While firms now realize they need to at least have the appearance of doing “something” to show diversity, the type of diversity consultant you need is largely dependent on the outcomes you are trying to achieve. We like to classify the outcomes into two general categories:

Diversity Awareness & Metrics – Focuses on policies, procedures, training, and programs designed to raise awareness, establish behavioral guidelines, recruit, and track diverse professionals.

Inclusion Change & Implementation – Focuses on helping diverse professionals succeed in their current firm environment, building relationships between diverse and majority culture professionals, establishing an inclusive firm culture, and driving the success of diverse professionals throughout every stage of their career (leadership, client development, etc.) so that you can retain them – not just recruit them.

Awareness and implementation are like two wings of an airplane. While both are needed, most programs are focused only on awareness and metrics; therefore, firms continue to struggle to make lasting changes. If you are not achieving the results you’ve hoped for, assess if your focus is aligned with the outcomes you’d like to achieve. Because the foundation of an inclusive culture is driven by the ability to intentionally form trusting professional relationships, our work with firms primarily focuses on the inclusion and implementation “wing”.

Have you achieved the milestones or results you’d like to see from your diversity and inclusion efforts? If you have questions or would like to know how we work with firms of your size, we’d be happy to talk.