This Saturday, Rhodes Perry Consulting collaborates with the Portland Area Business Association (aka the City’s LGBTQ Chamber) and NedSpace to host a community listening session focused on dismantling workplace barriers organized by and for transgender and non-binary Portland residents. Community leaders seek community-informed recommendations as to how to dismantle these barriers with the goal of educating local businesses, government officials, nonprofit organizations, and funders. There’s still a few free tickets available to participate, and local transgender and non-binary folks along with allies can secure seats here.

Earlier this year, the Belonging at Work team developed a blog series exploring emerging trends for diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) professionals. To connect with fellow professionals, we’ll be offering a live webinar next Thursday, April 12 where participants will have an opportunity to further explore these trends. The learning kicks off at 11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern time, and DEI professionals along with anyone else interested in the concept of how to cultivate workplace cultures of belonging are encouraged to register here: www.rhodesperry.com/register.

This week’s post examines several strategies designed to link the performance of the senior executive team to their ability in meeting the organization’s DEI goals. It concludes a six-week series examining emerging trends for diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) professionals. If you found this series helpful, register for the next RPC webinar, Exploring 2018 DEI Trends, scheduled for Thursday, April 12, and for additional support and strategies related to this work, subscribe to the RPC Belonging at Work Newsletter.

Belonging – it's the reason why I started my business, and it's the driving force behind why I've dedicated my career to inspiring others to open their hearts and minds to new people, ideas, and experiences. As I continue to build a purpose-driven business designed to make it easier for professionals to bring their whole selves to work, I am eager to learn more about the specific challenges you are looking to address, and how I can offer support or guidance. I encourage you to let me know how I can help by sending a quick email.

This week’s post examines several strategies designed to reduce unconscious bias during the interview process. It is a part of a six week series examining emerging trends for diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) professionals. After reading this post, register for the next RPC webinar, Exploring 2018 DEI Trends, scheduled for Thursday, April 12, and for additional support and strategies related to this work, subscribe to the RPC Belonging at Work Newsletter.

Last week I published the third of six posts exploring emerging trends for diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) professionals. This week’s post examines how we can effectively measure the impact of our DEI initiatives. The content specifically dives into how your firm can incorporate metrics to determine the true ROI of your organization’s DEI efforts. After reading this post, register for the next RPC webinar, Exploring 2018 DEI Trends, scheduled for Thursday, April 12, and for additional support and strategies related to this work, subscribe to the RPC Belonging at Work Newsletter.

Last week I published the second of six posts exploring emerging trends for diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) professionals. This week’s post examines to source candidates with non-traditional credentials to meet the high demand for talent in booming industries such as tech, healthcare, and green energy. As your firm continues to evolve and compete for high potential talent, subscribe to the RPC, Belonging at Work Newsletter, for more ideas, strategies, and solutions to help address your specific workplace inclusion challenges.

Last month, I co-facilitated a webinar for the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM) where we discussed the power and pitfalls of artificial intelligence. Inspired by the conversation, I decided to take the conversation further by developing a blog series exploring some of the 2018 trends for diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) professionals. Over the next six weeks we’ll take a deeper dive exploring some of these trends. Be on the lookout for more posts every Wednesday, and if you like this content, subscribe to the RPC newsletter.

Last week I co-facilitated a webinar for the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM) where we discussed the power and pitfalls of artificial intelligence. Inspired by the conversation, I decided to take the conversation further by developing a blog series exploring some of the 2018 trends for diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) professionals. Over the next six weeks we’ll take a deeper dive exploring some of these trends. Be on the lookout for more posts every Wednesday, and if you like this content, subscribe to the RPC newsletter.

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasing role in all aspects of Human Resources systems and everyday practices. Often, technology is making decisions before people are making them. But can technology be used to minimize unconscious bias in HR operations? Or does it reinforce stereotypes, and sabotage a company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy? If you are curious about these questions, consider attending an upcoming webinar I'll be co-facilitating with my friend and colleague, Bernadette Smith on Wednesday, January 31 at 12 pm PT for members from the International Association for Human Resource Information Management (IHRIM)

SOAR – it’s my official word for 2018, and it came about while I was dreaming big about what I want to accomplish this year. Read this post to learn more about how I came up with the word, and how you create your own word that can help you stay focused on accomplishing your business goals for this new year. After you finish reading the post, consider sending a quick email letting me know how I can help address the specific challenges you are looking to resolve when trying to create a workplace culture of belonging for you, your colleagues, and your organization.

Thank you, MBA Orlando, the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and the greater Orlando business community for your support in helping launch The Out Entrepreneur's inaugural live podcast recording and LGBTQ marketplace event. With your support, the event was an enormous success! The stories shared about the power of LGBTQ businesses offered encouragement and support for those of us in the rainbow family, and to our corporate allies, especially those who work in the world of supplier diversity.

On Monday, December 11, the Out Entrepreneur will host a live podcast recording & LGBTQ marketplace event at the Orange Studio to amplify the power of LGBTQ business owners, strengthen our business relationships, and celebrate our authentic selves. The recording will feature local out business leaders, corporate partners, and representatives from MBA Orlando and the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Together, panelists will share how they are creating economic opportunities for LGBTQ communities and strengthening supplier diversity efforts for leading corporations in the Central FL and beyond. People living in the region can secure their early bird tickets here: https://livepodcast.eventbrite.ca, and for fans around the world, you can tune in live by visiting Rhodes Perry's YouTube Channel, and tuning in at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT.

Changing workplace culture is hard. Creating a workplace culture of belonging can seem even more daunting. To get the support you need to implement your organization’s D&I ethos into everyday best practices, consider participating in the next RPC live webinar on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 11 am Pacific/2 pm Eastern. The webinar will offer concrete strategies to help cultivate a workplace culture of belonging. Register for free by clicking here.

On Thursday, November 9 at 11:00 am Pacific/2:00 pm Eastern, the RPC team will host a live webinar offering participants simple and effective strategies on how to cultivate a workplace cultures of belonging. The webinar will accomplish two goals: 1) clarify why workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion matter, and; 2) define how any professional in the workplace can take personal actions to cultivate it. Whether you’re a senior executive or new to the workplace, you’ll walk away with concrete strategies and confidence to welcome and include diverse talent, ideas, and experiences in the workplace. Save your spot and register today!

Coming out on the job remains an extremely complicated matter. Without a consistent federal law prohibiting LGBTQ workplace discrimination, it’s no wonder that more than half - or 53% - of LGBTQ workers remains closeted at work. This post offers strategies to first consider before coming out on the job. If after reading this post, you would like to receive additional support, consider scheduling a 1:1 coaching call with me where we will explore your motivations to come out, and weigh all the factors before taking action.

The resources offered in this blog post are designed to help business executives communicate the LGBTQ business case. If you are struggling to create a workplace culture of belonging for LGBTQ and other underrepresented stakeholders, consider enrolling in the October LGBTQ A-Z Certification Program. Once you’re enrolled, you’ll receive four weeks of individual and group mentorship delivering the support you need to transform your workplace into one where LGBTQ stakeholders know that they belong. Use the enrollment code AUTUMN and receive an exclusive registration discount. Click here to enroll today.

In honor of October's LGBTQ History Month, I'm very pleased to announce the next offering of the LGBTQ A-Z Certification, which kicks off on Monday, October 2. The program offers individual and group mentorship for executive, HR, and diversity professionals looking for proven strategies to build a culture of belonging for their LGBTQ stakeholders. When you enroll by Friday, you will receive 50% off of the registration fee when using the promo code AUTUMN. Visit www.rhodesperry.com/mentorship to enroll today!

Over the past century, the workplace has evolved in significant ways. Unfortunately, what hasn’t changed for many workplaces is the physical nature of the office – it’s often overlooked as a source for building inclusive environments where teams can thrive. Given this pain point, experts have a wide variety of solutions to reimagine traditional office environments that can help drive innovation, cross-cultural collaboration, and a spirit of inclusion. This blog post offers strategies on how to up the ante of your office space. For leaders interested in communicating why creating an inspiring and inclusive workplace is critical, register for the next RPC free webinar on the topic by clicking here.

Are you a young professional craving the satisfaction that comes from helping businesses improve their workplace cultures for diverse employees? Are you comfortable joining a virtual team that knows how to balance hard work with good fun? Are you more than okay working on projects that promote entrepreneurship, social justice, LGBTQ movement building, and employment equity issues? You just might have what it takes to join the RPC team…