The business case is clear.
Is it surprising that companies with engaged employees, inspired customers, and purposeful strategies have better performance metrics across the board?
We certainly don’t think so, but we understand you still need to make the case.
We’ve collected the latest research that helps quantify the benefits—from innovation to risk management to performance—as well as stories from organizations who are seeing real results.
“At a time when companies are under extraordinary pressure to maintain financial performance while navigating a rapidly changing business landscape, creating an internal culture of transparency and inclusion, and transforming operations to meet social-impact expectations, the good news is that these goals are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, our research suggests a strong, positive relationship between them. And in an increasingly complex and uncertain competitive landscape, diversity matters even more.”
Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact. McKinsey, Dec 2023
What the latest research says
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Companies with ethnic and gender diversity on executive teams are 39% more likely to financially outperform their peers.
McKinsey, “Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact.” (Dec 2023)
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Organizations with inclusive cultures are 8x more likely to achieve better business outcomes, and 6x more likely to be innovative and agile.
Deloitte, “The diversity and inclusion revolution: Eight powerful truths.” (Jan 2018)
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Organizations with greater diversity are 2.4 times more likely to outperform competitors financially.
Development Dimensions International, Inc., “Diversity Delivers at the Bottom Line.” (2023)
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67% of job seekers consider existing employee diversity when evaluating offers.
Glassdoor, “What Job Seekers Really Think About Your Diversity and Inclusion Stats.” (Jul 2021)
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The business case for gender diversity on executive teams has more than doubled over the past decade.
McKinsey, “Diversity matters even more: The case for holistic impact.” (Dec 2023)
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76% of consumers say they’re more likely to buy from socially responsible organizations.
World Economic Forum, “The Good Work Framework.” (May 2022)
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Leadership that prioritizes inclusion in the workplace can slash attrition risk by 50%.
BCG, “It’s Time to Highlight the Business Opportunity of DEI Initiatives.” (Mar 2024)
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Organizations that score highest on treatment of their workforce had a 2.2% higher five-year return on equity.
Deloitte, “When people thrive, business thrives: The case for human sustainability.” (2024)
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Inclusive cultures increase reported motivation 25% and happiness 31% for all employees—women and men.
BCG, “Inclusion Isn’t Just Nice. It’s Necessary.” (Feb 2024)
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62% of workers would be more likely stay in a job that supports their well-being.
Deloitte, “The C-suite's role in well-being.” (Jun 2022)
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Companies with above-average diversity on their management teams report innovation revenue 19% higher than low-diversity teams.
BCG, “How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation.” (2018)
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A focus on improving worker happiness increased Hitachi's profits by 10%.
Deloitte, “As human performance takes center stage, are traditional productivity metrics enough?” (2024)
What good looks like
“Tackling inequality is critical to building a world of opportunity in which business can thrive for generations to come.”
Source: The Business Commission to Tackle Inequality.