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While dozens of companies have suddenly retreated from DEI efforts this year, leaders in inclusivity say theres reason to be hopeful that this work is continuingalbeit more quietly than before. Even as companies like Target, IBM, and Goldman Sachs have ditched their diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, other leaders still firmly believe that diverse teams offer a competitive advantage. There has been progress in the past decade-plus, but it has looked like three steps forward and two steps backwhich underscores that such work has never been more important, according to Jana Rich, founder of Rich Talent Group. What you’re seeing, I think, are some really strong leaders taking a stand as the antithesis of fear, Rich said, speaking at the Fast Company Innovation Festival in New York last week. Leaders who have retreated on the work of inclusion are really missing the moment, added Daisy Auger-Domínguez, CEO of Auger-Domínguez Ventures. What you’re seeing now is this retrenchment to try and build more status quo in organizations at a time where innovation and creativity are most needed. Who killed DEI? The notion that DEI programs are expandable if a companys financials are impacted or there is a different shift politically is problematic, as other key programs wouldnt be on the chopping block in similar scenarios, Auger-Domínguez told the audience. Why cut DEI when it is fundamental to the culture and the creativity and the innovation?” she asked. Even though there is data to support that inclusivity improves a companys bottom line, some DEI programs were built with zero scaffolding, noted Cristina Mancini, CEO of Black Girls Code. Programs built on optics versus systems were bound to fail, she added. At the first sign of a wobble, at the first sign of a wind, they come tumbling down because the intent wasn’t 100% there, Mancini said. My frustration with DEI programs is when the DEI programs are actually marketing versus hiring DEI practitioners to build true pipelines of talent that can, for the better, support the organization and become leaders themselves. Banking on younger workers Even so, theres reason to be optimistic that this retrenchment is temporary and companies will opt back in, Mancini said. While consumers have successfully boycotted companies like Target for walking back their DEI efforts, Auger-Domínguez noted that employees also need to feel empowered to create workplaces that work for everyoneand to remember that they have a choice in where they work. We see through the B.S. of what’s being told to us, and people are voting with their feet, Auger-Domínguez said. The challenge here for these organizations is that you’re losing trust, you’re losing loyalty . . . many of us may still stay in organizations because we’re trying to wait this out, but I’m going to give you a lot less because I just don’t trust that you’ve got my back. Younger generations in the workforce are being very selective about where they put their energy and will have the opportunity to affect change, Mancini said. And because they were raised on the idea that diversity comes in many forms, those future leaders are a beacon of hope, Rich added. While it might take a while, I actually feel like our twentysomethings are going to change the world, Rich said.
Category:
E-Commerce
Kroger is celebrating National Chocolate Milk Day, which, by the way, is a real holiday that falls on Sept. 27, in the best way. They’re giving away free chocolate milk to loyal customers. Or, at least customers who log-on and grab the coupon in time. The Kroger Co., which serves over 11 million customers daily through its e-commerce and retail food stores, is offering up free half-gallons of Kroger Chocolate Milk over two days this month. “Chocolate milk may be the original after school treat, but Kroger Brand Chocolate Milk has grown into so much more it’s a top-rated favorite among customers of all ages,” said Ann Reed, Group Vice President of Our Brands at Kroger, in a press release. Reed added, “We’re excited to toast National Chocolate Milk Day by sharing this special delight for free with a limited-time offer.” The event kicks off this weekend. On both Friday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27 you can snag your own half gallon free of charge. Per the release, Kroger says that customers can download a single-use digital coupon at Kroger.com to use online, or print out to use in stores. But chocolate-milk-lovers should hurry, as the coupon will only be available for redemption on the aforementioned dates starting at 12 a.m. EST, while supplies last. According to the announcement, the offer excludes certain divisions and stores “where dairy laws apply”. Those areas include: Delta, Nashville, Mid-Atlantic, King Soopers, Ralphs, Food 4 Less in California, Louisiana (Houston and Dallas), Missouri (Dillons), and Nevada (Smith’s). However, those subject to the exclusion can still use the coupon to snag a free box of Kroger Brand Cereal with a purchase of Kroger Chocolate Milk. The giveaway comes shortly after Kroger announced it would cut nearly 1,000 jobs from its corporate workforce in August. Earlier in the year, a failed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, valued at $25 billion, was blocked by a federal judge. The company also said it would shutter around 60 stores in 2025. Kroger’s giveaway also falls within the brand’s customer appreciation week, which runs from Sept. 24 through the 30th. The company says many grocery item prices have been knocked down in the name of saying thanks.
Category:
E-Commerce
President Donald Trumps second-term strengths look different from his first, according to recent polling. Once strengthened by economic issues, Trump’s approval is now relatively low on the economy and he’s leaning on his stronger issues of crime, border security, and immigration. Concerns about the economy and immigration helped propel him to the White House, but polling over the past year shows that Americans’ faith in the Republican president’s handling of the economy is low, particularly among independents, and his approval on immigration has fallen slightly. Now, Trump’s strongest issues are border security and crime, but there were signs of potential weakness on crime in the most recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. At the same time, Trumps overall approval has been fairly steady in AP-NORC polling since the beginning of his second term in January. This month, 39% of U.S. adults approve of how Trump is handling his job as president, which is back in line with his average approval rating after a slight uptick in August. There was a similar pattern during his first White House term, when his approval stayed within a narrow range. Here are the issues on which he’s been strongest and weakest in his second term: Trumps biggest strengths are border security and crime Trump has turned border security into a strength of his second term, a sharp reversal from his first term in office. Most U.S. adults approve of Trumps approach to border security, according to the poll. He gets higher marks on that than on his handling of the presidency overall or other issues that had previously been top strengths, including immigration and crime. This has also emerged as a unique strength of his second term. Only about 4 in 10 U.S. adults approved of Trumps approach to border security in 2019, during which time Trump was focused on securing money for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. His approval on immigration is slightly lower than it was early in his second term, but it remains a bit higher than his overall job approval. In March, about half of U.S. adults approved of his handling of immigration. The most recent measure found his approval on immigration at 43%, a tick higher than his overall approval rating. Even with the slight dip, immigration remains a strength in a way it was not in his first term, when closer to 4 in 10 U.S. adults approved of his immigration approach. When he started his second term, it was about half who approved. Trump has taken steps to deport immigrants who are living in the United States illegally, and the recent poll finds a sizable share of Americans about half say Trump has gone too far in pursuit of that goal. That is roughly the same share as held that stance in a poll conducted in April. His approval on how he is handling crime is down slightly to 46%, after reaching 53% in August as he deployed the National Guard in the District of Columbia. But that still exceeds his overall job approval, and it also is an advantage among certain groups such as independents. About 4 in 10 independents approve of Trumps approach to crime, compared with 25% who approve of his approach to the presidency overall. Trump is weaker on the economy with independents The economy is often a fraught point for presidents, and there are indications that Americans continue to be concerned about the countrys economic state. Just 37% of U.S. adults approve of Trumps handling of the economy. That is down slightly from August, when 43% approved, but broadly in line with his overall approval. The economy is a particularly weak issue for Trump among independents. Only about 2 in 10 independents approve of how Trump is handling the economy, much lower than the share who approve of his handling of border security and crime. In Trumps first term, closer to half of U.S. adults approved of his handling of the economy. This height of his success on this issue came at the beginning of 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic sparked an economic downturn. His approval on this issue varied throughout the pandemic, and about half of U.S. adults approved of his economic approach just before he lost the 2020 presidential election. At that point, however, more were more worried about the coronavirus pandemic than the economy. His approval has been consistently lower in his second term. When he came into office, only about 4 in 10 approved of how he handled the economy. Trumps lowest issues among Republicans: Trade and health care About 7 in 10 Republicans approve of Trumps approach to trade negotiations with other countries and health care, marking the lowest issue ratings among his base. While he has a majority approval among Republicans on those issues, it falls short of his much higher approvals on topics such as border security and crime. Overall, U.S. adults are not thrilled about how he is handling these issues, either. Only about one-third approve of how Trump is handling either trade negotiations with other countries or health care. These have been steadily low in recent AP-NORC polls but roughly track with Trumps overall approval. They were also similarly low in his first term. About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say Trump has gone too far when it comes to imposing new tariffs on other countries. That includes about 9 in 10 Democrats but also roughly 6 in 10 independents and 3 in 10 Republicans. Very few people, including Republicans, want Trump to go further on imposing tariffs. Trump is earning lower marks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Some 37% of U.S. adults approve of the way Trump is handling the conflict between the sraelis and the Palestinians, down from the 44% who approved in March. Slightly fewer Republicans approve of how Trump is handling the conflict 72%, compared with 82% of Republicans who approved of the way Trump was handling the issue in March. Democrats are also slightly less likely to approve: 9% now, down from 14% in March. Despite this, Trump’s approval on foreign policy has been steady. About 4 in 10 U.S. adults approve, in line with April. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,183 adults was conducted Sept. 11-15, using a sample drawn from NORCs probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. Linley Sanders, Associated Press
Category:
E-Commerce
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