You know you're listening to brilliant speakers when you just can't stop making notes! That was me last night at a panel discussion about the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. We heard from two women at Birmingham City University about what they've been doing in the EDI space for the last few years. 

But drop the acronmyn (I know we all love an acronym!) and what does it boil down to? Why is it really actually important - not something we 'should' do but something we need to do?

What was really clear to me yesterday was their passion to make work a place everyone feels they belong and trusts they will be treated fairly. For many of us our work is part of who we are but if we don't feel llike we belong in our workplace and with our colleagues, how can we achieve our potential and be fulfilled.

They had a few suggestions of how to nurture a feeling of belonging and trust which have worked for them. Their focus is race, so the ideas were specific to race. In brief: make race a positive conversation; build cultural awareness with events to mark celebrations, festivities etc; give people a safe space to talk about the barriers they're facing; and make sure the leadership hears about the barriers and commits to change.  

Thank you for Women In Business Association for putting on this fantastic event and to Narinder and Shauntelle from Birmingham City University.