Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 3:09
The rise and impact of DEI: Join Tina Vinod, Founder, Diversity Simplified in this conversation
The workplace is surely changing and there are many factors that are causing it. A shift post pandemic that changed how employees looked at work and the work environment itself movements that championed an equal level playing field, calling out racial discrimination, fighting for civil liberties and also focusing on climate change. Now, these movements have forced employers to take cognizance of these issues and implement suitable measures further the coming of gen z into the workforce
Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 0:11
Please share your professional journey and how you grew to champion dei the motivation challenges and victories at all
Sreeja V
@Wordsmith · 0:38
And my third question is you have spoken about Dei being part of the culture of the organization, integrating Dei into every aspect of culture building and leaders exemplifying thought and action. Do you see many organizations over time feeling a compelling need to do so? I would also like to open up this conversation to the Swell community, to listeners who would like to ask questions to Tina, please do post and Tina will come on and reply. Thank you Tina, so much for your time
Hi Sreeja. I really appreciate this conversation around implementing dei at the workplace and hello Tina, welcome to Swell. I really look forward to your perspectives and insights. I do have a question for you though. How are startups embracing dei in their journey? Do you feel they are organically motivated to keep this insight and embrace strategies as they grow?
Karan Dev
@Karan.Dev · 0:23
Thank you for that introduction. Shija and Tina, thank you for joining us today on Swell. I had one question for you, Tina. So basically, how do you envisage di becoming an integral part of the HR function? And with that, I really look forward to hearing this interview and responses to the earlier questions as well. Thank you
Tina Vinod
@TinaVinod · 1:43
You. Hi, Shija. Thank you so much for having me here. You're very right. The workplace is surely changing, and today organizations need to be ready for the new generation, for the new workplace ethics, and to be able to build a value based culture. In today's global, digital and interconnected work, an intentional approach to diversity, equity and inclusion can manifest into meaningful and transformational change for organizations
Tina Vinod
@TinaVinod · 2:47
The founder of ThoughtWorks, Roy Singham, has been a huge influence on me and my journey in the dei space. His belief was that businesses had a larger role to play in building an equitable world and in driving positive social change. While being a profitable business as well as a global software consultancy, roy believed technology can be used to address some of the world's most pressing social issues. Back then, the company had a three pillar model. The first being running a sustainable business
Tina Vinod
@TinaVinod · 3:50
All companies should ideally have a set of values, principles, beliefs or philosophy that guide their decisions and actions. Simply put, these values form the foundation for the organization culture. It shapes the purpose, direction, leadership, perspectives and vision, people behavior, practices, policies and overall ethos. When dev is part of a company's value, it plays a crucial role in creating a more inclusive and equitable culture that respects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of its employees. Now, this is the ideal state
Tina Vinod
@TinaVinod · 1:34
Hi Karan, thanks for your question. In my honest opinion, and from where I have seen, Dei being most successful is when Dei is not just part of a HR initiative or a HR prerogative or a priority, but an overall organizational priority. And it's interwoven into every aspect of the business and all of the functions, not just recruiting, not just HR people practices, but overall. Right
Tina Vinod
@TinaVinod · 3:18
So when that has become so critical in our world today, and especially post pandemic, people are a lot more sensitive to how we as a community are heterogeneous and we care about inclusion, right? So my advice to all startup founders and core leadership team is treat this as a priority. Treat this as something that should be integrated early on into your business and I think it will develop into something really beautiful. Innately