DEI is often treated as a social initiative - but in reality, it’s a core business issue that directly impacts performance, decision-making, and enterprise value.

In this episode of Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder, I speak with Michael Bach about why diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility belong at the center of business strategy. We explore how inclusion influences profitability, talent retention, and long-term value creation - and what happens when companies get it wrong.

Michael breaks down the fundamentals of inclusive leadership, including awareness of bias, cultural competence, understanding privilege, and empathy - and connects them to real business outcomes. We also discuss how leaders can measure inclusion in a meaningful way, using data and leading indicators tied to employee engagement, customer experience, and innovation.

For business owners and advisors, this conversation offers practical insight into where to start, what to prioritize, and how to think about DEI as an ongoing driver of business performance - not a one-time initiative.

About Our Guest:

Michael Bach is an author, speaker and thought leader in inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA). He has worked globally in the IDEA field, including as the Deputy Chief Diversity Officer for KPMG International. He is the founder of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and Pride at Work Canada. He is the author of the best-selling and award-winning books Birds of All Feathers: Doing Diversity and Inclusion Right and Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion at Work. In 2023, he was named as one of the 10 Most Influential DE&I Leaders Revamping The Future by CIO Views Magazine.

About the Host:

Dave Bookbinder is known as an expert in business valuation and he is the person that business owners and their advisors reach out to when they need to know what their most important assets are worth. Known as a collaborative adviser, Dave has served thousands of client companies of all sizes and industries.

Dave is the author of two #1 best-selling books about the impact of human capital (PEOPLE!) on the valuation of a business enterprise called The NEW ROI: Return On Individuals & The NEW ROI: Going Behind The Numbers.

He’s on a mission to change the conversation about how the accounting world recognizes the value of people’s contributions to a business enterprise, and to quantify what every CEO on the planet claims: “Our people are this company’s most valuable asset.”

Dave’s book, A Valuation Toolbox for Business Owners and Their Advisors: Things Every Business Owner Should Know, was recognized as a top new release in Business and Valuation and is designed to provide practical insights and tools to help understand what really drives business value, how to prepare for an exit, and just make better decisions.

He’s also the host of the highly rated Behind The Numbers With Dave Bookbinder business podcast which is enjoyed in more than 100 countries.

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