The Importance of Creating a Diverse Work Environment

Over the past decade, the focus on diversity in the workplace has grown strong. Years of research and study have also proven that companies that prioritize diversity and inclusion as a core component of their culture will thrive, often outperforming their competitors and seeing a direct, positive impact on their bottom lines. 

According to Pew Research, over half of today’s workers state that increased workplace diversity has achieved overall positive results. Further studies have shown that companies with stronger diversity fare better financially, with the top quarter of companies with strong diversity initiatives having a 39% greater likelihood of outperforming their peers. 

One case study of a company doing diversity right is Acro Service Corporation. This industry-leading workforce solutions company has remained committed to improving diversity since it was founded in 1982. As a certified Minority-owned Business Enterprise (MBE) and a Corporate Plus Member of the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council (NMSDC), Acro is leading the way in the new world of work, where diversity is a strength and an asset. 

Over its 40-plus-year history, Acro has enjoyed primarily organic growth, built on its strong client connections and diverse culture. The company counts some of the world’s largest organizations as clients, including many Fortune 500 companies that have also experienced the benefits of diversity in company culture. 

Why diversity matters 

The team at Acro understands the value of diversity in the workplace and serves as a beacon for other companies that would like to perform similarly. 

“Creating a diverse workplace is crucial for the long-term success of one’s business,” says Acro COO Sean Trimble. “By pursuing diversity initiatives, workplace leaders can fully leverage the creative and innovative input of all of their employees, tapping into the unique perspectives of a wide range of people.” 

In addition, Trimble mentions how a more diverse workplace urges open dialogue and different viewpoints on problem-solving. “When workplaces become homogeneous, the same issues crop up, and the same solutions are offered,” Trimble says. “As a result, problem-solving and solutions become stagnant. However, different points of view can lead to more robust solutions that break the otherwise homogeneous cycle within a more diverse workplace.” 

Diversity initiatives in the workplace also go a long way in making employees feel heard and valued, which leads to greater engagement and productivity. Happy employees, in turn, attract other happy employees, opening the door to recruiting top talent into one’s forward-thinking organization. Thus, it’s easy to see why businesses such as Acro Service Corporation lean so heavily on diversity within their company. 

Creating a diverse workplace is an ongoing effort 

In recent years, diversity has become a common goal for many organizations, given its overwhelming benefits to individual team members and the business. Nevertheless, the work to build such a diverse company culture is multifaceted and takes time. 

“Diversity and inclusion are not just words to us,” Trimble remarks. “They have been core values for us since our inception. Businesses that want to foster an environment where employees feel comfortable bringing their unique perspectives to the table should prioritize diversity in all of their initiatives.” 

Indeed, the Acro team knows diversity is crucial to its success. That's why the company encourages respect for all individuals and regularly hosts events for employees to share culture, cuisine, and traditions with their coworkers. Trimble hopes these events help build a better understanding between team members and lead to more productive collaboration. 

As Trimble explains, Acro is also focused on accommodating all employees, including those with impairments — be they mental or physical. “By offering reasonable accommodations, we can give all of our employees with disabilities a pathway to share their expertise and contribute as part of the team,” Trimble says. 

Acro also embraces the importance of tracking its diversity progress. The company sees its diverse culture as a living, breathing, and constantly evolving entity that tracks progress through employee surveys and feedback, management team reviews of DEI initiatives and metrics, and applying the information gathered into actionable strategies. 

“Over the years, we’ve mentored many diverse firms and remain committed to growing diversity in our suppliers and perfecting our own organizational approach to diversity and inclusion,” says Trimble. “More than 50% of our current supplier network consists of businesses owned by women, minorities, people with disabilities, or veterans.” 

The importance of diversity in the workplace is evident in the successes of organizations like Acro Service Corporation. As businesses continue navigating the ever-shifting landscape of the modern workplace to strengthen their longevity and competitive offerings, diversity is bound to take an even larger role in culture-building and growth strategies. 

“Companies that prioritize diversity will reap the benefits of attracting and retaining top talent, as well as the productivity and unique perspectives that come from such a diverse pool of skilled workers,” Trimble says. “Diversity is a strategic advantage that can help companies pave a road toward sustainable growth for themselves and a more equitable future for society.”