Editorial

Gilbert Boileau
President, Adecco Canada

In the business world, everyone’s focus is gaining a competitive edge.

Will this be achieved by uniquely weaving AI into our processes? Or, will it be something totally different? The possibilities are limitless since we are constantly integrating new ideas into our solution’s ecosystem to improve services. Identifying needs, pinpointing solutions and executing to yield results. Simple? Yes, but only if we have strong teams filled with the best people for the job working for us.

Finding the right talent to build the right team is challenging, and that’s why diversity and inclusion is no longer a choice. Bringing in fresh perspectives and new voices is the only way to remain relevant. This is the disruptive force of diversity that drives competitive advantage, as Amy MacLeod describes in her article in this issue. And if you want to adapt to a changing world and thrive within it, you need to listen to the best people for the job — people who don’t necessarily look like you or sound like you or think like you. It’s what makes life interesting and certainly what gives your company the ability to remain competitive.

And you’ll need that competitive advantage. Our world is shrinking all the time, as globalization opens markets and technology makes it easier than ever to connect with people halfway around the world. It certainly makes it easier to find diverse talent and create a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds. But what this interconnectedness does for us shouldn’t be reduced to a description of the marketplace. It also makes us look externally, making it more obvious than ever what our place is in the greater global context. That can be scary for some people, but I see it as an opportunity to gain diverse perspectives at the expense of ignorance.

At The Adecco Group, we are committed to running an organization that creates fair economic opportunities where all colleagues, clients and candidates are valued for the diversity they bring to the business. Voted one of the Best Workplaces™ in Canada in 2018 by our own employees, we’re proud to consistently receive high scores from our valued colleagues, especially regarding inclusivity. We look forward to continued success supporting our employees through our national diversity committee and ongoing partnerships in the local communities we serve.

“If you want to adapt to a changing world and thrive within it, you need to listen to the best people for the job — people who don’t necessarily look like you or sound like you or think like you.”

The organizations featured in this year’s magazine are also embracing diversity and inclusion as their social responsibility for the common good, which also serves as an important competitive advantage.

Cathy Leonard starts the issue by establishing a working definition of diversity and inclusion and sharing strategies for implementing policies for organizations of all sizes. Topics in diversity and inclusion are addressed next, as Christine Thomlinson of Rubin Thomlinson LLP outlines lessons learned from the #MeToo movement, Jade Pichette of Pride at Work Canada presents the business case for LGBTQ2+ inclusion, and Wyle Baoween of HRx examines systemic barriers facing women in the workplace. Next, we hear from organizations that are putting diversity into practice. Two Edmonton organizations describe their programs for expanding available opportunities for individuals with Doug Piquette describing the programs run by the Edmonton Region Immigrant Employment Council and Megan Bates writing about Women Building Futures. Alida Burke then describes The Growcer’s success providing solutions for underserved communities. Lastly, Amy MacLeod and Magnet Forensics’ Thusha Agampodi provide personal reflections on the journeys and outcomes of implementing diversity and inclusion.

Gilbert Boileau

President, Adecco Canada

Gilbert was appointed as Adecco’s President in 2017, following a successful two-year stint as our Regional VP for Québec. He has over 25 years’ experience in the staffing and consulting industries, in a variety of sales and executive leadership roles. He is recognized for his ability to create, support and leverage key business initiatives, and has a passion for growing business that is equal to that of the most driven entrepreneurs. Prior to joining Adecco in 2015, Gilbert held leadership roles with major companies in which: he grew regional offices that became the dominant player in their respective market; acquired, integrated and managed various staffing companies across Canada and the US; and, built and managed successful sales and delivery teams in various markets. He has a degree in mechanical engineering from Université de Sherbrooke.