DEI: The importance of promoting a diverse, inclusive and equitable business culture
Diversity, equity and inclusion are essential pillars for the development of workplace well-being and the consolidation of teams with a plurality of perspectives and equal opportunities.
Fostering a diverse environment allows for the integration of unique perspectives, skills and experiences, a dynamic that translates into greater innovation and the ability to adapt to market needs.
In addition, equity ensures that all teams have access to the same opportunities for development and growth, and that systemic barriers that may limit potential are reduced.
In this article, Florence Tatasciore, specialist in IT Patagonia's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, gives us an insight into the company's vision and initiatives in relation to the DEI perspective.
Together with Flor, we analyzed the impact of this type of policies on attracting and retaining talent, the benefits they produce and the challenges posed by their implementation. In addition, impact they have on the company's innovation and creativity.
We also share some recommendations to foster inclusive leadership and measure the success and impact of DEI initiatives.
Importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in companies
By creating an inclusive culture, organizations not only enrich their creativity and problem-solving capabilities. In parallel, reinforce their reputation as an attractive employer brand committed to social responsibility.
Companies that value diversity have a greater understanding of their customers and communities, enabling them to create more relevant products and services.
On the other hand, inclusive teams generate a sense of belonging that improves talent engagement and productivity.
In an increasingly interconnected world of work, implementing DEI policies is a key factor for employee well-being, sustainability and long-term business growth.
In fact, the report Global Gender Gap Report 2024 Posted by the World Economic Forum, ensures that when efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion are more lasting, the following are achieved:
- higher productivity
- adaptability to change
- Stronger innovation results
The differential vision of IT Patagonia
Our vision in terms of DEI is Building an inclusive and equitable organizational culture, where each person can feel valued. In addition, we want to ensure that full support is given to their development.
We are therefore committed to reflecting the diversity of society in our work environment, not only in terms of gender, but also sexual orientation, age, origin, abilities, among other issues.
This vision sets us apart by placing the DEI perspective as an essential and transversal value in all the technological innovation projects we carry out, where we promote equal opportunities and respect for differences.
From an intersectional perspective, we recognize that each person has a complex identity and multiple dimensions of experience. From there, we can Addressing inclusion challenges with a comprehensive vision.
This means that we consider the different intersections of identity when designing our policies, ensuring that people who work at the company have the opportunity to thrive, regardless of the multiple realities they may be living and experiencing.
It is an approach that sets us apart in the industry by fostering a culture that goes beyond mere representation, seeking genuine and sustained equity at every stage of professional development.
DEI: its impact on attracting and retaining talent
Diversity, equity and inclusion play a fundamental role in attracting and retaining talent by promoting a work environment where people can be authentic and contribute from their diverse perspectives.
Establishing a culture that considers diversity of gender, disability, ethnicity and age, allows us to establish ourselves as an attractive employer for those seeking a place that values inclusion, plurality and collective growth.
An example of this impact on the labour market is the increase in the participation of women, people with disabilities and people of different ages and ethnicities in technical and leadership roles. A trend that Enhanced our reputation as a company that takes its commitment to inclusion seriously.
In this way, we can build multidisciplinary teams that bring a wide variety of experiences and strengths and They enrich not only our work environment, but also the quality of our technological solutions..
Benefits of an inclusive culture
The benefits of an inclusive culture include greater psychological safety, more openness to learning and opportunities for development without prejudice.
To reinforce these values, we have specific programs that include training and awareness-raising in the five axes that guide our DEI agenda:
- Multicultural and ethnic diversity
- Age diversity
- Functional Diversity (disability and neurodiversity)
- Gender diversity and sexual orientation
- Economic vulnerability
In addition, we have specific policies and a DEI Guide, which consists of an internal toolbox on diversity, equity and inclusion.
This resource allows us make key concepts visible for the development and strengthening of an inclusive culture.
Challenges in implementing a DEI policy in technological environments
One of the main challenges we experienced in the framework of implementing DEI policies was romper with the traditional stereotypes of the sector, where certain areas continue to be perceived as dominated by a homogeneous profile.
A key learning that we developed in the process is the importance of Training and constant communication to deconstruct stigmas, overcome prejudices and generate a change of mentality throughout the organization.
It is also essential to have the commitment of senior management and the leadership team, who must be role models and promote inclusion and equity in their teams.
DEI: Its impact on innovation and creativity
Diversity is a source of innovation. The variety of perspectives and experiences enriches our processes and allows us to develop more creative and inclusive solutions.
A concrete example is the project of Updating our website, in which diverse teams participated. This plural and multi-perspective approach contributed to improving its accessibility.
As part of the process, incorporated sustainability criteria, such as energy efficiency, and features that made the web more intuitive and accessible to a greater number of people.
Keys to fostering inclusive leadership
At IT Patagonia we promote inclusive leadership through training and awareness-raising, both general and technical, in the different areas that make up the DEI agenda.
As we explained previously, this is an agenda oriented towards gender and sexual orientation diversity, functional, age, multicultural and ethnic diversity, and socioeconomic vulnerability.
We also work together with strategic areas, such as Culture and Training, to ensure that Our leadership team is aligned with the values of inclusion and equity.
In this way, we strengthen our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion from the foundation of organizational leadership.
How to measure the success and impact of DEI initiatives?
At IT Patagonia we measure the impact of our DEI initiatives through several indicators, including:
- diversity in hiring
- Retaining talent from underrepresented groups
- work environment surveys
We also review our internal processes and practices to ensure they are equitable.
These metrics allow us to Constantly evaluate our progress and make adjustments to our policies, actions, objectives and programs.
Initiatives to attract diverse talent in a competitive market
We use inclusive communication in our job postings, ensuring that language is accessible and engaging for people of all identities and backgrounds.
We also train our talent team to identify and avoid unconscious biases at every stage of the recruitment process, from CV review to interviews.
We also articulate and form alliances with different organizations that support underrepresented communities in technology.
These initiatives not only expand our reach. They also reinforce our commitment to building diverse and representative teams.
How is the tech industry responding to DEI efforts?
The tech industry has begun to recognize the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, but there is still a long way to go.
Barriers to inclusion are a reflection of cultural and structural problems in society. These obstacles make changes complex and require sustained effort.
To generate real change in the sector, it is essential that companies work collaboratively, and share good practices, learnings and resources that allow accelerating the transformation.
This effort involves developing strategic alliances, promoting coordination with the public sector and social organizations, and promoting spaces for discussion to address common challenges.
Only by working together can we build a truly inclusive technological ecosystem, where everyone has the same opportunities to grow and contribute.
IT Patagonia's next steps in strengthening DEI policies
We will continue to strengthen our current initiatives and address new challenges to deepen the impact of our vision and renew our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, from a strategic perspective.
As next steps we plan:
- Expand our inclusive leadership development programs
- Strengthening the support network for diverse talents
One of our main immediate objectives is to deepen our work in the area of functional diversity, and actively promote the employability of people with disabilities and neurodivergences.
This involves adapting selection processes, guaranteeing accessible work spaces and raising awareness among teams, in order to create a truly inclusive and respectful work space.
In addition, we will continue to work actively to reduce the gender gap through specific training, affirmative action, and policies that promote equal opportunities.
Our long-term focus is to become a benchmark in the sector, leading by example and promoting alliances with other companies and organizations.
In this way, we seek to enhance collective impact and continue transforming the technology industry into an inclusive, diverse and accessible space for all people.
Conclusion
Developing DEI policies is essential to building fairer, more innovative and competitive work environments.
These initiatives not only foster respect and appreciation for individual differences, but also encourage creativity by integrating diverse perspectives into decision-making.
In addition, they contribute to attracting and retaining talent, especially in a market where professionals value working in companies committed to these principles.
DEI initiatives strengthen organizational reputation, promote employee well-being, and boost performance by creating more cohesive and engaged teams.
If you are interested in working in a DEI work ecosystem, Check out our open searches.
