In a world where technology is rapidly reshaping our lives, Hippo Digital stands out not just for its innovative digital solutions, but for its deeply ingrained commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging (DI&B). This article explores how Hippo Digital’s people-focused approach and supportive environment are making a real difference in the tech industry.
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Hippo Digital‘s DI&B Philosophy
At Hippo Digital, the commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging is deeply rooted in every aspect of their business operations and corporate ethos. This philosophy is not just about meeting quotas or ticking boxes; it’s about fostering a genuine culture of inclusivity that permeates every level of the organisation.
- Understanding the User Perspective: Hippo Digital recognises that the digital solutions they create are used by a diverse range of people. This understanding drives their commitment to having a workforce as diverse as their user base. By mirroring this diversity within their teams, they ensure that their products and services are accessible, user-friendly, and relevant to a wide audience.
- Diversity as a Driver of Innovation: In the tech industry, innovation is key, and Hippo Digital firmly believes that diverse teams are more creative and effective. Different backgrounds and experiences lead to a variety of perspectives, which in turn foster innovative thinking and problem-solving. This diversity of thought is crucial in keeping them at the forefront of digital innovation.
- Creating a Sense of Belonging: Hippo Digital goes beyond just including diverse individuals; they strive to create an environment where every employee feels a true sense of belonging. This means ensuring that all voices are heard and valued, and that everyone has the opportunity to contribute and grow. It’s about building a workplace where differences are celebrated, and everyone feels comfortable being their authentic selves.
- Proactive Inclusivity: Hippo Digital actively works to identify and dismantle barriers to inclusion within their organisation. This involves regular reviews of their policies and practices, seeking feedback from employees, and being open to change. They understand that creating an inclusive environment is an ongoing process that requires constant attention and adaptation.
- Leadership and Accountability: Leadership at Hippo Digital is deeply committed to upholding and advancing their DI&B values. They lead by example and hold themselves accountable for creating an inclusive culture. This leadership commitment ensures that DI&B remains a central focus in all business decisions and strategies.
Inclusive Hiring and Supportive Work Environment
- Diverse Talent Acquisition: Through targeted outreach and collaborations with organisations like Generation UK, Code First Girls, DiverseJobsMatter, and STEM Ambassadors, Hippo Digital ensures a diverse talent pipeline.
- Flexible Working Patterns: Understanding the importance of work-life balance, Hippo Digital offers flexible working arrangements, catering to the varied needs of their team members.
- Communities of Belonging: With internal channels for groups such as pride, disability, ethnic minorities, and women in tech, Hippo Digital fosters a sense of belonging and provides platforms for shared experiences and education.
Empowering Employees and Promoting Wellbeing
- Volunteering and Community Engagement: Hippo Digital encourages its team to engage with the community, offering two volunteering days a year for employees to contribute positively using their skills.
- Commitment to Fairness and Respect: The company’s policies are clear on promoting dignity, respect, and equality in the workplace, with a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination or harassment.
- Ongoing Feedback and Improvement: Regular feedback is sought from employees to ensure that the DI&B initiatives are effective and inclusive, and that everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
Future Goals and Continuous Improvement
Hippo Digital’s objectives for 2023/24 showcase their commitment to not just maintaining but actively enhancing their inclusive culture. These goals reflect a deep understanding that a truly inclusive environment is an ever-evolving journey, requiring constant effort and dedication.
- Enhanced Transparency and Accessibility: Hippo Digital is focused on making DI&B an increasingly accessible and open topic. This involves clear communication about their DI&B policies and initiatives, ensuring that all team members are well-informed and engaged in these discussions.
- Empowering Employees to Shape Company Culture: Recognising that a vibrant company culture is co-created by its people, Hippo Digital is committed to ensuring that every team member feels empowered to share their views and opinions. This approach not only fosters a sense of ownership among employees but also ensures that diverse perspectives are integral to the company’s evolution.
- Creating a More Inclusive and Transparent Culture: Hippo Digital aims to cultivate an environment where team members feel comfortable raising issues and confident that their voices will be heard by leadership. This objective is about building trust and ensuring that all employees, regardless of their background or role, can contribute to and influence the company’s direction.
- Approachable and Inclusive Leadership: Ensuring that the leadership team is not only approachable but also operates in an inclusive manner is a key focus. Hippo Digital understands that leadership sets the tone for the entire organisation, and they are dedicated to ensuring that their leaders are accessible and connected with all employees.
- Reducing Bias and Managing Differences: A significant goal for Hippo Digital is to minimise both conscious and unconscious bias within the organisation. This involves continuous training and awareness programs, as well as creating spaces where differences in opinions and contributions are not just tolerated but valued and explored.
- Robust Data Collection and Analysis: Hippo Digital is committed to collecting meaningful data and metrics to drive continuous improvements in their DI&B efforts. This data-driven approach allows them to be curious and critical about their practices, ensuring that they are always moving forward and adapting to new insights and challenges.
- Ensuring Inclusivity Does Not Lead to Exclusion: A unique aspect of Hippo Digital’s approach is their awareness that efforts to create an inclusive culture should not inadvertently alienate any group. They are mindful of balancing diverse needs and perspectives, ensuring that inclusivity truly encompasses everyone in the organisation.
Through these objectives, Hippo Digital is not just aspiring to be a leader in digital solutions but also a pioneer in creating a workplace where diversity, inclusion, and belonging are deeply embedded in every aspect of their operations.
Hippo Digital‘s approach to Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DI&B) stands as a beacon in the tech industry, demonstrating the profound impact that a steadfast commitment to diversity and inclusion can have in creating a thriving, innovative, and supportive workplace. Their ongoing efforts and future objectives chart a clear path towards a more inclusive and equitable industry.
Crucially, Hippo Digital recognises the importance of reaching a diverse pool of candidates in their recruitment process. To this end, they utilise diverse job boards, such as DiverseJobsMatter, to ensure that their job opportunities are accessible to a wide and varied audience. This approach not only broadens their reach to talented individuals from different backgrounds and experiences but also aligns with their core belief in the value of a diverse workforce.
By actively seeking out diverse candidates through these inclusive platforms, Hippo Digital not only enriches its own team but also contributes to the broader goal of increasing diversity in the tech sector. Their use of diverse job boards is a testament to their proactive approach in building a workforce that truly reflects the diversity of the society they serve.