Diversity and inclusion programs’ ascendancy is no passing trend. According to HR Technologist’s 2020 Diversity and Inclusion trends, these programs are now part of most organization’s business models. There is good reason for that. The benefits of diversity and inclusion translate directly to organization’s bottom lines in areas like:

  • Attracting talent
  • Speeding innovation
  • Improving financial performance
  • Building culture

Employers who make D&I a core value are now being recognized and sought out by top talent. Forbes compiles annual lists of employers who put D&I at the core or their operating principles. Increasingly companies (like Hubspot) are tracking their performance in D&I just as they would other key metrics.

But what if you don’t work for an employer with a robust D&I program? What do you do if you would like to spearhead this initiative and make the business case for implementation?

IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) Diversity and Inclusion Committee has compiled the leading best practices to help assist in D&I program implementation in an easy-to-use toolkit. This toolkit contains:

  • Key Questions
  • Top Rules of Engagement
  • Sample D&I Commitment
  • Sample D&I KPIs and Metrics
  • Sample Reporting Plan
  • Next Steps

The toolkit also provides advice on how to secure top-level engagement, establish accountability, track measurements, and communicate across the organization.

Karmin Bailey, a member of the D&I Committee who wrote the report, offered this about the toolkit:

“Part of building an inclusive environment is not how you’re going to change the other person. It’s how you’re going to change yourself and the environment in which the person is going to have to succeed. Diversity & Inclusion starts with YOU!”

If you are interested in launching a D&I program within your own organization, download the toolkit here.

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