introduction A local partnership between the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Ashanti Leadership and Professional Development Services, My East Coast Experience, and Footprint Life Coaching, launched this research project in June 2021 to discover how the local business community understands the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce and population, and how it is adapting management styles as a result. The study results were based on information gathered via direct conversations with business leaders and focus group discussions with owners of businesses and employees of such businesses. Additionally, a questionnaire was designed and given out to business owners and employees linked to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce (but not exclusively). The outcome of the research is now being shared with the broader community, as of the termination of the research in January 2022. The purpose of this research was to find out ‘what works and what doesn’t work’ from business owners and employees around Nova Scotia. For instance, do businesses need to change in order to address issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA)? If so, what resources do they use? What policies, processes, tools, and structural changes do they use and/or implement? Do they work? If not, why not? The approach of the researchers is that of “humble leaders” as outlined by Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein in a book of the same name (2018), outlining the power of relationship building, openness, and trust. The researchers wish to learn from businesses as to their levels of awareness of the terms diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, as they interpreted them, and to explore in a safe, non-judgemental environment as to how DEIA are reflected in the operation of their businesses. Confidentiality and privacy was imperative. No quotations from interviews or the focus groups are used without the express permission of the business owner/ leader concerned.
4
amplifying voices
As part of democratising research (in the sense we all have a contribution to make based on our lived experience, knowledge, expertise in varying fields, varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds, differing generations, perceptions, and vision), we wished to model within our research team of 12+ associate subject matter experts how we worked, shared with each other our talents, influenced each other, and collaborated to produce a product to which we can all feel we contributed. It is important to note the research was undertaken during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and its variants. This had, and continues to have, a profound negative impact on businesses with staff layoffs, business closures, illness and deaths of employees and family members, and dramatic downturns in income. Major changes in business operations as a result were being instituted during the research. The research team of Amplifying Voices are grateful to all the business owners and employees who participated in the research during this difficult time. Their commitment to the potential benefits of the research was exceptional, assisting in the gathering of hitherto unknown information that will better enable identifying levels of awareness, understanding, and willingness to address issues arising from the lived experience, including work experience, of individuals from communities of colour and other marginalized communities. We thank you. The researchers would also like to acknowledge the contributions of all the participants in this study. Without their help and expertise the study could not have been completed.
