Update your DE&I communications plans to prep for a changing, deeply divisive world is not just beneficial, but essential for your organization's continued growth and success. But before you’re able to improve your DE&I strategy, you must learn how to evaluate it. This module will equip you with the skills needed to listen attentively to your stakeholders through solicited employee feedback, surveys and panels, as well as tools you’ll need to set clear objectives, implement inclusive policies, and establish data-driven accountability mechanisms. By the end of this course, you will be empowered with the knowledge and materials required to act as a catalyst for positive change within your organization's DE&I initiatives. You’ll learn:

• Anatomy of a DE&I plan: The elements of a successful strategy, including inclusive policies and training, data-driven accountability, commitment from leadership, diverse recruitment, ERGs, and transparent communications.
• Listen, connect and engage: Tools you can use to gather feedback from employees and organizational stakeholders, including employee surveys, focus groups, anonymous feedback channels and online polls.
• SMART goal setting: How to create specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals for each step of your revised DE&I plan.
• Consistent monitoring, measurement and accountability: The best KPIs and metrics to track that will regularly assess progress and hold the organization accountable.
• Plus: Sample DE&I strategies from small and large corporations as well as nonprofit companies.

Light Homework:

• Take the Implicit Bias Test.
• Check Your Privilege Quiz.
• Evaluate your DE&I Strategy using the worksheet.
• Bring the before and after.

CLASSROOM MATERIALS:

• DE&I communications plan outline.
• DE&I evaluation worksheet.
• Sample DE&I strategies.

Over the last few years, employees have been increasingly overwhelmed by initiatives that have failed to connect with them personally. Added to that, internal communicators are being forced to do more with less amid budget cuts to DE&I programs. In this final module, you’ll learn how to leverage storytelling techniques to effectively – and inexpensively – rejuvenate employee engagement with your diversity efforts. You’ll learn:

• Low budget strategies: How to use your existing communications tools and channels, including emails and newsletters, virtual meetings or town halls, and physical or digital bulletin boards like intranets to encourage DE&I conversations.
• Employee generated content: Ways to encourage employees to share their personal narratives and diverse perspectives in cost-effective employee spotlights, internal podcasts, or in short-form video interviews.
• Storytelling amidst crisis: How real-time updates, empathy-driven leadership messaging, and support and resource sharing can highlight how a business is addressing specific needs during a time of crisis – and how ERGs can help you communicate the message effectively.
• Communicating during division: Strategies to promote open, respectful conversations where different perspectives can be shared and heard, while avoiding partisan messaging and neutrality in communications – plus, tips for training managers in the art of active listening.
• Making your DE&I strategies unforgettable: Tips and tricks to get your messaging to stick, including interactive content like quizzes and surveys and visual elements like videos and infographics.
• Plus: How to integrate your DE&I plan into your company’s broader culture and values, making it a natural and ongoing part of organizational life.