The role of diversity in driving innovation

Imagine a team where everyone shares the same thought patterns and perspectives. Such a group is unlikely to generate ground-breaking ideas.

On the other hand, a team enriched with diversity of thought and background creates an environment ripe for innovation. We know that to be the case at Securitas, but studies also prove it.

The value of diversity in business

There’s a wealth of research that demonstrates the positive correlation between diversity and innovation in the workplace. Among those studies:

• Boston Consulting Group's Diversity & Innovation Survey found that companies with more diverse management teams reported higher revenue from new products and services than companies with less diverse teams.
• Research published in Harvard Business Review found that diverse teams are more likely to come up with innovative ideas than homogenous teams. The study suggests that diversity leads to better problem-solving and decision-making.

The list goes on. The bottom line is that diversity is good for business and it’s essential in building an inclusive workplace.

Fostering innovation isn’t just about assembling a diverse workforce; it's about cultivating a culture that actively seeks out and values diverse voices. It’s about creating a space that promotes open dialogue, embraces differing viewpoints, and supports collaboration across diverse teams.

Innovation thrives in environments where individuals from various backgrounds feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their ideas. 

One of Securitas’ key goals this year has been to strengthen our employee promise to ensure we’re listening to all our different talent pools. When we offer an attractive workplace, meet the needs of our colleagues, and build a culture focused on inclusion and growth, we create a space where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. 

“I believe the term equity is the best word to describe the work we’re doing to create the best possible culture in Securitas – a culture where we provide the same opportunities for everybody to be successful in their jobs and aspirations,” says Marie-Louise Howett, VP, People. “In order to have an equitable culture, inclusion is essential. Everybody should be able to bring their true self to work and we, as an employer, should provide opportunities for our colleagues to be the best version of themselves in the workplace.”

Diversity in the workplace is critical to driving our innovation and creating a safe environment for employees to bring their full selves to work every day. And while we acknowledge that we’re on a journey and there’s much work yet to be done, we’re still immensely proud of our progress.

Championing diversity isn’t just something we strive for; it’s something we measure ourselves against. As a proud signatory of the UN Global Compact, we track our progress against several key UN Sustainable Development Goals related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“We genuinely believe that diverse teams are an important driving force behind our success and are integral to our long-term, sustainable growth,” says Chief Ethics and Sustainability Officer Sune Chabert Larsen. “There’s no question that diversity fuels creativity and innovation. At Securitas, we celebrate and champion the uniqueness of every individual, because it's through this diversity that we shape a brighter, more innovative future.”

We also ask our colleagues to rate our effectiveness in creating an inclusive environment. In 2022, we began rolling out our new employee net promoter score (eNPS) survey and Inclusion Index, two critical tools for us to understand engagement and inclusion. While the eNPS measures the likelihood colleagues would recommend Securitas as a place to work, the Inclusion Index measures colleagues’ experiences in three key areas: equal opportunity, inclusive culture, and inclusive leadership.

Each area includes three questions prompting employees to rate from 0-10 how strongly they agree with statements like "Everyone has an equal opportunity to develop and advance their career," "I feel a sense of belonging in my team," and “My manager takes steps to make the workplace inclusive, safe, and welcoming.”

These questions not only help us establish a clear baseline but also pave the way for a robust action plan, marking a significant step toward a more inclusive future.

The path to innovation is paved with diversity. By raising awareness, implementing diversity-focused policies and initiatives, and creating inclusive environments, organizations can unlock the full potential of their teams. 

In doing so, they can embrace change, nurture creativity, and harness the dynamic possibilities inherent in a truly inclusive culture of innovation.

We're taking steps to create a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. We might not have achieved all our goals today, but we have an ambitious pipeline of initiatives to ensure that diversity and inclusion remain at the core of Securitas.

But this journey doesn't stop at the doors of any single company; it's a path that all organizations should tread. Just as it has enabled us to better connect with our colleagues and clients and deliver on our purpose to help make your world a safer place, embracing diversity can empower any organization to tap into the incredible potential of its workforce.