DEI Isn’t Soft. It’s a Business Strategy, Period

Episode Title: Episode Audio Link: https://podcast.ablackexec.com/episode/DEI Isn’t Soft. It’s a Business Strategy, PeriodEpisode Video Link: In this episode of A Black Executive Perspective Podcast, host Tony Tidbit sits down with Zach Nunn, CEO and founder of Living Corporate, to dismantle one of corporate America’s biggest lies, that DEI is a “nice to have” instead of a business imperative.Zach shares his journey from Big Four consulting to building Living Corporate, a digital media and analytics consultancy focused on measuring fairness, trust, and experience across employees and customers. Together, Tony and Zach dig into why so many organizations misunderstand Black owned businesses, confuse performative DEI with real impact, and rely on vibes instead of data to manage culture.The conversation goes deep on how fairness can be measured, why storytelling is a leadership advantage, and how companies can integrate DEI into core business strategy rather than isolating it in HR. They also tackle the realities of managing a multi-generational workforce and the risk leaders take when they ignore trust, transparency, and authenticity.This episode makes one thing clear. DEI is not soft. It is strategic. And companies that fail to treat it that way will pay for it in terms of talent, trust, and growth.▶︎ In This Episode00:00: Addressing Assumptions and Subtle Racism01:24: Introducing A Black Executive Perspective01:57: Meet Zach Nunn: Founder of Living Corporate03:39: Zach's Family and Background06:54: The Mission of Living Corporate10:27: Challenges in Corporate America14:52: Data-Driven Solutions for Companies19:40: The Reality of DEI Work27:03: The Evolution of a Product27:35: Navigating DEI in Corporate Policies30:47: Measuring Fairness and Employee Experience31:37: The Importance of Data-Driven Insights40:12: Case Studies and Client Success43:11: Future of Work and Generational Diversity47:17 Closing Thoughts and Call to Action🔗 ResourcesLinks and resources mentioned in this episode:🔔 Listen and SubscribeListen to this episode and subscribe for future updatessubscribe to A Black Executive Perspective podcast onYouTube PodcastsApple PodcastsSpotify PodcastsAmazon MusicOther platforms or by searching "TonyTidbit"if you like what we're doing and would like to support us, here's some ways you can help us continue the uncomfortable conversations that drive changesubscribe to our newslettergive us up to a 5 star review on Apple Podcastsshare an episode with a friend, family member or colleague🗣️ Follow @ablackexecfollow us across social media @aBlackExecLinkedInInstagramFacebookYouTubeTwitterTikTokWhatsApp⭐️ Follow @TonyTidbitfollow Tony across social media @TonyTidbitTwitterLinkedInFacebookThis episode was produced by TonyTidbit ™ . Copyright © 2024 A BLACK EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this podcast may be reproduced without prior written permission. For permissions, email [email protected] .