10 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources for Small Businesses

You already know that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has been in the spotlight over the past two years, but the Google Trends chart below shows just how dramatic the shift has been.

From the beginning of 2020 to today, the popularity of this search term has increased by 700%. Undoubtedly, a good portion of these searches come from businesses trying to figure out how to make a difference.

So if you’re one of these businesses, read on for 10 resources to help you with your DEI work. But first, a quick overview of what these terms mean.

What is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion?

according to eXtension Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Organizing Committeediversity is the existence of differences, equity is the fair treatment of different groups, and inclusion is ensuring that each of those groups truly feels welcome.

So in the popular party analogy, diversity is having guests of different races, genders, religions, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, language, (disability) ability, age and political opinion. Equity is making sure everyone who wants to join the party can do so – adding a wheelchair ramp, for example. Inclusion is often referred to as being asked to dance, but some better definitions have emerged, such as choosing music and being part of a party planning committee.

10 Helpful DEI Resources for Small Businesses

Use these resources to integrate real Accessibility and Inclusion Integrate into your marketing and business strategy.

1. Allyens’ Referral Page

Allyens is an inclusive marketing agency with a mission to create “communications that open minds, connect every identity, and reach unprecedented people and goals.”Its entire website can serve as your resource (and a great example Conversational copy), whose case studies page provides specific examples of how DEI and marketing objectives can come together to benefit your business and society.

Furthermore, its Instagram and other social accounts provide excellent tidbits, as follows:

2. LinkedIn’s Pocket Guide to Inclusive Language for Marketers

LinkedIn’s Pocket Guide to Inclusive Language for Marketers is an excellent resource to help you incorporate diversity and inclusion into your brand identity and messaging.

This guide covers

• What is inclusive language and why it matters
• Different forms of inclusive language
• Tips for staying inclusive in your language
• Common Exclusive Language and Inclusive Alternatives

3. Accessibilitytest.org

accessibilitytest.org tools are also in our List of Best Website Raters. Accessibility Test Evaluate your site’s accessibility using four leading testers: AudioEye, WAVE, axe and HTML_CodeSniffer. Allows you to test individual pages and complete sites. You’ll get an overall score followed by specific recommendations for:

• Missing alt text for images
• empty title
• non-descriptive link text
• Missing form tag
• Low contrast between background and foreground colors

As an added bonus, accessibility optimization can also improve your SEO and help you Drive more traffic to your website.

4. Ethical behavior

This inspiring organization reminds us that the way we sell matters. To combat manipulative marketing and promote transparency, accountability and honesty, it has a pledge and badge that businesses can earn to join the movement.

To commit and claim your badge, visit theethicalmove.org. It also has tons of free resources for non-members you can follow on Instagram @theethicalmove Or sign up for their newsletter.

5. Google’s Inclusive Marketing Toolkit

Google’s Inclusive Marketing Toolkit Excellent.It has all standard components such as How to Incorporate Inclusion into Your Marketing, hiring, and company culture, but if you scroll down, there’s a section with facts and statistics about many marginalized groups. Click on any group and you’ll get in-depth information about each group along with caveats, bugs, language to use, and more.

6. iMPACT’s Inclusive Marketing Sample Blog Post

Influencing Examples of Inclusive Marketing 15 campaigns covering top brands to provide inspiration and ideas for your campaigns. For example, the bridal model of The White Collection Bridal Boutique in Portishead, UK, is in a wheelchair.

7. Drum’s Diversity Column

Drum is a global marketing news site and magazine that also provides content marketing solutions and a peer-to-peer learning network.its Diversity column Invite leaders, creatives and influencers from marginalized communities to raise awareness and identify solutions.

related: 10 Practical and Inspiring Tips for Minority Businesses

8. Berkeley’s DEI List

this list, offered by the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, is for larger organizations, but you can cut it to fit your business. It is designed to help you identify gaps and inform action when developing your own custom DEI plan.

It is divided into institutional and community levels and covers recruitment and hiring, employee evaluation and promotion, compensation, flexible working, care and wellness, accountability and fair and fluid leadership.

9. DEI Policy Template for SHRM

true diversity, equity and inclusion are from the inside out.The Society for Human Resource Management has a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy Template You can use this as your own starting point. You will need to tailor it to your culture, industry and practice, and as with any policy you create, your legal counsel should review it for compliance with applicable law.

10. Accessible Social Checklist

at last, Accessible Social Checklist Provided by Accessible Social, a free resource center. The first page has a list of 23 boxes to check, for example:

• Appropriate graphic contrast to ensure copy is legible.
• Flattened copy in alt text.
• Remove emoji from the middle of words.
• Place multi-word hashtags in Camel Case.

The second page has a full glossary of terms (like flat copy and camel case).

Bookmark these diversity, equity and inclusion resources

While the explosion in DEI awareness is positive, it’s unfortunate that it took society so long — and events as tragic as the one that happened in 2020 — to happen. Furthermore, higher awareness does not mean greater action. We are still at a stage where it is very clear how much action needs to be taken. But you can do your part by using these resources to promote and practice diversity, equity and inclusion in your business and marketing strategies:

1. Allyens’ Referral Page
2. LinkedIn’s Pocket Guide to Inclusive Language for Marketers
3. accessibilitytest.org
4. Ethical Initiatives
5. Google’s Inclusive Marketing Toolkit
6. Inclusive Marketing Example of iMPACT
7. Drum’s Diversity Column
8. Berkeley’s DEI List
9. DEI Policy Template for SHRM
10. Accessible Society Checklist

You can also refer to Our post about making your email accessible If email marketing is part of your strategy.