Managing Cultural Diversity

Diversity programs need a strategic redesign to meet the changing needs of technology and customer service. Several diversity program designs were researched. A critical factor was to find the most effective model for utilizing the synergy of diversity and quality processes.

The most obvious synergy has been created by utilizing Managing Diversity's emphasis on organizational culture, along with the tools and techniques of Total Quality. Creating data driven diversity and gaining methodology for evaluating organizational culture change needed for total quality.

Culture change is crucial for long-term initiatives to meet missions for services customers. Through training development, a more comprehensive organizational development approach for bringing about major change initiatives.

The Fundamental Objective of Managing Diversity:

To create an environment which fully taps the potential of all individuals, in pursuit of organizational objectives, without giving advantage or disadvantage to any person or group of persons.

Heart of Managing Diversity Process

Examining an organization's culture.

Identifying those elements of the culture that are fundamental, the roots from which behaviors spring.

Determining whether the roots support or hinder aspirations for Managing Diversity.

Supporting cultural roots that facilitate Managing Diversity.

Modifying the cultural roots that are hindrances.

ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE - a definition:

"Underlying values, beliefs and principles that serve as a foundation for the organization's management system, as well as the set of management practices and behaviors that both exemplify and reinforce those principles"

CURRENT INITIATIVES INTERRELATED WITH MANAGING DIVERSITY

MISSION STATEMENT

WORK PLANNING AND PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL

MANAGEMENT TRAINING

PURPOSE AND VALUES STATEMENT

RECOGNITION AND CELEBRATION

LEADERSHIP SUPPORT AND COMMITMENT

STAFF EDUCATION AND TRAINING

COMMUNICATION

MEASUREMENT/QUALITY INDICATORS/ACCOUNTABILITY

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL TEAMS (INNOVATION, CREATIVITY AND FLEXIBILITY)

PARTNERSHIPS WITH DIVERSE CUSTOMERS

ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT PLAN