It is a short presentation about diversity.

1. Our
Christmas
Business Tree
Dealing with
Diversity in the
Workplace
Roberto Lico
Brazil - licoreis@licoreis.com.br

2. Our Christmas Business Tree
Introduction
A Christmas tree is a
decorated tree, usually an
evergreen conifer such as
spruce, pine or fir,
traditionally associated
with the celebration of
Christmas.

3. Our Christmas Business Tree
Encyclopædia Britannica - Information
According to the
Encyclopædia Britannica,
"The use of evergreen
trees, wreaths, and
garlands to symbolize
eternal life was a custom
of the ancient Egyptians,
Chinese, and Hebrews”.

4. Our Christmas Business Tree
Important
The tree was traditionally
decorated with edibles such
as apples, nuts or dates but
today, there are a wide
variety or a diversity of
traditional ornaments, such
as garland, tinsel,
ornaments, colorful balls
and candy canes.

5. Our Christmas Business Tree
Our diversified business environment
Like a Christmas tree our
business environment is
composed of a
diversified group of
people with different
races, creeds, ages,
genders, colors and
educational backgrounds.

6. Our Christmas Business Tree
Managing diversity – 05 Strategies
Managing diversity involves using
some specific resources and
experiences for the benefit of the
organization.
But knowing how to do this
requires understanding some
strategies to better deal with
diversity in our business
environment.

7. Our Christmas Business Tree
Strategy 01 - Recognition
We must recognize that people have
differences, be they physical, generational
or cultural, and we cannot pretend that
these barriers have been broken down or
are not carried to the workplace.
Instead, we must accept the differences
among our employees, and encourage
them to let their individualities show since
their diversity and knowledge could prove
useful to our business.

8. Our Christmas Business Tree
Strategy 02 - Fairness
We should realize that by accepting everyone’s
differences does not mean treating everyone
exactly the same but that we do demonstrate a
fair attitude that respects diversity.
Acting fairly and acting uniformly are different,
and only one enables us to successfully deal
with diversity in our workplace.
It is important to treat people fairly and respect
the differences that make them who they are.

9. Our Christmas Business Tree
Strategy 03 – Focus on yourself
Diversity is an issue that we must manage
in the workplace, and it starts with
managing our own attitude and behavior.
We need to be aware of how we respond
and react to different styles, cultures,
backgrounds and diverse differences.
Self-awareness is key to managing and
developing a fair and equality-based
workplace for all employees.

10. Our Christmas Business Tree
Strategy 04 – Employee assessments
When preparing an employee review and
assessment, we must also examine our
employees' attitudes, particularly how they
work with others and approach the workplace
with the same equality they expect.
If we notice that an employee only delegates
tasks to people of a certain race, gender, age
or relationship…. or if an employee
disregards the ideas of people falls in to one
of these categories, it is our responsibility to
address and correct these biases.

11. Our Christmas Business Tree
Strategy 05 – Encourage interaction
When we identify diversity-related
issues in the workplace, we must
discuss such issues with all of the
involved employees and in a non-
confrontational manner.
We should set up HR courses and
workshops that will encourage and
help employees to understand how to
work with others regardless of their
diversity(ies) and that it’s not
optional!

12. Our Christmas Business Tree
Important
Set up “models” for good behavior procedures to clarify any
doubts or confusions of acceptable policy.
Invest in cultural sensitivity training for all staff
to facilitate better communication
Seek periodic feedback from staff and
to evaluate the company diversity behavior.
Encourage open communication and teamwork
across work functions.
Plan an annual event to break down formal barriers
and improve staff morale.

13. Our Christmas Business Tree
Our References
• The following are referenced in this
presentation:
– Dr. Richard T. Alpert
http://www.diversityresources.com/cultural-
diversity-workplace.htm
– Caroline Banton
Medihttp://everydaylife.globalpost.com/manage-
diversity-workplace-1091.html
– Tom Ryan
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-strategies-dealing-
diversity-workplace-18106.html

15. LRCL – Business Services Consulting
Roberto Lico – licoreis@licoreis.com.br

16. LRCL – Business Services Consulting
Information – licoreis@licoreis.com.br
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