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Big tech companies will put the resources behind figuring out how to get us off this planet, but nowhere near the amount required to end shitty behavior in their own company, on the planet where we currently live. This is a fact, not an editorial statement.
Every couple of years one of those big companies gets bad press about their diversity efforts and I get a call. I'm happy to take the call, happy to give them an initial opinion for free, and then watch them do something else. This has been happening consistently since 2010
So now I'm just going to simplify the advice for any big tech company that may CURRENTLY find itself wringing their hands (again):
1. Diversity, equity and inclusion does not belong buried in HR. It is not an HR function. In fact, DEI priorities can often contradict the priorities of HR, especially under a leader who does not have the competencies to build inclusive culture
2. DEI needs a seat at the executive table. The concerns of equity + inclusion must be represented in decisions about sales, comms, product, eng, finance... it is a core competency for an organization and requires an expert, not someone who is just kinda interested in it
3. DEI is not an extra-curricular. It must be treated as a major initiative and resourced as such. It is a functional area that requires project managers, specialists, admins, content creators, etc. As you would expect for any functional area a company cares about
4. The answers to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive company are knowable. No more saying "but it's too difficult." What you are actually saying is "I haven't listened to people who know how to do this." 2020 is too late for this to be an excuse
5. Put a damn stake in the ground. You've got more money and influence than most of the world's governments. Decide you're going to be the company to marshal the resources and demonstrate how it can be done. Make a bold statement. A moon shot, I think y'all call it?
6. "But it's not the simple." Well shit, neither is cataloging the world's information, putting a human on mars, or connecting two billion people. But you figured that out because you WANT to. Literally the only difference.
26 years into my career, I stand firmly by these statements and am happy to debate anyone in good faith who thinks otherwise. /fin
