Ending Soon! Save 33% on All Access

How to Embed Inclusivity Into Work Culture Through Mentorship Janice Omadeke's The Mentor Method helps companies attract and retain diverse workforces through mentor matchmaking.

By Alice

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

By now, the business case for diversity and inclusion in the workplace is well documented. Over a third of minority professionals leave companies that are not diverse and inclusive. When new hire costs can rise to $500,000 and more, high attrition rates become a major drain on the bottom line. On the positive side, companies that are culturally inclusive outperform their competitors by 80 perform, so there are strong financial incentives to foster a more inclusive culture.

Janice Omadeke founded the Washington, D.C.-based The Mentor Method to help corporations achieve their diversity and inclusivity objectives through mentorship, something she says is critical to baking into a company's culture at every level, not just as a HR initiative. Omadeke describes The Mentor Method as the eHarmony of corporate mentoring, meaning the software uses algorithms to match emerging talent with more experienced employees to increase diversity and employee retention.

When it comes to running her own company, Omadeke's best advice: "You don't ask, you don't get."

For more, check out Alice's resource recommendations for hiring a diverse team and for pitching venture capital firms.

Alice is a free digital platform that makes smart, instant connections between business owners and the resources they need to accelerate sustainable growth and global impact. Alice is open to all founders and prioritizes access for women and other underrepresented business owners.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Kickstarter Is Opening Up Its Platform to Creators and Making Big Changes to Its Model — Here's What's New

The company noted it is moving beyond traditional crowdfunding and making it easier for businesses to raise more money.

Business Culture

The Psychological Impact of Recognition on Employee Motivation and Engagement — 3 Key Insights for Leaders

By embedding strategic recognition into their core practices, companies can significantly elevate employee motivation, enhance productivity and cultivate a workplace culture that champions engagement and loyalty.

Franchise

Know The Franchise Ownership Costs Before You Leap

From initial investments to royalty fees to legal costs, take stock of these numbers before it's too late.

Employee Experience & Recruiting

Beyond the Great Resignation — How to Attract Freelancers and Independent Talent Back to Traditional Work

Discussing the recent workplace exit of employees in search of more meaningful work and ways companies can attract that talent back.

Career

What the Mentality of the Dotcom Era Can Teach the AI Generations

The internet boom showed that you still need tenacity and resilience to succeed at a time of great opportunity.