We often hear that we need to strive for a more diverse workforce. But what if just having diversity as your goal does more harm than good?

In this Episode of All About Business, James is joined by Dr. Heather Melville, OBE CMgr CCMI FCBI, to explore how inclusive business practices can drive growth, retain talent, and align organisational values with commercial strength. They shed light on understanding different needs and demographics within the workplace that go beyond mere diversity so you can make impactful cultural changes to help your business thrive.

Heather is a Trustee and Senior Advisor, the Chancellor of York University and a Partner at Stork and May. She’s also the Chair and Non-Executive Director of CMI Women, where she empowers and develops women in leadership. In 2017, she was awarded an OBE for services to Business and Gender Equality, which is why she’s the perfect person to talk to us about building an inclusive business.

02:25 Defining Inclusivity in Business

03:58 Challenges and Misconceptions in Diversity

06:55 Practical Steps for Inclusivity

10:57 Leadership and Inclusivity

17:09 The Cost of Ignoring Inclusivity

22:59 Real-World Examples and Stereotyping

26:23 Gender Pay Gap and Organisational Accountability

27:33 Creating Fair and Equitable Workplaces

27:59 Inclusive Hiring Practices

29:23 The Importance of Leadership in Inclusion

30:17 Employee Advocacy and Organisational Response

31:00 Personal Experiences with Leadership

36:12 Balancing Work and Personal Life

44:45 Recruitment Strategies and Positive Action

48:16 Looking Forward: Future Goals and Reflections

50:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Welcome to 'all about business' with me, James Reed.

Every episode, you’ll hear the highs and lows of what it means to be a true business leader to empower you to implement smarter, more meaningful strategy in your business or career.