Diversity and Inclusion in Product Teams

I spent the last week with my 16 year old son on holiday. It was amazing to have that uninterrupted time with him and we spoke on so many subjects. Both my children have been brought up in North London and I love how this has shaped their values when it comes to diversity and inclusion. This got me thinking of how important it is to continue to push forward with these initiatives in product design.

Diverse teams bring a wealth of perspectives, ideas, and solutions that drive innovation, improve decision-making, and create products that resonate with a broader audience. TL;DR – remember, you’re most likely wanting to build products for a diverse cross section of the community or globe. You’re not preparing well by limiting your organisation in this regard!

Why Diversity is Crucial in Product Development

1. Enhanced Creativity and Innovation Diverse teams are more likely to generate a wider range of ideas and approaches to problem-solving. For instance, a study by Boston Consulting Group found that companies with more diverse management teams have 19% higher revenues due to innovation. This correlation underscores the value of diverse perspectives in driving creative solutions and innovative products.
2. Improved Decision-Making Research from Cloverpop shows that diverse teams make better decisions up to 87% of the time. When team members bring different experiences and viewpoints to the table, they can identify potential pitfalls and opportunities that might be overlooked by a more homogenous group.
3. Broader Market Reach Products developed by diverse teams are more likely to meet the needs of a wider audience. A case in point is Apple’s introduction of more inclusive emoji options, reflecting a broader range of skin tones and cultural representations. This move was widely praised and adopted, showcasing how inclusivity can resonate with a global user base.
4. Employee Satisfaction and Retention A commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture, which can lead to higher employee satisfaction and retention. Companies that prioritise diversity tend to attract top talent who are looking for environments where they feel valued and respected.

Strategies for Actively Recruiting Diverse Teams

1. Broaden Your Talent Pool Expand your recruitment efforts beyond traditional channels. Partner with organisations and universities that serve underrepresented groups, attend diversity job fairs, and use platforms like LinkedIn to reach a wider audience. For example, Google’s partnership with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) has been instrumental in increasing the diversity of its tech workforce.
2. Inclusive Job Descriptions Ensure that job descriptions are free from biased language that might deter certain candidates from applying. Use tools like Textio to create more inclusive job postings that appeal to a broader range of applicants.
3. Diverse Interview Panels Assemble diverse interview panels to ensure that candidates from all backgrounds feel welcome and see representation within the organisation. This practice can also help mitigate unconscious biases in the hiring process.
4. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) Support and promote ERGs within your organisation. These groups can provide valuable insights into the needs and concerns of underrepresented employees and help create a more inclusive workplace culture.
5. Continuous Learning and Development Invest in ongoing diversity and inclusion training for all employees. Encourage open conversations about diversity and inclusion and provide resources for learning and growth. Salesforce, for instance, offers comprehensive training programmes that emphasise the importance of diversity and inclusion at all levels of the company.

Real-Life Examples of Diversity Driving Success

1. Microsoft’s Autism Hiring Programme Microsoft launched an initiative to hire individuals on the autism spectrum, recognising their unique talents and perspectives. This programme has not only created job opportunities for a marginalised group but also brought invaluable skills and insights to the company, enhancing its product development processes.
2. Unilever’s Diverse Supplier Initiative Unilever has committed to spending $2 billion annually with diverse suppliers by 2025. This initiative not only supports minority-owned businesses but also brings diverse perspectives into Unilever’s supply chain, driving innovation and creating products that better serve a diverse customer base.
3. Airbnb’s Project Lighthouse Airbnb’s Project Lighthouse aimed to uncover, measure, and overcome bias and discrimination in its community. By using data-driven approaches to address these issues, Airbnb is making strides towards creating a more inclusive platform that better serves its diverse user base.

Diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords; they are critical components of successful product teams. By actively recruiting diverse talent and fostering an inclusive workplace culture, you can drive innovation, make better decisions, and create products that resonate with a broader audience. In the same way that continuous learning keeps us curious and shapes our perspective over generations, opening up teams to more diverse and inclusive policies is an essential and enriching experience for all concerned. It is imperative to foster a sense of inclusion in every workplace, not just product. But I’ve noticed that there is still a lot of room for improvement in our industry and hope that the various initiatives and also a new generation of product practitioners will champion the cause and enact change.