First came smart phones. Then smart homes. Now Parimi is shepherding Charter’s Spectrum Smart Cities strategy—and execution plan—that will provide the technology to help communities to digitize so they can better solve real-world issues. He advocates a proactive approach to improving diversity in the workplace. “Having diverse recruiters will go a long way—recruiters are the first point of contact, and seeing diverse recruiters will help candidates feel at ease.”
What does your company/organization do to ensure all employees feel included?
Charter is building its diversity and inclusion programs with a goal of making all employees feel welcome. These programs help us attract, retain and grow a diverse employee base that is representative of the markets we serve. Our recent launch of Business Resource Groups (BRGs), voluntary affinity groups where employees with shared characteristics, life experiences and/or interests come together to engage in activities and contribute to the business, is a great step towards advancing our culture of inclusion.
How can diversity be better incorporated into the recruiting process?
It is important to set goals and targets for recruitment, especially for recruiting at the senior leader level. It is also crucial that everyone is aligned on how this strategy benefits the business. We must measure our progress and share these results widely across the organization.
Rather than taking a passive stance to targeting and recruiting, the industry should proactively reach out to diverse talent. Having diverse recruiters will go a long way—recruiters are the first point of contact, and seeing diverse recruiters will help candidates feel at ease. It’s also important to build an internal pipeline of high-performing diverse talent who can step into leadership roles in the future.
Which current television show/s best embrace diversity?
Shows like “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Atlanta,” “Insecure,” “Fresh Off the Boat,” and “black-ish” are leading the industry’s efforts to embrace diversity. The shows reflect the world we all live in. From the diversity in the lead cast to covering pertinent issues within multiethnic communities, these shows can change people’s perception of diversity and drive an important conversation.
