Organizational diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are at the forefront of companies across the globe. By constructing inclusive spaces with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, businesses can better represent our mutual societal needs and deliver on objectives. In the article How Diversity Can Drive Innovation, Harvard Business Review states that companies that focus on multiple dimensions of diversity are 45% more likely to grow their market share and 70% more likely to capture new markets.
DEI initiatives can be difficult and complex to scale, taking long periods of time to show impact. As such, organizations should plan initiatives in phases, similar to an agile delivery process. Achieving small but meaningful wins at each phase can contribute towards larger organizational goals. An example of such an initiative at Amazon is the “Say my Name” tool.
Amazon’s global workforce—with offices in over 30 countries—requires the consistent innovation of inclusive tools