How DHI built a strong and sustainable L&D program for lasting change

DHI case study - two people sitting on chairs with notepad and laptop


The Challenge

Over the past few years, we’ve all experienced a number of world events and upsets that have dramatically impacted people’s work and personal lives. The team at DHI Group was no exception. Recognizing the challenges its team members were facing, DHI Group — a provider of AI-powered software products, online tools, and talent acquisition services for hiring global tech talent — wanted to provide support and care to its people. Ultimately, they needed a partner to help them charter a robust, inclusive learning and development program. That’s where PowerToFly came in.

The Goal

DHI Group wanted support creating a fair, equitable, and inclusive environment for its people, and they also wanted to give team members training that would help everyone, across perspectives and expertise, learn from the ground up. Additionally, they needed help identifying the right metrics to both drive and measure progress, and they similarly sought PowerToFly’s support in recognizing risk areas, prioritizing initiatives, setting targets, and assigning accountability, among other program goals.

Finally, DHI Group wanted to understand, outside of metrics, how to best gauge the impact of this work, too.

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The Solution: A PowerToFly Partnership

In PowerToFly, DHI Group saw a partner whose mission of getting diverse, underrepresented candidates more seats at the table dovetailed neatly into the company’s own talent acquisition work.

And, thanks to a holistic plan that PowerToFly shaped to DHI’s needs, the partnership quickly found a strong foothold. With customized solutions and ongoing support, PowerToFly supported DHI in getting a number of critical initiatives off the ground — ones that will drive sustainable, measurable impact in the long run. Here’s what that looked like

DHI Group chose to retain PowerToFly’s leadership strategy and consultation services, which consist of:

  • Becoming a Highly Inclusive Leader; what employees are looking for in leadership, and the impact of inclusivity.
  • Navigating Conflict Resolution; strategies to build trust, conflict resolution, and facilitate difficult conversations within the workplace.
  • Embedding DEIB Within Company DNA; how to build a culture of inclusion and belonging for underrepresented talent.
  • Amplifying Employee Engagement; best practices to champion for all identities in the workplace.

They opted for PowerToFly’s trainings to help them identify skills and strategies for driving inclusion, impacting both the bigger vision, and day-to-day practices of their organization.

DHI also looked to PowerToFly for Listening Circle facilitation, providing a productive, goal-oriented conversation space for team members on topics and issues that impact them.

“Partnering with PowerToFly allowed us to not just talk the talk, but to put action behind it. Over the course of our partnership, we have been able to show, not tell, how inclusivity is a strategic priority.“

- Rachel Ceccarelli, VP of Engagement, DHI Group, Inc

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The Impact

First, DHI Group’s CEO introduced PowerToFly to its team members in an all-staff memo, highlighting the value senior leadership was placing on workplace development and inclusion through this strategic partnership. Following a company-wide town hall with the CEO, in which the importance, meaning, and real-world relevancy of inclusion was further unpacked, team members were able to ask questions and learn more about the partnership. And after these initial introductions, DHI Group’s new, customized training program was rolled out in full. Team members were able to hear and learn from PowerToFly’s team of trainers directly, adding to the sense of authenticity and connection that powered the partnership.

After each and every training, DHI Group says it’s received positive feedback from staff, with leadership sharing that they believe team members feel both comfortable with and heard by PowerToFly’s expert staff of educators and trainers. DHI Group has also started an Inclusive Hiring Consultancy as a product of its PowerToFly partnership, with insights, feedback, and support from its team that will benefit the organization for years to come. And speaking of support, if DHI Group needs more resources and guidance as it continues with its journey, leaders know where to find it; they told us, “We appreciate that PowerToFly is just a call away if we find ourselves in unchartered territory”. Today, DHI is proud to offer four Employee Resource Groups, with ERG chairs from each group serving on a wider diversity council that maintains a direct line to senior leadership.

Choosing to continue with the partnership’s impact, DHI Group wants to build an inclusive hiring pipeline as their next focus. As this period of their consultancy wraps up, leaders are feeling ready to put their extensive work and learnings into action. Ultimately, they recognize that their proactive approach to attracting and retaining diverse talent will lead them to a more innovative and dynamic workforce, with a truly inclusive environment that helps every innovator meet their full potential.

The Numbers

In surveys taken after trainings, DHI Group employees have demonstrated the partnership’s true impact:

97.47%

Understand the concepts covered in trainings

91.12%

Know techniques to improve their daily practice

98.73%

Feel committed to creating an inclusive environment

“DHI conducts an annual engagement survey that measures sentiment across the whole organization. In one year, we saw a 23 point lift in response to a feeling of equality at DHI, putting us in the upper percentile of organizations. This is a direct testament of the partnership with PowerToFly and our team members putting into practice what they learn.”

Rachel Ceccarelli, VP of Engagement, DHI Group, Inc.

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