Beyond the quotas. The role of businesses and industry in fostering community cohesion.

Episode 7 of VOA podcast looks at the impact of businesses and industry on creating a socially cohesive community. SFRI CEO Anthea Hancocks discusses the topic in depth with Prisma Legal founder and Chair of the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce, Fotini Kypraios, and Deakin University Industry Professor Robin Scott (former Minister of Victorian Parliament).

Together they unpack how businesses can contribute to social cohesion, who should be responsible, and how Government can partner with industry to create tangible outcomes.

Fotini and Robin provide an enlightening discussion about the importance of embedding diversity and inclusion in organisational culture which in turn drives a more cohesive society.  

Key takeaways:

1. How do businesses contribute to social cohesion?

Robin discussed the importance of economic participation in giving people a sense of being able to contribute to society. Providing the opportunity for people to express their talents and receive recognition is central to building social cohesion. He believes it also creates a sense of justice by allowing people to feel they have the same chance as everyone else to make a mark. He noted the benefits were two-fold as a more diverse pool of talent increases the chances of finding the best candidates.  Fotini agreed and added that large businesses can open the doors to participation in a number of ways – one in particular being procurement. Enabling smaller business to be successful and participate elevates a business which contributes to social cohesion.

2. Improving our understanding and avoiding the ‘tick box’

Anthea noted that often HR is responsible for diversity and inclusion within an organisation but queried whether that was enough to facilitate real change. Robin said it was crucial that the DI person has influence otherwise their ability to really drive opportunities would be limited. Robin said it was important that DI be built into the fabric of an organisation and not siloed in HR. Fotini agreed and said that it goes to the culture of the organisation. The culture is set at Board level and filters down throughout the organisation. She discussed the importance of recruitment in ensuring diverse candidates are recruited on the basis of the whole person and skill set, and not a set of tick box criteria.

Fotini noted there is still a challenge around understanding what diversity really means. Without it, people revert to filling quotas. She said that lived experience with community is key to fully grasping what diversity means in practice. More community contact would also help improve our understanding of the barriers to participation in business in order to make a tangible difference.

3. Getting comfortable with a level of discomfort

Anthea questioned whether organisations have a responsibility to have a public face around cultural issues. Robin said it was complex but felt there were shared norms around rejecting overt discrimination but other issues such as unresolved justices in society were harder to navigate. He believed there was a public expectation that large organisations should have roles in those spaces but noted it’s not straight forward because of the risk to reputation. Fotini said the frameworks relating to these issues need to be tailored to specific organisations to have effect. From a private sector perspective, businesses need to know who the stakeholders are and what they care about but also be prepared to take a stand about what’s important. Fotini believes courage is to be embraced, and being comfortable with some discomfort is important. Fotini discussed the international ‘B Corp certification’ which sees like-minded business people driving change using profit for purpose. She believes these organisations are leading by example. Robin highlighted the organisational risk in being left behind of those who ignore their social responsibilities. This is particularly relevant for young people who have greater expectations of their employers in being socially responsible. Businesses will be held to account by employees who will vote with their feet and community who will vote with their wallets.

4. Leveraging what is already working

Fotini and Robin agreed there was more that government could be doing to create true partnerships with businesses. Robin said there needs to be a genuine issue where a genuine outcome can be achieved for a partnership to work. Clear dialogue with the creation of tangible goals was essential. He noted that Government has a holistic view of society so there’s a positive role for businesses and government together; the synergies just need to be found.

Fotini said there’s an opportunity for Government to utilise existing structures within multicultural communities better. There are many organisations at the coal face who are already having an impact but just need more support. This would be a more effective use of budget and would make the dollar go further. Robin said there’s a disconnect between Government and community at times due to lack of understanding on both sides. He noted touch points in the community are critical to help Government empathise and better understand how to engage.

5. The benefit of being at the coal face

Robin said direct experience in community is essential to understanding the real challenges for people. He referred to the great insight that can be obtained from subjective experiences that helps to provide an expression of the data. The nuanced view complements the broader holistic view. Fotini said that lived experience has made her a better lawyer as she can relate to and understand all kinds of people. She believes growing up with racism shaped the person she has become today. Fotini believes that communities seeing themselves in important positions lifts confidence and helps to create a groundswell contributing to social cohesion.

To hear more from Fotini and Robin and discover further insights into the role of business in building a cohesive society please tune into our podcast here.