Diversity, Equity & Inclusion consulting

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) consulting involves consultants working actively with organizations to foster a culture of belonging, support and trust among employees and leadership. The goal isn’t only to attract diverse talent but to also retain and promote it – transforming the organization at its core. The impact on businesses is profound. Research shows companies committed to DEI typically outperform their peers, with diverse senior management teams more likely to capture new markets.

Cielo’s holistic approach to DE&I consulting is collaborative and provides change management support to align leadership with the overall mission. We make sure DEI initiatives are integrated across all functions to amplify marginalized voices and foster a strong workplace culture.

DEI talent acquisition strategies are approaches that organizations use to attract, hire and retain diverse talent. Cielo centers these strategies on establishing fair processes, reducing bias, employer branding and data. Our goal is to develop diverse teams that enhance organizational success, going beyond the aim of traditional DEI agencies or firms. Together we’ll create targeted DEI talent acquisition strategies that yield top-tier talent committed to your organization and a stronger, more unified culture.

DEI is the commitment to emphasizing varied backgrounds and fair opportunities for all.

• Diversity embodies the mix of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives among people, including variations in race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, abilities and more.
• Equity ensures fairness and justice by providing everyone equal access to opportunities, resources and advancement, aiming to correct historical disadvantages and level the playing field.
• Inclusion fosters an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and included, emphasizing active participation, collaboration and a sense of belonging. 

Job seekers increasingly prioritize diversity when evaluating potential employers – 76% consider it important. Research overwhelmingly shows that DEI also positively impacts organizational growth, performance and productivity. Not to mention that it’s important from a legal and ethical perspective for companies to address systemic biases, promote fairness or risk compliance, and consider brand/revenue impacts.

Implementing DEI programs brings a range of challenges, including employee and cultural resistance, budgetary constraints, lack of leadership support, and unclear metrics. Change is difficult for any organization. But you can overcome the above challenges with a strategic approach that:

• Provides comprehensive training and continuous support
• Advocates for the necessary resources highlighting DEI's contribution to overarching company objectives 
• Fosters meaningful involvement and encourages open dialogue, helping balance diverse perspectives and manage conflicting interests 
• Establishes clear metrics and routinely collects and analyzes data, tracking progress and opportunities for improvement 

Successful DEI programs require a committed, measurable action plan and a collective push from all organization levels. Leaders must treat DEI services as a primary objective by weaving it into the company's mission or vision statements to underline its significance and alignment with core values. Establishing a detailed plan with clear goals and metrics is crucial to focus DEI efforts and capture upper management's support.

To create a more inclusive workplace where everyone shines, start with these steps:

1. Develop a comprehensive DEI strategy that sets clear goals, metrics and accountability mechanisms aligned with your overall mission and values.
2. Cultivate inclusive leadership. This can be achieved by training leaders in inclusive behaviors and practices, encouraging them to model inclusivity in actions and decision making so all voices are heard.
3. Enhance recruitment practices by implementing inclusive hiring strategies that attract a diverse pool of candidates through unbiased job descriptions and diverse interview panels.
4. Provide continuous education and training on topics such as unconscious bias, cultural competence and inclusive communication to help employees understand and contribute to a culture of inclusivity.
5. Create an environment where every employee feels respected and valued. This can be supported with initiatives like employee resource groups (ERGs), celebrations of diverse cultural events, and the promotion of work-life balance.
6. Regularly measure and communicate the progress of DEI initiatives through surveys, feedback and performance metrics, ensuring transparency with all stakeholders.
7. Ensure equitable advancement opportunities for all employees by implementing fair career development policies, including mentorship and sponsorship programs.

With these steps, organizations will foster diversity, equity and inclusion, which ultimately leads to a more engaged and productive workforce. And Cielo can help.

A variety of assessments will illuminate how effective your DEI talent acquisition strategies are. Cielo’s DEI consulting approach offers five levels of assessment to highlight which areas of your process need improvement or transformation. Our DEI consultants look at:

• Client DEI maturity level
• DEI mission and brand
• Market, industry, and location intelligence
• Gap analysis – process and technology
• Compliance impacts

Cielo’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) consulting services support your transition from checking boxes on a list to creating an all-inclusive, equitable and strategic hiring experience. Our DEI consulting approach covers every stage of the talent acquisition process, from assessment and design to strategizing and measuring. We collaborate with leadership to set long-term goals and offer change management support while ensuring initiatives amplify marginalized voices. Our data-driven methodology tracks changes in mindsets and behaviors to meet measurable objectives.

Fostering a culture where everyone can speak up enhances innovative potential, and teams diverse in gender, age and geography tend to make better decisions. Our consultants' roles are pivotal in making the case for change, aligning leadership with the mission, and integrating DEI principles across all functions and priorities. We’ll be there throughout your journey, guiding you every step of the way.