Equal Opportunity boosts productivity and innovation.

The employee mix is key to any organisation. Valuing differences in team members allows an organisation to take advantage of a diverse set of skills and to develop a powerful synergy. This in turn leads to increased innovation, higher quality solutions, increased creativity and closeness to the market.

38% vs. 61% Improved Market Share
An influential American Management Association (AMA) study compared all-male senior management teams to mixed-gender senior management teams. They found women made a significant positive difference to the financial results of the company, including:

• improved gross sales revenue
• improved market share
• and overall improved net operating profits.

As the CEO in Australia of Ernst & Young, Brian Schwartz, puts it:

"Women are 50 percent of the equation. Choosing not to work with women is like trying to progress with one hand tied behind your back." 

For more CEO insights, see Quotable Quotes.

Furthermore, it appears that poor diversity management reduces productivity. In an extensive review of research into workplace effects of diversity in Australia, key findings indicated that diversity, if poorly managed, results in less efficiency and reduced productivity. 

Positively managed diversity however, typically fuelled creative problem solving and led to improved work performance. (Australian Centre for International Business, Newsletter 6, Diversity Network, January, 2002.)