In the world of tech and SaaS, it's very common to have a North Star Metric—a single measure that best captures the overall value a product delivers to its customer. It acts as a guiding light to keep teams aligned and ensure everyone is heading in the right direction.
At Dayshape, alongside the North Star Metric we hold for our product, we have another metric—our DEI North Star:
"A place where people can be their true selves at work"
This is at the heart of everything we do. It guides all of us—our leadership team, DEI board, People team, and all of our Dayshapers—on our DEI mission:
"We support the creation of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all Dayshapers. Together, we will drive positive change and contribute to the creation of a work culture where everyone can thrive. In doing so, we improve the working lives of our colleagues and customers."
What we've achieved so far this year
To deliver on this mission, we have annual strategic objectives. So far this year, we have:
- Launched a quarterly DEI bulletin: providing updates, events, and sharing resources with all Dayshapers.
- Promoted volunteering opportunities: allowing Dayshapers to utilize their volunteering hours and support causes they care about.
- Partnered with Tech for Good: reinforcing our commitment to using technology as a force for positive impact.
- Hosted an All Hands meeting focused on wellbeing: discussing mental health, self-care, and top tips for managing wellbeing at work.
- Encouraged SLT involvement: sponsoring our key DEI pillars and regularly attending our DEI board meetings.
- Delivered (and continue to work on) employer branding and website content: spreading the word on our DEI mission.
- This includes a new Life at Dayshape video—watch this space!
- Maintained 100% completion of DEI and harassment prevention training for all members of our global team.
- Launched peer-delivered yoga sessions twice a month: helping Dayshapers learn more about the practice and history of yoga and encouraging some time out of the working week to relax.
- Moved into our new Dayshape HQ: a modern office space that is accessible to all, furnished with gender neutral bathrooms, and a wellbeing library.
Measuring what matters
Unlike a traditional product-focused North Star Metric, our DEI North Star is perhaps not as easy to measure. We can (and do!) conduct engagement surveys and hold DEI-A-Logues where Dayshapers can share their experiences and learn from each other's perspectives on topics like family life, being LGBTQ+ and allyship, mental health, neurodiversity, and more. These forums foster understanding and connection to help us learn from one another and grow together.
But we acknowledge that there'll never be a single KPI for DEI and that's okay. When it comes to diversity and inclusion, there can be no "mission accomplished" until there are no barriers to authenticity. And so, we continue to progress every day to ensure everyone at Dayshape feels safe, seen, and supported to be their true selves.
