Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

Our Mission – To provide informed, authentic leadership for diversity, equity and inclusion for the wholesale distributor industry.

The Southern strives to:

• Provide members practical tools and resources to aid in their diversity, equity, and inclusion journeys.
• Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services.
• Explore potential underlying, unquestioned assumptions that interfere with inclusiveness.
  Cultivate respectful communication and cooperation between all members. Practice and encourage transparent communication in all interactions.
• Contribute as leaders to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for the diversity within our society.
• Commit time and resources to expand more diverse leadership within our board, committees, customers, and communities.
• Lead with respect and acceptance of difference.

The Southern has put together a wide variety of resources for our members with perspectives and guidance on how to strive toward a more diverse and inclusive environment whether it be at home, in their community, at their company, and in the entire industry.

This page will be updated constantly as we continue to add resources for members of The Southern.

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR DEI:

• Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to have financial returns above their national industry medians, and those in the top quartile for gender diversity are 15% more likely to see greater financial returns, according to the McKinsey report “Diversity Matters.”
• There is also a statistically significant relationship between diversity and innovation. A Harvard Business Review study found that companies with above-average total diversity had both 19% higher innovation revenues and 9% higher EBIT margins.
• Likewise, a Deloitte report noted that organizations with inclusive cultures were six times more likely to be innovative and agile, eight times more likely to achieve better business outcomes, and twice as likely to meet or exceed financial targets.

RESOURCES:

Presentations

DEI Business Case Power Point

Books

In That’s BS! How Bias Synapse Disrupts Inclusive Cultures and the Power to Attract Diverse Markets, Risha Grant calls out the elephant in the room.  Gender and racial inequality is breeding hate, separation and violence. She presents a three-step process to confront bias and find common ground. Readers will also learn the keys to creating a culture that welcomes all employees, boosts retention and productivity.

Click here for more information.

Studies have shown that 60% of male managers feel uncomfortable working one-on-one with their female colleagues. This means over half of American male managers lack the confidence in their ability to create an inclusive environment for all of their team members. That’s where The Man’s Guide to Corporate Culture comes in. Heather Zumarraga, a business journalist who has spent much of her career in testosterone-filled work environments, wants to make sure that any male leader who wants to be part of the solution knows how to do it the right way. Click here for more information.