THE POWER OF DIVERSITY

By Karen Gibbs

Diversity is the practice of including people of different backgrounds, and thanks to globalization, is becoming the standard embraced by corporations as a means to foster growth.  While some may be slow to embrace change, it remains a pragmatic response to growing worldwide economies.

First came the entrance of women into factories post World War II, which opened the door to a change in the workplace dynamic.  Several decades later, the advent of technology leveled the playing field for immigrants while outsourcing spurred inclusion within many Fortune 500 companies.

A recent New York Times article reports that diversity is finally reaching the corner office.  In fact the corner office, now more than ever, represents every corner of the world.  14% of Fortune 100 companies are run by foreign-born CEO's.  That can only mean good things for multinationals and the workforce they employ. Having a workforce that mirrors the marketplace serves is the best way to sell products.  Incorporating diversity in both the strategic and bottom-line perspectives has proven to benefit all stakeholders.

The ranks of top executives will probably become more international as many business schools fill their classes with 40 percent or more foreign students, and more companies recruit worldwide.  Culture, values and ethics are an inherent part of diversity and inclusion.  Individuals and corporations that practice diversity are better able to achieve goals and deliver exceptional results.  Moreover, diversity is a source of strength, and by mining the talents of people and cultures, can lead to more openness and transparency in every aspect of an organization’s operations.

As the corner office goes, so goes the workplace.  CEO's. set the tone, and those CEO's. dedicated to the concept of diversity will lead the change from the old-boy network to one that values differences and benefits from those differences.  A monolithic group-think will be unable to see other, more profitable options.  A less diverse workforce will be ill-prepared to take on the challenges of a global marketplace, and will suffer in a competitive landscape. 

Companies that successfully navigate the path to globalization will foster respect for others, awareness of differences and appreciation of those differences.  Employees will find that diversity sparks creativity.  A diverse workforce means a vast array of knowledge and one that will find working solutions to problems in less time.  Many may find it an inspirational experience.

But to benefit, companies and employees alike must be open to change and not intimidated by doing business with people who are different.  As geographic boundaries fall, more corporations are looking at foreign operations contributing more than 50% of their revenues, and more workers are spending time contributing to foreign operations.

And as those revenues grow, everyone involved – from board members to shareholders – should focus on the best person for the job, regardless of race, religion, or country of origin. And that’s a win-win strategy for success.

 

THE IMPORTANCE OF NETWORKING
By: Karen Gibbs

 

Karen Gibbs, a frequent panelist and commentator, was formerly co-anchor of Wall
$treet Week with FORTUNE.

 
  © 2007 The Gibbs Perspective, LLC

Please email your questions to info@mcguireglobalrecruitment.com


MAKING GLOBALIZATION WORK FOR YOU

By Karen Gibbs

Globalization is a worldwide economic and political exchange of ideas among nations of the modern world. It has been alternately embraced as a cure-all or a fearsome and dangerous trend. But the one thing that we all can agree on is that globalization is here to stay. The genie is out of the bottle.

Yes, there is a new world order. Whether you accept Thomas Freidman s view that The World is Flat or rail against globalization s by-products as Byron Dorgan does in Take this Job and Ship It, it is indisputable that things have changed and the old rules no longer apply. To play this game and win, we must embrace an entirely new way of thinking and doing business. Forget thinking outside the box; there is no box.

Globalization is competition and reorganization. For those used to winning by default, the experience is uncomfortable, to say the least. For all involved in the transfer of wealth that accompanies such reorganization, the process can be daunting. Globalization, after all, is more than an economic phenomenon. It also is a social, political and economic upheaval driven by the communications revolution that came at the end of the cold war.

The closet parallel to this seismic shift we re experiencing in the U.S. is the 19th century when agriculture and apparel were the dominant industries in the economy, powered by the high-tech products of that time the telegraph and electricity. The technology of our time, the internet, has leveled the playing field, erasing geographical boundaries and time-zone limitations.

While globalization has been hailed as a tide lifting all boats, it also reveals global inequities: the division between the haves and the have-lessees that affect education, housing, healthcare, women s rights, traditions and family.

To succeed globally, companies must distinguish between local advantages and their transferable skills. They must build teams of global employees who know when to do business as usual and when to adapt to new markets.

To succeed globally, employment candidates must do the same. In a free and open society, everything is on the table. To win, we must be smarter, faster and at the helm. The bottom line is that in a global competitive environment, what ever can be done will be done. So, the question remaining is: will you be the one to do it?

You can help your chances by becoming a citizen of the world. If you don t know a foreign language, now is a good time to learn one. There s a painful truth in the old joke:

If you speak three languages you re tri-lingual. If you speak two languages, you re bi-lingual. If you speak one language, you re American.

While most of the free world speaks English as a second language, the attempt to converse in a native tongue is appreciated and may make the difference in closing the deal.

Embrace technology. Don t wait until everyone else has figured it out. Make yourself essential by staying on top of the latest developments in your field and the appropriate applications. Anticipate the needs of your customers/clients and offer solutions that fit with their strategies.

Maintain your integrity and credibility. In this changing marketplace that is the one thing that should remain constant. Your reputation is your credibility and once you lose it, it can be impossible to regain it. Carry your same standards of honesty and ethics regardless of the employer or the task.

Remember that you are your best asset. Think of yourself as a product and position yourself ahead of the competition. Assess your industry and its potential and market yourself accordingly. In no time, the world can be your oyster.


Karen Gibbs, a frequent panelist and commentator, was formerly co-anchor of Wall $treet Week with FORTUNE.


2007 The Gibbs Perspective, LLC
Please email your questions to info@mcguireglobalrecruitment.com