McCann New York’s Post

Are you a UK-based LGBTQ+ entrepreneur?   Did you know that there are no official data or large-scale surveys about LGBTQ+ businesses founders and owners in the UK?   Please help us change that.   OPEN, a gay-owned, non-profit think tank, and OutBritain, the UK's first LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, are conducting the first ever large-scale survey of LGBTQ+ business founders and owners in the UK. This is an opportunity for you to raise awareness of the contribution and challenges of your business, and to secure new sales leads.   Please take 3 minutes to respond to our short survey. Be part of progress, and make your voice heard!   Responses are anonymous and confidential. While there is no need to provide your name, if you do, and with your permission, OPEN may contact you to feature in the report, and OutBritain may contact you to offer support in connecting with our sponsors and other corporates that want to source more from certified LGBTQ+ businesses as part of their supplier diversity programmes. Any personal data you choose to provide to OPEN will be processed in accordance with its GDPR-compliant Privacy Policy; likewise, with OutBritain's Privacy Policy. https://lnkd.in/eJUB7RhB

Sunday reflection, can we still call ourselves an LGBTQ community? what are your thoughts? In today's diverse world, embracing our individuality is of paramount importance. I firmly believe that personal identity goes far beyond the labels we use to describe ourselves. While I may not personally resonate with the idea of an LGBTQ+ "community," it's equally true that merely identifying as LGBTQ doesn't automatically make one a member of a predefined community. Every one of us is a unique individual with a distinct journey, history, and set of experiences. The LGBTQ+ acronym serves as an umbrella term, encompassing a vast range of identities and life paths. It highlights the extraordinary richness of human diversity, emphasising that there is no one-size-fits-all definition of what it means to be LGBTQ+. My journey is my own, just as yours is uniquely yours. We might share common experiences and face similar challenges, but this doesn't necessitate belonging to a single, monolithic "community." Instead, it underscores the beauty of human variation. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that, as humans, we all have our imperfections. We possess biases and prejudices that can be based on a variety of factors, including sexuality, gender, age, or ethnicity. These biases can impact the way we view others and the world around us. Confronting these biases is a shared responsibility. It's not about denying their existence but by recognising them and actively working to overcome them. When we do so, we contribute to creating a more inclusive and compassionate world for all individuals, regardless of their identities or backgrounds. In the end, our journey is a celebration of the uniqueness that makes us who we are. It is also an opportunity to stand together against biases and prejudice, fostering understanding, unity, and acceptance. Let's remember that while we may not fit neatly into a predefined "community," we are all part of the greater human community, and it's our collective responsibility to make it a more inclusive and equitable place for everyone. 🌈💪 #Identity #Diversity #Inclusion #Equality

Are you a UK-based LGBTQ+ entrepreneur?   Did you know that there are no official data or large-scale surveys about LGBTQ+ businesses founders and owners in the UK?   Please help us change that.   OPEN, a gay-owned, non-profit think tank, and OutBritain, the UK's first LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, are conducting the first ever large-scale survey of LGBTQ+ business founders and owners in the UK. This is an opportunity for you to raise awareness of the contribution and challenges of your business, and to secure new sales leads.   Please take 3 minutes to respond to our short survey. Be part of progress, and make your voice heard!   Responses are anonymous and confidential. While there is no need to provide your name, if you do, and with your permission, OPEN may contact you to feature in the report, and OutBritain may contact you to offer support in connecting with our sponsors and other corporates that want to source more from certified LGBTQ+ businesses as part of their supplier diversity programmes. Any personal data you choose to provide to OPEN will be processed in accordance with its GDPR-compliant Privacy Policy; likewise, with OutBritain's Privacy Policy. https://lnkd.in/eJUB7RhB

How LGBTQ+ Leaders Can Market Themselves and Their Unique Assets #commercewise. Share your thoughts about this. Upgrading your Brand New Adventure with @Commercewise. Let Commercewise bring this thoughts & ideas to your team, Book Dr. Tony Astro at www.commercewise.us.

I've had the privilege of meeting many inspiring LGBTQ+ business leaders over the past few months. However, I've noticed a common theme in our conversations. Many of these leaders express feeling like they're on the outside, not part of the traditional straight, white male networks. But when I ask how they leverage their own LGBTQ+ network, I often get silence. Digging deeper, it becomes clear that they actually have a strong queer network, but they're not tapping into it enough for business purposes. Not to mention that they are working on actively expanding and utilizing their LGBTQ+ network. It's time to stop lamenting about not being part of certain networks and start utilizing the power of our own LGBTQ+ business networks. They're stronger than we realize. Let's make the most of our connections and support each other in our professional endeavors. #LGBTQ+ #BusinessNetworking #SupportEachOther #LGBTQLeaders #LGBTQEntrepreneurs #IdentityVentures

Are you a UK-based LGBTQ+ entrepreneur?   Did you know that there are no official data or large-scale surveys about LGBTQ+ businesses founders and owners in the UK?   Please help us change that.   OPEN, a gay-owned, non-profit think tank, and OutBritain, the UK's first LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, are conducting the first ever large-scale survey of LGBTQ+ business founders and owners in the UK. This is an opportunity for you to raise awareness of the contribution and challenges of your business, and to secure new sales leads.   Please take 3 minutes to respond to our short survey. Be part of progress, and make your voice heard!   Responses are anonymous and confidential. While there is no need to provide your name, if you do, and with your permission, OPEN may contact you to feature in the report, and OutBritain may contact you to offer support in connecting with our sponsors and other corporates that want to source more from certified LGBTQ+ businesses as part of their supplier diversity programmes. Any personal data you choose to provide to OPEN will be processed in accordance with its GDPR-compliant Privacy Policy; likewise, with OutBritain's Privacy Policy. https://lnkd.in/eJUB7RhB

📢 📢 Please share with your networks!!! 📢 📢 Are you a UK-based LGBTQ+ entrepreneur?   Did you know that there are no official data or large-scale surveys about LGBTQ+ business founders and owners in the UK?   Please help us change that.   OPEN, a gay-owned, non-profit think tank, and OutBritain, the UK's first LGBTQ+ chamber of commerce, are conducting the first-ever large-scale survey of LGBTQ+ business founders and owners in the UK. This is an opportunity for you to raise awareness of the contribution and challenges of your business, and to secure new sales leads.   Please take 3 minutes to respond to our short survey. Be part of progress, and make your voice heard!   Responses are anonymous and confidential. While there is no need to provide your name, if you do, and with your permission, OPEN may contact you to feature in the report, and OutBritain may contact you to offer support in connecting with our sponsors and other corporates that want to source more from certified LGBTQ+ businesses as part of their supplier diversity programmes. Any personal data you choose to provide to OPEN will be processed in accordance with its GDPR-compliant Privacy Policy; likewise, with OutBritain's Privacy Policy. https://lnkd.in/eJUB7RhB

As Pride Month begins, I want to highlight how businesses are stepping up for LGBTQ rights. Jessica Shortall's 2019 article, "Why Many Businesses Are Becoming More Vocal In Support of LGBTQ Rights," really resonates with me, even today. For years, businesses have worked on creating welcoming environments for LGBTQ employees and customers. Recently, they've started speaking out more publicly, advocating for policies that protect our rights, even in challenging environments. This shift is largely driven by Millennials and Generation Z, who prioritize inclusivity. These generations are now the largest part of the workforce and influence recruitment, branding, and consumer choices. They understand that LGBTQ inclusion is not only the right thing to do but also good for business. Places that support LGBTQ rights attract more businesses, talent, and events, boosting their economies. Coalitions like Indiana Competes and Texas Competes show the power of businesses working together. These groups provide resources, expertise, and a unified voice, making a strong case for nondiscrimination and reducing political risks. However, despite these efforts, recent setbacks remind us that the fight is far from over. In several states, we've seen new legislation aimed at restricting LGBTQ rights, particularly targeting transgender individuals. These regressive policies threaten the progress we've made and underscore the need for continued advocacy and support from the business community. As a lesbian, it's important for me to show up authentically within my ecosystem. As we celebrate Pride, let's acknowledge the crucial role businesses play in pushing for equality. Together, we can keep working towards a future where everyone feels welcome and valued. #PrideMonth #LGBTQRights #BusinessForEquality https://lnkd.in/gf-be4Qm

LGBTQ+ History Month is coming up in February. Is your organisation ready?   To make the most of this opportunity to boost inclusion in your organisation, you need to engage with someone who not only identifies as LGBTQ+, but also someone who has substantial experience working as an LGBTQ+ executive in business, and in promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in practice as well as in theory.   In that way, you can hear from someone whose authentic lived experience not only amplifies understanding, awareness and empathy, but also someone whose knowledge can truly help your organisation become more LGBTQ+ inclusive in practice – and, in so doing, celebrate and leverage the real potential added value that such different perspectives offer.   Jae Sloan, of Apis Consultancy Group Ltd and the Proud Science Alliance, has observed: “What sets Geff apart is his deep knowledge and understanding of business and how inclusion has to be integral to support performance at the individual, team and organisational levels. I'm not sure I have met another consultant who is better able to understand how to help organisations move beyond performative inclusion.”   So if your organisation, or your LGBTQ+ employee resource group / network, wants to use this LGBTQ+ History Month to make a REAL difference, please do drop me a direct message here so we can together explore how I can support your plans and ambitions! #LGBTHistoryMonth #keynotespeaker #inclusion

LGBTQ+ Founders: Your Power Lies in Your Authenticity, Not in Hiding It! Today is Coming Out Day, prompting an important talk about trust between investors and founders. I've heard from many investors that they often aren't aware of their founders' LGBTQ+ status. A recent study found that 75% of LGBTQ+ founders keep this a secret from investors. This is concerning for both parties. Trust is key in the relationship between investors and founder, but it's hard to trust fully if part of who you are is hidden. It's not about sharing your private life, but about building a bond beyond business. Going out for dinner or talking about things outside of work helps build trust. But navigating this can be tricky. Coming out in business can feel really awkward for everyone involved. Do founders need to disclose their identity? Should investors inquire about it? Neither. It's our responsibility as investors to create an open and trustworthy environment where this becomes a natural part of the getting-to-know-each-other process between founders and investors. Founders, your strength lies in embracing your true self with confidence. Stand proudly by your identity, and don't hesitate to turn away investors who might view it negatively or have reservations. Your identity is your power, and the right investors will value you for it. #ComingOutDay #TrustAndAuthenticity #LGBTQ+ #VentureCapital