Corporate Diversity Pathways is preparing to share insights with drinks industry executives on the judging process for the Diverse & Inclusive Workplace category at the 2018 Australian Drinks Awards.
CDP is a management consulting firm with a vision to leverage female talent across the drinks industry, including leadership and board positions. As a Pay Equity official supporter of the Australian Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA), CDP focusses on helping organisations to achieve diversity of thought leadership to accelerate change through a suite of 10 best practices developed by McKinsey, WGEA and the Business Council Australia.
CDP founder and CEO, Jeromine Alpe, was on the judging panel for the Diverse & Inclusive Workplace category at the 2018 Australian Drinks Awards. Here's what she had to say about the process and outcomes:
What were some of the insights you gained into the drinks industry and its diversity journey from being a judge at the Australian Drinks Awards?
The privilege of being a judge on this year’s first Inclusive & Diverse Workplace Award provided many insights into The Drinks Association member organisations that prioritise diversity and recognise the value of an inclusive workplace for individuals and their company. There were a number of exceptional entries from a cross-section of organisations that are demonstrating excellence in initiatives and strategies facilitating a diverse and inclusive workplace including - but not limited to - people wellbeing initiatives, fair and equitable treatment of employees and corporate values/principles that incorporate cultural change to diversity and inclusion.
The judging panel brought together independent professionals who possess the unique expertise to objectively evaluate all the entries to decide on the organisation that best meets the selection criteria which focused on impact, metrics and outcomes.
What do you see as some of the key areas the drinks industry can focus on to drive its diversity agenda?
The drinks industry wants to better understand and get its workforce and the way it designs work, to consistently represent the communities it serves. It is therefore uniquely positioned to take advantage of diversity of thought leadership in 2019 by raising everyone’s awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Companies with diverse workforces are 1.7 times more innovative, enhancing productivity and peak performance. Companies with gender diverse teams also experience 21% above average profitability which is good for the drinks industry and creates opportunities to grow careers of valued employees for greater futures.
Enhancing capability and effectiveness as leaders, championing change by providing equal opportunity to men, women and LGBTI staff and leveraging talent across the organisation comes from building a strong case for change by understanding why workplace diversity and inclusion matters, role modelling a commitment to diversity by unmasking unconscious bias, identifying current opportunities such as redesigning roles and work to enable flexible work and challenges such as questioning traditional views of merit in recruitment and committing to move from strategy and policy by setting clear diversity aspiration, backed up by accountability and action.
You attended The Drinks Association’s Network breakfast recently – do you have a perspective to share on the drinks industry from your observations that morning?
The network breakfast on October 23 was the first event I have attended since becoming an Associate Member of The Drinks Association this year. For me it was an opportunity to be introduced to The Drinks Association community of member organisations, associate members and suppliers.
My first observations were the diversity of age, gender and culture along with a wonderful energy that comes from connecting in such an iconic venue with new and existing B2B relationships. John McLoughlin from the Advantage Group presented on ‘what kind of business partner do you want to be? With some wonderful insights and strategies on the importance of positioning your organisation so that you have a place in the mind of your customers which is uniquely distinguished from your competitors.
What is your next step with the drinks industry?
As 2018 draws to a close, The Drinks Association CEO Georgia Lennon is taking the opportunity to celebrate the Inclusive & Diverse Workplace Award's first year by inviting Drinks Association member organisations to morning tea on November 29, 2018.
As one of the judges of this year’s Inclusive and Diverse Workplace award, Jeromine will share insights with drinks industry executives on the judging process for the Diverse & Inclusive Workplace category at the 2018 Australian Drinks Awards. With exceptional entries from across drinks industry organisations who demonstrated excellence in initiatives and strategies facilitating a diverse and inclusive workplace, the aim of the morning tea is to engage in conversation for shared learning, providing a balance of education and motivation to inspire ongoing leadership of organisational diversity and inclusion agendas for 2019,
The topics of conversation which will be explored include:
Feedback from the Inclusive & Diverse Workplace Award submissions including:
Areas that are top of mind for organisations
Shared learnings – moving beyond compliance and leading the way in creating an inclusive and diverse workplace with sustainable and measurable outcomes
Guide to a successful 2019 submission
The judging processes
Lessons from Australian companies leading the way
Q&A – challenges and opportunities
Find the original article on the Drinks Guide website here.