What is the diversity and inclusion discussion really about? What is really being asked in the name of becoming more inclusive? Does acquiring and managing workplace talent with diversity in mind really improve standards of excellence?

Openness to diversity is either part of an organization’s genetic code or a quality to be cultivated. To maximize the benefit of staff and client/customer diversity, an organization needs to re-examine its definition of ‘the norm’ where its own operation is concerned. 

In a word
“Valuing someone who has a different point of view or a different experience can enhance problem solving and spark innovation.”~Royal Bank of Canada

Best practice in review
How does an organization re-define (or in some cases define) its ‘norm’ to create opportunity for people with different points of view to enrich service or business? 

• Build inclusiveness in your organization’s ‘genetic code’.
  
  
• “Cultural diversity has always been the norm.  The first six people in our company (was) a group comprised of Indian, Chinese, Russian, Cuban and European heritage with one female and five males…. People from different backgrounds bring unique perspectives to business and problem solving that has really helped us to tackle business challenges in creative ways.”~Sanjay Malaviya, President & CEO, rL Solutions, provider of health care software and winner of the 2004 Toronto Residents in Partnership’s Positive Business Practices award.
  
  
• View your diversity program as a means to an end, not as an end in itself.
  
  
• “One goal for employment equity is that (the RCMP) will (ultimately) never have to have an Employment Equity Section.”~Inspector Darlene Burwash, Officer in Charge, Employment Equity / Off. Resp. de l'Équité en matière d'emploi, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  
  
• Take another look at your talent and service demographics and, even more importantly, demographic trends. As the population ages over the next 10 years, who will likely be working for you? Who will buy your products? To whom will you be providing service?

Maureen Brown is the founder and lead consultant of DiversityTrainersPlus. DiversityTrainersPlus specializes in assessment, training and strategic planning to equip organizations in maximizing the benefits of diversity. For more information visit www.diversitytrainersplus.com or phone 905.338.7515.