Capstone – Project
Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Focused on Community Engagement
A Collaboration Between
True Religion is a powerhouse denim brand from the early 2000s. After losing market share over the past decade, they are now restructuring after emerging from bankruptcy and would like your assistance as they attempt to reinvent themselves from a business and company culture perspective.
True Religion’s performance recently has been picking up steam, and for the first time in years, is able to pay bonuses and is seeing a more positive work culture over time. Accordingly, the Human Resources Team thinks now is a good opportunity to build out the Diversity and Inclusion initiatives to support this positive change in their work culture.
Your challenge? Help inform True Religion’s HR Team on how to prepare the organization for diversity, equality, and inclusion?
As an example of the type of programming they’re looking for, True Religion recently hosted a very successful “Women’s Conference” for the first time, where women of color were able to meet with Senior Leadership Team members that are women of color and present their ideas and engage in discussion.
Employees are now asking for more… They want to get involved in a Culture Committee, Diversity Council, and other types of initiatives that can serve outside stakeholders.
The focus of your proposed plan should be to leverage employees to better reach and serve underserved communities, most predominantly children.
Please note that diversity to True Religion includes diversity of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability and age.
Project Topics
Growth Strategy
Org Culture, D&I
Company Information
| Company | True Religion |
| HQ | Gardena, California, U.S. |
| Revenue | Unlisted |
| Employees | Unlisted |
| Stage | Medium Business |
| Hiring Potential | Follow-on Projects, Formal Internship, Entry Level Full-Time, Upper Level Full-Time |
| Website | https://www.truereligion.com/ |
Company Overview
Apparel brand specializing in Denim. Our brand is sold around the world. Direct in owned and operated store, owned online and wholesale . The brand has a very loyal fan base spanning the original fans that purchased brands almost 20 years ago, to a new Gen Z & millennial customer.
Experiential Learning Program Details
| School | Montclair State University |
| Engagement Format | Capstone - Small Team Consulting Project - Students work in consulting teams of 3-5 directly with faculty and client liaisons on developing real solutions to real-world challenges. |
| Course | Accelerated MBA Consulting Project (Summer 2021) |
| Level |
|
| Students Enrolled | 5 |
| Meeting Day & Time | TBD |
| Student Time Commitment | 15-30 Hours Per Week |
| Company Time Commitment | 3-5 Hours |
| Duration | 9.57 Weeks |
Program Timeline
Key Project Milestones
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June 11, 2021 - Get to Know True Religion with Focus on Diversity & Inclusion
Get to Know True Religion with Focus on Diversity & Inclusion
- What is the True Religion brand all about?
- What has happened to True Religion since it was founded?
- Why is Diversity and Inclusion so important to the company’s strategy?
- How does Diversity and Inclusion differ between Retail and Corporate?
- What current Diversity and Inclusion initiatives that exist at True Religion?
Suggested Deliverable:
Get to Know True Religion with Focus on Diversity & Inclusion
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June 25, 2021 - Diversity & Inclusion Competition Deep & Industry Best Practices
Diversity & Inclusion Competition Deep & Industry Best Practices
- How do competitive brands define Diversity and Inclusion?
- How do they promote D&I internally and externally?
- How do they engage their employees to be a part of the process?
- How do they collect feedback from team members on program performance?
- How do these companies measure how these programs are going and if the programs are working
Suggested Deliverable:
Diversity & Inclusion Competition Deep & Industry Best Practices
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July 23, 2021 - True Religion Diversity & Inclusion Team Survey
True Religion Diversity & Inclusion Team Survey
- What does the True Religion team, including corporate and retail, want to see in terms of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives?
- What populations and impact do they care about?
- How does this sentiment differ by region, employee rank, department, etc.?
Produce & Roll-Out Survey. Collect & Analyze Resulting Data.
Suggested Deliverable:
Produce & Roll-Out Survey. Collect & Analyze Resulting Data.
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August 10, 2021 - Produce a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for True Religion
Produce a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for True Religion
- How should True Religion define Diversity & Inclusion?
- What population should True Religion D&I aim to impact and serve?
- Who’s responsibility should it be to implement D&I Programs?
- What types of external programs would you suggest to get these D&I initiatives off the ground?
- What should be the goal of these programs?
- How does it roll up to the overall D&I goals?
- What stakeholders are directly relevant to your plan? How do you foster engagement and buy-in?
- How would you measure success of your D&I Plan?
Suggested Deliverable:
Produce a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for True Religion
Project Resources
- Michael Buckley, CEO, True Religion Brand Jeans, Forbes Article
- Diversity Article with Interview from Theresa Watts, VP HR, True Religion Brand Jeans
- Women's conference
- Theresa Watts, VP HR, CapSource Interview on Experiential Hiring
- Reimagining Company Culture with Theresa Watts-Video
Industry Mentors
Academic Mentors
Assigned Students
There are currently no students assigned.