‘Gone are the days of employees having to be present from 9-5 to get the job done. We need to treat people like individuals and allow them to work in a way that works for them.'
This was just one of the points raised at our inaugural IAPI Conversation Series, which took place at Verve on Thursday 5th July. Spearheaded by Charlotte Barker and the IAPI sub-committee on Diversity, the series has been designed to give agency members the opportunity to discuss and debate topical and taboo issues that they might not otherwise get the opportunity to talk about, in an open and confidential forum.
Representatives from a mix of creative and media agencies came along on the night, which saw discussion around topics such as the concept of flexible working and its compatibility with our industry, being male in the advertising industry in an era of #metoo, and the question of whether or not our world is an ageist one; with little respect for the young, and even less for those over 50.
What the evening really highlighted was the general consensus that we need to raise these and other issues higher up the agenda and need to become open and talkative in our approach to diversity. The industry has come a long way in the last few years, but the feeling is that there is a lot more to do if we are going to be as progressive, inclusive and forward thinking as other industries. Without good discussion, healthy debate, and an openness to change, we could end up on the back foot, and could end up closing the door on great talent who don’t feel like they can be themselves or thrive in an agency environment.
As highlighted by Charlotte Barker in her intro to the evening; ‘our industry is about challenging the status quo, and none of us are here to sit on our hands. Let’s get talking, and let’s challenge ourselves to think differently and to action change’.
The next Conversation Series will take place in the autumn and will cover a range of new topics as suggested by attendees at the inaugural session.
If you’re interested in changing the status quo and making our industry a leader in diversity and inclusion, keep an eye on our events page and then get involved!
