Rising Up with DEI

Viewpoint from Smith Rock in Central Oregon overlooking Crooked River canyon below.

Two weekends ago, as I hiked up Smith Rock in Central Oregon, my mind was both captivated and conflicted.

The beauty of the meandering Crooked River on a perfect bluebird day was undeniable.

I watched its sparkling waters carve through the deep canyon, while groups of rock climbers belayed up sun-drenched volcanic spires.

It was a breathtaking scene—one that demanded presence and appreciation.

But my thoughts weren’t entirely consumed by the landscape.

Something else weighed on me.

Recently, I saw the news that major companies like Walmart, McDonald’s, and Meta—along with many others—are pulling back from their DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) commitments.

This shift left me not just saddened but genuinely confused.

In our small business community, DEI isn’t just a buzzword. It’s one of the eight core standards we uphold to be certified.

And it’s not just a moral stance.

There is plenty of research showing that businesses, especially small ones, thrive when they embrace diversity.

Consider this:

---A recent Forrester study found that 60% of respondents attributed their sales team’s success to diversity within their team.
---A LinkedIn study revealed that 76% of employees and job seekers consider diversity an important factor when evaluating job opportunities.
---A 2024 Boston Consulting Group report showed that companies prioritizing DEI experience lower employee attrition rates.
---A global 2024 study by Kantar found that 75% of consumers consider a brand’s reputation for diversity and inclusion when making purchasing decisions.

The data speaks loudly.

DEI isn’t just about doing the right thing. It’s about building stronger, more successful businesses.

So why are some of the world’s biggest corporations stepping away from it?

As I continued my hike, I couldn’t shake the contradiction.

Nature has a way of thriving through diversity. Every ecosystem flourishes because of its rich variety of species, each playing a role in the whole.

Businesses, communities, and economies are no different.

The challenge ahead is clear: while some companies may retreat from DEI, small businesses like our certified Benefit Corporations for Good community choose to stay the course.

Because in the long run, DEI isn’t just good ethics.

It’s good business.

~benefitcorporationsforgood.com~