The Business of Racism: Why companies need to do more

Let’s be bold - racism is not good for business. Now I have said it, let’s consider the obvious negatives: the significant harm that it causes to some of your staff; how it stifles productivity and ingenuity; and the crushing impact it will have on brand loyalty leading to consumer boycotting that will have a far reaching and long lasting negative impact on your business.

However, we also know that if a business is going to tackle the historical chains that continue to bind and even kill those of colour, then business will need to do more than just tick box their equality policies or ensure there are a sprinkle of ‘coloured’ faces on the website.

I appreciate it is easier to type these words than to enact them. We should acknowledge the fear that comes with tackling racism. What if I say something ‘wrong’, what if I say something that is ‘misconstrued’, or if I am ‘cancelled’ - this, of course, would also not be good for business. 

In my opinion, racism feeds off fear, shame and embarrassment. It thrives on the fact that we feel safer if we remain with our heads below the parapet. The fact that some are, understandably, confused or uncertain about how to approach such a sensitive topic without, at best, sounding ridiculous, or at worst being called a racist, should also not be ignored.

That first pensive step into taking action doesn't need to be on the world stage. It also doesn't require you personally or your business to demand controversial attention, for example, the destruction of a statute, although the action does need to be meaningful. Referencing reams and reams of policies that you brush the dust off every few years to confirm that they contain the correct political wording is not enough when those in your workplace continue to feel threatened, abused and/or marginalised. 

It is actually very easy for businesses to start doing more. Even the simplest of steps such a considering the type of artwork you display in both the public and private areas of your workplace or the magazines that are in your waiting area, send an important subconscious message to all about your business, the inclusive message you uphold and the community your business represents. It's this type of activism that can sometimes say so much more.

Do not be afraid to seek advice from local community leaders about what they believe their marginalised communities need in terms of acknowledgement and respect as opposed to simply being ‘seen’ or paying lip service to a cause. Events that tie your business to your community such as supporting minority groups to access your work force through mentoring and networking or offering opportunities to learn new skills shows that your business it not simply seeking to be a voice against racism, but providing practical proactive models of change.

You must remember to give your workforce the opportunity to educate themselves away from their team or the office. Ongoing education and the ability to listen are skills we all need to hone and be reminded of on a regular basis - be you the victim of racism, who has lost the ability to express your concern due to fear, the racist, or the person who sits back and watches. True activism begins with the individual, by supporting your workforce in providing opportunities for them to train in areas that support the community to fight racism, evidences to your most important resource - your staff - that you are seeking to do more than just portraying an attractive face to consumers.

In America they have created the 15% Pledge, it was designed to get retailers into purchasing 15% of their products from black owned businesses. Again this is something that can so easily be replicated from your sole trader to conglomerate, from your clothes traders in Aldgate, to the ceramic makers in Stoke on Trent.  

Being anti-racist doesn't mean you have to shout it from the roof tops. Also being an ally doesn’t mean you have to prove your worth by potentially sacrificing what is important to you. Hardwicke Chambers, a group of Barristers working in London, Lincoln’s Inn, recently decided to rebrand as Gatehouse Chambers after discovering that their name had links to slavery. This was an incredibly bold move for them and showed that the decision was not about money, but how they wish to present themselves locally and on the world stage. …how far are you prepared to go?