Tech companies should embed DEI goals into core strategies, using data to link inclusion with business outcomes. Tailoring DEI metrics by function, tying leadership incentives to results, ensuring transparency, and aligning recruitment, product, retention, and supplier diversity efforts drive lasting impact and innovation.
How Can Tech Companies Align DEI Metrics with Their Core Business Values?
AdminTech companies should embed DEI goals into core strategies, using data to link inclusion with business outcomes. Tailoring DEI metrics by function, tying leadership incentives to results, ensuring transparency, and aligning recruitment, product, retention, and supplier diversity efforts drive lasting impact and innovation.
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Integrate DEI Goals into Business Strategy
Tech companies should embed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) metrics directly into their core business objectives. By aligning DEI initiatives with overarching company goals—such as innovation, customer satisfaction, or market expansion—organizations ensure these efforts are not standalone but rather integral to business success. This integration fosters accountability and creates a clear link between DEI progress and business outcomes.
Use Data to Correlate DEI with Performance
Leverage data analytics to demonstrate how diverse teams contribute to better decision-making, increased creativity, and improved financial performance. By quantifying the impact of DEI on product development, employee retention, and customer engagement, tech companies can align DEI metrics with tangible business value, making the case for continued investment.
Tailor DEI Metrics to Business Functions
Different areas within a tech company—such as engineering, sales, or customer support—operate with varying goals. Customizing DEI metrics to reflect the unique challenges and opportunities in each department helps ensure alignment with specific business functions, allowing teams to see the relevance of inclusion efforts in their day-to-day work.
Link Leadership Incentives to DEI Outcomes
Incorporate DEI benchmarks into leadership performance reviews and compensation plans. When executives and managers have a stake in meeting DEI goals, it encourages genuine commitment and propagates organizational values throughout the leadership structure, ensuring these priorities align with business success.
Foster Transparent Communication Around DEI Metrics
Sharing DEI data openly within the company builds trust and enables employees to understand how their roles contribute to inclusive outcomes. Transparency also helps align individual and team efforts with the company’s core values, as everyone can track progress and celebrate milestones consistent with the business mission.
Align DEI Recruitment Metrics with Talent Acquisition Goals
By focusing recruitment DEI metrics—such as diversity of candidate pipelines or hiring rates—on attracting talent that drives innovation and customer insights, tech companies can link hiring practices directly to business imperatives. This ensures that diversity efforts support the goal of building high-performing, competitive teams.
Prioritize Inclusive Product Development
Integrate DEI metrics related to product design and usability to ensure that offerings meet the needs of diverse customer segments. Aligning these metrics with business values around user experience and market relevance helps tech companies capture new markets and enhance customer loyalty.
Embed DEI in Employee Development and Retention Metrics
Measure equity in professional growth opportunities, mentorship access, and promotion rates alongside traditional business KPIs. Aligning these metrics with talent retention and internal mobility strategies showcases how a diverse and supported workforce strengthens organizational capability.
Monitor Supplier Diversity as Part of Procurement Strategy
Expanding DEI metrics to include supplier diversity ensures that the company’s values extend through its supply chain. Aligning supplier diversity goals with cost efficiency and innovation in procurement processes supports the business value chain while promoting equitable economic opportunities.
Regularly Review and Adapt DEI Metrics to Reflect Business Evolution
As the tech industry evolves rapidly, so too should the DEI metrics. Continuously aligning these metrics with shifting business priorities ensures that DEI remains relevant and drives sustained impact. This agile approach helps maintain coherence between inclusion efforts and the company’s long-term vision.
What else to take into account
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