The Future of Work: The benefits of Investing in DEI Support

 

The conception of Easyshop Easycook in 2001 was born out of a desire to support working professionals. I, as a soon-to-be-wed working woman, was contemplating the domestic challenges that I may face while balancing a full-time job. My friend and I sat down and discussed the household tasks that women typically manage and how technology could help. As a tech sector professional, I honed in on grocery shopping and conducted research to gauge addressable market size. With my background as a website developer, I built a website and established the company to tackle this challenge. The rest is history.

Over the years, I've explored the difficulties faced by working professionals. This led me to take a course in DEI to better understand the challenges and plan how Easyshop Easycook can effectively respond to them. To us, delivering fresh groceries is more than just providing food, it's about enabling a better lifestyle, strengthening marriages, advancing careers and generating wealth. This has been evident in the families we have supported over the past 20 years. Many of these women have grown from entry managers to top executives such as board chairs, federal ministers, commissioners, business owners, ambassadors and C-suite executives. Today, their grown children are using our service for their own homes, and it's a source of pride for me and a testament to our success.

In today's rapidly evolving business environment, organizations face the challenge of fostering diverse and inclusive workforces. With increasing emphasis on DEI, companies seek ways to support their staff and cultivate a harmonious work environment. One of the most impactful ways to achieve this objective is through investment in DEI support services; which aims to aid companies in establishing a culture of diversity and inclusiveness.

A recent report by McKinsey & Company, a leading management consulting firm, highlights the benefits of gender diversity in the workplace. According to the report, companies with gender-diverse leadership teams have a significantly higher chance of financial success, with a 21% higher likelihood of above-average profitability compared to companies with less gender diversity. Despite this, women remain underrepresented in top executive roles, with only 25% of C-suite positions globally held by women in 2020. The study found that companies with gender-diverse executive teams have a 56% higher operating profit margin, emphasizing the positive impact diversity can have on business performance. Despite progress in some regions, women's representation in senior management remains low, particularly in Africa and Latin America.

These numbers emphasize the significance of gender diversity in the work environment and the advantages that come from promoting diversity and inclusion. While many organizations are striving to increase gender diversity, they face challenges in implementing inclusive practices. Those that have succeeded in this effort have sought assistance from DEI support services to establish Employee Assisted Programs (EAPs) to ensure the success of their inclusion initiatives.

The presence of diversity in the workforce is crucial, but it's just as important to implement supportive structures that address the unique needs of employees. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) play a crucial role in this. EAPs aim to provide employees with the resources they need to tackle challenges that impact their work performance. This can include resources for work-life balance, mental health and wellness, financial support, legal assistance, substance abuse and addiction support, career development, health and wellness, stress management and family support.

By offering access to EAPs, companies can foster a sense of belonging and appreciation among employees. Providing employees with resources to tackle challenges they face helps retain talent and demonstrate that their wellbeing is a priority. Implementing these support services is a key aspect of creating an inclusive workplace.

At Easyshop Easycook, we offer a comprehensive lifestyle management program known as the 

Employee Support Package (ESP) to corporate organizations. ESP provides employees with a variety of work-life balance resources that take care of everyday responsibilities and help them perform at their best in the workplace. It includes services such as shopping, nanny care, creche, laundry, gardening and more. Additionally, we've also customized ESP into Estate Support Package (ESP) for facility management companies serving high net worth residents in Lagos, and a Customer Support Package (CSP) for banks to acquire and retain high net worth customers.

Investment in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) support services is vital for companies looking to cultivate a more diverse and inclusive work atmosphere. At Easyshop Easycook, we have witnessed the beneficial outcomes of these services on our customers for about 20 years. By providing employees with the necessary support to succeed in a diverse workplace, companies can foster a more positive and productive work environment. Our customers especially women have achieved great strides in their careers, shattered barriers, pursued political careers, balanced work and parenthood, and challenged stereotypes, all thanks to the lifestyle support services they received. Today, companies that have implemented these crucial steps in their organizations are seeing the rewards.

 

 

 

 

Tackling Food Waste in Nigeria with E-commerce

Nigeria, a land of vibrant culture and rich history, is facing a major problem of food waste. Despite the fact that tons of food go to waste daily, many people still struggle to access food. However, there is a solution that can tackle this issue and save money for all. 

Online grocery delivery companies, such as Easyshop Easycook and other e-commerce businesses, are leading the fight against food waste. These companies provide a platform for fresh food to be delivered directly from the farm to the table, saving produce from being wasted on the farms or in wholesale markets due to infrastructure challenges like bad roads, lack of storage facilities and affordable cold chain vehicles. 

These delivery companies use various platforms, including websites, mobile apps, and social media, to connect farmers with consumers. They not only tackle food waste but also create jobs, empower people, add value, and create wealth through e-commerce. Small business owners who source directly from farmers have also become processors or manufacturers, eliminating food adulteration and offering easy-to-cook local foods. 

Food waste is a major challenge in the agriculture supply chain in many African countries. Although the number of businesses in this sector is increasing, they face infrastructure challenges that make operating expensive. Addressing this requires government intervention, community involvement, and a collective effort. 

E-commerce can play a significant role in reducing food waste by improving supply chain efficiency and reducing the amount of surplus food that goes to waste. One way e-commerce can do this is by connecting producers with consumers in real-time, allowing for more accurate forecasting of demand and reducing the amount of produce that is over-grown and goes unsold. This helps to ensure that food is produced and sold in a timely manner, reducing the risk of spoilage and waste.

Furthermore, e-commerce companies can play a role in reducing food waste by promoting more sustainable and conscious consumer behavior. For example, some e-commerce companies like Easyshop Easycook offer customers the option to purchase products in bulk, reducing packaging waste and allowing customers to only purchase what they need, reducing the amount of food that is wasted at the household level. E-commerce can also help to promote food waste reduction by making it easier for consumers to access surplus food from farmers and food producers, reducing the amount of food that is left unsold and ultimately discarded.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), up to 30% of food produced in Africa is lost due to inadequate storage, transportation, and marketing systems. By providing farmers with access to new markets and reducing food waste, e-commerce has the potential to increase the availability of food and improve food security in Africa.

As Nigeria takes advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, it is crucial to recognize the role of the fresh grocery delivery companies in the agricultural value chain. Supporting them is vital to reducing food waste, creating wealth, and ensuring the success of the agreement. Whether small or big, these companies are essential to a thriving agriculture industry and must be supported to succeed.