What does diversity mean at Vodafone?
Diversity means different things to different people – and organisations. So when Vodafone talks about diversity, what do they mean?
For them, diversity encompasses the different qualities, interests, skills, backgrounds and experiences that their staff all bring to the organisation.
Diversity leads to more creative and innovative ideas. A workforce which reflects the diversity of its customer base is better equipped to understand their needs and serve them accordingly. And it makes excellent business sense, too, because an organisation which encourages diversity is one which removes potential barriers – attraction, selection, recruitment, training and development, opportunities for promotion – that may prevent a broader range of people working for it.
Diversity is not a target setting exercise, or about lowering standards, or positive discrimination, or even equal opportunities. Diversity is positive action. Line managers have a vital role to play in the creation and development of a diverse workforce. By being truly committed to diversity, they can harness the difference that each person brings to the organisation. Vodafone's challenge is to ensure they give their people the freedom and space to develop that difference.
They want to create and sustain a working environment in which people feel respected for their individuality. It should be a place where people feel free to be who they are and given the opportunities to be at their best.
Diversity shouldn’t mean a corporate box-ticking exercise. Diversity should mean, “Great, I can be myself.” In a nutshell it’s about accepting – and most importantly valuing – people for who they are. Brilliantly unique. It’s not about who you’re attracted to, what you look like or how you get about. It’s about all the adventures you’ve been on, how you treat other people and all the stuff that makes you, you.
Why is it so great?
Well, not one of their customers are identical so how on earth are they going to relate to them if they are? And with so many different perspectives they’re never going to be short of new ideas and innovative solutions either. Besides, if we were all the same, how boring would that be?
