Same But Different Consultancy

What does it mean to be the change you want to see in the world? To me to be the change means: ➡️ To lead by example, demonstrating the values and behaviours you wish to see in others. ➡️ To take proactive steps to address problems instead of waiting for someone else to act. ➡️ To inspire and empower others by showing that change starts with individual action. And that is exactly what British Esports and Women in Esports Be The Change DEI Summit last week was all about. I had the huge honour of speaking alongside Hekla Goodman Parker and Sara Heritage in a conversation on "EDI in Tech and Innovation". If front of a couple hundred people we got to discuss: 🏹 The barriers ahead of women and non-binary people in esports who only make up 1% of the esports players 🏹 The role of grassroots communities in promoting accessibility and diversity 🏹 Whether emerging technologies such as AI, blockchain or the metaverse will help or hinder greater inclusion in tech spaces 🏹 So much more! Thank you to the amazing team at British Esports - the powerhouse Alice Whorley Sue Lavasani Emma Rose Tom Dore Kalam Neale and the whole team for organising such an amazing event and space for us to address some hard hitting truths about the realities of today while still leaving space to day dream and hypothesise the aspirational inclusive future we all dream of. It was amazing to meet so many superstars making a difference in various corners of the gaming and tech world - Gil Hamilton Lucy Zhu Cathrine Finnebraaten Robin Gray Chloe Walsh 💫 🧡 I will leave you with the one of the big questions I brought to the conversation: ❓ If you had unlimited resources to tackle a single issue in diversity and inclusion in tech, what would it be, and why? I'm curious to know what people think and happy to share my answer in the comments. 📸: Jonas Kontautas #DiversityAndInclusion #DEI #DiversityEquityAndInclusion #JoyfulInclusion

Client love always hits different 🧡 True leadership is measured not by what you achieve alone, but by the impact you create in the lives of others. #JoyfulInclusion #DiversityEquityAndInclusion #DEI #ClientSuccessStory

🌱 Change requires disruption 🌱 Think about it: planting a peach tree disrupts the soil. Welcoming a new baby shakes up life’s rhythm. In both cases, the initial disruption is the beginning of something meaningful. 🌳👶 Real growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. Disruption can push us to create better systems, reimagine norms, and show up with intention. The key is to not let disruption become distraction. Instead, ask yourself: What’s the opportunity here? How can this change empower us to learn, grow, and take bolder steps toward a more inclusive, thoughtful world? Let’s lean into the disruption, and turn it into progress. 💡✨ #GrowthMindset #ChangeMakers #Inclusion #DEI #DiversityAndInclusion #JoyfulInclusion #ChangeManagement

🚨 Employee engagement in the UK is only at 10% 🚨 When 90% of employees feel disconnected, it’s more than a morale issue—it’s a business risk. Low engagement impacts productivity, increases turnover, and directly hits the bottom line. Unengaged teams also mean missed innovation opportunities, lower customer satisfaction, and reduced resilience in a rapidly changing market. This is where DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) becomes not just a nice-to-have but a business imperative. DEI initiatives help create environments where people feel valued, included, and empowered to bring their full selves to work. When people feel seen and heard, engagement skyrockets—and so does performance. An inclusive culture isn’t just about “doing the right thing”; it’s about unlocking potential and building stronger, more innovative teams ready to thrive. Let’s turn that 10% into 100%! 🌟 Curious about how Same But Different can help you create a workforce full of passionate and highly engaged leaders, innovators and doers? Message us on hello@sbd-consultancy.com now to find out more. #EmployeeEngagement #DEIMatters #InclusionTransforms #JoyfulInclusion #DEI #DiversityAndInclusion #DiversityEquityAndInclusion #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement

🤔 Should DEI be part of HR? I’d argue no—and here’s why. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is not just a HR function; it’s a business strategy that touches every department, process, and decision. While HR plays a vital role in employee well-being, DEI extends far beyond traditional HR tasks like hiring and compliance. True DEI needs the involvement and commitment of leaders across every function—marketing, product, sales, operations—because building an inclusive culture shapes everything from innovation to customer satisfaction. When DEI is siloed within HR, it often lacks the cross-functional influence necessary to drive systemic change and tends to focus only on policies, rather than fostering a deeply embedded, culture-wide commitment. DEI deserves its own seat at the table, with a direct line to executive leadership. This shift recognizes that DEI isn’t just about people but about driving a future where diversity is seen as foundational to success. 🌟 Do you agree? Should DEI be part of the HR function of a business? #DEI #Leadership #Inclusion #DiversityEquityAndInclusion #DiversityAndInclusion #JoyfulInclusion

Join us this Thursday - 21st November as our founder Polina Changuleva takes the stage at British Esports Be The Change Summit discussing all things EDI in tech and gaming. Joined by fellow industry thought leaders, the panel will dive into the challenges and opportunities of creating a more inclusive tech industry, exploring how diverse teams fuel innovation and improve problem-solving. As technology shapes the future, it’s essential to tackle systemic barriers and biases to build an equitable space for all. If you'd love to join us for a jam-packed day of thought provoking conversations on the future of EDI in tech and gaming, use code PC_EDI_24 to claim 20% of all tickets! ✨ 🎫 You can book your tickets here - https://buff.ly/3UBfEE0 #DiversityInTech #InclusiveTech #Innovation #TechForGood #EquityInTech #SameButDifferent #JoyfulInclusion

🌍 A Message of Unity, Hope, and Resilience 🌍 With the strength we find in challenging times, I am more committed than ever to our mission: building a world that embraces differences and celebrates our shared humanity. Now is the time to focus on empathy, understanding, and bridging divides—even in disagreement. Let’s remember that everyone has a story, and when we listen, we can foster real change. To those who feel unheard, know that you are valued, seen, and loved. Together, we can create a future where diversity and inclusion thrive, where we all thrive. This journey won’t be easy, but stopping is not an option. Let’s keep pushing for a better world where everyone belongs. Thank you for being part of this journey. We simply can’t afford to stop now. 💖 Polina Changuleva, Founder of Same But Different #JoyfulInclusion #DEI #DiversityAndInclusion

Our brains receive 11 million pieces of information every second. Do you know how many of those we actually consciously process? Only 40!! Which means that 99% of our thoughts are unconscious. So when we say we all have unconscious bias, we really mean it but understanding it is the first step to overcoming it. Our brains make split-second decisions based on patterns we've learned, often without us realising it. This can affect our behaviour and judgments—even in ways we don’t intend. Here’s why it matters: - Bias shapes decisions - Bias can influence hiring, promotions, and daily interactions. - Bias limits perspectives - Without diverse viewpoints, we miss out on ideas and insights. - Bias hurts inclusivity - Recognizing our biases helps create more welcoming, fair spaces. How often do you examine your thoughts and stop to question where some of your beliefs and opinions stem from? #UnconsciousBias #InclusionMatters #DEI #BiasAwareness #BuildingAwareness #JoyfulInclusion #SameButDifferent

A big misconception is that embracing DEI means giving people a leg up unfairly. 🎥 Hear from Emma Grede on why diversity & inclusion are critical for business success! Here’s what she says: Broader Perspectives 🌍 - Diverse teams bring fresh ideas and unique solutions. Enhanced Innovation 💡 - Inclusion fuels creativity, keeping companies at the cutting edge. Better Problem-Solving 🔍 - Different viewpoints mean smarter, more effective solutions. Increased Profitability 📈 - Diverse companies consistently outperform the rest. Stronger Customer Connections ❤️ - Inclusive teams understand and serve diverse audiences better. Attracting Top Talent 🌟 - Companies with DE&I values attract the best and brightest. Watch the full clip to see how Emma breaks down the real impact of diversity and inclusion in business! 💼✨ #DiversityAndInclusion #BusinessSuccess #InclusiveWorkplace #Innovation #FutureOfWork #DiverseTeamsWin #JoyfulInclusion #SameButDifferent

🌟 Join us for a powerful discussion on how Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Tech can boost innovation! 🌟 On 21st November, our founder Polina Changuleva will be speaking at British Esports Be The Change Summit discussing all things EDI in tech and gaming. Joined by fellow industry thought leaders, the panel will dive into the challenges and opportunities of creating a more inclusive tech industry, exploring how diverse teams fuel innovation and improve problem-solving. As technology shapes the future, it’s essential to tackle systemic barriers and biases to build an equitable space for all. If you'd love to join us for a jam-packed day of thought provoking conversations on the future of EDI in tech and gaming, use code PC_EDI_24 to claim 20% of all tickets! ✨ 🎫 You can book your tickets here - https://buff.ly/3UBfEE0 #DiversityInTech #InclusiveTech #Innovation #TechForGood #EquityInTech #SameButDifferent #JoyfulInclusion