Diversity: Tech companies need new strategies

[Commentary] The lack of diversity in the tech industry isn't new, but the frank discussion about the nature and severity of the problem is. Growing transparency around workforce demographics and high-profile harassment and discrimination lawsuits have made "diversity in tech" a topic that's impossible to ignore. The question now is whether tech companies will actually do what it takes to become more diverse. Tech companies that want to become more diverse and inclusive should abandon outdated, ineffective strategies and instead rely on social science research to find strategies that work.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Develop effective training.
• Create better tools for recruiting and hiring candidates.
• Address bias in the performance management processes.
• Create a sustainable approach to work-life integration.

[Joelle Emerson is the co-founder and CEO of Paradigm]