Responsible Business Forum / Forum Odpowiedzialnego Biznesu recently released an analysis “DEI in creative industry” and because some of my clients represent this branch of industry, I eagerly dived into it.

My 5 take aways from this analysis 👇

1. Product / services analysis

Most companies participating in the Diversity Check In Creative pilot project pilot, conduct analysis of the products/services they create, regarding representation of  different groups and the absence of discriminatory content.

The analysis covers gender and sexual orientation though and it is necessary to expand this analysis and include at least characteristics such as disability and age as well.

2. DEI regulations

Most companies from creative industry don’t have internal regulations regarding including DEI perspective when creating their products / services.

3. Brief is a key moment to decide on DEI

Brief from the client is crucial moment for decisions on using inclusive language, representation (especially in advertising) and contextual references. The creative industry should pause there and seize this opportunity to integrate DEI.

4. Business case for DEI in the creative industry is also about meeting the demands of investors, who put emphasis on DEI because they may want to avoid possible image crises or prepare to enter new markets and search for solutions that can help maximize their business opportunities or minimize the risk of image mistakes.

5. Lack of DEI regulations influences potential funding

Neglecting DEI issues (lacking regulations and anti-mobbing policies) by the creative industry, especially start-ups can hinder fundraising efforts. Start-ups risk investor resistance if they overlook DEI as investors increasingly favor companies aligned with DEI values.

Additionally: What opportunities I see for corporations and other businesses after reading this analysis?

1️⃣ Corporations and businesses that prioritize DEI should 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 and compliance standards regarding DEI when selecting service providers in the creative industry to ensure alignment.

2️⃣ Businesses that intentionally choose product and service providers in the creative industry who take DEI seriously, can drive significant change for inclusivity on a societal scale. Given the social influence of the creative industry and its role in shaping media, culture and representation, this can contribute to fostering inclusivity at the societal level. 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝘆 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆.

3️⃣ Businesses should 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 and make sure to choose product/services providers who embody the value of DEI in their leadership representation and operations. It is an opportunity to cultivate new partnerships and sustain the creative industry's more niche providers whose diverse perspectives can create new products and services that will attract new clients and talent.

I wholeheartedly recommend the analysis. Thank you Marzena Strzelczak, Adrianna Lepka, Pawel Tyszkiewicz, prof. Ewa Lisowska, Agata Kostrzewa (she/they), Dorota Peretiatkowicz, Anna Kiedrzyńska-Tui, Sylwia Jedynska she/her, Ewa Sobiech, Maciej Jancewicz, Tomasz Dąbrowski and Michalina Miśka Konkel (she/her) for a very interesting read and sharing good practices and observations.