Roshni, why was it important for Research Europe to consider expanding its DEI offering?
For the past two decades, Research Europe has invested in supporting its clients achieve diversity via its Diversity Benchmarking & Enhancement research and practices. They have delivered successful outcomes for those clients who have invested in this space to date.
Research Europe has become increasingly aware that the diversity agenda has changed considerably, from a focus on gender and ethnicity to wider demographics and to diversity in its broadest sense, diversity of thought. There is also increasing evidence that demonstrates how diversity leads to organisational dividends.
Research Europe now wants to enable and equip its clients to take a proactive and strategic approach to DEI through its DEI consultancy services so they can benefit from those dividends.
What was it about Research Europe’s approach to DEI that made you keen to work with them in developing this proposition?
My approach to DEI is systemic as opposed to tokenistic (driven by numbers and/or one-off initiatives). Research Europe is aware from experience and from speaking to candidates over the years, that placing candidates from underrepresented groups in key roles is not enough. It could actually be meaningless and backfire unless there is a commitment from the client to drive an inclusive work environment, as well as putting in place the mechanisms to support those appointees and ensure their success in the organisation.
I found a good match in our approaches to delivering DEI services to global organisations. Also prior to joining Research Europe, I worked in DEI consultancy at regional and global levels. I was aware that Research Europe had carried out successful diversity enhancement projects for some of the world’s most recognisable companies and organisations, and that the team had experience of how diversity varies across global locations as well as the passion for DEI on a broader scale.
The services fall in to two categories – Consultancy and Learning & Development. Why was it important to you and Research Europe to cover both areas?
The Consultancy section covers the three key milestones in the DEI journey for an organisation.
The Diagnostics service is the starting point which enables an organisation to gauge its demographic profile and its level of inclusion across functions and hierarchies. This stock taking exercise provides a baseline which enables the organisation to identify priorities and where it wants to invest resources. Facilitation of the DEI Strategy is the next service that we offer. The Diagnostics Report that we produce (or any recent DEI diagnostic report that an organisation may already have) serves as a key document to defining the DEI Strategy. The Strategy document defines the main axes for change and provides an action plan with clear metrics in place to measure progress. The third service, the DEI audit, is for organisations which are further down the line in their DEI journey. It is an independent review which enables an organisation to evaluate the progress made, flags priority areas in its processes and policies and enables the organisation to efficiently channel limited resources towards its goals.
DEI is a collective journey, an investment in the long term that requires the participation of every member of an organisation. The L&D services are enablers to the culture and practice change that are required for any DEI strategy to be successful. They equip participants with frameworks, tools and competencies to become agents of change and champion the organisation's DEI vision. The Inclusive Leadership programme, in particular, has been devised as a powerful enabler to generating and maintaining an inclusive ecosystem in the workplace.
What benefit can companies expect to achieve through engaging Research Europe to support with their DEI development above internal support or another provider?
There is growing evidence to support the fact that diversity leads to organisational dividends in terms of innovation, enhanced performance, and profitability. However, increased diversity on its own does not necessarily lead to these benefits. There are mechanisms that need to be in place to trigger and enhance those benefits. This is where Research Europe’s expertise comes in. What can companies expect to achieve through our support? Over and above the above benefits, companies can expect to hire, retain and promote the best talent. They can expect to leverage their DEI strategy to achieve and enhance their business goals. They can expect to set themselves up as role models and trendsetters in DEI in their industry sector.
Are the services all facilitated directly by Research Europe?
All the services are facilitated directly by Research Europe. We have 20 years' research and implementation experience in DEI, working across all sectors and key industries. All our services are customised to the particular contexts and requirements of our clients. Just like the approach we take with our TA based services, where we work in close collaboration with the internal teams we are supporting, our DEI focused services are no different. We listen to what each organisation is looking for from the project, we advise on how best we can support in achieving those outcomes and we communicate throughout the project delivery, ensuring alignment and that our client’s needs are at the forefront of what we use our experience and expertise to deliver.
How can clients find out more about Research Europe’s DEI Services?
Clients should reach out directly to me to discuss their needs and aspirations regarding DEI – or if they haven’t yet defined their needs or direction with regard to DEI, then they should get in touch and I can help with supporting them through the process from the very beginning.
More information can be found here.