Our challenge was to first implement a learning platform to scale a variety of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) courses and resources across all our North American and International business units. Secondly, because these concepts were completely new to the organization, we knew that online learning would not be enough, which is why our ultimate challenge in this area was to deepen awareness for the greatest learning outcomes.

Learning Management System DE&I Channels and Unconscious Bias Training: In connection with our values and commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture, we purchased a learning management system with a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Channel hosting over 160 different learning opportunities, resources, and courses on this topic. We scaled access to resources across all business units in two different languages with closed captions to provide an inclusive and equitable platform. To build DE&I into our culture, we were intentional in offering the training as a self-initiated opportunity, as opposed to a compliance requirement. Instead, we built change management into team member adoption by communicating about the courses in all-company meetings, as well as departmental and management meetings. Additionally, we established an advisory committee and appointed an advocate in each business area across all units to further build awareness, interest, and trust.

Interactive & Personal Training Session: Recognizing that online learning does not fully meet the needs of people’s ability to ask questions or hear from an expert face-to-face, we went a step further in conducting an interactive unconscious bias masterclass lead by an expert in the field as well as an additional in-person module on Inclusive Leadership. Recognizing these can be difficult topics for some, we purposefully made sure the curriculum provided a positive and thought-provoking experience to plant seeds of change.

Since the launch of our learning management system and DE&I course selection 100% of our team members and 100% of our leaders completed the Expert Insights on Unconscious Bias training. We have since added this training to our 90-day onboarding guide to ensure all new hires, regardless of level receive Unconscious Bias training.

Because of our promotion and change management efforts we had a 95% (voluntary) attendance rate for our virtual instructor-led masterclass session on Unconscious Bias. Our post-training focus groups showed a statistically significant majority of the company is eager to learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion topics.

Karen Massey