Social media connects the world like never before. News and information are easily accessible to any person who uses the internet, which essentially replaces the job that was previously held by media outlets. For the business world, this completely changes the way brands communicate with the public. What was once a prepared formal statement broadcasted through television, radio or newspaper, brands now use social media to talk directly with customers, make announcements and address controversy.
With this power comes social responsibility. Many people expect their favorite brands to be transparent and active with their communities. The fight for equality and diversity in business is more prevalent now than ever, and the largest and most successful brands already take the initiative to lead on these issues. Here are three ways to join Nike, Amazon and Apple as a leader for business diversity.
Celebrate Diversity in Business
As a business, don’t just hire people from multiple walks of life, encourage them to share their cultures. Celebrate all important holidays, and allow employees to take the time off they need for religious purposes. On certain dates or months, like Black History Month in February, take the time to appreciate your employees.
67 percent of job seekers said a diverse workforce is important when considering job offers.
Social media is a great way to show the world your company’s values, but it should be reflected by the way you interact with your employees. People want to be respected, not pandered to. Nobody should be treated as a token, and everybody should be treated as an asset.
As a multinational organization with operations in North America, South America, Europe, the Philippines, and Australia, Tulfa knows the importance of a diverse and talented team. Employees from all cultures and walks of life give us the perspectives we need to build lasting relationships not only within our company, but with our clients and our communities.
Allow All Voices to Be Heard
The more perspectives we hear, the better we understand each other—employees, clients, and communities. At Tulfa, we have flattened any conception of corporate hierarchy. Any employee can directly contact our CXOs at any time. More than that, our diverse leadership team actively seeks feedback from employees of every level.
Companies that have more diverse management teams have 19 percent higher revenue.
Tulfa knows that women have and always will be the backbone of society, and certainly our company. We are proud to have a mostly female workforce that earns equal pay, never faces a glass ceiling, and ensures our doors stay open.
Become an Ally
Arguably the most important role a brand can take is as an ally for social justice. In light of recent events, this role is even more important, as people are taking silence as an indication of lack of support.
While many brands understandably choose to stay out of politics and social controversy, gender and racial inequality is an issue that should be taken seriously by everyone. It is not a matter a politics, but a matter of human rights. Brands should not be afraid to address this.
Issues like discrimination, wage gaps, and more that favor a specific demographic over others should be tackled and completely eliminated from the workplace. It is the responsibility of every business to not only uphold positive values, but spread them in their brand messages on social media.
Recent protests over racial injustice have spurred many businesses to join the cause and take to social media platforms to support #BlackLivesMatter. These supportive statements are more than simple gestures; they are ways to directly relate to a large portion of the population, especially millennials and Gen-Z. From a business standpoint, the benefits are obvious, as people tend to completely avoid business with more conservative brands. Chik-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby are two companies that have received backlash for being seemingly unsupportive for social equality.
More than simply using words, many brands are also taking action. This most commonly takes the form of monetary donations to charities or causes, establishing foundations and scholarships, or hosting events. It is important to document philanthropy, share it humbly, and extend support over a long period of time to build public trust and avoid skepticism or claims of being disingenuous.
Pledges to donate to the fight for equality or become more diverse must be fulfilled, otherwise public scrutiny will be massive. However, even if people do accuse a company of jumping on the bandwagon, commitment to longtime support builds trust, and is certainly better than doing nothing at all.
Send the Right Message
We hope this blog has shed some light on the importance of diversity, both in business and in our society. It certainly is a topic that we hold close to our hearts.
While we believe brands should show support on social media outlets, we know that sending the right message that accurately reflects your company and its values can be a challenging task.
We’re here to help. Our employees have years of industry experience and create tailored branding messages for clients every day. Shoot us an email or reach out to us on social media.
