On Wednesday, December 9, Amsterdam Divers & Inclusive (ADI) hosted the first webinar of a series of webinars on diversity in Amsterdam’s small and medium-sized businesses. This webinar focused on the added value of a diverse workforce. Indeed, it is less obvious for SME entrepreneurs to identify the benefits of a diverse workforce and an inclusive business environment than it is for large companies. Yet, even for small businesses, it can be precisely interesting to analyze this added value.
Thus, figures from the Mkb Servicedesk that SMEs in the Netherlands are collectively responsible for more than 60% of prosperity and 70% of employment. Moreover, changes in the urban labor market call for action on diversity and inclusion: the arrival of international companies, for example due to Brexit, creates competition for local talent; the current economic downturn leads to fewer jobs and outflow of especially vulnerable groups, such as workers on temporary and flexible contracts, young people and people with disabilities. Indeed, they are overrepresented in sectors that are currently stagnant including the hospitality and cultural sectors.
The potential added value of a diverse workforce
The European Commission’s report Diversity within small and medium sized enterprises (EU, 2015) clearly maps out the potential benefits of workforce diversity for SMEs. Tapping into the need for good staff, the report endorses that diversity contributes to a more positive image of the company, both to customers and clients and to job seekers. And when a medium or small business invests in diversity, there is also a greater chance of innovation in products and services because it leads to new and different ways of thinking in the business. This increases the likelihood that products and services will better meet the needs of local customers and clients. Another recent and oft-cited argument is that a diverse company is often more adaptable or resilient in times of economic uncertainty. At the same time, the city of Amsterdam also benefits from more diversity in the workplace of SME employers because it promotes equal opportunities, setting a new standard for inclusive employment.
More diversity in the predominantly white advertising industry
Patritia Pahladsingh, Managing Director of Amsterdam-based advertising agency TBWA\Neboko and guest speaker during this first webinar talked about the added value of diverse personnel for her company, in the still predominantly white advertising industry. With her company, Patritia develops ideas for major international and Dutch brands, such as McDonalds, Albert Heijn and Dutch Railways. Patritia ultimately wants TBWANeboko to be a good reflection of society because this not only ensures equality of opportunity but because of this, clients also feel better represented in the brands that TBWANeboko advises. For this, it is important that its staff be more diverse in many ways. To bring in talented diverse personnel, Patritia has come up with a plan for change through which she wants to give creative and talented young people a chance. Therefore, in cooperation with schools, she organizes special classes on advertising and open internship days at her company.
But diverse personnel alone won’t get you there in the end. company. An inclusive culture in the workplace also plays an important role. Therefore, ADI will host a number of practical webinars over the next year that will provide SME employers with tips and tools for recruiting, selecting and retaining a diverse workforce. The next webinar will take place on Thursday, Feb. 18, and will cover inclusive recruitment.