Our Human by Design pillar is our approach to amplifying economic inclusion and growing sustainably. We’re committed to building a diverse, human-centered culture, and we’re achieving this by fostering well-being alongside diversity, equity and inclusion, in our workplace and beyond.
Our strategic pillars
Under the Human by Design pillar, we focus on three strategic priorities: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Future Fit Work; and Wellbeing.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We know that diverse businesses are more resilient businesses. By creating an equitable and inclusive environment, we attract talent from a wider pool of candidates and ensure our workforce reflects the rich diversity of our customers and communities. Our DEI strategy shares details about the mission, vision, governance, commitments, goals, measures, and timescales across 3 strategic pillars – diverse teams, equitable culture, and inclusive leadership. For more information please see pages 30-33 in our FY23 Sustainability and Society Report.
Future Fit Work
Attracting and retaining talent is a key investment for Sage and is vital to business continuity and sustainable growth. At Sage, future fit skills mean nurturing adaptable capabilities such as digital literacy, design thinking, collaboration, and continuous learning that are crucial for success as the business grows. By making strategic commitments in this area, we hope to create a culture where colleagues feel proud, supported to do their best work, and develop the skills they need now—and in the future. For more information please see pages 36-37 in our FY23 Sustainability and Society Report.
Wellbeing
By making wellbeing, health and safety, second-nature to everyone at Sage, we ingrain a supportive environment where colleagues feel psychologically safe and supported to take care of their wellbeing. In turn, this contributes to a sustainable, enjoyable, high-performing
culture, which attracts and retains talent, increases diversity, and supports business productivity. For more information please see pages 34-35 in our FY23 Sustainability and Society Report.
The BOSS Impact Fund – investing in women of color
We are in the midst of a three-year partnership with The BOSS (Bringing Out Successful Sisters) Network, who promote and encourage the small business spirit and career development of women of color.
Sage funding has supported 35 black female entrepreneurs, each of whom received a $10,000 grant to help grow their business, alongside wrap-around business advisory
services through BOSS Business University webinar training co-hosted by Sage experts and mentorship. Sage is also the sponsor of BOSS Network’s annual Ladies That Lead conference, a one-day virtual event highlighting influential women of color and inspiring other women to share their journey.
We’re partnering with ACE in Atlanta and North Georgia to provide low-cost loans and educational resources for disadvantaged business owners.
These loans will help borrowers create and grow sustainable businesses that generate jobs. Our three-year-program will provide individuals with clear advice and business support to help them unlock up to $1,750,000 in guaranteed and low interest loans.
To tackle economic inequality, we’ve partnered with Kiva. By supporting Kiva to provide loans to underserved communities, we can help provide individuals with the opportunity to start businesses.
We’re providing:
$300,000 capital to entrepreneurs directed through Kiva and local field partners. This three-year revolving fund will have a total financial impact of almost $900,000
$200,000 of capital to social entrepreneurs and support for 24 social entrepreneurs who will benefit from loans ($50k-250k) from Kiva
Ashoka
Together Ashoka and the Sage Foundation are providing grants for leading social entrepreneurs.
We’re supporting:
A stipend to help leading social entrepreneurs champion innovative ideas to improve the lives of millions
The Ashoka Young Changemakers program that helps young people become changemakers within their own communities
1000 Sage employees to become changemakers through education and inspirational activities
As part of a multi-year partnership with the Sage Foundation and Teens in AI, we're aiming to inspire the next generation of ethical artificial intelligence researchers, entrepreneurs and leaders. The goal is to give young people early exposure to AI that is developed and deployed for social good, and which focuses on two programs:
The 2022-2023 International Women’s Day Hackathon which will be hosted in 24 countries
The 2022-2023 Summer Bootcamp Accelerator program.
Sage employees support the program by volunteering as mentors, judges and speakers.
Explore our Pillars
Tech for Good
Tech for Good is our commitment to supporting SMBs and communities to thrive by building trusted and inclusive digital networks and solutions. We are delivering on this pillar by using data and visualizations to help progress sustainable development goals, building trust and security into our network whilst maintaining high levels of data and AI ethics, and empowering people through Sage Foundation to scale businesses and develop the skills they need.
The Protect the Planet pillar is our commitment to fight climate change and drive a faster global transition to net zero. We are delivering this commitment by halving our own emissions by 2030 and becoming net zero by 2040, empowering SMs to get to net zero and by advocating for regulatory frameworks to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, whilst championing the role of SMBs.
Sustainability and society: Human by Design
