The Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) released DEI in the Workplace: A Discussion Guide for Leadership Teams, to help organizations articulate a commitment and define their scope of activities to create a more inclusive and equitable work environment.

The discussion guide identifies conversation starters to prompt leadership teams to explore and articulate their shared commitment to a more inclusive and equitable work environment. The conversation starters address a variety of topics, such as ageism, employing newcomers, and employees’ sentiment and expectations. For example, it asks:

• Are you exploring new channels to reach a broader talent base, including newcomers?
• Have you considered the impact that a DEI focus might have on your attraction and retention strategy?
• Do you see an opportunity to promote the experience of older workers in balance with the innovation and skills of younger marketers?

Many of the conversation starters can be adapted to facilitate dialogue among staff. A crucial step in this process is to create a safe place for employees to have open and meaningful conversations.