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Summer e-bulletin |
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Welcome once again to the latest edition of our newsletter, as usual we have been busy with a variety of diversity activities which are definitely at the forefront of everyones’s mind. With regard, particularly to recent news items, locally and nationally around 'Citizenship', 'British Day', 'racism in the Big Brother house', and of course the hot topic of integration which has been reflected in our highly successful sell out events.
We will now be hosting a full range of newly extended services including; training, accreditation, referrals to organisations that can support your activities, providing case studies and sharing good practice, research and resources to build your business case for diversity, recruitment, retention, and tendering support, establishing 'Best Practice Networks', working with communities, strategic representation and of course providing DiverCity Consultancy.
The team are certainly looking forward to working with you on the above.
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Not already a pledged company?
As a pledged organisation in Birmingham & Solihull you receive FREE access to our services and consultancy support, this includes recruitment agencies within our region now undergoing DAR - Diversity Assured Recruitment accreditation and up to 2 FREE places are any of our events. |
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| Read what the companies we work with have to say - click on the link for a selection of their testimonials |
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| Regional Law Firms Participate In Positive Action
Birmingham was recently host to students across the country who took part in a TARGET Chances regional law event in association with Birmingham Professional DiverCity.
Sponsored by leading regional law firms Eversheds, Wragge & Co and DLA Piper the event was designed to provide an insight into law for students from ethnic minority backgrounds. Managed by GTI Specialist Publishers, it provided students from a range of degree backgrounds with an insiders view of the legal profession in Birmingham.
The day consisted of a series of workshops and skills based activities in which students worked with professionals from all levels of the business. Amrik Kandola, partner at Eversheds, who was involved in the event, said: “Birmingham has a thriving legal scene and this event was a great opportunity for lawyers from the city to engage directly with students and help to bring the profession to life. By 2020 Birmingham will be the first ethnic minority majority city in the UK and we must take steps to harness the talent that is untapped but available on our door step”.
For more information about the TARGET Chances programme please contact: Hannah Longden on 01491 828905 hannah.longden@groupgti.com Further details can also be found at www.targetchances.co.uk
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Fujitsu Services shares core business drivers and advice for diversity with new DiverCity client, UK IT Association.
Stephen Alford, Head of Diversity at Fujitsu Services, has been focusing on diversity for the last two years with support from DiverCity. Stephen is driving the agenda though the senior executive team and is focusing on mainstreaming diversity best practice through the company. Birmngham Professional DiverCity asked Stephen to share his experiences with new DiverCity pledgee, Bob Boyd at UKITA (UK IT Association). Bob is thrilled to be starting along the diversity journey and told us that he would appreciate the perspective of an experienced player in the same field. In particular in how the business case for diversity could be used to support implementation of the diversity strategy..... |
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Cascade with Confidence – Got an equalities message you want to share?
Birmingham Professional DiverCity recently led a lunchtime workshop at the Regional Development Agency for twenty staff. The group examined the impact of unwitting and careless gossip, and discussed their own personal experiences. After examining common arguments of political correctness issues, delegates were able to explore the effects upon specific groups of individuals and what were the real options, as a response to move forward.
Birmingham Professional DiverCity are able to resolve your ‘Diversity Dilemma’- in partnership with your internal diversity champions - to cascade your diversity good practice, initiatives and activities. Get your staff involved and help ensure that diversity and equalities are embedded into your company.
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| Map to public sector procurement - 'Winning Business' |
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On 28 June 2007, Birmingham Professional DiverCity led a half day interactive session kindly hosted by Atkins Global Plc, to examine the key drivers on how to win public sector tenders. As a result, we are developing a series of clinics aimed at helping you achieve the outcomes the public sector organisations require.
The session looked closely at answering questions like:-
What can I do to improve my chances of winning public sector contracts? And why should I diversify my supplier base? |
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| Share your stories of best practice!
Birmingham Professional DiverCity would like to offer you the opportunity to share your experiences of managing diversity and showcase the quality and innovation of your commitment to diversity. Due to popular request, we are putting together a portfolio of best practice case studies to be promoted extensively through our networks at both regional and national levels. This will inspire and inform people from non-traditional backgrounds to consider careers within the financial and professional services sector and to encourage organisations to improve their own diversity practices. |
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IN THE THE NEWS:
Fears over political correctness
30 May 2007
Political correctness is preventing Birmingham's business community from discussing the diversity agenda, it was claimed today......click on the link to read more
Spot the hidden benefits of CSR
29th May 2007
....Aaron Reid, is executive director at Birmingham Professional DiverCity, which helps this city’s professional services community manage and value diversity. CSR, he says, has been on his agenda for many years – but it’s the hidden benefits it brings which are often most valuable.......... click on the link above to read more |
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Firms urged to prioritise diversity
10 May 2007
The Tory shadow minister for Birmingham says the city's businesses must put diversity issues at the .........click on the link to read more |
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Better chances in law
1 May 2007
Staff at the Birmingham office of Eversheds law firm recently took part in a TARGET Chances event, designed .......click on the link to read more
'Students Speak Up' DVD - Barriers to Professional Services Sector jobs
Please send me a FREE copy
Challenges for diversity in the Professional Services Sector
LAUNCHING NEW 2007 DIVERCITY DVD at our 17 July 2007 'Best Practice Event'
What are the solutions?,
Why is CSR, Work Life Balance & Mentoring key to managing diversity?
Be the first to receive a FREE copy - release 17 July 2007
EVENT NEWS: |
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On the Friday 29 June 2007, Eversheds as part of their ongoing committment to CSR and with the help of Birmingham Professional DiverCity provided The Groom Room with the opportunity to celebrate the achievement of their graduates with EversOn the Friday 29 June 2007, Eversheds as part of their ongoing committment to CSR and with the help of Birmingham Professional DiverCity provided The Groom Room with the opportunity to celebrate the achievement of their graduates with Eversheds. Eversheds provided the venue and food for the ceremony as well as providing one of the firms partners Diane Bennett to hand out some of the awards. The graduate recruitment advisor Zoe Bench and some of the trainee solicitors were also on hand to answer any questions the young people had around becoming a lawyer. The young people who were graduating and former graduates of The Groom Room ranged in ages from 5 to 16 and all were excited at the opportunity to learn about law and to see the inside of a large law firm.heds. Eversheds provided the venue and food for the ceremony as well as providing one of the firms partners Diane Bennett to hand out some of the awards. The graduate recruitment advisor Zoe Bench and some of the trainee solicitors were also on hand to answer any questions the young people had around becoming a lawyer. The young people who were graduating and former graduates of The Groom Room ranged in ages from 5 to 16 and all were excited at the opportunity to learn about law and to see the inside of a large law firm.
Has Political Correctness Gone Mad?
Wednesday 30th May 2007
Birmingham Professional DiverCity has become aware over the period of our existence of the strong feelings people have about political correctness within the equalities agenda. You tell us time and again that you are tired of being told what you can or cannot say. Is political correctness preventing us from having meaningful discussions around diversity and distracting us from the real issues? :
This event opened up the debate on what is stifling innovation and preventing the business and financial services sector here in Birmingham from moving forward. Click on the link to view our article in the Birmingham Post - ’PC-fear bosses 'running scared' . This event kindly hosted by Ernst & Young demonstrated that Birmingham Businesses are willing to stimulate debate and air concerns to resolve these knotty issues.
Forthcoming Event: |
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Birmingham Professional Divercity are proud to present:
'Diversity Best Practice Showcase'
What are the threats?, What are the opportunities?
Tuesday 17th July 2007 for 12.00 until approx. 14.00pm
Click on the link for all enquiries and booking form |
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 PROJECT UPDATE
Master Vendor Sets Deadline For Members
Two major master vendors, Matrix Management Services, one of the UK’s longest established vendor managers, and SkyBlue Solutions, part of Carillion PLC, have required their suppliers to become diversity assured. Matrix has written to preferred supplier list (PSL) members to warn they will be frozen out unless they achieve the Diversity Assured Accreditation by 1 August 2007.
The warning comes following public sector client wishes for all recruiters used by Matrix to be Diversity Assured - a mark of best diversity practice in recruitment.Diversity Assured Recruitment, the accreditation launched by the REC and Birmingham Professional DiverCity, is the new standard for recruitment agencies to achieve best practice in the recruitment service industry. |
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| Find out more about our Diversity Assured Recruitment (DAR) accreditation |
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| The Royal Bank of Scotland signs up to diversity initiative |
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The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is once again sign up to Fair Cities Birmingham, along with a number of other major employers in Birmingham. Fair Cities is a pilot initiative set up in three areas across the country, to decrease the employment rate gap between disadvantaged communities and the population as a whole by providing employers with job-ready candidates. |
Fair Cities Birmingham is an employer driven initiative to design custom built recruitment solutions to meet employment opportunities in Birmingham’s expanding industry sectors. It targets untapped talent pools in the city’s most disadvantaged areas, delivering employers with job ready candidates. Fair Cities Birmingham is one of three pilot projects established by the Department for Work and Pensions and aims to fill 18,500 jobs by 2010
If your organisation have vacancies and you would like support with recruitment solutions funded FREE by Fair Cities contact Khembe@birminghamdivercity.co.uk or to find out more about Fair Cities Birmingham |
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 National Skills Academy Gains Momentum
Over the next 10 years the Financial Services sector faces a number of skills challenges to ensure it remains globally competitive. As the industry grows, managerial, professional, sales and customer service roles will be most affected. Within the West Midlands region, predicted demographic change means there is a real need to encourage young people, especially from minority ethnic backgrounds to aspire to a career within the Financial Services sector. National Skills Academies are a new initiative designed to put employers in the driving seat in the design and delivery of training. The development of regional and national employer-led boards will allow employers to shape programmes to ensure that the academy is focussed on the specific skills requirements and issues of the sector.
National Skills Academies are based on the principles that........... |
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For more information or to register your interest contact Beverley McGillycuddy via email Beverley.mcgillycuddy@lsc.gov.uk or 0781 398 0792
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£1K Enterprise Challenge For Businesses
On 13th July there is an exciting opportunity for businesses and pupils to work together in a Dragon’s Den meets a What’s My Line business enterprise challenge...... |
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For more information and details of how to take part
email Julie@birminghamdivercity.co.uk |
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| The sooner we can accelerate towards accepting worklife balance and flexibility as a true business differentiator the better for all |
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The key IS balance, and that is achieved when the organisation can meet its needs whilst the employee meets their life needs. But it is more than that, it is about choice....
Too many employees still feel that they have "no choice" but to work long and hard to either keep their job or be promoted. When either the business or the employee feels as if they have no choice, then imbalance is created. It is a false illusion that long-hours and total commitment to work create results; tired and worn out employees don't add to the bottom line of any business over the long term. Having choice means "give and take". Giving to the business when it needs us to pull out the stops and work hard and giving to the employee for phases of their life when they need flexibility for family, caring or other life priorities. |
An employee given flexibility to meet the needs of life when they need it will give right back in time, effort and commitment when the business needs that extra mile for a client or project. Well done to all those large and small organisations in the city creating great working environments for their people where they have the choice – they can work hard and have a life too. Organisations like Eversheds, PWC, Ernst & Young and some smaller ones like Toto Day Nursery, My First Friends, BCC Legal Services and TPi are creating cultures that provide choice for both employees and the business.
For those organisations that are avoiding the inevitable by jamming their heads firmly in the sand of old fashioned management practice need to face up to a new horizon of change. And if you don’t? Employees that have no choice, go elsewhere; just like customers. Absence will increase, motivation will decrease, you will find it hard to recruit, because word travels fast in the city and so you will be left with the less talented.
The grass in the worklife balance field is truly greener: you attract the best, keep the best, reduce the cost of absence and increase the bottom line results.
What are you waiting for? Contact Lynne Copp - Managing Director, The Worklife Co.t/f: 01672 811170 or email: lynne.copp@theworklifecompany.biz, Web:www.theworklifecompany.biz
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| The Trellis Project – an untapped and rich vein of talent for employers |
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The Trellis Project helps refugees in Birmingham overcome barriers, find sustainable employment, support employers and help to navigate the issues connected with employing staff from this non-traditional source. More and more employers now realise the issue is wrongly imagined and is less complicated when considering the value of the return. Many refugees are highly qualified, trained and extremely experienced individuals which represent a rich pool of untapped resource. |
For more information contact Dee Narga on 0121 480 3866
or visit www.trellisproject.co.uk |
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Creating Graduate Opportunities In West Midlands Businesses
Graduate Advantage is a regionally funded project which aims to introduce the skills of students and graduates to businesses throughout the West Midlands and crucially, to help more businesses recruit and retain graduates in order to keep their skills in the region. |
| All of their services are free of charge including the payment of students' salaries and training........................... |
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Wake up to the fact that Birmingham, like London, no longer looks, feels or indeed creates its wealth like it used to
Many of the large professional firms have long held overseas offices and used secondments as a tool, to develop staff and to spread the company culture around the world. How many really know the new market they now serve.The reality is, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from their point of view - until you climb into their own skin and walk around in it." From the book by Harper Lee - To Kill a Mocking Bird.
It would be interesting to know how many organisations marketing diversity, and CSR are truly “walking around in the skin” of the communities they are trying to serve?
This understanding of people and their different cultures lies at the heart of ‘embracing diversity’. Merely paying lip service to diversity backfires and alienates the very people that organisation are trying to communicate with. Are they truly customers and clients in a meaningful sense or just another source of revenue?
For more information on 'Just Real Solutions, and how to work with individuals and businesses of all backgrounds,cultures,age and sectors Contact:Janette Rawlinson; Tel: 0121 502 4902/Mobile:07903 144360 |
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Looking for talented, high calibre candidates to join your workforce?
Unitemps is an employment agency owned by the University of Warwick. Established in 1997, they now have two offices in the Midlands and are accessed by approximately 8000 active candidates. Our candidate database is made up of current undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates and spouses of international students.
This is what a recent candidate, Emoline Thiruchelvam had to say about her experience:- |
| " This past summer, with the help of Unitemps, I had the opportunity to work for one of the worlds leading property consultancy firms, GVA Grimley, right in the heart of Birmingham. Working specifically with their accounts department, the team taught me to administer and manipulate an extensive database system which regulates all the finances (ranging in excess of £11 billion) associated with all the property overseen by GVA in the Birmingham region. I also balanced salary costs pertaining to specific property and liaised with other accounts representatives from sub-contracted leasers and service providers. With no formal education in accountancy, the organisation was always willing to provide guidance and opportunities to learn. The experience has given me real skills which will help me in any future career " |
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For more information contact the team at Unitemps on Tel: 0121 202 4100 |
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Partner's Diversity Solutions
Access more support from organisations who work actively with Birmingham busineses to provide diversity solutions to help your business move forward. |
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| Welcome to new Birmingham Professional DiverCity Pledges organisations |
Arts Council England (WM)
Irwin Mitchell LLP
Friend LLP
St Philips Chamber Ltd
CHH Recruitment
Sky Blue Solutions |
MCMS Ltd
ABC Contract Services Ltd
Diversity Dimension Ltd
Mysona Development
Services LtdCheka Recruitment
Hays Executive |
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Want to contribute to future e-bulletins?
Inform our clients and partners about your activities, share your good practice and highlight experiences where you have made successful improvements to your organisation - email your article to Julie@birminghamdivercity.co.uk
"Working to encourage and facilitate professional services businesses in maximising economic potential by successfully achieving and managing a truly diverse workforce at all levels" |
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