PRESS RELEASES

New Report Shows Global Leaders Are Convinced Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Improves Business Performance

June 24, 2020 – Equality is the ultimate goal of Diversity & Inclusion

• Research questioned over 650 Business and HR leaders across 13 countries
• 91% say that D&I contributes positively to business performance
• But senior leaders still need to be held more accountable for D&I
• Listed companies are 10% more likely to commit to D&I than private companies

A new report launched by Signium, a global executive search and leadership consultancy firm, shows that D&I is recognised as bringing huge benefits to business to attracting employees and improving company reputation. Over 9 in 10 leaders (91%) agree that D&I contributes positively to their business performance and 93% consider it to be a key part of their business strategy and decision-making process.

The research questioned leaders on the importance of demonstrating a D&I strategy to employees and stakeholders. It revealed that D&I visibility is higher for HR than Board Directors, with 94% of HR leaders saying it is important their organisation is seen as Diverse and Inclusive, versus 89% of business leaders. This is undoubtedly because HR leaders are more informed about the benefits created by the initiatives being implemented. It also shows the value of appointing Diversity and Inclusion Officers reporting to the CEO or CHRO/HR Director.

The independent survey, conducted by Censuswide, revealed that Diversity and Inclusion are more embedded in listed companies. Listed companies are 10% more likely to demonstrate D&I commitment than private companies. This may be because listed companies report to shareholders, hence are subject to greater public focus, so their D&I strategy is typically more embedded than in privately owned companies.

The research was overwhelmingly positive about leadership commitment to D&I. However senior leaders did reveal a 7% drop in responsibility for building D&I teams (at 86%), versus their commitment to the idea at 93%. This shows senior leaders need to be held more accountable for D&I as unless it is built into their performance objectives it will not be an actionable priority. A tool that can be used effectively is to make D&I part of their annual targets and linked to the variable bonus, with the ultimate goal of equal opportunities for all that can result from effective D&I initiatives.

Signium questioned leaders across industries, which identified Professional Services as the industry with greatest D&I commitment, with 100% agreement on the value of an inclusive culture. As a people-based service industry that often pitches for business, Professional Services can be asked to report on their D&I impact as part of this process and have fully adapted to meet this expectation. This can be compared to just 84% of leaders in the Consumer and Life Sciences industries who believe they are held accountable for D&I in their organisations.

Drs Peter de Jong, Managing Partner NL & Vice President Marketing Global Board at Signium, concludes: “We believe that equality is the ultimate goal of Diversity and Inclusion, so we are delighted that the research reinforces our view that D&I is embedded in organisations globally. D&I strategies and activation have a proven positive impact on topline and bottom line growth. It is about getting diverse talent right: the right person in the right place.”

The report was created by Signium, in partnership with specialist D&I consultancy Performance and Engagement Limited, as part of their joint commitment to Diversity and Inclusion in business.

Read the full report here: [https://www.flipsnack.com/BE8FAAE569B/the-positive-impact-of-diversity-and-inclusion-on-business/full-view.html]

Methodology

The research was conducted globally by Censuswide, an independent market research company, with a sample of 677 Business and HR leaders. The sample was gathered from 13 countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, South Africa; China, India, Japan; Brazil, Canada, Mexico, USA.

About Signium

Signium is one of the world’s leading executive search and leadership consulting firms with an extensive history dating back to the 1950s with offices in key business cities around the globe. We look beyond the qualifications and background of an individual candidate to consider culture fit and client values, something we call the application of “intelligence and intuition.” With local passion, knowledge, and a partner-led approach, we advise senior business leaders on developing their skills, their people, and their organizations.
www.signium.com

About Performance and Engagement Ltd

Founded by Esther Crew, Performance and Engagement is a strategic HR Consultancy specialising in Diversity and Inclusion. Esther is trusted as a leading talent and diversity expert, with over 25 years’ experience as an executive HR leader across a range of multi-sector global organisations. Esther acts as an advisor to CEOs, executive teams and business leaders across multiple sectors and geographies. She is a passionate advocate of greater diversity and endeavours tirelessly to develop inclusive and high performance cultures in global organisations. www.performanceandengagement.com