DEI strategy & programming

Our customizable DEI strategy and program development services are comprehensive in scope and support achievement of long-term, enterprise-wide workforce, workplace and marketplace goals.

In the know

What is a DEI consultant?
Diversity consultants with exceptional skills, knowledge and practitioner experience can help organizations become more diverse, equitable and inclusive through customized DEI strategy development, DEI assessments and DEI training services, for example. When done effectively, execution of these diversity and inclusion services in a customized fashion helps organizations achieve their respective workforce, workplace and marketplace goals.

What is a DEI strategy?
A DEI strategy is a comprehensive plan of action designed to achieve an organization’s major DEI-related goals. To be effective, it must align with and support overall organizational goals in terms of workforce, workplace and marketplace.

How we create DEI strategies
Our DEI consulting on strategy and program development services aren’t one-size-fits-all. In our comprehensive approach to diversity consulting, we use an inquiry-based discovery process with clients to understand organizational goals, diagnose problems, identify priorities and focus areas. We value thoughtful collaboration and work together to set goals, articulate expectations, and define deliverables that connect to core values and drive desired outcomes. Our customized diversity and inclusion solutions are presented on time and on budget and make a measurable impact.

Our strategic planning services look across the enterprise to cover all aspects of our clients’ work, from workforce (attraction and retention strategies, selection processes) to workplace (employee engagement, professional development) to marketplace (product development, marketing, sales and supplier diversity). We use our practitioner experience and proprietary strategic assessment framework to accurately diagnose organizational realities and recommend policies, processes and procedures that enhance and sustain inclusivity.

Our background as human resources practitioners uniquely positions us to consult on building people-centered practices that help your organization compete for top talent – and keep it. We cover all elements of creating robust recruitment processes and engineering inclusive employee experiences.

How we develop DEI programming
We partner with executive and human resources teams to develop customized and robust DEI programs that harness the potential of an inclusive environment to accelerate growth and inspire innovation. Whether you are looking for guidance on launching employee resource groups, initiating an ongoing training schedule, developing a mentoring program, creating a robust Affirmative Action Program (AAP) or other customized programming, we can explore opportunities for deepening your organization’s commitment through demonstrated action.

What is a supplier diversity program?
Having a diverse supplier pool is a competitive advantage and a powerful business tool. Supplier diversity programs provide fair and equitable opportunities for small, diverse and historically underrepresented enterprises to do business with you. When you have a supplier diversity program, you proactively identify, build relationships with, and purchase goods and services from enterprises owned by people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community that can help you achieve your organizational objectives.

Testimonial by Bethany Sweeney, Des Moines Area Community College

Watch Bethany share her views on our work helping Des Moines Area Community College.

Testimonials

“Like many organizations, we’ve learned that we have some work to do to become a more inclusive and equitable organization – for our community, staff and other stakeholders. Rather than attempting to figure out what to do on our own, we approached several highly regarded DEI consultants to better understand what they do and chose to work with Schabel Solutions after learning about their extensive practitioner experience, which we felt set them apart. Claudia and Brad were very likeable, approachable and eager to understand our unique barriers and needs. They met us where we are. After working with us to develop our customized long-term DEI strategy along with some metrics to measure ongoing progress, we now feel confident in where we have to go next on our DEI journey and know that we can call them for help whenever needed. I highly recommend them.”

– Carolyn Hamblin, Campus Dean, Mohave Community College, Arizona

“Recently, we partnered with Schabel Solutions to determine the next steps in our DEI journey. This was the best experience we’ve had with a consulting firm in the 4+ years that I’ve been with the bank. Having done this work as practitioners in large multinational companies before starting their firm in 2016, they were able to pull from a long history of DEI-related professional experience and accumulated know-how when consulting with us. They didn’t draw out the process. They met us where we are. They uncovered our current barriers and provided realistic and beneficial recommendations that were within our scope of consideration. We appreciate the concise way that they summarized our current state and recommended next steps. It was a pleasure working with them.”

– Dawn Beck, Vice President of Human Resources, i3 Bank, Nebraska