Statistics show that girls are typically outperforming boys in school, up through the university level, and yet this success is still not translating into an equal presence in the workforce – and particularly not at senior levels of business.
All established businesses today must work towards a diverse, gender- and age-balanced workforce. It’s critical to their success. Why? Digital technologies are not only dramatically changing how, where, and with whom the business of business is conducted. They are also changing the skillset required to conduct business. In the context of an ageing workforce and a shrinking labor pool, this presents a real challenge.
Today, the digital economy IS the economy. It enables new ecosystems, makes new business models possible and opens
up new ways to interact and engage with customers. But the digital economy is inherently different from the ‘established’ economy. Many established businesses today have foundations that were built in the last century, and the corporate world is still primarily defined by the baby boomers - a group which entered the workforce before mobile phones, personal computers and the Internet even existed.
For me, the importance of diversity in business is not just about the bottom line, or the benefits, or even best business practice. It’s about the culture of the organization I want to work for. I want my world of work to be one where everyone’s talents are recognized and appreciated. I want it to be one where my daughters - and all of our children - will have access to the same opportunities I have had access to throughout my career. It is the right and proper thing to do.
This is why I work for Verizon. I work for a company that has diversity at the heart of its belief system. Our credo states that we embrace diversity not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s smart business. Our business is all about helping people, businesses and things communicate better in the digital world. We make it possible for people to stay in touch and businesses to connect with their customers. We also focus on fostering diversity and inclusion, because when you’re in the business of connecting people and cultures across the planet, it is your blueprint for success. It’s a blueprint that builds relationships on which your future business depends.
We all need to take responsibility for changing the world of work for the better. Embracing diversity - of thought, of opinion, of age, of gender - is critical for success in the digital economy. And the digital economy is not only the future - it’s today.
For the full article, click here:
https://www.verizon.com/verizonpartnersolutions/content-hub/why_diversity_matters_in_digital_economy.
