Seeking companies that are leaders in diversity and inclusion

After the success of the lists of Leaders in growth, sustainability, exports and Stars of the South (as well as Law firms of the year), Il Sole 24 Ore and the international research and analysis company Statista are launching a new survey: Leader in diversity and inclusion. The initiative is aimed at valorising companies in Italy that stand out for their work in terms of diversity and inclusion (D&I). Companies that on average are more ethical, profitable and attractive for investors, customers and collaborators.
The call is already available online and allows companies to apply until 8 May 2024. D&I managers or entrepreneurs of Italian companies with a minimum of 250 employees can register to be contacted and guided in completing a questionnaire that collects data and your company’s performance indicators on diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, it is possible to propose oneself as an expert for the evaluation of applications. The Statista research team, led by Valentina Marcazzan, will analyze the data at its headquarters in Hamburg (Germany) and is available to answer any questions about the tender and the KPIs (key performance indicators) collected (just send an email to leaderD&I @statista.com).

Why apply

The ranking will focus on the ability of companies to be a laboratory of social development and innovation in human resources management. The companies with the best indicators will have the opportunity to be included in the prestigious ranking, which will enjoy wide visibility. Il Sole 24 Ore, in fact, will publish in 2025 an in-depth analysis on paper and online dedicated to research, with an interactive digital section edited by Lab24 and links to all company websites; there will be no shortage of marketing and communication initiatives to support the launch. All participants, regardless of their inclusion in the final ranking, will have the opportunity to receive, as thanks for their participation, an account lasting two weeks for access to the Statista’s complete database with over 18 thousand research sources on all industries and economic sectors.
The candidacy does not include any entry fee, like the other lists created by Statista and Il Sole 24 Ore for years. Companies included in the list will have the opportunity, if they wish, to purchase the right to use the award logo in their marketing and communication materials, making the most of this prestigious recognition. This will constitute a valuable opportunity to make the success of the awarded companies known to potential business partners, customers and investors.

The invitation to participate

For its part, Statista will also have a proactive role in the search for applications: it will carry out a pre-selection by examining the thousands of companies in the public and proprietary databases on which it works and will consult the D&I list of the Denominator partner. Over the years, the American company has created the largest international database of companies active in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, with data relating to three million companies in 195 countries. Based on this preliminary research, Statista will send a letter also signed by Sole 24 Ore inviting companies deemed eligible to participate. The companies that receive the letter would do well to apply, because they have a strong chance of getting on the list (at no cost). «Our research team in Germany, also made up of some Italians, like me – explains Statista analyst Valentina Marcazzan – will collect various key performance indicators on the employment policies implemented by companies, naturally valorising those who have already obtained the Equality Certification of gender. At the same time, the opinions of two panels will be collected: workers and experts, who will be able to express themselves on the labor policies implemented and on the global D&I strategies of companies. The Denominator data will also be used to compose the score of the companies, which will ultimately be weighted with the opinions of a panel of experts appointed by Sole 24 Ore. A complex and complete procedure, which aims to enhance good practices, with the hope that they will become viral in their economic sector.”