Why Businesses of All Sizes Benefit from Diversity and Inclusion Strategies

Transcript:

My name is Kirsten Sutton. I’m the Managing Director for SAP Labs Canada and the Global Head of Engineering for SAP Jam.

At SAP we know that our software touches the world. It touches businesses. It touches
countries and it touches people. And for us to make the best software we need to make sure that we have people on our staff that reflect those customers that we serve.

At SAP one of our mantras when it comes to our HR practices is ‘everyone has a talent.’ And that means everybody has talents to bring to the table.

I think we have a few signature programs here at SAP that really exemplify our diversity
and inclusion practices one being “Autism At Work”. People on the autism spectrum
have unique talents for our business. They can recognize patterns. They’re able to work on tasks for extremely long periods of time and their ability to focus on tasks is amazing and that’s
perfect in a software environment.

And more then the productivity they bring, is the change in culture inside. I think the biggest misconception about taking on a real diversity and inclusion strategy is that you have to be a big company to afford it. That is furthest from the truth. I think step 1 for building your diversity and inclusion strategy is making sure that you determine why it matters for your business in particular.

Innovation in particular requires diverse perspectives at the table. That’s why we decided to do it. You need to decide why you need to do it for your business.

When you employ a diversity and inclusion strategy for your business you’re going to get

1. Better results. You’re going to be more productive, you’re going to be more innovative and you’re definitely going to be able to put together things that you were never able to do before.

2. You’re going to create a culture where people are so proud of working for your company.

And lastly, you’re going to make a difference in people’s lives, who did not have access before.

Any company can employ a D & I strategy and make a difference. Doesn’t matter how big or
small you are. It’s all what you believe is important for your business.

Decided why D & I will make a difference for you, and then go for it.

Anybody can do it, and should.