DEI Lip Service Affects Your Bottom Line

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are hot topics a lot of us talk about. I thought I'd share a few of the ways in which I apply my DEI values on a daily basis. (Spoiler alert: it affects your business.)

If you’re a vendor and you message me in an attempt to gain my business, the first thing I do is go to your company webpage and click on "About Us." Then, I go to "Our Team." If everyone on your team looks alike, even if I need your product/service, I am not doing business with you. If everyone on your leadership team has the same gender and the same complexion, I am not doing business with you.

If you’re a recruiter and you send an InMail about a job opportunity, the first thing I do is go to the organization’s website and click "About Us." Then, I go to "Our Team." If everyone on your team looks alike, I do not want to work there.

I know we all have to start somewhere with our diversity efforts. I also know that your start is not going to be with me. You may not have my time, talent, or treasure (aka business) if you don’t already embody the values you claim to have.

So, before sending me a message about how great your product or service is, go to your own website and look at the team. If you don’t see someone that looks like me (or the rest of the world), I won’t, either.

As a result, I will not do business with you.

I know this was probably hard to read. I apologize if this was harsh. However, we’re never going to make any headway on this equity issue if no one actually does anything about it.

Show us that you value DEI. Hire a person of color for something other than an entry-level position. Hire a person of color in your C-Suite for a position other than the Chief Diversity Officer. Show us that you value people of color OUTSIDE of "those whom you serve." Do the internal work you need to do to embody the values you claim to have.

Do your part for DEI. In the meantime, I'll keep doing mine. 😉