Otava Publishing, a Finnish publishing and printing house, recently set out to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within their organisation. With a rich history and a strong influence in Finnish society, Otava recognized the importance of reflecting societal diversity in their content and practices.
Otava’s employees showed a high level of interest and enthusiasm for creating a more inclusive workplace. However, despite this eagerness, there was uncertainty about how to go about creating DEI change in practice. They needed guidance to focus their DEI efforts on key areas that would bring the most impact – and so Otava partnered up with Inklusiiv.
Comprehensive Employee Survey and Recommendations
Our collaboration began with a comprehensive DEI survey sent out to all employees.
Inklusiiv worked closely with Otava to co-design the survey, ensuring it was carefully tailored to their employees by refining the tone, questions, and data categories.
Our experts also assisted in safeguarding anonymity, refining the wording of questions, and ensuring the overall structure met industry best practices. This attention to detail increased both the quality of the data collected and employee trust in the process.
The survey accomplished several goals:
- Measured employee experiences, including perceptions of the organisational culture, possible instances of inappropriate behaviour, and the experiences of different demographic groups.
- Identified trends, strengths, and areas for development, providing a clear 360 view of where the organisation excels and where there is room for growth.
- Initiated critical conversations within the organisation, increasing awareness of DEI and what it means specifically for Otava.
- Gathered employee input and suggestions, giving a voice to their concerns and guiding Otava’s DEI efforts toward actions that are seen as most relevant and urgent by the people who matter most: their employees.
Inklusiiv went beyond simply conducting the survey. Our experts conducted an in-depth data analysis that uncovered the most relevant insights. Our comprehensive report didn’t just present the findings; it placed them in context, giving Otava a clear understanding of how their results compared to industry benchmarks and best practices.
What truly set the report apart, however, were the tailored expert recommendations. These actionable, strategic insights gave Otava clarity and direction on their next steps.
Interactive Workshop for DEI Working Group
One of these recommendations was to set up a working group. This approach allowed more people to participate in DEI efforts at Otava and helped ensure that these initiatives are sustainable. By setting up the group, responsibilities could be shared and delegated across various parts of the organisation.
As a concrete follow-up to the survey, Otava established a DEI working group and opened it to any interested employees, ensuring that it benefits from diverse perspectives and a strong bottom-up approach.
To kickstart the group’s efforts, a half-day workshop was organised, structured around the survey data. The workshop was a space to discuss what effective DEI work is and what the working group should consider when planning their work.
With facilitation support from Inklusiiv, the group set shared goals for their work and identified priorities for action. Recognizing that sustainable progress doesn’t happen overnight, participants mapped out timelines that align with available resources.
“From the outset, Inklusiiv created a collaborative workshop atmosphere. But what truly set Inkusiiv’s facilitation style apart was their ability to navigate group dynamics, facilitate discussions that encouraged diverse perspectives while maintaining a focus on our objectives. The pacing kept the group engaged throughout.” – Minna Karlsson, Sustainability Manager, Otava Group
The aim of the workshop was to break down the complexity of DEI into manageable steps, enabling the working group to make progress. “The combination of a survey and workshop for the working group has been instrumental in setting us on a long-term and purposeful path of building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace,” says Minna.
Set up for long-term success
The time and efforts Otava have invested in fully understanding their own organisation’s starting point has enabled them to identify actions which really matter to their employees. At Inklusiiv, we are very happy to support them as they take these important steps forward in their DEI journey.
“Working with Inklusiiv has provided us with the structure and guidance we needed to channel our employee’s enthusiasm for creating inclusive workplaces into practical actions.” – Minna Karlsson
By leveraging insights from the survey, Otava has been able to target their DEI efforts more effectively. This bottom-up approach allows them to build on their strengths and address critical development areas, ensuring that their initiatives are both impactful and relevant. The formation and training of the DEI working group have further equipped Otava to prioritise and advance their DEI actions.
The collaboration between Otava and Inklusiiv is ongoing, with Inklusiiv continuing to support Otava through the Inklusiiv Community. The community offers valuable networking opportunities, peer support, and strategies for launching and sustaining ambitious DEI initiatives through its various events and matchmaking sessions.
Find out more about Inklusiiv’s services here! Ready to jump straight in? Reach out to: consulting@inklusiiv.com