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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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?

17. 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

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

19. 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 ( Thank you Stella for your wisdom and inspiration!

21. We look forward to welcoming your IP Inclusive Champion!