This week on Revenue Rehab, our host Brandi Starr is joined by two powerhouse guests, Sharon Nyangweso and Anna Radulovski. Meet Sharon Nyangweso, the innovative founder and CEO of Quake Lab. Sharon champions a radical problem-solving approach with an equity lens that is measurable, strategic, and grounded in design thinking. Her work revolves around dismantling invisible systems to promote inclusivity and equity in businesses. Anna Radulovski is the visionary founder of Women Tech Network, boasting a membership of 150,000 across 179 countries, along with leading initiatives such as Coding Girls and Executive Women in Tech. Anna is passionate about breaking barriers and redefining the tech landscape for women. In this Problem Solving episode, Brandi, Sharon, and Anna explore the critical importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as fundamental business drivers. As companies reconsider their DEI strategies under external pressures, our guests delve into the damaging myths around DEI, the impact on revenue, and why prioritizing equitable practices is not just morally right but strategically essential for sustainable business success. Episode Type: Problem Solving Industry analysts, consultants, and founders take a bold stance on critical revenue challenges, offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else. These episodes explore common industry challenges and potential solutions through expert insights and varied perspectives. Bullet Points of Key Topics + Chapter Markers: Topic #1 The Business Imperative of DEI [07:47] “Our big original sin when it comes to this space... is thinking about equity as a moral imperative rather than a business imperative," Sharon Nyangweso notes. "The challenge is... you decide, oh, this is no longer beneficial to me because the social capital is either reducing or it has come up against too much backlash... However, for the organizations that started seeing it as a business imperative, that does have a moral aspect, but it is first and foremost a business imperative.” This approach demonstrates the potential long-term impacts of DEI on business metrics such as market share and customer loyalty. Topic #2 Diversity Beyond Ethnicity [16:55] “I think there is this misconception that DEI is strictly race, gender, and sexual preference," Brandi Starr mentions. She highlights the often overlooked segments like people with disabilities or mental health issues. "By doing things that help to accommodate some means, you are actually benefiting more." This discussion emphasizes how inclusivity in policies, like remote work, impacts a diverse range of individuals, ultimately benefiting the organization comprehensively. Topic #3 The Curb Cut Effect and Inclusivity [34:13] “If you are designing for the population who is most kind of marginalized... you are inadvertently going to capture the largest amount of people," Sharon Nyangweso explains. "A great example is with these curb cuts... initially created for people using mobility devices, yet they benefited an incredible influx of other people." This example illustrates how solutions designed for inclusivity often provide broader benefits, increasing operational efficiency and market reach. Rapid Fire Round In the rapid-fire round, Brandi Starr asked Sharon Nyangweso and Anna Radulovski four critical questions about tackling DEI challenges. When asked, “If your company has a DEI problem, what’s the first step you should take?” Anna emphasized the importance of analyzing data to pinpoint specific issues, as DEI challenges are often nuanced. In response to, “What’s one red flag that signals a company has a DEI problem but might not realize it yet?” Sharon highlighted that relying solely on training is a warning sign, indicating a lack of deeper systemic change. When asked, “What’s the most common mistake people make when trying to fix DEI challenges?” Anna pointed out that companies often expect underrepresented groups to solve DEI issues simply because they belong to those groups, which can lead to tokenism instead of real progress. Finally, to the question, “What’s the fastest action someone can take today to make progress on DEI?” Sharon recommended conducting an organizational audit to uncover challenges and guide targeted action. Links: Sharon Nyangweso Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequakelab/ Links: Anna Radulovski LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaradulovski/ Subscribe, listen, and rate/review Revenue Rehab Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts , Amazon Music, or iHeart Radio and find more episodes on our website RevenueRehab.live
