Over the past few years, more and more companies are making concerted efforts to diversify their workforce. This important step in the industrial field, as well as other industries, has many benefits, of course. While companies should continue to consider how they can add diversity to their operations, understanding the benefits, and the challenges, can help a company create a better strategy.
The Benefits of Diversity in the Workforce
A Variety of Ideas
When people of different backgrounds work together on a team and towards a common goal, there is a greater variety of fresh ideas and solutions to problems. Fresh perspectives are valuable when it comes to problem-solving and this may help with an increase in productivity as well.
An Increase in Creativity
Along the same lines with fresh ideas, is a jolt of creativity. With more life experiences and references on your team, you may find that your team is more creative in their brainstorming, approach to their daily tasks, and also their problem-solving abilities.
A Positive Reputation
When a company is known for their open-mindedness when it comes to workplace diversity, that news travels fast – in a good way. Many job candidates are interested in working for companies that are open to diverse hiring practices. This can help you attract greater talent to bring onto your team and may also draw in larger customers.
The Impact of Diversity in Your Industrial Workforce
Increased Company Performance
Statistics show that more diverse companies perform 50% better than their less inclusive counterparts. One main area for an increase in performance comes from better innovation at the more diverse companies.
Increased Employee Retention
Company culture includes the morale and values of a company. Since workers today are very much tuned in and affected by company culture, it’s understandable that a more diverse work environment leads to greater alignment with the company itself. When workers feel more in line with a company’s values, it leads to greater satisfaction and an overall increase in employee retention.
Improved Brand Perception
Just as greater diversity helps recruit more talent, it also leads to an improved brand perception from the public. This improved perception is not easy to acquire, but when you implement diversity initiatives well, it can pay off in so many ways. Becoming a sought-after company for workers and customers alike can create quite an impact for any company.
Challenges to Bringing Diversity to Your Company
Needs a Strategy
Creating a diverse workforce has many benefits and positive impacts. However, while it’s a wonderful idea, it must be more than that to a company. This idea needs a solid strategy that has buy-in from upper level management as well as all supervisors. They will play a key role in implementing this strategy, and the success of the initiative will lie greatly in them.
Implementation is Key
Once a solid strategy is created, a detailed plan of implementation is necessary for all areas of the company. From recruiting and hiring to training, and ongoing support, a diversity and inclusion program must have an ongoing implementation plan.
Everyone Needs to Feel Included
One of the biggest challenges companies face when they begin implementing a diversity initiative is that they disregard anyone else who doesn’t fall under the “diverse” label. Your current employees must continue to feel valued for their efforts and their loyalty while this new initiative takes place. This can be a delicate balance for managers, so be ready to hear (and consider) feedback from them throughout your implementation.
When done well, a company that is able to naturally add diversity to their industrial workforce may experience a variety of benefits that impact their company both in a short-term and long-term time frame.
Find the Right Workers to Help Your Company Excel
If you need help finding the right workers to fill your open positions in the New England area, contact Expert Staffing. We can assist you in all of your staffing needs.