Women in Cable Telecommunications and the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications are once again partnering for their biennial employment survey, which measures gender and ethnic diversity in the cable industry.
This valuable research is unique to cable and has significantly raised awareness about the importance of workforce diversity while providing empirical data to inform key strategic decisions. As our consumer and employee base becomes more and more diverse, the industry’s ability to attract and retain the best possible talent is ever more critical to profitability and sustainability. If those are among your goals, then you should take part in the survey.
Mercer, a global leader in talent development, will administer the survey. And because the Walter Kaitz Foundation is underwriting the cost, there is no charge to participating companies. In exchange, participants will receive a wealth of information — all confidential — to help inform their diversity and inclusion tactics. Companies will invest the staff time required to complete the survey, but there is much to be gained.
Each participant will receive a custom report from Mercer to benchmark its performance. As part of this confidential diversity scorecard, Mercer will produce benchmarks reflecting the demographics of their key labor markets.
Mercer will also provide an Internal Labor Market (ILM) map showing the flow of women and people of color in each organization and projections of how the diversity makeup at management levels can be expected to change over the next five years. Also, for the first time, Mercer representatives will be available for 60-minute private postsurvey reviews to explain the findings.
Created in 2003, WICT’s PAR Initiative has evolved into a comprehensive program that examines the status of women in cable based on three criteria: pay equity, advancement opportunities and resources for work/life integration. Companies continue to use the WICT PAR Intiative’s collective resources to set goals, measure progress and adopt effective policies and programs.
NAMIC’s AIM (Advancement Investment Measurement) is the latest iteration of the employment survey launched in 1999. It provides rich data central to understanding the state of multi-ethnic diversity in the cable industry and is a key resource for sustaining the pipeline of professionals of color. NAMIC’s Executive Leadership Development Program and Leadership Seminar are key outgrowths of the employment research.
The survey opened on Jan. 29; data will be collected until March 20. Results will be revealed at a joint Town Hall Meeting on Sept. 29, part of Diversity Week in New York. At that point, we will know what progress has been made since the last survey in 2013.
We urge all MSOs, programmers and vendors to take part. After all, aren’t you striving to increase profitability and ensure the long-term health of your company?
Maria E. Brennan is president and CEO of WICT. Eglon E. Simons is president and CEO of NAMIC.
