives and related workforce and work environment needs. The interviews explored customer knowledge, innovation, creativity, and productivity. A comprehensive analysis of the current workforce and work environment was also done. This served as the basis for designing a Business-Aligned® diversity and inclusion strategy that built off the company’s existing corporate values. Scorecards were developed for the overall company and for each business unit and functional area. These helped establish clear accountability for progress.

Outcome:
The strategy was approved and is being implemented.

Situation:
A global financial service provider has a track record of excellent revenue growth and operating profit margins. The company’s primary future growth opportunities were in Europe and Asia. Simultaneously, it was essential to maintain the company’s market leadership position in North America. Management wanted to see if a global diversity and inclusion strategy might help it achieve these growth objectives.

Solution:
The CEO and the global senior leadership team were interviewed to determine their key business priorities and their needs regarding workforce and work environment. Two global trends were identified. A Business-Aligned® diversity and inclusion strategy was designed to help achieve the company’s specific goals as articulated by the senior leadership team.

Outcome:
The Board of Directors, CEO, and senior leadership team approved the strategy and started using it to help grow their business.

Situation:
A major telecommunications service provider needed to expand into new markets with Internet- and language-based services.

Solution:
Leverage existing Employee Network Groups (ENGs). Build relationships between ENGs and senior business executives and focus on specific marketing partnerships within the ENGs’ external community of interest.

Outcome:
Internet service introduced to over 10,000 potential new customers. Marketing campaign for new international service modified to avoid negative implications of original plan due to local cultural norms in target market.

Situation:
A Fortune 100 consumer service provider was entering a new marketing relationship with a partner known for its emphasis on family values. Some of the partner’s employees protested the relationship claiming that the service provider did not support family values and did support the gay and lesbian (GLBT) community.

Solution:
Support the service provider’s marketing team by developing specific responses to the partner based on the service provider’s business case for diversity, benefit programs, and charitable giving.

Outcome:
The marketing relationship continued uninterrupted.

See more about how MDB Group can help grow your business through diversity and inclusion.