IP Inclusive / D&I Champions Some thoughts from IP Inclusive, with thanks to Stella Chandler of Focal Point Training and Consultancy Ltd September 2018

Please note that information, guidance and ideas provided by IP Inclusive are not intended as legal advice. We encourage our supporters to seek independent professional advice on legal aspects of their equality, diversity and inclusion policies.

What can a D&I champion do? Help spread the word about the importance of diversity and inclusion (D&I) Encourage colleagues to get involved Listen to their concerns, queries and suggestions Provide (non-attributed) feedback to the decision-makers in the organisation

What can a D&I champion do? Liaise with IP Inclusive Help us pursue our objectives and disseminate key messages about D&I Help get others involved with the initiative Facilitate access to IP Inclusive resources

What can a D&I champion do? Catalyse change in thinking and behaviours Help ensure organisational changes are implemented smoothly and to everyone’s benefit

What does a D&I champion not do? Single-handedly improve the organisation’s D&I They play a supporting role, albeit a vital one Solve everyone’s D&I problems They can help, by asking questions and listening, but do not carry responsibility for the solutions Act as counsellors They listen, but within appropriate and relevant boundaries

Who can be a D&I champion? Anyone! In any role Patent or trade mark attorney; IP solicitor or barrister; IP administrator, paralegal or secretary; searcher or information scientist; IP manager; HR or other professional support staff… At any career level

The qualities of a D&I champion Good communication skills A good listener Non-judgemental Discreet Trusted Comfortable talking to people throughout the organisation Able to see different viewpoints

The qualities of a D&I champion Enthusiasm for the cause Champions should be willing volunteers Energy But not boundless! Make the role time-limited Resilience

And, most importantly… D&I champions must have access to, and the support of, senior decision-makers in the organisation

Good things a champion can do Assist the organisation in implementing positive changes, by helping to: Feed back to decision-makers Identify barriers Overcome resistance Resolve misunderstandings Lead by example Provide a sense check for both decision-makers and others Call out inappropriate behaviour

Good things a champion can do Organise in-house events to explore D&I issues, e.g: Discussion forums Seminars Events based around resources such as webinars and IP Inclusive toolkits

Good things a champion can do Help the organisation embed effective, appropriately tailored D&I policies and practices

Good things a champion can do Reach out to champions in other organisations to create support networks, share best practices and pool resources E.g. by organising joint regional events

Good things a champion can do Help the organisation to fulfil its IP Inclusive Charter commitments Play a key role in creating a more inclusive workplace Develop new skills and widen their own networks Encourage others to be champions

Other things to think about How will the organisation recognise the work done by its D&I champion(s)? Status/formal job title? Accounted for in performance reviews? Accommodated in personal targets (e.g. billable hours)? Personal thank you messages or gestures of appreciation? Recognition in internal and/or external publications?

Other things to think about (for larger organisations) A network of champions, e.g.: one for each office location and/or department individual champions for specific “minority” groups, e.g. women, LGBT+, BAME, people with disabilities Try to recruit champions from a range of roles (e.g. fee earner, secretary, HR team) and seniority levels

To find out more about IP Inclusive… www.ipinclusive.org.uk www.careersinideas.org.uk LinkedIn discussion groups: IP Inclusive; IP Inclusive : Women in IP; IP Out Network; IP Inclusive: IP & ME @IPInclusive @ip_out @bameipinclusive

These notes are based on a talk given to the 23 January 2018 IP Inclusive AGM, by Stella Chandler of Focal Point Training and Consultancy Ltd (www.focalpointtraining.com). Thank you Stella for your wisdom and inspiration!

We look forward to welcoming your IP Inclusive Champion!