Louisville, Ky. —Diversity Best Practices (DBP), a division of Working Mother Media, unveiled its fourth annual Inclusion Index. The index helps organizations understand trends and gaps in demographic representation, creates a road map to drive internal change, and identifies diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) solutions to close the gaps. Organizations provided data and were measured in three key areas: best practices in the recruitment, retention, and advancement of people from underrepresented groups—women, racial/ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ people; inclusive corporate culture, including leadership accountability; and demographic diversity for women and racial/ethnic minorities.
Brown-Forman Corporation was among the 98 organizations that earned a score of at least 60 percent and a place on the index. This year, 185 organizations participated in the Diversity Best Practices Inclusion Index, a 25 percent year-over-year increase. Twenty of those listed on the 2020 DBP Inclusion Index are recognized for superior achievement by receiving an 81 percent or higher score and qualifying as a Top 10 Percent Inclusion Index Company. Nine of those listed achieved at least 75 percent of the available points to qualify as a Leading Inclusion Index Company. Completed applications were collected online from December 2019 through March 2020. Results reveal opportunities for all organizations to target their diversity and inclusion efforts for greater effectiveness.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion continue to be a topic of critical importance, especially in these times of heightened racism and social injustice,” says Deborah Munster, vice president, Diversity Best Practices. “The good news is that corporate America is paying closer attention to its D&I practices, and I am proud to recognize the work our Inclusion Index companies are doing to elevate their efforts to drive a more equitable future.”
“The DBP index is very important to us at Brown-Forman,” said Ralph de Chabert, senior vice president, chief diversity and global community relations officer. “It not only shows us where we land in relation to other participants, but more importantly, it reflects our efforts to truly understand and to take action on the ever-evolving nature of diversity, equity, and inclusion management as well as our efforts to support our ambition to be an even better place to work.”
Key findings from the 2020 Diversity Best Practices Inclusion Index are:
- Recruitment, retention, and advancement: While 100 percent of the top 10 percent require diverse interview slates, requiring diverse panels of interviewers remains less common at 75 percent of Leading Inclusion Index companies (compared to 45 percent of companies on the index). One hundred percent of the top 10 percent and of Leading Inclusion Index organizations, and 97 percent of those on the index, use employee resource groups to recruit underrepresented talent. Eighty-five percent of the top 10 percent of organizations require gender and racial/ethnic diversity in succession planning (compared with 79 percent of Leading Inclusion Index organizations and 59 percent of companies on the index).
- Inclusive corporate culture: Ninety-five percent of the top 10 percent of organizations set percentages goals in diversity (compared with 90 percent of Leading Inclusion Index companies and 65 percent of index companies). Sixty-five percent of the top 10 percent of organizations compensate managers for DE&I results (compared with 62 percent of Leading Inclusion Index companies and 42 percent of index companies).
ABOUT DIVERSITY BEST PRACTICES
Diversity Best Practices, a division of Working Mother Media, is the preeminent organization for diversity thought leaders to share best practices and develop innovative solutions for culture change. Through research, benchmarking, publications, and events, DBP offers members information and strategies on how to implement, grow, measure, and create first-in-class diversity programs.
For 150 years, Brown-Forman Corporation has enriched the experience of life by responsibly building fine quality beverage alcohol brands, including the Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee RTDs, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire, Gentleman Jack, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, Finlandia, Korbel, el Jimador, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester, Coopers’ Craft, Herradura, New Mix, Sonoma-Cutrer, Chambord, BenRiach, GlenDronach, Slane, and Fords Gin. Brown-Forman’s brands are supported by approximately 4,800 employees and sold in more than 170 countries worldwide. For more information about the company, please visit http://www.brown-forman.com/.
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