Diversity Matters – The Inclusion Hackathon

We are partnering with Diversily to have courageous conversations internally and to co-create solutions to increase workplace diversity & inclusion here, and also to enable our clients to do the same. We’ve signed up to their Inclusion Hackathon.

We caught up with Marissa Ellis at Diversily to chat about Why Diversity Matters as well as their Inclusion Hackathons specifically, including how you can sign up too.

Diversity and Inclusion isn’t a tick box exercise, it requires an engaged commitment to drive change and live and breathe an all-inclusive environment. As a B Corp, we are part of the movement that accelerates a global cultural shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy and workforce. We are committed to driving and championing diversity.

ADLIB: Let’s start with the need for Diversity and Inclusion, what’s your take – why is it so important?

Marissa: Building inclusive workplaces, products and services is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Diversity and Inclusion is ultimately all about team success, which drives business success.  Diversity will widen your overall capability as a team in terms of skills, knowledge, perspectives and experiences. Inclusion will enable you all to bring your best selves to work, to thrive together and achieve more. 

Diversity and Inclusion brings huge benefits to businesses in terms of performance, competitive advantage, ability to innovate and, increasingly, being an employer of choice. 

There is of course also the social justice angle. We need to re-examine pretty much everything through an inclusive lens. Some injustices are so ingrained we don’t even notice them, but the gender and ethnicity pay gaps are very real.

Just because it is important, doesn’t mean it is easy. Creating a diverse workforce requires going against the status quo. It will take relentless, intentional action. It means trying harder to find diverse talent. It means challenging stereotypes and biases. It means having uncomfortable conversations. It means learning to think inclusively. It means not surrounding yourself with people just like you. It means stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Change is hard, but momentum is growing. Forward-thinking organisations have moved on from the ‘Why does it matter?’ to the ‘What are we going to do?’.

For these organisations the Diversily Inclusion Hackathon is a really effective way to drive meaningful change.

ADLIB: Can you share a little bit more about what you do – what is Diversily’s mission?

Marissa: Our mission is to inspire better business. Diversily serves business leaders, change makers and entrepreneurs who want to have more impact and drive meaningful, strategic change. We believe that by helping you with our toolkit and services, together, we can create a better world for everyone. Our flagship tool, The Change Canvas is driving positive change all around the world.

We believe there is a better way for businesses to operate. We are rebelling against ‘command and control’ leaders who only focus on profit and see people simply as resources to get the work done. Our approach is human centred and purpose led with diversity and inclusion at the core.

We help organisations to:

• Drive inclusive innovation, change and business transformation, turning purpose into impact.
• Build high performing diverse and inclusive teams that deliver against strategic objectives.
• Create more inclusive experiences, products and services.
• Intentionally build purposeful, value-based cultures of belonging.
• Develop inclusive leaders.

ADLIB: Could you share what the Inclusion Hackathon is about, what it aims to achieve and who it is for?

The Inclusion Hackathon is a self-facilitated off the shelf virtual team building event that drives inclusive action. It works for companies of all sizes. It encourages empowering and courageous conversations and co-creation of solutions to increase workplace diversity & inclusion.

It is perfect for organisations that recognise the value of intentional inclusive culture building and are looking to boost morale and take positive action.  

By running the Diversily Inclusion Hackathon you will realise a host of benefits. Importantly you will send a very strong signal to staff that this is an important topic that EVERYONE has a part to play in co-creating solutions and taking personal responsibility. In addition, it will: 

• Educate staff on the importance of diversity and inclusion and how it is not just the ‘right’ thing to do but critical for business success.
• Change mindsets to build inclusivity into the way people think.
• Encourage ownership and participation across the company on this important topic.
• Build awareness for different people’s experiences and understanding of the team dynamics or systems that can hinder a sense of belonging or create exclusion.
• Get a global view of how people across the organisation feel and what challenges are faced.
• Generate ideas for driving positive change and drive inclusive action.
• Open up conversations and encourage the development of stronger relationships
• Encourage diversity of thought and new ideas
• Support personal development of attendees helping them to develop skills around empathy, relationship building & problem-solving.

ADLIB: How can businesses get involved and find out more about what you do? 

We are running a special offer for the Inclusion Hackathon for all sign ups in November. We firmly believe in the power of collaboration. So we are reducing the standard price from £1295 to £595 and offering a special group programme. A cohort of companies will all run the event within their organisations in Dec or Jan, to suit, but they will also be able to share and learn from each other and help to foster a community feel.

You can sign up here.

For businesses interested in taking advantage of The Change Canvas and our other resources, these are freely available on our website www.diversily.com. Have a good look around as we have plenty to share for free. Plus, you can find out more about our workshops, training and consultancy services.

Thank You for the chat Marissa!

---