In the Race for Opportunity (RfO) Awards 2012 held this week, car hire company Enterprise Rent-A-Car received the Innovation Award for its unique Diversity Scorecard initiative. Race for Opportunity is the race diversity campaign from Business in the Community, a charity that stands for and encourages responsible business throughout the UK.
Enterprise is an inclusive business with an extensive network of more than 360 branches across the UK designed to be very close to customers: there is an Enterprise branch within ten miles of over 90 per cent of the UK population. Reflecting the culture and diversity of local communities is vital and has been proven to enhance customer service and performance.
Enterprise created the Diversity Scorecard (a 25-page guide and in-depth measurement tool) to be a truly inclusive business, with the ultimate aim of reflecting the communities in which it operates. From improving recruiting percentages of women and black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) employees to finding more diverse local suppliers, it was designed to encourage regional managers and HR teams to focus continually on diversity in many areas of the business.
The Diversity Scorecard was created collaboratively with Enterprise’s National Diversity Team. Its goals are to give the company’s local business units the opportunity to identify the scope for further diversity opportunities within their business; provide them with ideas to consider making their own; and share best practice.
It also acts as a tool to measure success, offers tips on monitoring and provides groups with valuable case studies.
Mike Nigro, managing director for the UK and Ireland at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, comments: “Diversity is a vital part of our business model, not just a ‘feel good’ programme. The Scorecard helps bring our values to life and gives our management team practical advice and examples to integrate into their business plans in a simple way; it is not over-complicated or complex, which makes it sustainable for the long term.
“We couldn’t be happier that our work in this area and the success of the Scorecard were recognised by Race for Opportunity.”
