CULTURE CONSULTING

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Whether it's building an inclusive team, reaching certain audiences or just knowing how to react to what's in play, your next move could be the difference in getting commended or getting cancelled. What will you be known for?

LET's TALK ABOUT IT

DEI? Yeah, it's kinda complicated.

Everyday organizations are facing challenges to diversify teams, appeal to varying markets and engage in major conversations. While many have good intentions, a lot of efforts end up in epic fails, leaving businesses scarred or labeled as performative, insensitive and whatever hashtag gets assigned on social media. It's not a clear playing field and the missteps are as common as a cold when DEI means different things to different people. Here's where we can help:

Conference Room full of people listening to Speaker

CONSULTING, MARKETING & SPECIAL EVENTS

Expand your products, services or messaging to effectively appeal to various groups while staying aligned with your goals.

Two Asian Women Reviewing Content on iPad

TEAM DEVELOPMENT & COMPANY CULTURE

Get help attracting diverse talent and building a company culture that keeps that talent and your business thriving.

Interesting Dancers - Diversity

PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, AND PARTNERSHIPS

You don't have to do something cookie cutter. Craft your own projects with us that meet the needs of you and your stakeholders.

Who do you design for?

Making accessibility the standard - not the option

When we think DEI, we often focus on race and gender. But inclusivity isn't just about what we look like, it's about the life we live. Accessibility is often the last slice of pizza left in the box that no one cares to take a bite out of whether offline or online. However, 20% of the people in the world have a disability, impairment, or are handi-capable. Whatever label you apply, ensuring those with visible and invisible differences are included in your physical and digital space is key (and the law). Learn more about making your brand more accessible, offline and online through our Accessibility consulting and digital services.

GET MORE ACCESSIBLE

A safe place to ask ALL your questions in a judgement free zone.

What's going on in the culture can be a difficult thing to to talk about and for some, incredibly embarrassing. While everyone has a line, this is a place of learning, grace and worry free collaboration that won't have you walking on eggshells waiting for the next offense. We're equipped to offer customized offerings and services that meet your specific needs :)

READY TO GO? SET UP FREE DISCOVERY CALL

Got more questions? Check out our FAQ.

WHO DO YOU DESIGN FOR?

Making accessibility the standard - not the option

When we think DEI, we often focus on race and gender. But inclusivity isn't just about what we look like, it's about the life we live. Accessibility is often the last slice of pizza left in the box that no one cares to take a bite out of whether offline or online. However, 20% of the people in the world have a disability, impairment, or are handi-capable. Whatever label you apply, ensuring those with visible and invisible differences are included in your physical and digital space is key (and the law). Learn more about making your brand more accessible, offline and online through our Accessibility consulting and digital services.

MAKE MY COMPANY AND WEBSITE MORE ACCESSIBLE
IG Screenshot of Black Square for BLM Solidarity

Feeling lost? You're not alone.

Learn when to jump in, step back, take a stand or take a seat when it comes to engaging in culture wars, activism, inclusivity and more that's aligned with your business goals, beliefs and values.

Bad tweet by Burger King

Sometimes, it's not the thought that really counts.

Welcome to a time where people can clap back. The wrong event, campaign, or marketing message can send you spiraling down quickly, cost you thousands and even end you up in court.

Screenshot of what's trending on Twitter

Just because it's trending, doesn't make it right.

Not everything that's popular is on the "right side of history." While you don't always have to feel pressured to engage, getting a pulse on your surroundings can help you avoid some major pitfalls.

STAY RELEVANT AND TRUE

AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT STARTS WITH THE HEART

I've spent many years talking about diversity to leaders and organizations. While many have focused on training and workshops to help build more diverse and inclusive environments, I think it's vital to work on the heart aspect of the equation. Though it's a tough nut to crack, it's the seed you plant that has long term value. I've always had a diverse team because diversity comes naturally, and my strategies reflect that within my own organizations. While building an environment that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion is a key priority for many organizations, my overall larger goal is to get individuals to see what I see. To look below the surface and question how they draw up on the knowledge and conclusions they have about the culture and information they receive. Once we employ critical thinking in our everyday lives around DEI, you'll find that building a company that shines in this arena becomes simple.

Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce

Available for panels and speaking engagements.

As the nation reckons with racial issues across the board, I shared my views, experiences and insights as panelist on the Black Business Experience, hosted by Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. As many look for answers in navigating this landscape, informative and thoughtful conversations are needed.

HOST A TALK
Tell ME COS Logo

I partnered with Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC as the Events Task Force Lead and designed a campaign where the Diversity in the Workplace Committee worked to create 28 one minute videos released on the 28th day of Black History Month. It was an amazing and impactful endeavor that highlighted local black leaders and community members doing phenomenal work and sharing their experiences.

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UPCOMING VIRTUAL EVENTS

Whether you're a business owner, team member, or just an individual looking to engage, register yourself or your organization for one of our virtual events and get access to commentary and insight for powerful discussions.

the cost of color

NEXT SESSION - TBA

Participate in an eye opening discussion and workshop designed for those who wish to understand, address and learn how to combat racism in an effective and impactful way.

PAY-WHAT-YOU-MAY
REGISTER TODAY

offense not taken

NEXT SESSION - TBA

A candid, safe and interactive forum for people to ask and get answers to those burning and difficult questions that don't get addressed for fear of someone jumping down your throat.

PAY-WHAT-YOU-MAY
REGISTER TODAY

White-washed

NEXT SESSION - TBA

Join me, Alexandra Renee Poelstra, THE MAVEN of ALL MAVEN,  as I share my personal experience with race, identity, and growing up in white spaces that created, changed, and challenged my views of today.

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REGISTER TODAY

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why should I look at Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for my organization?

Simply put, DEI boils down to caring about people. We live in a world with different people from different backgrounds and stories, all that deserve to be heard and seen. When you place DEI as a priority for your organization, you're saying that people matter. You're taking time to build a better workplace and a better world, and setting an example for those around you. When you work on DEI initiatives, you provide opportunities for growth not only for those individuals, but for your organization and community as well. From a numerical standpoint, DEI also fosters greater creativity in workplaces, higher performing employees, and more profits.

Where do I get started with DEI?

Getting started with DEI can be daunting, and different departments within an organization may even have different goals. DEI first begins with the leadership willing to invest time, money and energy into DEI resources. Organizations should also include stakeholder, employee and consumer feedback to help better their DEI journey. Companies should also know where they stand in terms of DEI from an empirical and numerical standpoint. If you're unsure, just starting with our Diversity Talk is a great way to dip your toe in and have a powerful experience for you and your team.

Who are your DEI Services designed for?

While all our workshops and talks are designed for individuals and groups, our DEI services are specifically designed to address DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) in the workplace for businesses. Whether your organization is 5 people or 500, our powerful insights can help your organization breed healthy culture, professionalism, and revenue.

What do I do if my company doesn't want to participate in DEI initiatives?

If your organization doesn't see DEI as a priority, it's going to be hard to really make transformative change. DEI has to be a priority for leadership, so that it can filter throughout an organization. While it may come from the top in how its implemented, every individual has an opportunity to speak up and make change at their organization. You can be the one to suggest to leadership or your executives to invest in DEI initiatives, and you as an individual can also participate in some of our workshops and talks. Not everything around DEI has to be tied to a business, our community talks and workshops are a great way to become a part of the conversation and the solution.

How do you measure DEI?

There is no one way to look at DEI and its effectiveness. You need a well rounded approach, looking at a variety of factors. Some of those factors that can be measured include looking at the demographics of your company, its staff, board and its consumers. We can measure sentiment in many ways as well, through surveys and feedback modules as well. In other areas, we can look at opportunities created, campaigns, and revenue earned. Each organization should really look at what its true goals are and not simply implement DEI initiates to fill quotas or check boxes.

How do we attract diverse talent?

Recruiting top tier talent can already be challenging in itself and ensuring your recruits reflect your values should be strategic. Our DEI Planning Workshop is designed to do just that - provide organizations with tools, resources and methods available to implement hiring practices that are equitable, attract various talent and foster healthy company growth. Often people are unsure how to recruit properly, or believe they don't have a pool to choose from in their particular industry or demographic. We can provide actionable insights that can help you move the needle on your DEI journey and advance your organization.

How do we add diversity to our board?

If you want your board of directors to be more inclusive, you'll have to ask yourself first, "what is our strategic plan in hiring?" Some feel they don't have a pool to select from, but that is often more sentiment than actual fact. We can work with you to develop practices that can help you reach underrepresented groups for your board. Studies, research, and data shows that diversity in boards leads to better working environments, practices, opportunities and profitability.

How much do DEI efforts cost an organization?

If you're looking to understand the overall cost of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, that is based primarily on your overall objectives and goals. We're proud to offer a wide variety of affordable options that are within reach for most organizations while creating powerful impact. We can work with individuals or organizations of a variety of sizes, from talks to workshops, to strategic planning. Pricing is listed with each service with the exception of large organizations. Please contact our office if you have 75 employees/members or more so we can ensure a tailored and effective experience.

Do you offer nonprofit/education pricing and or discounts?

We sure do! Education and nonprofits are contributing so much to our community and we would love to give back. Please connect with us so we can see what your needs are for your organization and what free and low cost services are available to your organization. Thank you!