How to have continuous learning along the entrepreneurial journey

Knowledge is not static. It constantly expands. Each day always brings something new to the table, which is why growth and learning are essential parts of human nature. Continuous development builds up a person, and many leaders and entrepreneurs get to where they are right now because of their thirst for learning.

How do you keep on upskilling yourself and expanding your knowledge while on the entrepreneurial journey? There are plenty of ways to consistently expose yourself to new things and widen your understanding of various concepts and information. 

Read books and other materials

There are multitudes of reading materials that can provide you with pointers, tips and insights on improving yourself. Business leaders and visionaries have also written countless books that can give you a peek into their minds and experiences. Apart from books, there are magazines and online posts that give additional information and remind us of already acquired knowledge that we can take with us to our day-to-day lives and into our business.

We had shared several lists of books on this site. There are books recommended by EO members, biographies of known business leaders, books on persuasion and negotiation, books by women business leaders, crisis management books, and books written by EO members.

Listen to podcasts

Podcasts that cater to the needs of entrepreneurs are a great resource of information and inspiration. There are plenty of known podcasts online and we’ve compiled 20 of them that can be helpful to entrepreneurs. Apart from this list, there are also some amazing podcasts by EO that feature different entrepreneurs and business leaders and covers various topics across many industries.

Attend seminars, workshops and learning events

What better way to learn from the more experienced and the experts than to have first-hand interaction with them? When you attend seminars and learning events you get the opportunity not only to listen to them but also to ask questions and clarify things. Among the benefits that entrepreneurs get when they join EO is access to opportunities, events and executive education programmes. 

EO members share some of the learning events that they find have helped them in their professional growth. John Anderton, Founder and CEO of Butterfly, found that he learned a lot from “the whole-day sessions on elements from Scaling Up, e.g., People,” referring to EO’s Accelerator Learning Days, which includes workshops and pre-work, such as readings from Verne Harnish’s book, Scaling Up.

There are EO learning events that stood out for Anthony Holdstock, Director and Owner of Sharp & Carter, and he cited them, “I really liked Warren Rustand’s event on raising high-performing families and I enjoyed the Gabby Leibovich session (Catch of the Decade).” Warren Rustand’s event was attended by the families of EO members, which made it even more meaningful.

Whilst for Mark Calabro, Co-Founder of HungryHungry, the event that he found helpful to his journey was the "Battlescars of Business" with Gus Balbontin. “He was fantastic, and he really stretched my mind with the way I think about education and the world,” Mark shared.

Experience things

They say there’s no better teacher than experience itself. It’s even more exciting when the things you’ve read and heard are put into practical use and you even learn more along the way. Many entrepreneurs and business leaders learn from their experiences, taking into account their strengths, weaknesses, limits and capabilities that can often emerge in a particular situation. Even institutions that provide formal education acknowledge the importance of experience, which is why practicum and internships are included in courses and school programs.

Observe and reflect

Learning is often as simple as using the five senses. Be conscious of things you encounter each day. There are instances wherein you may not be in the thick of things, but you can observe and learn from the things and happenings around you. You can watch how someone you look up to does things in their business or listen to the experience shares and tips from your mentor. Whether you experienced something yourself or somebody did and you only witnessed it, follow it through by reflecting, filtering the things that you’ve seen or heard, and picking out the lessons that you can take with you on your entrepreneurial journey.

Think about the best way on how you can further hone your skills, talents and capabilities. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your weaknesses so that you can expand your learning and improve yourself. How do you make sure that you continuously develop yourself as a person, entrepreneur, and business leader? Share with us your tips below.

Retrospection along the entrepreneurial journey

“Experience is the best teacher, and the worst experiences teach the best lessons.” 

- Jordan Peterson

In a challenging world of entrepreneurship, you can learn a thing or two from experience, may it be from your own experience or from the experience of others. When you retrace the steps you’ve taken and look into your past actions, you can see what you could have done earlier, what you shouldn’t have done at all and what you should have done better. Even in driving, you have to glance at your rearview mirror once in a while to ensure you move forward safely. It helps to look back to the journey taken or observe what others have done and bring the lessons learned to help you go forward in achieving your goals.

Although you cannot undo what has already happened as they already belong to the past, retrospection enables you to analyse the things that can help you in your future actions and share these learnings with others who are just starting out in the entrepreneurial path.

What are the things you have learned from your journey? What are the things you want to learn from other people’s journeys? Here are a few tips as well as some advice that entrepreneurs would give to their 20-year-old selves. Check out if there’s something that you can apply here to your entrepreneurial journey as well.

Explore and get that experience you need

Sometimes, you won’t be able to find answers or discover new things unless you go out of your comfort zone and explore various opportunities. Whether you get on the entrepreneurial path at a young age or somewhere along the way, try to do many things and get the experience you need that will help you achieve your dreams.

You can pick some insights from the entrepreneurial journey of Anthony Holdstock, Director and Owner of Sharp & Carter. “I didn’t become a business owner until I was 30. I still don’t know what I waited for that long. But that being said, I think my experience in Accounting and my experience working for a global listed organisation taught me a lot about what I wanted to be and didn’t want to be.”

Identify what you enjoy the most

At a young age, there are those who may have not yet narrowed down what they really wanted to do in their lives. This is an opportunity to identify them. When you explore and try different experiences, you can uncover what you really enjoy doing, which can lead you to the kind of entrepreneurial journey you’d like to take. As Anthony shared, his experience working in corporate have helped him realise what he wanted to be.

Mark Calabro, Co-Founder of HungryHungry, would advise his younger self to “take a year off and understand what you love doing and your path in life. It’s not a rush, it’s really your first year out in the world with many, many to come.”

Find people who can guide you

You may be able to identify what you really want to do with your life with some help from people who can support and challenge you. Mark added to what he’ll say to his 20-year-old self, “find people who are going to challenge you and your thinking to discover yourself.”

Self-discovery may come at any age in life but the earlier you get into it, the earlier you can chart the path you want to take. Since you still have to experience a lot of things to find out some answers to your questions, it is advantageous to get inputs from people who have experienced a lot more than you and who have been on the journey for quite some time. You can use their experiences and intuitions as your guide as you get on the path of entrepreneurship.

Join a group that can support your journey

For John Anderton, Founder and CEO of Butterfly, he would tell his younger self, “join EO earlier.” EO is a unique, experience-based network that supports the needs of the 360° entrepreneur through business, family, community & personal experiences, which is a good support group for many entrepreneurs.

Early on, surround yourself with like-minded people who can help you in your continuous growth as a person and as a professional. Motivational speaker and self-help guru Jim Rohn once said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, including yourself.” Although you have your mind to decide on things, people around you can influence, inspire, motivate and help shape your character, values and future. Find a group that can support your development as an entrepreneur.

Enjoy the ride and keep learning

The entrepreneurial journey may be a tough one, but John wants to advise his younger self, “I would say enjoy the ride, the ups and downs.” Embrace the wins and the failures, the opportunities and the challenges. Keep learning and don’t be afraid to keep trying. Savour the whole experience and don’t forget to have fun.

It is often helpful to look back and reflect on the lessons that we can take with us in the future. What greatest lesson have you learned? What can you advise your 20-year-old self? Share them with us in the comments section below.

Making your office space conducive for work

The physical space where you conduct your business or day-to-day tasks plays a major role in your productivity at work. How do you make it conducive to your job and your team?

Whether you work in the comforts of your home or you work with your colleagues in your company’s office space or you share working space with others, it is important that you take into consideration the overall environment of your work area and how it contributes to your efficiency. We’ve put together some pointers that you might want to consider to make your space more conducive for work.

Have good lighting

Good lighting is important in your work because it can increase your productivity, reduce the incidence of errors or mistakes and provide a more pleasant environment in your job. On the other hand, poor lighting can cause eye strain, headaches, stress, and even mishaps. As much as possible, have adequate lighting in the area where you are working. Check your bulbs if they are bright enough or see if your desk provides you access to the sun. Take the cue from Mark Calabro, Co-Founder of HungryHungry, who prefers that his workspace has “natural light and near the windows”.

Keep things clean and organised

John Anderton, Founder and CEO of Butterfly, keeps his space clean and organised at all times. When items in your work area are neat and in order, it is easier for you to find whatever you need on your desk. It provides you with more leeway to do the different tasks you need to do, where you can scribble, spread documents you need to read and other things needed for your job. It also allows you to focus better, lowers stress levels that may be caused by a cluttered workplace, and other psychological benefits. Whilst there are some who thrive in disarray, it is better to put your things in the right place, where it is free from dust, microbes and bacteria.

Allow the space to fit your corporate culture

How do you make your office space fit into your corporate culture? Anthony Holdstock, Director and Owner of Sharp & Carter, shares, “We make our office space conducive for connection. We want our people to connect, to love working with each other. It probably isn’t the best for productivity but it is for culture, and culture keeps people, and keeping people is a win for customers and long-term profitability and growth.” 

Get away from distractions

If your workflow is hindered by noise, movement, clutter, or something else, it is best that you find a spot where you can minimise or be free from these diversions. Mark Calabro’s tip for this is to “try and always sit away from others to avoid distractions.” You can position your work area far from where people converge or you can use a meeting room if you’re doing something urgent or have an important call, especially nowadays when most meetings are done online. If you are easily disturbed by sudden text messages or emails, you can mute them or assign a time to respond to them. 

Make the tools and things you need handy and available

Always check if your various office equipment are all working or if you have stocks of your office materials. It can cause you so much stress when the time comes that you need them and they’re not functioning or available. Also, make an audit of your office equipment if they have to be upgraded or if they are regularly needed in your business. Sometimes, you don’t have to do everything in-house and you can have some tasks be done by a supplier or a third-party agency. 

Once you identify those that are must-haves in your workplace, keep things you need more frequently within reach. John Anderton makes his space conducive for work by “having access to good coffee, keeping everything in working order and outsourcing all the boring tasks.”

Personalise it and make it more alive

It is good to put something that can inspire you to do your work better and more efficient. It can be a photo of your family and loved ones, a picture of your dream destination, a favourite quote, an artwork you love or something that will make you smile and bring you energy. Place a plant nearby. Decorate your desk. Create that space into something you’d like to walk into every day. But don’t overdo it, otherwise, having too many things can become distractions. You still have to be conscious of the space allocated for work.

How about you, how do you make your space conducive for work? Share with us your tips in our comments section below.

Dealing with burnout and work fatigue

When your days are filled with tonnes of emails to check, meetings to attend, fires to put out, and many responsibilities to take care of, it won’t be surprising to find yourself feeling weak, tired, anxious, irritable, exhausted, drained, depressed, forgetful and the list goes on. How do you manage burnout and work fatigue so that you can sustain yourself for the long haul?

There are different ways to deal with burnout. One, you can do something before it happens and, two, you can find a way to overcome it or relieve yourself from it when it occurs. Burnout is a huge challenge to many business owners, so we have put together a few tips, including some pointers and experience shares from entrepreneurs John Anderton, Founder and CEO of Butterfly, Mark Calabro, Co-Founder of HungryHungry, and Anthony Holdstock, Director and Owner of Sharp & Carter. 

Try to separate home and work, workdays and weekends

Setting boundaries between work and personal life can be a struggle for many entrepreneurs. However, you often need to switch off from all the demands of the role and devote certain time for self-care. Take some time to focus on yourself after work or during weekends. While it can be a challenge, it is something that can be beneficial in the long run.

It is a tough thing that Mark tries to conquer as well. “I try to keep work away from weekends but that’s difficult as knowing I have a tonne of stuff to round off from the week gone, which also builds anxiety, so it’s not easy.”

John sees it as a way to avoid burnout by having a “strong separation between home and work”, such as “ignoring emails at night and on weekends,” for example.

Know your limits and learn to say “no”

Even though you want to be on top of everything and stay in control of things within and around you, there are times when you need to say “no” or acknowledge the stop sign before you run out of energy to keep going. Especially that entrepreneurs are living a life that is always on the go and with various obligations to attend to, it is better to take a pause and assess if the things before you are something you can carry out at the moment. If not, delegate tasks to your team. Seek help when needed. 

“Knowing my limits” is one of the ways John deal with work burnout and entrepreneurial fatigue. There is wisdom in not going beyond what your body and mind cannot take. There’s nothing wrong with admitting there are certain things that no longer be accommodated on your plate. Listen to your body. Don’t overdo yourself to the extent that you exhaust yourself.

Take a break or vacation

“Rest if you must, but don’t you quit” is a famous line in the poem “Don’t Quit” by Edgar A. Guest. True enough, resting is not quitting. Instead, it is one way to recharge yourself so that you will have all the energy to tackle the next big thing along your journey.

A vacation is also something that John finds helpful in avoiding or relieving one of burnout. “Holidays or at least dreaming about holidays,” he commented. It’s good to be away for a while, be in a different environment or scenery, and do something that you don’t get to enjoy every day, for a change. It allows the mind and body to rejuvenate and have more stamina when coming back for work.  

Exercise

Exercise can do wonders not only to the body but also to the mind and one’s overall wellbeing. This is why John makes sure that “Physical exercise is built into my weekly routine,” he revealed.

Anthony has been keeping up with his exercise as well. He shared, “I don’t think I have ever had burnout or experienced burnout. But maybe that’s because of what I do consistently. I exercise for 1 hour at 5 or 6 times per week; running 10km every second day and HIT/Strength workouts on the other days and 1 to 2 rest days per week.”

On the other hand, Mark admits to facing certain challenges when dealing with burnout, but he tries to overcome them with exercise. “I struggle. Exercise is my sure way of levelling myself out, usually with a 3-4km run.”

Meditate and reflect

Meditation and reflection can help you clear your mind, organise your thoughts and focus on the more important matters. It can also open your mind to insights and ideas that you may have missed due to the various things that have been preoccupying your mind. You can take a few minutes each day to just have some quiet moment by yourself and do meditation exercises. Reflection also helps you review the things you’ve done and give serious thought to what is on hand or those that are about to come.

It is one of the preferences that Anthony does to avoid getting burned out from work. “I try to make sure I have time set aside for reflection, learning and family time,” he remarked.

Spend time with family and friends

Spending time with your loved one -- be it in the comforts of your home, the fun and familiar atmosphere of your favourite hangout place or the excitement of a trip -- can help ease your worries and burdens. The positive energy you generate by being surrounded by people who are dear to you can inspire you to have a better outlook of work, despite its many challenges. As Anthony has mentioned above, quality time with his family is something that he makes sure to set aside in his schedule. 

Read, learn and equip yourself

To take a cue from Anthony’s remark about setting aside time for learning, trying something new that can expand your knowledge and hone your talents can get you motivated. Learn a new skill, tap on your creativity or start a new hobby. Read books about your interests, grow a garden, build a piece of furniture, do some handicraft, or study a new language. There are lots of activities that can take your mind away from the pressures of your job while, at the same time, contribute to developing your capabilities as an entrepreneur and a person. Little accomplishments from your other interests or new endeavours can increase your drive to do better at work.

Talk with someone who can understand your situation

Sometimes, all it takes is for you to be able to let out your frustrations, problems and disappointments that come with your many responsibilities as a business owner. That is why it is helpful to surround yourself with like-minded people who can understand and relate to your predicament. This is the beauty of EO through its Forum, which fosters peer-to-peer sharing between members in a trusted and confidential environment. 

How do you deal with burnout and fatigue? What are the ways you do to overcome it? We’d love to hear from you. Share a tip in the comments section below.

Business habits to help you run your business successfully

Every little thing we do leads to something big, whether they are good or bad. Even in business, our small actions, if done regularly, become habits and these habits build the corporate culture of an organisation. Thus, it is important to build good habits early on to be able to achieve huge successes in the entrepreneurial journey.

To begin with, take a look at your existing habits. Record your activities during the week or month and see which ones you should stop, start and continue doing. While it might be easy to tick off which ones you should stop and you should continue doing, the big question is what are the habits that you need to start incorporating in your life?

Here are a few suggestions that you can do, along with some experience shares from successful entrepreneurs.

Create a routine or rhythm

Having a routine works for some, while others may struggle with it. If you are not much of a routine person, have at least a checklist of some activities that you need to do on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. This allows you to prioritise tasks and focus on more important matters.

For John Anderton, Founder and CEO of Butterfly, one of his business habits are having a great meeting rhythm. A consistent meeting rhythm with your team enables you to align your ideas and actions as well as build strong communication with each other.

Consult a coach or mentor

If you are at the early stages of your entrepreneurial journey or if you are on the crossroads or in the process of transition, it is helpful to have someone guide you to save you on time and effort because it will help you nail things early on. It also adds to your growth and learning to consult with an expert or a more experienced entrepreneur. Make it a point to do meet with your coach or mentor regularly and add it to your calendar. For example, John meets with his business coach every month.

Set short-term, medium-term and long-term goals

Goals are major factors in the success of a business. It’s good to have long-term goals that reflect your vision for your company and then break them down into medium-term and short-term goals. In the case of John, he makes sure that he does and reviews his “articulated BHAG (Big Hair Audacious Goals), 3HAG (3-year Highly Achievable Goals), Financial-year goals and quarterly goals”.

Meditate or commune with nature

It’s good to develop a habit that will help with your mental health, de-cluttering your mind and enabling yourself to focus on your priorities and more important matters. This is why Mark Calabro, Co-Founder of HungryHungry, makes it a habit to do “morning meditation or breathing to clear my mind and focus. I also make a point of parking my car in short time allocations, which forces me to go outside and get some sun and fresh air.”

Practice punctuality

“Be on time.” This is one of the habits of Anthony Holdstock, Director and Owner of Sharp & Carter. It is good time management wherein you budget enough time for preparation so that you will be early in your meetings and business schedules. There’s a sense of calmness when you’re not in a rush as it allows you more time to be ready for what comes next. Moreover, being prompt is also a way of respecting other people’s time as much as you respect yours.

Match your words with your actions

Another habit that Anthony finds useful in running a business successfully is to “do what you say you are going to do (with no exceptions).” Delivering on your promises is something that is not easy to do. But if you are careful in what you commit and being able to carry them out, it enables others to build their trust in you.

It would help to note everything down and include them in your checklist of tasks so that you do not miss the things that you’ve offered or agreed to do. Be mindful of what you assure others that you will perform and make sure that you fulfil them.

Look for win-win outcomes

A valuable habit for Anthony is to “treat people how I want to be treated. Internally and externally, always look for win-win outcomes.” To run a successful business, you have to be conscious of how you deal with people, whether they are your team members, suppliers, third-party service providers, peers, or clients. Find a common ground and respect each other’s uniqueness and ideas.

There are many more good habits that can lead you to wins and successes. Read through the profiles and biographies of successful business people. Listen to their talks and experience shares. Find out what they do that contribute to their thriving companies.

Once you have identified them, see which ones are doable and fit your values and lifestyle. Some habits don’t have to be grand. Remember, big journeys start with small steps. Develop good habits and you will see later on the fruits these habits can produce.

We asked the question: As an entrepreneur, how do you practice diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

Having a diverse workforce and ensuring the inclusion of everyone within an organisation – regardless of race, gender or beliefs – help grow a company’s corporate culture, enhance one’s competitive edge and contribute to its bottom line. Entrepreneurs share their experience and tips on how they uphold diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

“Throughout my journey as an entrepreneur and even as an individual, I have been very fortunate to meet people from diverse backgrounds who helped me get to where I am now. I believe diversity and inclusion occur when different people from different experiences come together with their shared stories and talents to work collaboratively.”

- Anou Khanijou, Director of IFOTA Group and Managing Director of anouconcept

Anou believes that practising diversity and inclusion in the workplace is essential for a thriving business. “It encourages innovation, creativity and a sense of belonging and purpose. In my companies – IFOTA, a uniform wholesaler, and anouconcept, a PR and marketing firm – we have team members from diverse backgrounds. We have a work culture that embraces diversity and promotes equality. Culture may seem amorphous and vague, but to us, it means concrete actions in the workplace. These include, for example, having both men and women in leadership or management roles, hiring people from a variety of backgrounds, asking team members to contribute ideas, and respecting those ideas by turning them into action. Even simple activities like shared lunches from different cultural backgrounds and joint birthday celebrations are ways in which we promote unity in diversity,” Anou cited.

“I work with a lot of creative minds and being inclusive means acknowledging their skills, giving them the freedom to be innovative and to make suggestions, and allowing them to be themselves at work. Promoting diversity and inclusion also involves having the right attitude towards challenges and mistakes. We need to recognise that not everybody has the same experience and lessons in life. I got to where I am today because I learned from my failures and I was given second and third chances. My team deserves the same, and I see mistakes as learning opportunities,” she continued.

Recognising the value in people’s diverse experiences and backgrounds, Anou mentioned three tips to effectively promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace:

• Know your staff and know them well. Know what they have to offer and encourage them to participate based on their unique skills and needs.

• Be open to learning. Listen and learn from and together with others.

• Practice what you preach and set an example. By doing so, you create an empowering work environment where your team members trust you and want to collaborate with you.

“Diversity and inclusion have become - and rightfully so - one of the hottest topics across corporations in recent times. At Sharp & Carter, our guiding pillars are Trust, Generosity, Care and Humility.”

- Anthony Holdstock, Partner at Sharp & Carter

Sharp & Carter is more than just another recruitment agency. It is a team of individuals who aspire to change the way the recruitment industry is perceived and who believe that success can be achieved by putting people’s interests first.

“As such, we work with several blue-chip listed companies and many corporate responsible organisations to try and achieve better diversity and inclusion, not only in our workplace but also in theirs,” Anthony avowed.

“Guided by our pillars and values, our leadership group developed a set of non-negotiable behaviours that we, as leaders, must always uphold and remain constantly accountable to. This, in turn, has resulted in a culture of inclusion where employees feel safe to be themselves, and safe in the knowledge that if they come to us with any issue or concern, we will always respond from a place of these four values. Ensuring that we at ‘the top’ always act in this manner assists in growing a culture whereby every staff member follows the lead and checks themselves against these values in their interactions,” he professed.

Anthony also pointed out interesting aspects of promoting diversity in an organisation. “For example, language and communication in writing advertisements are important to attract a diverse range of candidates. Using phrases like ‘up and coming’ can promote ageism, while unconscious bias terms such as ‘strong foundation’ are found to attract more male candidates, whereas phrases like ‘multi-faceted’ will attract more interest from females.” 

He has a few pointers for those who want to develop diversity and inclusion in their respective businesses:

• Awareness is the first step. For those looking to become more aware, there is an excellent book called “The Art of Thinking Clearly”. This book explains about biases and talks about eliminating bias to make better decisions.

• Culture eats strategy for breakfast. Having the right people on the bus, people who genuinely care about making the workplace the best it can be is key. It starts from the top and cascades to the rest of the team. If this is pushed through the organisation and all the people and all the leaders believe in it then it will be driven through. If this breaks down and only happens in pockets you have the wrong people on the bus.

• Assess, review and challenge. The best leaders self-assess and are constantly striving for improvement. Better habits more consistently lead to better outcomes. 

“For us, the key to inclusion is to ensure that we appreciate the differences in each other while bringing everyone back to our core values in the business so that we’re all on the same page, looking to achieve the same core goals within the business.” 

- Nyree Hibberd, CEO of Koh Living

“In terms of diversity, at Koh Living, both myself and my business partner, Tui Cordemans, are out and proud gay! I remember 15 years ago when we were first hiring staff, we would routinely ask if they had an issue working with people that we're gay.  Today, it’s absurd to think that we even asked those questions, and we’re grateful for our growth and changes in society to not see ourselves as different at all,” Nyree shared.

Having a joint purpose, no matter what their role in the business, has always kept Nyree and Tui on track. “We focus on the things we have in common, not the things we have that are different,” she stated.

Because human connections and relationships are at the heart of their business, ‘Making people feel important’ is one of their corporate values where they promote and practise respect and responsibility. Whether it’s a customer, supplier or service provider, everyone is important at Koh Living.

With that, Nyree shares a few tips to those who want to advance diversity and inclusion in their teams:

• Be aware of the diversity within your teams, especially if there are any staff that are sensitive to particular things.

• Ensure that there is no room for sarcasm and putting down. In my experience, Australians can be rather cruel with jokes without being directly nasty – so in our warehousing environment where there was a lot of casual staff, we make it clear what is and isn’t acceptable.

• Ensure each team member understands the important role they play in the overall goal of the business. We do this quarterly, having a quarter goal, and weekly. We check with each person their high priority activities for the week to help the business achieve its quarter goal. We find that it makes everyone feel they are on the same team, and there is little room for not feeling included when you’re part of the big picture.

“I firmly believe that a culture of diversity and inclusion in the workplace starts with the leadership team. We have assembled a leadership team from unique and diverse backgrounds who have different experiences and views on the world.”

- Costa Vasili, CEO and Founder of EthnoLink

Highlighting leadership as a significant part in diversity and inclusion in an organisation, Costa elucidated that “By starting from the top down, this culture developed in the leadership permeates through the rest of the company, helping to foster the diverse and inclusive culture that we want for the entire company.”

As one of Australia’s leading providers of professional translation services to corporate and government organisations, EthnoLink Language Services caters to clients with diverse composition or those that reach out to multi-lingual stakeholders with different backgrounds. Thus, diversity and inclusion are prevailing in Ethnolink’s internal and surrounding environments.

Costa then shares his tips for those who want to be better in this area of their business:

• Be real and honest with yourself about how your company is performing on diversity and inclusion. It's a typical response to be defensive and thinks that everything is fine in your company, but if you want to make meaningful change, you need to be completely real with where you're currently at.

• Take on the mindset of "the standard you walk past is the standard you accept". If you see or hear something that doesn't align with your company's endeavours to foster a diverse and inclusive culture, call it out and seek to educate.

• When advertising for positions with your company, let potential applicants know that you are a diverse and inclusive workplace and that you encourage people from unique and diverse backgrounds to apply. Each of our job ads has a statement to that effect which can help improve the talent pool that you source new talent from.

Now, you can take these pieces of advice to your business and see how you can apply them to ensure you have a diverse workforce and inclusive organisation. Share with us your experience by leaving a comment below or sending us your story at communications@eomelbourne.org.