Diversity is more than skin deep. The color of our skin may make us look different, but do we really understand the try meaning of diversity?

1. Diversity – Moving From Color
To Cultural Inclusion
Presented By: Stephen Lowisz
2012 Talent Management Conference & Exposition

2. • What is the definition of diversity?
• What is the definition of inclusion?

3. Why?
The Impact of
Diversity on
Business
Performance.
RSITY
DIVE

4. Reason #1:
Inclusion Directly Influences
Increased Revenues/Profits
Asians, African Americans and Hispanics represent
nearly $1.4 trillion annually in consumer spending
(13.8% of nation’s total buying power)
One general advertisement, product, or service geared
for all consumers will miss many potential consumers
Companies gain extensive insight from its diverse
workforce to understand cultural effects of buying
decisions in the marketplace
Companies with a diverse workforce have shown
reduced costs associated with turnover, absenteeism
and low productivity

5. Practical Example:
When we forget about
diversity.
NO VA =It Doesn’t Go!
(Matador/Hospital)

6. Reason #2:
A Diverse
Workforce Can
Improve
Problem Solving
Diverse work teams have a
broader base of experience
to draw from when problem
solving
The presence of minority views
creates a higher level
of critical analysis
Study proved that properly
managed diverse teams
produced scores that were 6
times higher than non-
diverse teams
Diverse work teams have been
found to increase
creativity and innovation that
generates revenues

7. Reason #3:
The Labor Pool is Becoming More Diverse
Minorities are the fastest growing part of the labor force
• Hispanic labor force is projected to grow by 34% by 2014
• Asian labor force is projected to grow by 32% by 2014
• African American labor force is projected to grow by 17% by 2014
• White male labor force is projected to grow by 7% for 2014
• By 2014 white men will only be 43% of the labor force with woman
and minorities making up 57%
Workforce is becoming more global
• North America and Europe is only expected to produce 3% of the
world’s new labor over the next 10 years
• Asia is expected to produce more then 75% of world’s new labor
force over the next 10 years

8. Why?
Do diversity
initiative fail?

9. Recruiting Initiatives
Fail Because…
• Not understanding the real business case for
diversity
• Lack of honest criticism of diversity programs –
doing the same thing everyone else is.
• Lack of complete buy-in from the entire
organization (especially middle management)
• Under representation – we show diversity in our
ads, isn’t that enough?
• Focus only on diversity not understanding
inclusion -Fear of focusing on our differences.

10. It’s all a

11. PT Barnum General Tom Thumb

12. Diversity

13. The world is filled with
absolutely unique people
We have a tendency to
think WE are the norm
Our tendency is to look
around and look at others
as weird
When we think something
is “right”, that’s the way
we think It should be.
Others are wrong
Reality

14. The Problem
• Each person is doing the same thing
• We are looking at them saying we are
normal and they are weird
• They are saying they are normal and we
are weird!
Why are business relationships
often so difficult?

19. Bottom Line:
•We don’t see each other, the
world, or ourselves objectively –
we see things subjectively.
•We don’t see others as they
are, we see them through the
lens of who we are (the lens of
subjectivity).
•We can look at the same
situation, act differently, and
both be right! (Ticket & Time)

20. Confronting a Problem

21. Sense of Self

22. Status of Leader

23. Archetypes
• Tendency of a group to behave a certain way.
Stereotypes
• Belief that all members of a cultural group behave
according to the archetype for the group.
What is the impact on recruiting?
stereotype

24. Observations
What does real inclusion
look like?
Diversity is the mix, inclusion is making the mix work.
Relationship challenges stem from messed up thinking.
Strong relationships stem from right thinking.
Inclusion starts by calling out our differences, not
minimizing them.
•Diversity is not about different colors, its different
cultural lenses.
•Others are not supposed to think like you or act like –
they have different experiences unlike you!
•From pharmaceuticals to shoes

25. Observations
What does real inclusion
look like?
The three basic stages to cultural inclusion:
•Me – What do I believe? Why do I believe that?
•Them – What do others believe? Why do they believe
that? (Perspective)
•Us – Understand the gap. Is the difference personal or
cultural?
o Trust – Aggressive vs hiding
o Respect – Yes mam, yes sir

26. Common Differences:
•Sign for ‘OK’
o Japan – Now may we talk about money
o Southern France – It has no value
o Spain, EU – Indecent sexual sign
•You’ve put on weight!
o Africa – you look physically healthier or had a nice holiday
•Sign for ‘2’
o Greece – Go to hell!

27. Diversity – Moving From Color
To Cultural Inclusion
Presented By: Stephen Lowisz
2012 Talent Management Conference & Exposition