Steelcase, a global design and thought leader in the world of work, creates and manufactures furniture for offices, hospitals, and classrooms. The company works to build diverse teams, ensure equitable access to opportunity, and create a culture of inclusion. Developing a sustainable, diverse global workforce is as important to the organization as developing better workplaces. “To make a transformational difference, we need to operate in new ways by establishing more inclusive and innovative approaches,” says Kim Dabbs, global vice president of ESG and social innovation at Steelcase, which is based in Grand Rapids, MI.
Steelcase isn’t alone. Among companies in the Design and Make industries, 43% say skilled talent is a barrier to growth, according to Autodesk’s 2024 State of Design & Make report. That’s down significantly from 64% in 2023. Although macroeconomic conditions may explain some of the drop, the report reveals that expanded recruitment and upskilling efforts have been among the top solutions companies have turned to in addressing the talent problem. These approaches can help them attract new employees, retain existing ones, and improve productivity to the mutual benefit of employer and employee.
In addition, the State of Design & Make report states that businesses are taking steps to strengthen their company cultures to appeal to recruits and convince workers to stay for longer. Leaders at Steelcase spend a great deal of time thinking about how to build a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture. “The work experience is shaped by policies, process, and tools, but it’s also shaped by culture and space,” Dabbs says.
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