No culture can live, if it attempts to be exclusive.” – Mahatma Gandhi 

This beautiful quote summarizes the efforts of millions of workplaces taking strides to cultivate a diverse and inclusive culture within their own organizations. Our work world is thriving due to the intentional and effective discussions and actions that make our workplace cultures a more equitable and respectful place for all employees. However, all too often the inclusion and diversity efforts are only revealed to those already on the inside, and companies forget outward facing aspects of their business: websites, and social media channels. In 2021, Facebook conducted a research study and thousands of simulations that concluded 54% of people did not feel culturally represented through targeted ads, videos, and website posts. 

Facebook’s research, including an analysis of videos on its affiliated platforms, demonstrates that people want to be represented and experience robust diversity and inclusion in online posts, advertising campaigns, and blogs across race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability. Forbes published article “14 Important Benefits of a More Diverse Leadership Team” highlights the benefits of diversity within leadership, which connects directly to the organic relationship between a company’s public facing diversity efforts on websites and social media pages, and the overall cultural health and success of the organization. 

Of the 14 points highlighted in the Forbes article, these 5 key reasons expound on the benefits of reflecting an organization’s diversity and inclusive cultures:

1. Greater Depth and Breadth of Experience and Perspective: Visible Diversity translates to deeper experiences and perspectives, which welcomes a relatable experience to employees, clients, and 
2. prospective clients. “Experience, perspective, and relatability facilitate innovation, which is critical to capturing and maintaining market share.”
3. Increased Awareness: Expanding awareness while being intentional about understanding others’ perspectives creates space for all of us to share experiences and be more authentic. Authenticity and understanding correlates to an in-depth awareness of your “employees’ needs, customer experiences, social impacts, global opportunities, etc.” 
4. Valuable Perspectives: Community, consumers, clients, and prospective employees are best served by having their points of view represented. 
5. A Sense of Trust and Psychological Safety: When Employees, vendors, clients, and independent contractors feel the psychological support and safety of a company to exhibit their ethnicity, personal identity, gender, sexual orientation, family status, and any other part of their identity without judgment the workforce improves employees’ productivity, increases innovation, and saves their organization money.
6. More Fun: Employees, clients, and supporters of a diverse organization feel more comfortable, content, and happy. Workplace diversity and inclusion efforts, including public representation on websites and social media platforms foster a sense of belonging for everyone.  Staff are likely to remain at a company longer if they feel the company and coworkers appreciate them. Diversity creates more engagement and more energy. The more energy your organization has, the more creative and effective the efforts, solutions, and products will be. 

When companies deeply invest in their diversity, inclusion and belonging initiatives, it assists in driving loyalty and success, both internally and externally. No matter how you flip it, diversity and inclusive online presence align with brand objectives and people operations’ success. 

Need assistance in bolstering your diversity efforts and building an inclusive brand? Are you unsure how to implement an equitable workforce that values a sense of belonging? Clarity HR can help! 

Written by: Stephanie Calhoun

January 2, 2023

We are on the journey with you.