The XX Series – Creating an Inclusive Culture in the Corporate Caribbean

Inclusive Culture is in! There are countless studies that prove that when your workers feel more included it can lead to a boost in business productivity.  In the last article for this series, we looked at the reasons why creating a more inclusive culture is an important step businesses. The ‘How’ of is a whole other scene altogether.

Once again, the XX Series is calling on our experts to help us figure it all out. Dr. Maegan Pollonais is doubly qualified to help us as both a Trinbagonian and Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Franklin College, Indiana, USA.

When it comes to creating a more inclusive culture in your workplace, Dr. Pollonais says it’s not a fly-by-night process. It requires deliberate actions by our corporate leaders to ensure that women, men or gender neutral persons of varying identities and ethnicities feel involved and invested in the workplace. Here are some steps that you can take chip by chip to get you on your way 💃🏼:

Link up for Diversity– Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are a great way to get diverse groups and their allies to share, learn and use their experience to enrich your corporate culture. Not too sure how to start one? Doh beat up, click here for a step by step guide on how to get started.

Clear d way for Inclusivity! Be sure to consider infrastructural changes as well like setting up designated Pumping Stations for new mothers 👩‍👦, wheelchair access 🦽  to buildings for differently abled persons and Neutral Bathroom Spaces for transgender staff ⚧️ .

Include diversity in your brand – On your socials or in your product offerings, find ways to let your clients and the wider community know that you welcome ALL. But be sure to incorporate your stance consistently to avoid the trappings of tokenism or performative activism.

Through the XX Series, we explored how acknowledging our differences as working mothers, single fathers and members of the LGBTQ Community can help build a stronger business. As the discussions surrounding gender and inclusivity progress, we don’t want you to lose out on opportunities for you and your brand to evolve along with it. Be sure to check out some of the many awesome options you can choose from to help build and better and more inclusive brand.