Building inclusive workplaces: Insights from Enterprise Nation members
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Posted: Tue 24th Sep 2024
National Inclusion Week, celebrated annually, is an opportunity for organisations across the UK to reflect on the importance of fostering inclusive environments. It serves as a call to action for businesses to engage in activities that promote inclusivity, diversity and equality.
As Enterprise Nation's COO, I see this week as a vital moment to amplify the conversation around inclusivity, highlight the importance of diverse teams and share insights from the Enterprise Nation community of small businesses and advisers.
Inclusivity is not just a corporate trend but a necessary commitment to creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. At Enterprise Nation, we are proud to embody diversity in our team and our approach. By championing inclusivity internally, we can better serve the diverse community of small business entrepreneurs who rely on us. You can learn more about the Enterprise Nation team here.
“At Enterprise Nation, we believe that a diverse workforce is essential to our success. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, where all individuals feel valued, respected and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.
Our goal is to foster a culture that embraces differences and promotes collaboration, innovation and growth.”
What inclusivity means to Enterprise Nation members
Our focus on inclusivity isn't limited to the Enterprise Nation team; it extends to the incredible network of entrepreneurs and small business owners across the UK and Ireland.
To celebrate National Inclusion Week, I’ve spoken with several Enterprise Nation members who are leaders in promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in their respective fields. Their insights offer practical advice on embedding inclusivity into every part of a business.
1. Mo Kanjilal, co-creator of Watch This Space
According to Mo, inclusivity is a journey, not a checkbox to be ticked. "It's an ongoing process of learning, defining and changing what you do, and then learning some more," she says.
Mo stresses that inclusivity should be central to everything a business does, from overall strategy to leadership techniques.
Her advice for businesses looking to make their workplaces more inclusive is clear:
Understand your starting point by gathering data on your workforce
Engage employees and involve them in shaping inclusivity initiatives
Communicate and listen to all voices in the organisation, ensuring a variety of perspectives are considered
This approach is about small steps taken every day, gradually shifting the organisation towards more inclusive practices.
2. Arzo Nadi, director of AILovesHR
Arzo emphasises the importance of inclusive thinking. "True inclusivity goes beyond representation — it’s about embracing diverse thoughts and perspectives," she explains.
In her work, Arzo has seen how diverse ideas lead to richer solutions and more significant innovation.
In her view, inclusivity in thought is foundational for building a more collaborative and creative future. Arzo encourages organisations to go beyond demographics and ensure that all employees feel empowered to contribute ideas, regardless of background or experience.
3. Amelia Lawes, founder of Apex Strength and Wellness
Amelia believes that recognising individual strengths is key to building an inclusive workplace. "We all have different abilities and strengths and we shouldn't be treated differently for what makes us who we are," she says.
Apex Strength and Wellness has a simple mission: to inspire and support its members in their fitness journeys.
For Amelia, inclusivity is about creating a workplace where everyone’s strengths are acknowledged and utilised. This approach builds stronger teams and ultimately leads to greater success for the organisation as a whole.
Amelia recently joined the team on a Lunch and Learn, where she spoke about her experience of building an inclusive business model that resonates with her core values and drives growth.
4. Jamie Bykov-Brett, founder of Bykov Brett
Jamie highlights the power of cognitive diversity, which brings together various thinking styles and problem-solving approaches. He notes that diversity of thought within teams can lead to smarter decision-making and more innovative solutions.
"Cognitive diversity means celebrating different approaches," Jamie says. Whether someone is a data-driven analyst or a bold creative, both perspectives should be valued. To make this work, it’s essential to weave inclusivity into company culture, fostering an environment where every type of thinker feels appreciated.
5. Erusi Mujakperuo, founder and lead HR consultant of Onwards HR Ltd
Erusi's extensive experience in HR has taught her that leadership and shared values are the cornerstones of inclusivity. "Inclusivity begins with strong leadership," she states, stressing the importance of leaders who prioritise inclusivity in their decision-making and actively seek input from all levels of the organisation.
She also points out that organisations with shared values such as respect, trust, and collaboration tend to foster inclusive environments. These values guide behaviour and help cultivate a positive workplace culture where inclusivity becomes second nature.
6. Meena Sangar, founder talonX
Meena highlights AI's transformative potential in promoting workplace inclusivity: "AI can create fairer, merit-based outcomes and uncover talent from diverse backgrounds by reducing unconscious bias in recruitment and performance evaluations."
However, Meena stresses the importance of caution, as poorly designed AI systems could unintentionally reinforce existing biases. To fully harness AI’s power for inclusivity, organisations must prioritise transparency, involve diverse voices in AI development and ensure ongoing monitoring for unintended bias. A human-centred approach is essential to ensure inclusivity is a core focus, not just an algorithmic byproduct.
Five ways to foster inclusivity in the workplace
As we reflect on the insights shared by Enterprise Nation members, some top tips emerge for fostering inclusivity in the workplace:
Create a culture of open communication: Regularly engage with your employees, listen to their perspectives, and ensure that everyone feels heard
Promote cognitive diversity: Encourage different thinking styles and problem-solving approaches to create more innovative and well-rounded teams
Foster strong leadership: Leaders should model inclusive behaviour, ensuring that decisions are made with input from a broad range of voices
Embrace ongoing learning: Inclusivity is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process. Continue learning, adapting and evolving your diversity and inclusion approach
Champion shared values: Ensure that inclusivity is aligned with the core values of respect, trust and collaboration within your organisation
Final thoughts
To further explore strategies for making workplaces more inclusive, check out The Times’ recent piece on this topic, which delves deeper into the importance of diversity and inclusion in business.
As National Inclusion Week continues, I encourage businesses to reflect on how they can build more inclusive environments.
This topic should be seen as a team effort and embarking on it as a journey — one where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their best selves to work.
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