No one wishes to see himself as different or treat other people differently because of his uniqueness. Unfortunately, we are frequently judged and our skills presumed based on our ethnicity, beliefs, politics, appearance, lifestyle, gender, or sexual orientation. Our professional success and our projects’ success can be derailed because of lack of understanding, stereotyping, or fear. Our professional environment includes us all―brown, black, white, tall, short, male, female, straight, gay, extroverts, and introverts. A team’s strength is built on diversity of knowledge and skills, and our differences should be celebrated while managing the realities of human relations. Yousef Harfi shares his unique experiences, tips, and stories―some hilarious―that are certain to entertain, tickle your thoughts, challenge your knowledge, and provoke some self examination. Let’s share, laugh, learn, and build.

1. W11
Personal Excellence
5/7/2014 1:45:00 PM
Succeeding as an Ethnic or
Minority Tester
Presented by:
Yousef Harfi
Medavie Blue Cross
Brought to you by:
340 Corporate Way, Suite 300, Orange Park, FL 32073
888-268-8770 ∙ 904-278-0524 ∙ sqeinfo@sqe.com ∙ www.sqe.com

2. Yousef Harfi
Medavie Blue Cross
Yousef Harfi is a certified software test and quality assurance professional with twenty years of
experience. Before joining Medavie Blue Cross as a quality control lead analyst and as a test
lead in 2011, Yousef enjoyed many years working with and leading projects in the mobile testing
field with organizations such as Motorola and Blackberry. Yousef’s extensive worldwide travels
and his leadership of test teams as diverse as our world give him a unique perspective on
diversity and building high performance test teams.

3. 4/26/2014
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Succeeding as an Ethnic orSucceeding as an Ethnic or
Minority TesterMinority Tester
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Medavie Blue Cross,Medavie Blue Cross,Medavie Blue Cross,Medavie Blue Cross,Medavie Blue Cross,Medavie Blue Cross,Medavie Blue Cross,Medavie Blue Cross,
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• Laughing is allowed and encouraged during this presentation
• Agreeing with everything discussed is insane
• This is a personal view – not an “expert” view
• This is about the most important “tool” – You & Me
• Software test tools & processes might be mentioned by mistake
• “Hopefully” inspiring tales will be shared
• “Somewhat” funny stories will be told
• “Possibly” disgusting stories might be included
• Lessons & takeaways are subjective – yours to ponder
A Few CaveatsA Few Caveats

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DefinitionsDefinitions
• Ethnic - associated with or belonging to a
particular race or group of people who have a
culture that is different from the main culture
of a country “Merriam Webster“
• Minority - a part of a population differing
from others in some characteristics and often
subjected to differential treatment “Merriam Webster“

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• We are pressured to conform
• Children and teenagers are more prone to conform.
• Conformity is needed - services and service personnel
• You are not like us = you are wrong
• But, if you are not prepared to be wrong, you are not likely to
come up with anything original
• Being different for the sake of being different = Negative
Competition = race to the bottom!
Conformity and Society
Wisdom – Worth a Thought
“Insanity:
doing the same
thing over and
over again and
expecting
different results””
Albert Einstein ……

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Everyone on your team and in your organization!
Who would you trust?
Visual Source: Unknown
Same is Not the “Same”!

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5
From -- young and innocent To – wounded and victim

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To -- Hero
Malala speaks at the U.N.
WisdomWisdom –– Worth a ThoughtWorth a Thought
“Be theBe the
ChangeChange
YouYou WWant toant to
See in theSee in the
World”World”
Ghandi…..

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Diversity and TestingDiversity and Testing
The impact of diversity on testing
• Diverse and new approaches in testing
• Avoids management’s “Echo Chamber” syndrome
• Increases creativity and problem solving
• Increases the value of the test team
• Creates a satisfied diverse customer base
• Enhances communication skills
“If you talk to a
man in a
language he
understands,
that goes to his
head. If you talk
to him in his
language, that
goes to his
heart.”
“If you talk to a
man in a
language he
understands,
that goes to his
head. If you talk
to him in his
language, that
goes to his
heart.”
Nelson Mandela …….

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WonhoWonho--Chung, WhoChung, Who??
Politician? Model?
ComedianAn Arab From Jordan!
The “Hippie”
Yes, you can take my picture Now, go away!

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• Affect not only the organizations’ people and operations internally but
also their customers, suppliers, and other external stakeholders
• Globalization, and the changing faces—in terms of language, culture, and
religion—of both customers and workers will represent an even more
diverse mix
• People living longer and retiring later, resulted in distinct
generations working side by side—each with its own mind-set, work
habits, technology attitudes, and customs
Sahar Andrade – saharconsulting’s Blog…….
Assuming that every member of a
particular gender, race, or ethnicity
does things in the same way or
assuming that a certain group doesn't
possess particular skills or can't do
certain jobs. Assuming such things are
bad enough, practicing them is
against the law.

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……………… Oh, yes! …………………
A reminder from Mr. & Mrs. Camel