Pressemeddelelse

Den 1. November 2020

Danmark, København 

New partnership combines forces in the fight for increased diversity, equity and inclusion in companies.

It is time to end the good intentions, shelved strategies and ‘diversity-washing’.

Girls Are Awesome and Mercer have joined forces to create a collaboration focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in business. Together, Girls Are Awesome and Mercer have the necessary tools to help companies move toward increased diversity and in turn improve their bottom line.

A classic match?

The two companies may look like opposites at first glance. However, this is exactly where the strength lies. The data-driven global human resources consulting firm Mercer and the more edgy impact platform and agency with a change-driven approach from Girls Are Awesome have complementary capabilities and share the same values ​​and great ambitions to create a more equitable labor market.

Diversity pays off

Taking action on increasing diversity and inclusion is no longer just a matter of responding to consumer demands for companies to take social responsibility. It is simply good for the bottom line. Prioritizing diversity increases both companies' innovation potential and growth potential. Several studies show the benefits of increased diversity, but there is still a lack of action in this area. A report from Boston Consulting Group shows that companies with high diversity create 19% more revenue^[1]. Deloitte has studied that diversity creates a positive work culture, and companies with high inclusion have 3 times as high efficiency and are twice as likely to exceed financial KPIs as companies without diversity and inclusion^[2]. Mercer's When Women Thrive 2020 Scandinavian report shows that the majority (94%) of companies and organizations claim that it is important to improve diversity, equity and inclusion, but just over half (55%) have a documented multi-year strategy for how they will achieve Equality^[3].

“There is a high demand for purpose from Gen Z and Millennials and beyond, a demand for companies to take their obligations seriously. As companies it is our responsibility to create the framework for more diversity. Not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it's good business. Being experts in youth culture we know your next generation of employees and how to communicate with them in a creditable way, design initiatives and programming where DEI isn’t the frosting, but baked into the cake. We translates Mercers strategies, data and analysis into accountable action” says Søs Bondo, Brand Director Girls Are Awesome.

Mercer helps companies all around the world to promote the health and performance of their most important assets – their employees. As a global leader in human resources consultancy, Mercer brings to the table expertise and guidance towards solutions in the field of diversity, equity and inclusion - based on data and insights, which are critical components when a company needs to analyze and prioritize its efforts. Girls Are Awesome comes into play when data and solutions need to be converted into action. Through communicative tools and experiences such as digital campaigns, programmes and events, they implement solutions to elevate representation, diversity and inclusion. Throughout all initiatives, they create stakeholder ownership to ensure a real corporate culture change.

“There are long-term gains to be made for companies and organizations that take the initiative to systematically improve diversity and seek to create a more inclusive culture. Gender equality is about much more than the composition and balance of genders across employees and leadership. It is about achieving equal opportunities for career development, promotions and pay for all. Through our collaboration with Girls Are Awesome, we combine our global network and expertise across genders, generations and industries - and we look forward to helping both Danish and global customers translate their good intentions into the creation of more inclusive organisations and, ultimately, a more inclusive society,” says Lea Lønsted, Head of DEI, Mercer Denmark

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Facts:

Mercer believes in building brighter futures by redefining the world of work, reshaping retirement and investment outcomes, and unlocking real health and well-being. Mercer’s more than 25,000 employees are based in 44 countries and the firm operates in over 130 countries. Mercer is a business of Marsh & McLennan (NYSE: MMC), the world’s leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people, with 76,000 colleagues and annual revenue of $17 billion. Through its market-leading businesses including Marsh, Guy Carpenter and Oliver Wyman, Marsh & McLennan helps clients navigate an increasingly dynamic and complex environment. For more information go to www.mercer.com eller www.mercer.dk

Girls Are Awesome is a community, brand and impact agency, which was founded in 2016 with a mission to create a broader female representation and a more equal society. Through partnerships, media content, experiences, products and culture, Girls Are Awesome is constantly pushing the norms and developments in the field of gender equality. With a global community of over 115,000 people, Girls Are Awesome have contributors and change makers all over the world. Girls Are Awesome is headquartered  in Copenhagen and works with companies such as; adidas Originals, Google, Brooklyn Brewery, the Innovation Foundation and Zalando among others, to focus on representation and diversity. For more information go to www.girlsareawesome.com

^[1] Boston Consulting Group, https://www.bcg.com/publications/2018/how-diverse-leadership-teams-boost-innovation

^[2] Deloitte, https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-wins-how-inclusion-matters

^[3] Mercer, https://www.mercer.dk/vores-viden/global-research-when-women-thrive-2020-dk.html