Line 25 Consulting

Diversity & Inclusion From a Marketing Perspective

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How much Diversity is Enough?

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diversity enough

Like many organizations, I’m sure your workplace has become more intentional about diversity, equity, and inclusion in recent months. Maybe there has been an influx of recruiting, sponsoring social justice organizations, and enhancing employee resource groups. Perhaps, you like the changes at your company. As these changes continue to happen, one has to ask, how much diversity will be enough?

For starters, there can be no such thing as too much diversity if done right. Companies hire the candidate that is best for the job ( or at least we expect them to) and if that person happens to be a person of color (POC), or a woman, or a member of the LGBT community that should not be written off as simply being a diversity hire. According to Ideal.com, a diversity hire is hiring based on merit with special care taken to ensure procedures have reduced biases. Many companies have adopted this “trend” of diversity hiring in order to make their company more diverse, without regard for how this affects company perception.

Unless there’s a major senior role hire or promotion, the public does not notice that a company has diversified its staff. Moreover, employees will definitely notice these changes that happen around them, and it’s up to the employees to hold their company accountable. In addition, consumers have become very attentive to the ways that companies engage on social media, and have even called out companies for their lack of DEI displayed. In short, there is no such thing as too much diversity.

Hire an Inclusive Marketing Consulting Firm

At Line 25 Consulting we know diversity has become a tricky conversation to navigate due to the many different voices that are contributing to the conversation. We push for diversity for companies who see the need to make a change. If you believe your organization needs a DEI facilitator to help with these conversations, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email at ngome@line25consulting.com or call (713)298-5851.

Is There Such a Thing as too Much Diversity?

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Diversity has been being pushed so much in all realms of our lives from the workplace to commercials and so much more. This push comes from people of color (POC) who are tired of being left behind, lack representation and are not included in conversations. The question is, is there such a thing as too much diversity?

diversity

This is not as simple as it may seem because there are many underlying circumstances that shape anyone’s answer. When I first considered this question I chuckled because of course there is no such thing as too much, there can’t be. But do I think this was as a queer Black woman? Is my unconscious bias setting in? After all, we all have it.

From a media standpoint, visuals help form our perceptions of what we see happening around us. As a fan of television, it has been quite interesting witnessing the shift in media and seeing how this changes the way that we view diversity. I will say while it is nice to see characters that are not cookie-cutter like we have in the past, it has been an unusual experience living through a time where diversity is now a necessity. Let me explain further. You’ve been keeping up with your favorite television show for five seasons, and suddenly a character who never showed interest in men comes out as gay or lesbian. You are caught off guard, pleasantly surprised but still confused. Now, this character’s entire storyline revolves around their gay identity and their struggle as a member of the LGBTQ community. Now let’s say the show introduces a black character, again you’re pleasantly surprised, that is until you notice this character’s entire story arc is based on their black identity. It is important to see these characters, but not in the continuous cycle of stereotypes and hardship.

These instances are not uncommon because this is what happens in television now, and it is an attempt to appear more diverse, but at what cost. When characters are reduced to their identity as a black person or a gay person, or a Muslim or Jew, it diminishes their autonomy as a person. They have now become a token for the show and ticked a diversity box. This is when too much diversity becomes to exist, not because of the character’s existence but because of what they are meant to represent. This does not only apply to television but to our everyday lives. We see it happen in the workplace and often times we may not be able to make the connection.

Therefore, diversity is best received when done with the right intentions. When diversity is pushed only to fix a companies image or reach a quota, it can feel forced and inauthentic. While one might think that POC will benefit no matter the circumstances, representation is only worthy of praise when done right.

Your Inclusive Marketing Company

Maybe you’re not in media, but you know your company needs help with their DEI and inclusive marketing initiatives. We would love to collaborate with you. Take a moment to schedule a 15-minute discovery call, reach out via email at ngome@line25consulting.com, or call (713)298-5851.

Equity, What is it?

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Often we hear the words diversity and equity, but what we hear is diversity ( having individuals from all walks of life) and some other word that looks like equality. We glaze over equity because we simply do not know the meaning of the word, although a simple Google search could fix that. So, what is it? Equity is simply the act of being fair and realizing that all individuals deserve the same opportunities and resources despite their circumstances, while equality wants to give every single individual the same exact things no matter what. In the spirit of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games, let’s talk Allyson Felix.

Rio de Janeiro – Corredoras dos Estados Unidos Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, English Gardner e Tori Bowie vencem final do revezamento 4 x 100m nos Jogos Rio 2016, no Estádio Olímpico (Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil)

If you have not heard of Allyson Felix ( team USA), you are certainly going to hear about it after Tokyo 2020. Felix qualified for her first Olympic race at Athens 2004 at just age 18 and received silver in the 200m, and from there the rest is history. Since 2004, Felix has competed in every single Olympic game and medaled every game. Now being noted as one the most decorated runners ever with six gold medals, Felix has earned the respect of athletes and spectators all over the world. Before Felix is anything she is a wife and a mother, and most importantly a woman. When mega-giant Nike, who Felix was sponsored by attempted to negotiate Felix’s contract after the athlete gave birth in November 2018, things became interesting.

Firstly, Nike cut Felix’s pay by almost 70% which to many including Felix looked like punishment. Felix attempted to negotiate with Nike but in the end, the two-part ways after she called the company out for not supporting her during and after childbirth. Now, Felix advocates for women who are athletes and everyday working parents to help support them. Felix has shown her resilience on and off the track field and continues to fight for mothers in the workplace.

The biggest lesson here is that Felix did not receive fair or equal treatment because of her circumstances. Equity plays a large role in pay and negotiations, and companies are not always understanding of circumstances. While Allyson Felix, was able to advocate for herself, there are many who are incapable of doing the same.

The young man in the purple knows just how important the difference between equality and equity can be.
ANGUS MAGUIRE // INTERACTION INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Inclusive & Equity Training

If you desire to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment, we offer inclusive and equity training on Displaying Empathy in the Workplace and Managing Employee Engagement. Line 25 Consulting would love to work with you in achieving your DEI goals this year. Use this link to schedule a 15-minute call or send an email to ngome@line25consulting.com to see how we can help you.

Keeping Up with the Paralympics

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The 2021 Olympics are underway and just days into the competition the world has been glued to the events unfolding on television and social media. Simone Biles dropped out of the competition due to mental health reasons, Naomi Osaka lost in her third-round match, and Tunisia’s Ahmed Hafnaoui declared gold in what is being called the biggest upset of the Olympic games, maybe ever. Needless to say, the 2021 Olympic games have been a whirlwind, and the Paralympics have been nothing short of disappointing. 

paralympics

The Paralympics are international competitions parallel to the Olympics which are designed especially for athletes with disabilities. The Paralympics are not just an effort to diversify the Olympics but exist to provide the same opportunities that abled body people have to those who are disabled. Paralympics.com provides a brief history of how the games came to be and the road to becoming an internationally recognized event and providing opportunities for those who may not be able to compete in events in the Olympics.  

The Paralympics are a great representation of what it means to put diversity and equity first. Diversity is not defined by race or gender, but by the ability of the athlete despite physical barriers. It is through the Paralympics that the visibility of disabled athletes is put on the front stage, and celebrated.  Attached below is the Men’s 50m Breaststroke, where we can see the diversity amongst the swimmers, and how they function in their perspective events.

Diversity Training

The Paralympics are a great example of fair representation based on interest. We can’t teach you how to swim or run faster, but we can make diversity training fun. If you are looking to have an empathetic and easy-going facilitated conversation on diversity and inclusion, Line 25 Consulting is the way to go. Contact us today to get started.

Marketing to a Diverse Audience

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diverse audience

How is marketing to a diverse audience any different than regular marketing? Is there different terminology? Are there different techniques used in marketing strategies? The answer is not simply yes or no.  

Diverse Marketing is a marketing strategy that appeals to and includes diverse groups of people, compared to what marketing has looked like in the past. Traditionally, companies marketed to the audience they felt was the most marketable, white people. Within white audiences lied influence, money, and popularity so by marketing to a white audience, companies were most likely guaranteed a better chance of gaining clients/customers. An article by Business.com states “when the people featured in advertisements are consistently white, straight, thin and young? Brands fail to reach a larger audience because their target markets are too narrow. That’s where diversity marketing comes in”. 

In the age of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, companies can reach millions of people from all over the world, with different backgrounds. This reach makes marketing to a diverse audience more accessible, but not all companies.

Inclusive marketing acknowledges that advertising and marketing should offer alternative means of communication within diverse audiences. The ability to mix different communication methods enables you to reach more people from specific diverse groups. More importantly, people want to see themselves as much as possible before they support you with their time or money.

Inclusive Marketing Consulting & Training

At Line 25 Consulting, we provide consulting and training in diversity and inclusion from a marketing perspective. We provide the necessary tools to businesses wanting to tackle the complexities of DEI with our 5-Point Framework to Inclusive Marketing or Knowing How Diversity Drives Revenue. If you’re ready to move forward schedule a 15-minute call to get started.

 

What Does the Workplace Look Like During a Pandemic?

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By now many of us working in corporate workplaces have received emails and phone calls from management asking us (scratch that, telling us) to come back to work in the office. While many of us have gotten comfortable with the idea of wearing our favorite pair of pajama bottoms while we take our 8 a.m. Zoom call, that is not the world we knew before the Covid-19 pandemic. What does this mean for employees going back to work in the office after a year-long pandemic?  

For safety reasons, many companies may require employees to be vaccinated prior to returning to the office.  According to Our World in Data, nearly 46% of Americans are fully vaccinated, and less than 8% partially vaccinated. Though a majority of people will be vaccinated prior to returning, companies must still take precautionary measures and follow government-mandated guidelines. For tech giants such as Apple, who prior to the pandemic expressed their lack of support for a work from home policy, life after the pandemic will require many adjustments. As of now Apple is requiring its employees to return to the office in September, and work from office three days a week according to an article by Forbes. Many corporations will have to make similar adjustments in order to keep their employers safe in new conditions.   

The workplace also looks like a bunch of people all trying to adjust to a new workplace culture. Many people have not yet even met in person, only through a limited camera lens on their computer. Some hired only during the pandemic have only known what it means to work from home. According to an article by Stanford University, nearly 42% of US workers are working from home, an impressive increase from just 20% in early 2020. With all of these employees with vastly different experiences at work due to the pandemic, it will take a lot of time to adjust, but many companies will find what works for them.  

Life after the pandemic will look different, but many things will also remain the same. Employees will still be expected to meet quarterly goals, make their morning meetings, and meet their required job functions. Whether they do this in a four-by-four cubicle or from their apartment bedroom, is up to companies. Lastly, it is important to note that the decision does ultimately lie with the company, not the employees. Companies can make the call on whether they feel is it appropriate to return to the office, and employees must prepare for life after a pandemic.  

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Looks Different

Returning to work does not only affect employees and employers but those around them as well. People who moved back in with their families in order to save money on expenses will again have to move back closer to their jobs, and coworkers who have never seen each other in real life will meet. Going back to the office affects companies, employees, and families, especially with school-aged children.

While money is important, some people may desire remote work and hybrid more than anything. Experiencing the pandemic has allowed people to reveal what matters the most and how to find balance in the best way possible.

Diversity Training

We know the workplace looks different. Here at Line25Consulting, we specialize in meeting your diversity and inclusion needs whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid. We are here to help you foster a workplace that nurtures belonging for all of your employees. For more information, visit our inclusive marketing services to see what fits your needs. Afterward, fill out our contact form or give us a call at (713)298-5851.