Building Thriving Communities: The Power of Diversity and Inclusion
Episode Overview
Diversity boosts productivity and business profit margins. Inclusive practices should be integrated into governance strategies. Collaboration is key to addressing real community needs. Creating welcoming environments helps retain diverse populations. Supporting immigrant entrepreneurs strengthens local economies.
Engaging diversity can increase productivity in business and communities by 72%, and businesses themselves can see a 30% increase in profit margins
Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzzwords; they are the lifeblood of thriving communities and sustainable economies. In this episode of MuniCast, host Augustina Osasori chats with a stellar panel including Verona Thibault, CEO of the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance (SEDA), Lovely Magnaye, CAO for the Town of Tisdale, Jean Goerzen, Executive Director for the Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies (SAISIA), and Ronke Eroho, owner of 9ja Foodie.
They dive into how embracing diverse perspectives and fostering inclusion can drive vibrant, resilient, and economically sustainable communities. Verona shares how research shows that engaging diversity can boost productivity by 72% and increase business profit margins by 30%. She emphasises the need for municipalities to lead by example and integrate inclusive practices into their governance strategies. Lovely discusses the challenges and opportunities in municipal administration, stressing the importance of collaboration and community engagement to address real needs.
Jean highlights the value of creating welcoming environments where diverse individuals feel valued and are more likely to stay and contribute to the local economy. Ronke offers practical advice for municipal governments on using diversity and inclusion as tools to build stronger economies, such as supporting immigrant entrepreneurs and fostering better work culture alignment. This episode is packed with valuable insights and real-world examples that showcase the transformative power of diversity and inclusion in economic development.
If you're interested in how these principles can be applied to create more vibrant and sustainable communities, this episode is a must-listen.