Chamber Business Forum stresses need for creating an inclusive workforce culture

Evidence has shown that what holds a company together as it progresses, evolves and becomes successful is the people; and what makes the people want to be there is the workplace culture.

During the Chamber’s Oct. 26 Business Forum: Cultivating an Inclusive Workplace Culture, attendees heard from three QC business leaders who are connecting with job-seekers and employees. Each shared some of their best practices in DEI, employee experience and engagement - elements that are making their businesses employers of choice.

“Workplace culture plays a critical role in the attraction and retention of talent,” said facilitator Claudia Schabel, Founder and President, Schabel Solutions, adding that employees are making it clear they seek more of a connection between their personal purpose and the organization they are representing. They want to thrive within their values and feel a sense of belonging. “When you have a sense of belonging that’s when you know your role and work you are doing is helping the organization move forward,” she said. “Organizations need to understand different ways to promote a sense of belonging and to do it holistically and authentically,” she said.

Each speaker opened with one thing about their organization’s workplace culture that could be replicated. 

Erick Recinos, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Program Manager, UnityPoint Health – Trinity

To combat silent bias and discrimination, last year UnityPoint Health - Trinity invited and gathered employees to engage in honest and open conversations. It challenged team members to draw close and participate fully in these conversations, many of which were had with people they don’t usually interact with. “And what we found is we care about the same things other people care about, and that has a big impact in the work we do for patients, for volunteers and for the community,” Recinos said.

Dr. Jon Sexton, SVP Culture and Leadership Development, Vibrant  

“As we think about creating inclusive communities, it is all about connection. As we bring employees together, the question becomes how do they feel safe, included and engaged in our environment? For us, it all comes back to career development. People don’t just want a good-paying job with opportunities for growth, they want an organization that connects with their values and gives them meaning to their work. We explore how we can do that through all of our leadership development components within the organization,” Sexton said.

Sarah A. Wright, CDE (Certified Diversity Executive), Diversity & Safety Coordinator, Shive-Hattery, Inc.

“At the center of everything we do is our culture. It is built on trust, mentoring, openness and risk-taking. This lends itself nicely to DEI and gives us a lot of opportunities to weave it into everything we do as we try to create a holistic shift in our culture and be intentional about our DEI strategies. We are being intentional in our actions and reaching out to our communities and looking at our policies to make sure everyone has the same access and support and is aware of what opportunities are available to them,” Wright said.

Thank you to our event sponsors: Bush Construction, Mediacom Business, UnityPoint Health - Trinity, Werner Restoration Services Inc., and our location sponsor, Bally’s Quad Cities Casino & Hotel.

The Chamber hosts on-topic and timely events throughout the year to provide you with information, resources and tools to advance your business. Next up: Economic Forecast 2023. Attend and hear an in-depth analysis of the economy on a national, regional and local level. Kevin Depew, RSM Deputy Chief Economist, provides macroeconomic perspectives and industry insights to help you prepare for the coming year. Don’t miss this one. Register now.