What Businesses Can Do NOW to Unite Their Increasingly Diverse Workforces

Businesses no longer question the need to unite a multicultural workforce; instead, they seek effective ways in which their growing multicultural workforces can unite QUICKLY. Is quick implementation of complex diversity issues and concepts possible? Not only is it possible, it can also be fun!

What Businesses Can Do NOW to Unite Their Increasingly Diverse Workforces

The United States of America is not a melting pot, but rather it is a mosaic.

In a business climate reeling from the impact of recent layoffs, closings, cutbacks, and downsizing, there is little time to focus on who" makes up the workforce and even less time to implement a plan to focus on how" they can be united to maximize productivity. Yet, businesses, both large and small, operating within the United States or across borders, acknowledge the benefits of adopting a mosaic" rather than melting pot" perspective toward an increasingly multicultural employee workforce; its a perspective that maintains each individuals uniqueness and, by doing so, adds value to the organization.

Businesses no longer question the need to unite a multicultural workforce; instead, they seek effective ways in which their growing multicultural workforces can unite QUICKLY.

So, is quick implementation of complex diversity issues and concepts possible? Not only is it possible, it can also be fun!

The new book, Reversing the Ostrich Approach to Diversity: Pulling your head out of the sand, is a timely answer to the renewed urgency for actionable diversity information. Presenting five, simple concepts for diversity awareness, the author, Dr. A. S. Tolbert, uses poignant, humorous examples and illustrations mirroring common behavior. If we can get people to laugh at themselves," says Tolbert, much of the initial resistance to breaking stereotypical mindsets vanishes. People immediately become less defensive, more open-minded, and receptive to making a few changes."

Once each concept has been introduced and explained, Tolbert guides the reader through a series of exercises that jump-start individual action. Its irresponsible to introduce new concepts, suggest that people make personal changes, and then omit the how to" for accomplishing their new goals," says Tolbert. The exercises at the end of each chapter reinforce the concept and give readers a road map to complete the journey Ive invited them to take with me."

Dealing with diversity challenges doesnt have to take weeks from already over-booked schedules. Tolberts direct approach combines to-the-point information with do-it-now action steps to immediately set the wheels of change in motion. The result is unifying change that leads to improved working relationships and opportunities for increased productivity and profit. Anyone opposed to this concept? Didnt think so...

By the way, What is the Ostrich Approach" to Diversity, anyway?"

Although the image of an ostrich burying its head in the sand is based on myth rather than fact, it is the perfect icon to depict the many avoidance tactics we use to deal with the tough stuff -- including diversity. All the running, hiding and avoidance (a.k.a., the ostrich approach) wont change whats going on around us.