What is DEIA, and How Does it Empower Your Business? Top 5 Initiatives

What is DEIA, and why is it important for the present and future workplace? 

Imagine you start a garden but only plant cabbages. While it looks clean and coordinated, you miss an incredible opportunity to add carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, and lettuce. Had you done so, your fields would be brimming with vibrant colors and scents. You would have a bountiful harvest to create a delicious, homegrown meal for you and your loved ones. 

Similarly, a thriving company requires a diverse workforce with different experiences, perspectives, and skill sets. This is where Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) come into play. Broken down into several components, it stands for:

• Diversity refers to differences in every identity, including race, ethnicity, gender, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, and more.
  
  
• Equity considers varying needs and ensures everyone has access to necessary resources.
  
  
• Inclusion prioritizes creating communities and spaces where all people feel safe to be authentic.
  
  
• Accessibility allows everyone to benefit from society’s offerings, whether abled or disabled. 

In recent years, companies have increasingly prioritized DEIA initiatives, with many gaining well-deserved recognition for their efforts. Implementing inclusive practices and new policies isn’t a walk in the park, but when you move forward with an empowered community, the journey becomes all the more worthwhile. 

Here, we’ll explore why you need DEIA in the workplace and provide a blueprint to incorporate it into your company culture. 

There are numerous benefits of diversity in the workplace. 

When considering your work community, embracing DEIA isn’t just the right course of action—it also gives you various advantages. Some compelling reasons why DEIA is an effective strategy include:

• Higher profit: According to a 2022 D&I Global Market Report, diverse businesses earn 2.5 times more cash flow. The more you prioritize your people, the more motivated they’ll be to reach larger company goals.
  
  
• Improved productivity: The same study revealed that inclusive teams were 35% more productive. Nurturing a DEIA-friendly environment, whether optimizing hiring practices or making necessary changes for accessibility in the workplace, helps employees thrive when they know they’re in a safe space.
  
  
• Healthy workplace belonging: Everyone wants to be a valuable member of a community. By prioritizing workplace belonging, you convey that everyone deserves a seat at the table—and no one is left behind.

So, how can you get started to enjoy these benefits and uplift your employees? We have five suggestions to guide you. 

Enhance your company culture with our five DEIA strategies.

1. Transform your organization from the top down. 

Companies must be the change they want to see. The bad news is that transformation is slow-going. The World Economic Forum states that, at our current rate, executives will take nearly three decades to reach gender parity and 24 years for ethnic diversity. 

The good news is that this doesn’t stop us from continuing our work, as businesses worldwide spent around $7.5 billion to fund their DEIA initiatives in 2020—and the number may almost double by 2026. 

To impact your workplace at every level, DEIA needs to start at leadership and trickle all the way down. When executives model inclusivity, it sets the tone and makes way for more representation across the board.

2. Foster a space for learning and unlearning. 

There are plenty of unconscious biases to unlearn, but there are also more than enough opportunities to educate yourself and become more understanding of others’ backgrounds. Your company can begin by hosting DEIA workshops and discussing diverse practices. 

It’s also important to encourage open dialogue while ensuring everyone remains respectful. Sharing personal experiences can be some of the most influential ways to provide different perspectives and a touch of humanity, especially when certain topics may initially feel unapproachable. 

3. Measure your progress. 

First, define with your community: what are our short- and long-term goals to establish a more diverse and equitable culture? How can we get there? Then, track your progress through regular conversation and assessment. 

Data is power, and allows for higher visibility over which strategies work best. Leverage all the information you can gather to celebrate your journey while also making room for improvement 

4. Allow for continuous growth. 

The definition of DEIA may stay the same, but its practices will continue to evolve. Regularly stay up to date with the latest insights from top thought leaders and use your resources for further professional development. 

Push for regular training sessions, workshops, and even mentorship opportunities where people help each other fill in knowledge gaps and take ownership of their learning.

5. Engage with DEIA initiatives outside your work. 

Prioritizing DEIA in the workplace is vital, but your advocacy can extend beyond your professional world. DEIA is essential for fostering belonging in many spaces, including schools, hospitals, places of worship, and more. 

If possible, seek volunteering opportunities to help your greater community, or have your company partner with local nonprofits and organizations to support their members. DEIA can revolutionize how we do business and facilitate healthy communities, but only if we work as a collective. 

As a community built by women, DEIA is in our DNA. 

CCWomen’s mission is clear: foster an inclusive network of women and allies to get to the finish line together. DEIA is at the forefront of our efforts, and we continuously strive to uplift all voices in our efforts to transform the working world. 

Don’t know where to start on your DEIA journey? Tap into our network of experts to help jump start your ideas.