The COVID-19 pandemic was the catalyst for many businesses to start remote work and it has now become the norm. While remote work has many benefits, it also presents unique challenges for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
In a traditional office setting, employees from different backgrounds have the opportunity to interact with each other on a daily basis. This can help to break down barriers and create a more inclusive workplace. However, in a remote setting, employees may have less opportunity to interact with each other, which can lead to isolation and a feeling of being left out.
In addition, remote work can make it more difficult to identify and address unconscious bias. For example, a manager may be more likely to give a promotion to an employee who is similar to them in terms of race, gender, or age. This can lead to a less diverse and equitable workplace.
Promoting Inclusion in a Remote Workplace
Despite these challenges, there are a number of strategies that businesses can use to promote DEI in a remote workplace. These include:
Encouraging communication and collaboration. One of the best ways to promote DEI in a remote workplace is to encourage communication and collaboration. This can be done by using video conferencing, chat tools, and other technologies that allow employees to interact with each other in real-time.
Creating a sense of belonging. It is also important to create a sense of belonging for employees from diverse backgrounds. This can be done by providing opportunities for employees to connect with each other outside of work, such as through employee resource groups or social events.
Addressing unconscious bias. Finally, it is important to address unconscious bias in a remote workplace. This can be done by providing training to managers and employees on unconscious bias and how to mitigate its effects.
By taking these steps, businesses can create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive remote workplace.
Here are some additional tips for promoting DEI in a remote workplace:
Be intentional about creating a diverse workforce. When hiring, make sure to cast a wide net and consider candidates from all backgrounds.
Provide unconscious bias training for all employees. This training can help employees to identify and address their own biases.
Create a culture of inclusion. This means fostering an environment where all employees feel welcome and valued, regardless of their background.
Celebrate diversity. This can be done by hosting events that highlight the diversity of your workforce or by creating opportunities for employees to share their stories.
By following these tips, you can create a remote workplace that is truly inclusive and welcoming for all employees. If you’re in the market for great data talent and bringing more diversity onto your team, you should reach out to the Colaberry team. We have a full bench of top-tier data talent.
Remote Work is the New Normal: How Colaberry Graduates Are Geared Up to Face any Challenge
Remote work is now the new normal. Companies are having to brief employees on how to use popular video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meetup just to keep productivity moving along. Managers are having to lead this drastic shift when their teams aren’t completely ready for remote work. Disruption often comes in many forms and can leave behind those who aren’t ready to adapt and seize new opportunities.
According to the World Health Organization, there have been over 8,300,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 around the globe to date, and there seems to be no area of the economy or our daily lives that has not been affected by this pandemic. So, in short, this challenge isn’t going away. The United Nations estimates that nearly “half of the global workforce is at risk as job losses increase due to COVID-19.”
“These past few months have been challenging for all of us. The coming weeks and months will likely be difficult as well. In these unprecedented times, we need to work together to keep moving forward,” said Ram Katamaraja, Founder and CEO of Colaberry. “Our mission at Colaberry has always focused on providing pathways to well-paid jobs and rewarding careers in the Future of Work. More than ever, we are committed to furthering our mission, and supporting those who are most impacted by the pandemic.”
According to Forbes, “Now that [remote work] is the new normal, companies are signing up for remote communication tools in droves. In March, Slack’s users went up by 2 million in one week.” Colaberry’s instructor-led, remote training boot camps are filled with technical upskilling, team-building exercises, and human skills-building sessions that make the difference between great employees and average ones.
Technologically-Savvy
Colaberry graduates go through an intensive training experience where they already use remote work tools like Zoom, collaborate across time zones, and meet project deadlines without breaking a sweat. Graduates learn tools like Tableau and Microsoft SQL while they complete their boot camp and build projects that showcase their knowledge and readiness to enter the workforce.
Uniquely Ready for any “Remote Work” Challenge
With career automation and COVID-19 turning organizations inside-out and eliminating jobs by the millions, employees are being forced to adapt to the Future of Work and learn skills that are practical and necessary. Being prepared for the Future of Work isn’t just about employees building technical know-how or being able to code; the most necessary skills are those that are often overlooked and forgotten by today’s growing organizations. Colaberry’s remote boot camps incorporate activities that build these 4 core “human skills” that change graduates’ professional lives:
Grit
Emotional Intelligence
Critical/Creative Thinking
Problem-Solving
Colaberry’s unique curriculum, built on the award-winning Refactored.ai learning platform, allows users to build these in-demand human skills and learn faster and more effectively. Colaberry’s graduates work at some of the largest companies such as Microsoft, Facebook, and Google. They continue to build their human skills as they are led by successful, experienced Success Managers like Mika Hopson, one of Colaberry’s most successful graduates.
Mika’s is one of many stories heard from so many graduates. Having transitioned from homelessness into a lucrative career in Data Analytics, her first job out of the program was as a SQL Server Reporting Services Developer at a large insurance company. Although Mika had no technology experience before joining the Colaberry Data Analytics Program, she now proudly works as Colaberry’s Program Success Manager overseeing the large team of instructors and mentors serving Colaberry trainees in over 49 countries.
“I have always been very strong-willed and a go-getter. When I was a child, my mother was a single parent raising 3 kids, and we lived paycheck to paycheck. One day, I told my mom that I would have a really good job, and a house, and would never be broke. I was prepared to do whatever it took to make this dream a reality and I have done so with Colaberry’s help.”
Colaberry has been providing one-of-a-kind, career-oriented training in data analytics and data science since 2012. We offer instructor-led onsite and online classes. Learn with us in person on our campus in Plano, Texas, or remotely from the comfort of your home. We have helped over 5,000 people to transform their lives with our immersive boot camp-style programs.
In-Demand Skills
Colaberry training programs equip you with in-demand tech and human skills. Our up-to-date lessons and carefully crafted curriculum set you up for success from day one. Throughout the training and the job search, our mentors will support and guide you as you transition into a fast-paced and exciting field of data analytics and data science.
Project-Based Learning
Our programs integrate projects that are based on real-world scenarios to help you master a new concept, tool, or skill. We work with you to build your portfolio to showcase your skills and achievements.
Award Winning Learning Platform
You will be learning using our homegrown technology platform Refactored AI which was recognized as the “Most Promising Work of the Future Solution” in global competition by MIT SOLVE. Our platform also received General Motors’ “Advanced Technology” prize and McGovern Foundation’s “Artificial Intelligence for Betterment of Humanity” prize.
Placement Assistance
Colaberry’s program, platform, and ecosystem empower you with skills that you need to succeed in your job interviews and transition into a high-paying career. Over one-third of Colaberry graduates receive job offers after their first in-person interview. We provide you continuous mentoring and guidance until you land your job, and provide you post-placement support for twelve months so that you not only survive but thrive in your career.
Financial Aid
At Colaberry, we strive to create opportunities for all. We work with each individual to ensure the cost of the training does not hold them back from becoming future-ready. We offer various payment plans, payment options, and scholarships to work with the financial circumstances of our learners.
Military Scholarship
Colaberry is committed to supporting men and women who have served our country in uniform. As part of this commitment, we offer Military Scholarships to enable active-duty, military spouses, and retired military members to transition into civilian life. We have already helped numerous veterans by creating a pathway to rewarding and exciting careers in data science and data analytics. We hold alumni events and provide an extensive support system and a strong community of veterans to help our students succeed. Contact our enrollment team to find out more about how we can help you.
