Research shows that diverse companies often outperform their less inclusive counterparts. Frances West, IBM’s first chief accessibility officer, emphasizes embedding diversity and inclusion into core operations and innovation in her book Authentic Inclusion Drives Disruptive Innovation.

Drawing from her experience as a first-generation immigrant and executive, West advocates a human-first approach that aligns principles, purpose, and profit. This blog explores her insights on operationalizing inclusivity, bridging the talent gap, and enhancing customer experiences—highlighting its relevance for app development in nyc and beyond.

Bridging the Talent Gap

West stresses the importance of innovative sourcing strategies to tap into underrepresented groups such as women and individuals with disabilities, app development nyc can leverage this approach to fill STEM roles and unlock untapped talent potential.

Enhancing Customer Loyalty

Inclusion enriches both workplace dynamics and customer experiences. By developing products that accommodate diverse abilities, companies, including those focused on app development in NYC, can foster customer loyalty and long-term engagement.

Designing for Extremes

Designing for the extremes leads to innovations that benefit everyone. West cites the example of eye-gaze technology initially developed for Stephen Hawking, which later found broader applications in autonomous vehicles—showing how niche innovations can have widespread impact.

Addressing Bias in Technology

West emphasizes the importance of diversity in AI development to prevent unconscious biases from being embedded in technology. Leaders in NYC's app development sector must prioritize diverse teams to create fair, transparent, and unbiased technology solutions.

Operationalizing Inclusion: The 6 E Framework

West introduces the “6 E Framework” to transform inclusion from a core value to a core practice. This framework includes:

1. Embrace: Senior leadership champions the concept of inclusion.
2. Envision: Develop a clear strategy for inclusion.
3. Enact: Implement policies that institutionalize inclusion.
4. Enlist: Allocate resources and funding.
5. Enable: Provide education and training on digital inclusion and accessibility.
6. Ensure: Measure progress and outcomes.

By adopting this framework, app companies nyc can foster sustainable, authentic inclusion, enhancing both innovation and business outcomes while contributing to a more just society.