Think Business, Think Equality launch at The Lighthouse

Last Friday we launched our Think Business, Think Equality tool and accompanying short films at The Lighthouse in Glasgow. The free, online tool allows small and medium businesses to self-assess their business practice by taking one or more of five short tests based on specific themes: flexible working, workplace culture, pay and reward, progression and promotion, and the different jobs that women and men tend to do. On completion of each test you receive a report based on your answers, and a personalised action plan for your business which details simple changes you can make to your workplace practice that are good for your people and for your business as a whole. You can also access more detailed information on each topic with free downloadable guidance, allowing you to tailor your approach as much as you like.

We were very proud to unveil our four short animations, produced by Media Co-op, which bring to life the business benefits of gender equality, each in a punchy 30 seconds. Each film centres on a different theme, from innovation to valuing your people, and we hope these will grab the attention of people working in small and medium businesses, and pique their interest in the tool.

The event was chaired by Anne Meikle from Women’s Enterprise Scotland, and we heard from our own Anna Ritchie Allan on the business benefits of gender equality, and Amanda Turner gave a step by step walk through of one of the tool’s tests. We were also delighted to have Patrick Byrne, CEO of Pursuit Marketing, and Pursuit’s Operations Director Lorraine Gray, in attendance to give a business’ perspective on the tool. Event attendees included SME owners, business agency representatives and equalities specialists; it was a great chance to hear different perspectives, and there was a very productive networking session afterwards.

The tool is available online at www.thinkbusinessthinkequality.org.uk, and you can also download the free app for iOS, Android or Windows.