Meaning ● Inclusive Business Metrics (IBM) represent quantifiable measures that SMBs utilize to assess and enhance the inclusivity of their business practices, especially as they pursue growth, automation, and broader implementation strategies.
● IBM goes beyond traditional financial KPIs, factoring in the social impact and equitable opportunities created within the business ecosystem; for instance, examining the diversity of the workforce throughout different automation levels in SMBs to ascertain fair practice in automation integration.
● Specifically, when a small manufacturing firm automates a production line, IBM would track not only the resulting cost savings but also whether retraining opportunities are equitably available to all employees potentially displaced by the new technology. In another context, a growing SaaS SMB might use IBM to measure the accessibility of its digital tools for users with disabilities, ensuring its automation efforts do not inadvertently exclude segments of its customer base.
● Successful implementation allows businesses to make smarter, ethical decisions; these decisions facilitate robust sustainability goals as they scale, promoting fairness in business as technology is deployed. Measuring these metrics is crucial for SMBs committed to responsible automation and inclusive growth, directly contributing to their long-term success and positive social contribution.
