In today's diverse interconnected world, the significance of external partnerships in advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) cannot be overstated. Creating alliances with diverse organizations and thought leaders can achieve transformative impacts across entire organizations. Here’s how these partnerships can make a difference:

Expanding the Talent Pool

Partnering with diverse organizations and communities opens up new avenues for talent acquisition. These connections allow organizations to tap into a broader range of skills, perspectives, and experiences, enriching the workforce and fostering a more inclusive environment. Partnerships enable organizations to connect with diverse groups, fostering a pipeline of talent that reflects a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Enhancing Brand Presence and Trust

Strategic partnerships enhance brand presence and awareness. By aligning with DEI thought leaders and organizations, businesses build trust and credibility, attracting new candidates and customers, and expanding their market presence and reach. Ultimately, this can position an organization’s brand as a thought leader in DEI and enhance their reputation.

Deepening DEI Across Organizations

External partnerships can enrich DEI knowledge and resources, benefiting employees and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) by building a deeper sense of belonging. They help inform DEI content, boosting impact and revenue. They can also provide insights, resources, and networks that inform DEI strategies and content, ensuring initiatives are impactful.

Creating Inclusive and Accessible Content

Collaborating with organizations that focus on specific diversity dimensions helps create more inclusive and accessible content. This broadens product and service offerings, making them more relevant and beneficial to a diverse audience.

Supporting Community Efforts

Partnerships can magnify the humanitarian efforts and volunteerism of organizations. This strengthens community support and affirms commitment to social responsibility and deliberate philanthropic giving, promoting well-being through giving back to the community.

Growing Employees and Leaders in Your Organization

Collaborations with external organizations offer memberships that further DEI goals, providing continuous learning and growth opportunities for employees and teams. This creates a more inclusive and equitable workplace, supporting the growth of Underrepresented Groups (URG) and women.

What criteria should you consider when selecting external partners?

To ensure partnerships are effective and aligned with goals, organizations should consider the following criteria that a partnership should contribute to in some way:

• Alignment with core values

• Impact on Talent Acquisition (TA) and DEI efforts both internally and externally

• Ability to provide DEI guidance across functions (i.e., DEI Team, ERGs, Talent Acquisition, Content, Marketing, Sales)

• Sourcing diverse talent through job boards, nonprofit connections, job fairs

• DEI learning and training of employees

• Building the brand as DEI thought leaders and desirable workplaces

• Enhancing community connections through humanitarian efforts, volunteerism, and philanthropic giving

• Adopting a global perspective

• Commitment to building long-lasting partnerships

• Agreement on shared goals and progress measurements

Overall, external partnerships are a powerful catalyst for advancing DEI within any organization. By strategically aligning with diverse and change making partners, businesses can drive lasting impact in their workforce, community, and beyond. How does your organization build these bridges and create a more inclusive, equitable, and connected world through partnerships?