Diversity Matters' Partners Program: Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility

Friends and Colleagues -

On today's episode of Diversity Matters we discussed the "tension" between diversity and inclusion efforts that operate out of a social justice paradigm and those that operate out of a competitive advantage paradigm; and grappled with the question of whether an organization has to choose between the investing in inclusion because "it's the right thing to do" or because "it's the smart thing to do."

While we're clearly of the opinion that the best answer is both/and rather than either/or, in our experience so often organizations speak about the ethical imperative of justice, but invest considerably more time, money and resources in the business imperative. While the pendulum may vary by industry and leader, creating a strategy that helps sustain the right balance between both/and is a tremendous service to society and the business. On the show we talked about strategic corporate responsibility as a deliberate approach to reconciling this tension and living in the intersection of BOTH an ethical stance to address an important social need AND simultaneously addressing a business need.

Microsoft for example has chosen to take a stance that supports digital literacy and prepares the next generation of critical thinkers who are capable of solving complex problems and fluent in the adaptable use of technology by sponsoring Philadelphia's School of the Future and it's partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges. This stance not only supports a societal need by helping young people in the United States develop the technology knowledge, skills and resilience with which young people throughout India and China are already infused, it also addresses Microsoft’s business need of a shortage of I.T. workers in the United States. As stated in a recent Harvard Business Review article (December 2006) on the link between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility, “The most important thing a corporation can do for society, and for any community, is to contribute to a prosperous economy.”

At Diversity Matters™ we are in the process of developing a program to catalyze this relationship between business need and social need, by finding shared value propositions between our corporate clients and the not for profit and community based organizations which we serve. It’s called the Diversity Matters’™ Partners Program.

Diversity Matters’™ Partners Program
Our model of strategic corporate social responsibility is to reinforce corporate diversity and inclusion strategies by advancing social conditions. While corporate philanthropy and sponsorship of programs and events is important, we work with our for profit clients to build a coordinated approach which includes a strong corporate social responsibility component to their diversity and inclusion strategy. Our Partners Program is a key example of this strategic approach to corporate social responsibility

An Exchange Between Businesses and Communities
Diversity Matters™ is committed to building an exchange between businesses and communities to share resources, ideas and talent that promotes inclusion. Through our Partners Program, for-profit business clients are invited to invest a percentage of their contracted services to build a partnership with not for profit and/or community based organizations by funding education, training and consulting services that these organizations would otherwise not be able to afford. Our model of strategic corporate social responsibility works to foster the partnership between organizations whose missions align and for whom such a relationship will strategically address a social need AND address a business need.

This partnership not only supplies needed economic resources to not for profit and/or community based organizations, but provides a vehicle for the exchange of best practices. Community based organizations benefit from access to the lessons learned and best practices of the for-profit world, and corporate clients learn from the grass roots efforts of not for profit enterprises.

Developing the Next Generation of Diversity and Inclusion Practitioners
In addition, Diversity Matters’™ Partners Program matches students in the field of Diversity and Inclusion with seasoned practitioners in the facilitation of this exchange and the delivery of services. This element of the partnership provides experience to skilled and committed practitioners who are new to the field while meeting the needs of organizations that might not otherwise be in a position to afford these services. It also supports both the corporate social responsibility and competitive advantage of the sponsoring partner by both “giving back” and learning from the partnership exchange. The Diversity Matters™ Partners Program is a win-win-win-win. The community wins, the new practitioners win, the sponsoring business wins and Diversity Matters™ wins by providing this inclusiveness building conduit.

Everyone we’ve spoken with about this program – corporate partners, community based leaders etc… are very excited. We would love to hear your ideas as well as discuss the opportunity for you to participate in this program to inspire inclusive partnerships across organizations and communities.

Stay connected,

Richard Friend, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & Co-Host