How to Use Your Dollar to Promote Diversity

Over the last several years, people have become more and more aware of the lack of diversity in hiring practices. However, unless you happen to work as a hiring manager or company executive, it can be hard to figure out something to do about it. That’s why it might surprise you to learn that you have a ton of power, right in your pocket. 

 

With the right spending decisions, you can send a message to companies that focus on diversity in hiring – as well as companies that don’t. Here, America Equals offers some tips for how to spend mindfully and support businesses that support diversity.

 

Work With Your Budget 

 

The first step of spending mindfully – no matter what you’re minding – is to focus on sticking to your budget. It’s easy to let your passion and urge to support diverse hiring practices lead to overspending. However, this is a counterproductive process. The ideal way to let your dollar speak is through consistency. Remember, companies need to see that, over the long run, diversity boosts their bottom line. One spending spree isn’t going to send that message, but it might make it harder for you to make ends meet. 

 

Instead, focus on ways you can support companies without putting yourself in an uncomfortable spot financially. Take your smartphone, for example. The Wall Street Journal reports that Verizon is working hard at promoting diversity with their employee retention policies. You can support their efforts by choosing to do business with them. Find ways to show your support without breaking the bank. 

 

Do Your Research 

 

You cannot speak with your dollar if you don’t know who to talk to. That’s why it’s so important to take the time to research companies you’re considering supporting. Raw diversity statistics are a great start, but they’re only the beginning. After all, a diverse workforce isn’t necessarily a good sign on its own if all the marginalized employees are in low-level, low-paid positions. 

 

Instead of going with the raw hiring numbers, take some time to look at a company’s executive board. Look for diversity figures in middle and upper management. Check out their staff page or LinkedIn – this kind of investigation can give you valuable insight into what perspectives a company values. 

 

Reach Out 

 

Finally, take some time to message companies who don’t work for diversity to let them know it’s losing them business. Many companies offer service surveys and other standardized means through which they receive this sort of feedback. Check online to see if there’s any kind of complaint or contact form you can use to let that company know that their lack of diversity is costing them your business. 

 

Take it a step further by encouraging them to take measures that could improve diversity at every level. For example, you could suggest they enact a name-blind resume policy. This prevents hiring managers from being subconsciously biased against names that are coded to certain demographics. You could also suggest that any company which does not already have a diversity and inclusion team build one as soon as possible. A dedicated staff has the best shot at making systematic changes within a company that lead to real results. 

 

It’s easy to feel helpless when it comes to fostering diversity in your neighborhood, city, or country, but you have more power than you might think. Focus on using your dollar to send a clear message: Diversity matters. The companies that listen will thrive and the ones that don’t might just change their tune. 

 

Written by Leslie Campos
Wellparents.com
leslie.campos@wellparents.com

 

Photo Credit: Pexels

To learn more about empowerment through entrepreneurship, connect with America Equals today!