Our Commitment to Diversity

 We at Hitch Partners are deeply committed to diversity and inclusion. We believe a diverse workforce brings together a wealth of perspectives, experiences, and ideas that drive innovation, enhance problem-solving, and strengthen organizations. Our commitment to diversity extends across all aspects of what we do and how we do it, from who we hire for our internal team to our recruitment practices when searching for candidates. We actively seek to attract talent from all backgrounds, ensuring that our candidates reflect the diverse communities we serve.

 Diversity in Leadership

There is a growing body of research indicating a positive correlation between diverse management teams and improved business performance. Several studies and reports have highlighted the benefits of diversity in the workplace. Here are some key findings from notable research:

"Gender Diversity Makes Firms More Productive" (2014)

This study by economists from the Peterson Institute for International Economics analyzed data from nearly 22,000 companies across 91 countries. It found that companies with a higher representation of women in top management positions tend to have higher profitability and productivity.

“How Inclusive Leadership Leads to Inclusive Growth” (2017)

McKinsey & Company conducted an extensive analysis to explore not only how diversity matters but also how companies can use it to improve their financial performance. Companies with the most gender-diverse executive teams are 67% more likely to experience superior value creation than companies with the least diverse executive teams.

"Business Case For Diversity In The Workplace" (2019)

This report by the World Economic Forum provides a comprehensive overview highlighting the positive impact of diversity on various aspects, including innovation, decision-making, employee engagement, and overall business performance.

"Delivering Through Diversity" (2018)

This study by McKinsey & Company analyzed data from more than 1,000 companies across 12 countries. It found a strong correlation between ethnic and gender diversity in executive teams and financial outperformance.

Competing in the Talent Market

To successfully compete in the talent market organizations must take a comprehensive approach to diversity recruiting. This includes several key stages:

Attracting: Employers should proactively create an inclusive employer brand and cultivate a reputation for valuing diversity and inclusion. Highlight diverse role models within the organization, showcase diversity initiatives, and promote a welcoming and inclusive work environment.

Engaging: Once potential candidates are attracted, it's crucial to create an inclusive and respectful candidate experience throughout the recruitment process

Interviewing and hiring: During the interview and selection process, organizations should implement inclusive practices that minimize bias by using structured interview techniques, diverse interview panels, and standardized evaluation criteria.

Retention: Hiring diverse talent is only part of the equation; organizations must also create an inclusive and supportive work environment to retain diverse employees.

Diversity in STEM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

There is a persistent lack of diversity in STEM and progress to improve this has been slow, and the talent pool makeup and graduation rates still reflect significant disparities. 

One reason for this is a lack of consensus on solutions. Various factors contribute to the disparities in STEM, including biases in educational systems, societal stereotypes, lack of representation, and limited access to resources and opportunities.  This means that a multi-faceted approach is necessary to foster interest and confidence in STEM.

Diversity Ruminations

An important aspect of diversity goes beyond surface-level characteristics like race and gender. Achieving organizational goals requires a combination of knowledge, experience, and expertise that matches the complexity of those goals. Ignoring this variety can lead to incomplete understanding and weak execution.

Food for Thought

Gender-diverse teams make better business decisions 73% of the time and teams diverse in age and geographic location make better decisions 87% of the time suggesting that incorporating diverse perspectives can lead to improved outcomes. With this in mind, it is important to have a Diversity Recruitment Strategy in place. 

Diversity as table stakes: The concept of diversity as table stakes implies that diversity is no longer just a desirable goal or a nice-to-have aspect but rather a fundamental requirement for organizations.

Changing workplace demographics: Recognizing and adapting to changing demographics is crucial for organizations to remain relevant.

Evolving regulatory environment: Regulatory efforts have moved beyond mere non-discrimination practices toward actively promoting equality and diversity in employment.

Business benefits of diversity: A McKinsey study found that companies lacking in gender and ethnic diversity are 27% more likely to underperform on profitability, emphasizing the financial implications of diversity.

Gender diversity and decision-making: Diverse perspectives, experiences, and problem-solving approaches can lead to more comprehensive discussions, better consideration of alternatives, and ultimately, improved decision-making outcomes.

Diversity in age and geographic location: Age diversity can offer different levels of experience, expertise, and approaches to problem-solving. Geographic diversity can bring unique cultural perspectives and a broader understanding of global markets and customer needs.

By embracing diversity and fostering inclusive practices, organizations can attract top talent, create a more innovative and engaged workforce, and position themselves for long-term success.

Let’s Talk Diversity

Inclusivity means not ‘just we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued. I’ve always said: smart teams will do amazing things, but truly diverse teams will do impossible things.
~ Claudia Brind-Woody