It very easy to dismiss equality and diversity work as not important. It is also easy to get too wrapped up in the processes that lead to achieving better outcomes rather than delivering real change.
However it is as important to an organisation as other parts of their change management programe. Your organisation will have some of the following:
- Making the best use of our financial resources
- Culture change
- Working with partners and communities
- Assessing and minimising our strategic and operational risk
- Improving environmental performance
Well equality and diversity can be added to these. It is a key ingredient in building excellent people-centred services, a diverse, a competent workforce and promoting the general well-being of communities and citizens.
For a public services this has some credibility, but what about a small organisation or private company. I would argue that equality is a vital ingredient for them in understanding their customers or clients.
It lies at the very heart of everything all organisations do in providing products or services for people, employing people and in shaping the place they live and work. Equality and Diversity describes a change process that will:
• involve more people - or open up new markets
• help change the type of product and services they require;
• create new strategies for customer contact, engagement, participation or even neighbourhood management.
Why equality? Well it is the bedrock of a sound organisation. It is also an essential element of public services.
