How do companies create a culture where “colorful” is commonplace? - summary of the episode

This podcast episode (in German) focuses on the proutz initiative, which aims to create an inclusive working atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, safe and understood. Tabea Nickenig, Manager at zeb and co-founder of the network, not only shares the story of how the initiative came about, but also sheds light on its goals and significance.

proutz stands for “proud to be out at work” and acts as the LGBTQI+ network within zeb. It creates a space where education, tolerance and diversity can flourish. The podcast also explains what the acronym LGBTQI+ stands for, namely lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual, while the “+” is a placeholder for all other identities. Tabea also talks about the meaning of “cis”, which refers to people who identify with the gender they were biologically assigned at birth. Microsoft Teams now also offers the option of adapting the gender pronoun.

The focus of proutz is to provide education on topics such as gender identity and sexual orientation. This is done not only to empower members of the LGBTQI+ community, but also to give those outside this community the opportunity to engage with these important issues. The initiative actively campaigns against prejudice, discrimination and stereotyping and promotes inclusive communication.

proutz is not only a platform for knowledge transfer, but also a safe space for discussion within the LGBTQI+ community. Members have the freedom to get involved, promote their own topics and discuss sensitive matters with confidants.

What’s more, proutz generates interest among our clients, as they would appreciate support in all relevant steps from organizing a network to anchoring these topics in the company’s strategy. This offers potential for strategic consulting projects, which are increasingly taking center stage in the financial services sector.