Bidiversity

Scientific research and biology have a lot in common. They have both highlighted the power of diversity. In nature, Darwin’s survival of the fittest is the best acclaim for the power of the different – the species that adapt the fastest to a changing environment or ecology, survives.

And it is the same in business. Research has highlighted that:

Gender Diversity in the Boardroom = Higher Profits

“The group of companies with the highest representation of women on their top management teams experienced better financial performance then the top groups of companies with the lowest women’s representation. This finding holds for:

• Return on Equity (ROE), which is 35.1% higher
• Total Return to Shareholders (TRS) which is 34% higher. (Connecting Corporate Performance and Gender Diversity, Catalyst, 2004)

Diversity Strategies = Positive Impact on Employee Engagement

The European Commission 8 states that diversity programmes have had a positive impact on employee motivation for 58% of companies that have implemented them:

• 57% improved customer satisfaction and
• 69% noted an improvement in brand image (Cost and Effectiveness of Diversity, European Commission, 2003)

Diversity of Thought = Higher Productivity

Work-teams that are balanced in terms of thinking preferences are more effective; they consider more options and make better decisions. (How to Improve Group Productivity: Whole-brain Teams Set New Benchmarks, by Charles G. DeRidder and Mark A. Wilcox)