DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND
INCLUSION
“Diversity: the art of thinking independently together.” — Malcolm Forbes
Equity Solutions recognizes that diversity is not limited to race, ethnicity, and gender identity.
As such, Equity Solutions broadens the definition of diversity and inclusion to comprise many dimensions, including:
- Disability status
- Veteran status
- Age
- Socioeconomic status
- Tenure
- Organizational level
- Education level
- Preferred language
- Sexual orientation
- Religion and others
We also recognize that many stakeholders are affected by the diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives of any organization, including customers, shareholders, employees, leaders, suppliers, community members, and community partners.
Equity Solutions’ diversity, equity, and inclusion assessments, strategies, training’s, surveys, affirmative action plans, and supplier diversity solutions allow organizations to tackle the complex topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion in a comprehensive and integrated manner.
Our data-driven solutions improve the overall diversity, equity, and inclusion of organizations and help reduce customer and workforce disparities across subgroups.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION TRAINING
Equity Solutions helps clients build equitable organizations in order to enhance customer and employee satisfaction, the quality of services provided, and organizational outcomes.
One method we use to support clients in this space is the design, delivery, and evaluation of diversity and inclusion trainings.
Equity Solutions trainings provide participants the opportunity to enhance diversity and inclusion proficiencies in a supportive environment with their peers. Trainings include research and data-based curricula that both minimizes didactic-style training and maximizes experiential learning for adult learners.
Content is dynamic and interactive and includes tools that facilitate the transfer of learning. E-learning, instructor-led and blended learning is available.
Equity Solutions offers training for employees across several areas, including awareness of and sensitivity toward:
- Unconscious or Implicit Bias
- Cross-Cultural Communication
- Microaggressions
- Micro-Inequities
- Multi-Generational Workforce
- Individuals with Disabilities
- LGBTQ
- Sexual Harassment
Equity Solutions measures the outcomes for all our training solutions. We utilize a continuous feedback loop to collect and analyze data, implement solutions, and capture their impact. As such, we develop a process to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of each training session for the individual. We also evaluate overall progress with respect to equity at a system-wide level.
What Our Clients Say About Our Training
- “The content was helpful but it was even more helpful to hear from colleagues in other areas of the organization and
how these topics impact our work experiences.”
- “To be honest, the entire training was helpful and relevant. I wish that this would be required for all our staff.
Truly excellent.”
- “This was an excellent introduction to this topic in our institution. I would love to have more and advancing sessions.”
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION STRATEGY
Equity Solutions guides organizations in understanding their current state and planning for an enhanced future with respect to diversity and inclusion. Realizing that organizations are at different places in their diversity, equity, and inclusion journey, we develop strategies that capture the essential and relevant elements for the organization to focus on at that time.
To create a DEI Strategy, Equity Solutions conducts a comprehensive assessment of the organization including:
- Quantitative analysis of raw workforce, customer, community, and supplier data to identify statistically significant differences
- Qualitative analysis of interview and focus group data derived from employees, customers, suppliers, and community members to derive insights and themes across subgroups
- Review of policies relevant to DEI to ensure consistency and effectiveness
- Scan of the environment and look at internal and external factors that can determine and/or influence the organization’s success with respect to DEI
Equipped with data-driven findings from multiple sources and stakeholders, Equity Solutions aligns recommendations with the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives. Specific goals, objectives, and action plans are established to operationalize diversity, equity, and inclusion, and position them as business imperatives essential to meeting the future needs of the organization. The strategy also highlights the interdependencies and synergies with Human Resources, Customer Experience, Organizational Development, Quality, and Communications (among other functions), and the shared responsibility for execution across the executive team. Finally, Equity Solutions develops a dashboard for the organization that highlights the agreed upon KPIs.
EQUITY ASSESSMENT
Equity Solution's Equity Assessment supports organizations in understanding their equity strengths and opportunities. The assessment produces meaningful findings that advance the discussion around equity and help create a better work environment for all. Equity Solutions offers a comprehensive “Full Equity Assessment” in addition to a “Snapshot” assessment. Both levels of assessment include three critical components.
Organizational Assessment Survey administered to employees, customers, suppliers, and community partners:
- Yields quantitative scoring of equity for an entire organization or specific groups of employees (e.g., roles, units)
- It is not an assessment of individuals
Qualitative data generated from interviews and focus groups with employees, customers, community partners, and suppliers: - Provides an avenue to include numerous voices
- Insights tell the story of the how different subgroups (race, ethnicity, gender, people with disabilities, veterans, sexual orientation and other subgroups) experience the organization
Quantitative data analyzed for the employee lifecycle and for customer outcomes: - Statistically significant findings are identified
- Offers an objective view of how well employees are doing and how well customers are served
- All survey, interview, focus group, and raw employee lifecycle and customer data is integrated. Meaningful findings are extracted and aligned with the organization's objectives. The Equity Assessment establishes a quantifiable baseline (i.e., a snapshot), enabling clients to find how strong a relationship there is between equity and customer satisfaction, employee engagement, or other variables. It also articulates KPIs, goals, and metrics to track.
EQUITY COACHING
Equity Solutions elevates individual coaching to provide leaders with the strategic and tactical support needed to impact diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within their departments, functions, or business units. Our equity coaching services provide an in-depth and individualized program to help leaders in three distinct yet interrelated ways:
- Understanding their leadership strengths and challenges
- Understanding the DEI strengths and challenges of areas they lead
- Understanding how to leverage their leadership strengths to improve DEI opportunities in their areas
Equity Solutions’ coaching program helps participants set goals that match their highest potential, create realistic plans to achieve those goals, and hold them accountable for accomplishing them within a defined time frame. Participants benefit by reversing potentially derailing behaviors, and identifying and managing their biases. The employees they lead, the clients/customers they serve, and diverse suppliers they partner with all benefit by engaging in an environment that treats them equitably.
DIVERSE RECRUITMENT STRATEGY
Each search engagement we conduct provides organizations with a diverse pool of highly-qualified candidates.
Diversity goes beyond race and ethnicity. Equity Solutions defines diversity more broadly and includes people with disabilities, veteran status, and sexual orientation, among others. Ultimately, our clients define diversity specific to their organization and the department where the open position resides.
Our practice of providing a diverse pool of candidates for each search we conduct does not require a special agreement, extra time or additional expense. Providing a highly-qualified pool of diverse candidates is simply an embedded part of our search process. It’s who we are.
SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
Equity Solutions recognizes the challenges facing many organizations in achieving Diverse Business Enterprise (DBE) spend goals. We offer strategy and program development, insights around impact beyond spend, and organizational development services to benefit both supplier and client.
Diverse Supplier Identification
Equity Solutions assists with the identification, assessment, and development of a vetted pool of diverse suppliers who are capable of performing services or delivering products that meet or exceed our clients’ expectations. Our Identification process includes:
- Gain a thorough understanding of category and required services or products
- Develop target diverse supplier list
- Vet prospective suppliers via professional references and in-person interviews with key members of their leadership teams
Diverse Supplier Development
Equity Solutions provides diverse business owners and key staff with executive coaching, training and professional development opportunities for success. Participants complete comprehensive assessments and receive individual development plans to target improvement in key areas. Benefits include:
- Increased impact by suppliers (innovation, quality and cost-savings)
- Enhanced customer service
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN
Effective Affirmative Action Planning (AAP) begins with a carefully thought out project plan and organizational audit. We use our expertise to guide this process and work closely with our clients to ensure that no detail is overlooked. The AAP process includes:
- Reviewing applicable federal and state laws
- Conducting the AAP self-audit
- Writing the AAP for minorities and women
- Writing the AAP for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans
- Managing a compliance review of the AAPs
- Determining whether to apply for “establishment” versus “functional” status
- Determining if the client has required policies and notices and, if not, determining which are required and who will prepare them.
There are a variety of analyses and data that must be undertaken and collected in connection with AAPs. This is a very heavy data collection and time-intensive process which Equity Solutions coordinates and supports. In addition to drafting AAPs, Equity Solutions develops the following critical reports:
- Workforce Analysis
- Job Group Analysis
- Availability Analysis
- Incumbency vs. Availability Analysis
- Placement Goals
Once AAPs are drafted, Equity Solutions assists and project manages the development of action-oriented programs to address any needs or gaps identified in the AAP, including online systems for individuals with disabilities or recruiting women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, or veterans.
Implementation of affirmative action plans has many benefits including:
- Improved employee engagement
- Increased pools of qualified candidates
- Improved workforce diversity
- Enhanced employee creativity and productivity
- Reduced bias and improved equity
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?
We work to make organizations more diverse and inclusive. From equity assessments to leadership development and talent acquisition, Equity Solutions acquires, develops, and engages professionals for organizations. We work with you to decipher your organizational data and build a plan that targets specific opportunities for growth with tactics that are proven and impactful to help you better serve your customers.
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