Drees & Sommer held its second Diversity Week from January 15 – 19, 2024. It featured a wide-ranging program covering all aspects of Diversity and Inclusion. Themed ‘Blue is boundless’, the event gave employees the opportunity to network, exchange ideas and learn together.
Panel discussion: There is no such thing as normal!
A highlight of the week was a live-streamed panel discussion on ‘Diversity and Inclusion in the corporate world’, with Albert Kehrer from Prout at Work and diversity trainer and speaker, Layla Bürk. Drees & Sommer was represented by Marc Schömbs, Member of the Executive Board, Markus Weigold, Partner, and Diana Wiedmann, CHRO and Associate Partner. The panelists discussed the importance of managers as role models, ‘normality’, and the correct approach to Diversity and Inclusion in companies. There was simultaneous interpretation of the discussion into English.
“There is no such thing as normal!” maintained Albert Kehrer. To which Layla Bürk added, “No one is free of prejudice.” She emphasized each individual’s responsibility in this regard. Other important statements made during the panel discussion included:
- Diversity and Inclusion is not a soft topic, but is directly linked to profitability and reputation. No innovation without diversity.
- It is not enough to claim that everyone has the same opportunities. You have to create the chances first!
- Diversity in leadership has the greatest impact.
- A successful Diversity and Inclusion concept is based on a mixture of commitment and truthfulness.
Other key offerings during Diversity Week included a Lunch and Learn session on (anti-)racism, unconscious bias workshops, implicit association tests, case discussions with colleagues, a session with the SHE@dreso women’s network, a Diversity Challenge, and local get-togethers at the various Drees & Sommer regional offices worldwide.