Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

“Diversity is a fact; Inclusion is an act”

We live, live and work in a very diverse society: with diversity in culture, origin, religion, age, language and in physical and personality traits.
Without realising it, we unconsciously form opinions about other people. With one look, we decide whether we trust someone or whether they should gain our trust. As a result, we ask and engage some people faster and more than others. Of the latter group, we often leave knowledge and expertise untapped in brainstorming sessions, in problem solving and when dealing with customers.

Diversity only works in an inclusive context…: Many studies have shown that companies that have an inclusive work environment are more successful and resilient. (McKinsey, 2020).

Actively promoting inclusion

If you know how you unconsciously form opinions and preferences, you can take steps to make more objectively relevant decisions about employees, products and markets. We help your organisation determine the right steps that fit its organisational culture, team and strategic goals.

We start by mapping the current situation and the specific objective. Then, in consultation, we put together a programme from a range of workshops, coaching sessions and strategic advice on:

  • Inclusive leadership
  • Connectedness
  • Unconscious prejudice
  • Diversity, equality, inclusion and belonging
  • Awareness of micro-aggressions
  • Power and privilege

Participants in this programme will be able to:

  • recognise what prejudices and barriers exist in the organisation.
  • use practical tools and language to encourage their team to talk about misunderstandings and perceived inequality beyond origin and ethnicity.
  • identify tools and actions to better embed diversity and inclusion in the organisation’s context, structure and daily actions.
  • better place diversity and inclusion in strategic and tactical objectives.
  • define own inclusive objectives that fit the strategy, organisational culture and people, and secure them sustainably. 

Are you interested in this training?

Please complete the form below or send an email to info@cultural-insights.nl. We will then contact you as soon as possible.

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Saskia Maarse is a Dutch intercultural speaker, trainer and author. For six years, she researched how Dutch culture is experienced by people from other cultures. She did so through in-depth interviews with entrepreneurs and managers from 30 different countries. She wrote two books on the subject: Tutti frutti – Success in a colourful and entreprising Netherlands and Onder de zeespiegel – collaborating and living together with the Dutch.

Saskia’s fascination for cultural differences started at a young age. She worked in tourism for over ten years, including several years in France, Spain, Italy and Austria. Her work experience abroad and her subsequent trip around the world broadened her view of the world and its inhabitants. Her research provided Saskia with much: more cultural awareness and extensive knowledge about Dutch culture in relation to other cultures.

Saskia’s mission is to provide as many people and organisations as possible with cultural insights and awareness in an accessible and inspiring way, so that more understanding of different cultures is created.

“During our team building day in Openluchtmuseum Arnhem we have had the pleasure to enjoy a very interesting cultural awareness workshop focussing on the Dutch culture in comparison with other cultures, how other cultures see us Dutch and what we can learn with the 6 principles of intercultural working from Saskia Maarse. The diverse group that we were with 25 people, 6 nationalities and even more cultures (including Frisian and Limburg) were really enthusiastic and even more understood the importance of good communication (verbal and visual) in international business.”
Marko van der Smitte, Sales Director Alfa Laval

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