Comprehensive Action Equality drives innovation: Fast Retailing Fast Retailing believes it takes the bold thinking of an inclusive workforce to manufacture top- + Inspiration + Collaboration quality clothing. That’s why its Diversity and Inclusion Office has a mission to ensure the Forward-looking policies and practices are important, but they must hiring of more diverse individuals and also be evenly accessible to ensure that individuals or groups don’t encourage their advancement. The company is feel singled out or held back. When employees are inspired by those working to hire more women, eradicate inside and outside the organization, their commitment to living the discrimination in the workplace, and champion persons with disabilities—a commitment company’s core values, and for collaborating with one another, exemplified by its goal to hire at least one grows. person with a disability in each of its stores in Send a loud and broad signal: For example, encourage all new Japan. These comprehensive efforts, which parents, not just birth mothers, to take leave. started in its headquarters in Japan, are now spreading throughout the global organization. Cross-train and rearrange teams: Use work rotations, temporary In addition, the company’s new sustainability assignments or horizontal career moves to give people opportunities statement, “Unlocking the Power of Clothing,” to grow skills and to share knowledge across the organization. has challenged all employees to enrich people’s lives and society as a whole, in large Use networks: Encourage collaboration and support through part by producing built-to-last clothes with networks for your employees. digital technology that minimizes environmental impact. Look outward: Bring the outside in. Encourage people to develop external networks and partnerships and to attend events where they meet others and hear new ideas. 25 GETTING TO EQUAL 2019: CREATING A CULTURE THAT DRIVES INNOVATION