We often hear that we need to strive for a more diverse workforce. But what if just having diversity as your goal does more harm than good?  In this Episode of 'all about business', James is joined by Dr. Heather Melville, OBE CMgr CCMI FCBI, to explore how inclusive business practices can drive growth, retain talent, and align organisational values with commercial strength. They shed light on understanding different needs and demographics within the workplace that go beyond mere diversity so you can make impactful cultural changes to help your business thrive. Heather is a Trustee and Senior Advisor, the Chancellor of York University and a Partner at Stork and May. She’s also the Chair and Non-Executive Director of CMI Women, where she empowers and develops women in leadership. In 2017, she was awarded an OBE for services to Business and Gender Equality, which is why she’s the perfect person to talk to us about building an inclusive business. 02:25 Defining Inclusivity in Business 03:58 Challenges and Misconceptions in Diversity 06:55 Practical Steps for Inclusivity 10:57 Leadership and Inclusivity 17:09 The Cost of Ignoring Inclusivity 22:59 Real-World Examples and Stereotyping 26:23 Gender Pay Gap and Organisational Accountability 27:33 Creating Fair and Equitable Workplaces 27:59 Inclusive Hiring Practices 29:23 The Importance of Leadership in Inclusion 30:17 Employee Advocacy and Organisational Response 31:00 Personal Experiences with Leadership 36:12 Balancing Work and Personal Life 44:45 Recruitment Strategies and Positive Action 48:16 Looking Forward: Future Goals and Reflections 50:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Follow Healther on Linkedin  Follow Heather on X Follow James Reed on Linkedin All About Business is brought to you by Reed Global. Learn more at: www.reed.com This podcast was produced by Reed Global and Flamingo Media. If you’d like to create a podcast to elevate your brand, visit Flamingo Media