Supporting Diversity and Inclusion within the Channel

by Christian Buckley · Published August 4, 2019 · Updated August 7, 2019

The new partner guide “Building a More Diverse Workforce in the Partner Channel” is the culmination of almost 2-years of research, partner interviews, and leadership team discussions to outline actionable guidelines that channel partners can follow to develop strategies for diversity and inclusion within their own organizations. This new guide was released during the Microsoft Inspire partner conference last month in Las Vegas, and is available for free download (no registration required) at https://diversity.collabtalk.com.

One of the highlights of the Microsoft Inspire event this year was the D&I immersion experience within the Hub (expo hall). The interactive display shared stories from Microsoft employees and leadership, giving attendees an opportunity to reflect and engage on this important topic. The event program featured a number of important voices leading conversations around inclusion, accessibility and leadership including best-selling author Simon Sinek, Head of Strategic Partnerships for Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at LinkedIn, Jacqueline Jones, and Dr. Kendrick Wong, TalentSmart’s Director of Training.

For partners who want to attract, nurture, and retain a more diverse workforce, this research-based practice development guide includes perspectives from Microsoft Channel Chief Gavriella Schuster, Corporate Vice President One Commercial Partner, and includes partner stories and infographics, as well as an action plan to help partners develop their strategy step-by-step based on the insights and experiences from other partners. The guide and action plan focus on three pillars: Leadership, Recruiting and Hiring, and Retaining, and allows partners to gauge their own progress as they develop their strategy.