Business and Inclusivity: How to Ensure Your Clients Feel Welcome

Every year we strive towards a more inclusive work environment, deepening our understanding of the various struggles many minorities face. And while there are some factors that may prevent you from fully going the extra mile to ensure all of your employees, business partners, and clients have the same opportunities and benefits, there is still no excuse for your company to not even attempt to be inclusive in this day and age. With so many resources, there’s bound to exist at least one aspect of your workspace you can change in order to make sure everyone feels welcome. Inclusivity is not a privilege – it is a right everyone is entitled to. Here’s some words on how to transition your business model into one that is more inclusive.

Disabled Does Not Mean Unable

You know how there are special parking spots for people in wheelchairs? And how books are translated into Braille for blind people to be able to enjoy a good read? This is the kind of adjustments you should aim for – something that seems indispensable, yet most people who don’t have a need for it take it for granted. What can you do to make things easier for wheelchair users, individuals with visual impairment, or people with bad hearing, for example?

If at all possible, make sure your offices are wheelchair accessible. This means installing wheelchair ramps or slopes (these do not require a construction team – you can easily find portable ramps on Amazon, and put them up yourself), and providing alternative ways of climbing to higher floors – elevators are, fortunately, already very common. But in case your building doesn’t have one, consider investing into a stair lift, which may cost you only somewhere between 2000 to 5000 EUR. These lifts may help out the elderly, too, so it’s really a double investment! Don’t forget about accessible toilets either.

When hosting parties or conferences where presentations will be given, make sure that any guests with bad hearing, visual impairment, and, of course, the wheelchair bound, get to sit closer to the stage. This way they’ll be able to follow what is being said more easily (adjust the sound equipment accordingly, too). In case a wheelchair user needs to leave early, make sure to reserve them a seat on the very edge of the row, so they have less trouble getting to the exit. Another thing to keep in mind is hiring sign language interpreters, in case there’s any deaf guests in the audience.

Be Body Positive

Weight is a touchy subject for many people, and while lately people have shown more support to different body sizes, many individuals are still quite insecure about their appearance. This is something a company doesn’t often take into consideration, unless they’re selling clothing – many customers have been boycotting certain brands that don’t offer plus size articles, claiming the owners are ‘fatphobic’. And while there are many valid reasons why a business may not offer a whole range of sizes (just starting out, homemade items, reselling vintage pieces), this can often cast a bad light on the company itself.

So, if you’re giving out any kind of apparel (as a promotional item to your clients, for example), pay attention to sizing. This is very tricky, as guessing the right size may prove impossible at times – you may offend someone by gifting them a T-shirt bigger than they’d normally go for, or you may gift someone a size S instead of an M, so they’ll end up not even being able to wear it! If you think this would cause too much trouble, simply avoid giving out apparel – surprise your clients with a water bottle or a backpack instead.

Diverse Yet Equal

Many people of colour and different cultures have been underrepresented in media, which also led to members of those communities feeling unwelcome and marginalized when working with a company for the first time, fearing racist experiences and prejudice is what awaits them. This is no way for anyone to live – fear is the mind-killer, wrote Frank Herbert, and he hit the nail on the head. Feeling trapped in their personal bubble, many POC miss out on amazing experiences waiting for them. We must realize our privilege and offer comfort to those who feel pushed to the margins of society, in any way we can.

Inclusivity is made easy – if you own any promotional posters featuring people, make sure to diversify the group by including hijabis, latinos, African-Americans, and so on. You may be thinking, My country isn’t actually that diverse, do I still need to do this? While forcing diversity may sometimes do more harm than good, you can’t go wrong if you’re being inclusive because you believe it is the right thing to do, and are not doing it solely to clear your consciousness. And remember, if you ever want to expand your business across your country’s borders, diversity will be a must. Other ways to celebrate different cultures is by learning about their customs and sharing what you’ve learned with the world.

He, She, They?

When it comes to gender identity, the rule of thumb is clear – don’t discriminate among members of different sexes. If you’re not too sure about how a client or employee identifies, kindly ask for their pronouns, and refer to them accordingly. Now, some people may feel offended, thinking you’re trying to imply they don’t look enough like one or the other gender – it’s easy to resolve this. Simply explain to them that asking for pronouns is standard procedure and a part of your company’s policy. It’s simply a sign of respect, and those identifying as something else than the gender they were assigned at birth will greatly appreciate how considerate you are. In addition, you can also show your support to the LGBTQ+ community by celebrating pride month!

Of course, there’s more to gender than just identity. Gender discrimination is a serious issue, and the only way to combat it is by treating all your clients equally, no matter their gender. If a heterosexual couple pays a visit to your office, for example, don’t only focus on the man, as has been the norm for centuries. Address both of your clients and ask for their individual opinions. To show even further appreciation, surprise the respective genders on International Women’s and Men’s Days with a thoughtful promotional product.

Remember, while inclusivity may drive sales and expand your market, it isn’t a marketing strategy. It’s a lifestyle and a mindset that can help others feel more welcome in an unfamiliar crowd, and spreads word of harmony and comfort among all. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of such change?