Diversity & Inclusion

D&I is one of the best indicators of the company's capacity to tackle tomorrow’s challenges. It goes beyond good demographic parity results, to choices that can but enhance business innovation and development through strong D&I commitments.

Tackling teams' blind spots as well
as system flaws will require a culture reset

#1 From diversity of backgrounds to diversity of thinking

Promoting diversity and inclusion in companies is both an ethical and business commitment. Tackling teams’ blind spots as well as system flaws will require a culture reset that is far more engaging than a compliance-oriented approach.

High-performing teams are both cognitively (how we approach problems and think about things) and demographically (age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical resource) diverse. Enabling people to reach their full potential with a clear D&I strategy is thus one of the best investments a company can make for long-term performance.

To face the major challenges ahead, companies will have to boost innovation through diversity. Indeed, mixing diverse mental frameworks for problem solving will lead to disruptive and ambitious ventures. 

Key questions you should ask yourself

– To what extent are founders and managers committed to diversity and inclusion?

– Do founders and teams wish to challenge the status quo and take personal responsibility in for change?

– Has the company written a D&I policy / charter & defined dedicated HR processes?

– How does the company educate its teams about D&I and cognitive biases?

– Does the company implement learning strategies and training programs for deconstructing biases?

– How is the company using data to manage its D&I issues?

#2 Corporate offer’s accessibility

Companies can definitely enlarge their customer bases through inclusive business models.

Being aware of the traditional business bias in addressing a market (e.g. through focus groups with underrepresented individuals) is a strong asset to depart from them and design innovative ways to business development (e.g. target new customers, create new products,…)

Far beyond a costly compliance topic, D&I is a source of innovation serving the business competitiveness.

Key questions you should ask yourself

– Is the company aware of D&I challenges connected to its services or products?

– Does the company’s services or products have an impact on communities (end-users or other stakeholders) who are traditionally excluded from the market?

– How are the company’s services or products perceived by traditionally underserved communities?

– How does the company’s services or products promote D&I?

#3 Transparent and unbiased wealth sharing

People feel included when they are treated equally, with no favoritism. Thus, wealth sharing choices are critical to build a bold sense of belonging into a company.

Money empowers and builds self-esteem and recognition. Then, sharing the benefits of the company’s growth with its key stakeholders is core to its D&I policy and productivity, not just a good governance practice.

Key questions you should ask yourself

– How is the corporate salary scale defined and publicly communicated?

– How is the business wealth sharing scheme defined (e.g. prices’ breakdowns)?

– Are employees part of the corporate ownership? Do employees benefit from corporate’s shares?

– What multiple is the highest compensated individual paid, including bonus, as compared to the full-time lowest paid worker?

Featured Resources Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity in venture capital : a practical toolkit for VC funds

avatarDiversity VC2 years ago
2 years ago

A practical starting guide for VCs, to help them promote diversity and inclusion (D&I) within their organisations & portfolio.

Maturity Level 1

Encourage women startup managers’ access to funds (FR)

SISTA 2 years ago 2 years ago

Study by BCG x SISTA on gender diversity in tech : an increase in the creation and financing of startups but the legacy of the ecosystem still weighs heavily.

Maturity Level 1

Charter’s templates for gender diversity in the VC industry (FR)

SISTA 2 years ago 2 years ago

Charter of commitment to promote gender diversity in the digital sector. 4 areas of commitments : VCs' portfolio management ; HR ; inclusive investment and sharing good practice (...)

Maturity Level 1

Les biais cognitifs – étude Bpifrance

Des éléments peuvent venir influencer la prise de décision des dirigeants : ce sont les biais cognitifs. Cette étude s’adresse aux chefs d’entreprise, à tout décideur en herbe o (...)

Maturity Level 1

How to define your corporate philanthropy strategy ?

Abstracts from Prophil's study "Carnet de voyage au pays des fondations actionnaires". Here you will find a template to easily define your corporate philanthropy strategy.

Maturity Level 1

Diversity & Female Entrepreneurship : guidance and best practice

These guidelines are intended to provide guidance for investors who are beginning their diversity and inclusion (D&I) journey.

Maturity Level 1

Galion Gender Agreement (FR)

The Galion Project does not pretend to solve a problem that goes far beyond the world of work, but proposes 45 simple and concrete solutions defined with Galion members to promo (...)

Maturity Level 1