Global Solutions
April 2008

Diversity Training: The Global Workplace
By Doreen M. McGunagle, Ph.D.

The global economy is fueled by free trade agreements and the new development in technology.  This new global economy has also changed the landscaping of the workforce.  The
next generation workforce will come from a pool of global talent not from your neighborhood, but from around the world.  To create a competitive advantage for the firm, companies must
build strategies that utilize diversity as an asset of the organization.

When they embrace diversity it allows the organization to meet the demands of their consumers.  Successful interaction and communication can bring both challenges and a positive
impact to the bottom-line of the organization. Organizations that embrace diversity improve employee relationships and increase productivity.  Developing a diverse staff that can work
together cooperatively is one of the biggest challenges that organizations face today.  

Tips for improving communication in a global workforce:

  • Seek training that can provide Intercultural communication with team building sessions and conflict resolution skills that will enhance the relationships within the organization
  • Understand the new culture of the organization.  Every employee brings new backgrounds and beliefs which create a new culture.  By understanding and embracing the shared
    history and subtle cultural nuances you can provide organizations with an understanding that sharpens their skills so that they have a deeper understanding of dynamics of their
    global market.    Archetypal analysis allows us to create a deeper understanding the culture and can align the strengths and values of the organization.
  • Create a personal awareness of understanding and learning about your personal archetype.  No matter what culture we come from, life is a journey that changes as we grow
    and learn.  Assessments and training of archetypes can provide us with an understanding of an unconscious, instinctual level that influences our motivations and actions.
  • Build on similarities that you have with others.  Understand that there are many ways of looking at an issue.  Always look for common ground and focus on the objectives.
  • Diversity can create innovative and creative ideas.  By understanding and valuing the differences it allows an organization to grow.  

When diversity is treated as a valued asset, it can create innovative and creative ideas which can create a competitive advantage for any organization.  Diversity training creates an
awareness that allows employees and managers to discover self-awareness, values and beliefs, and behaviors.   Diversity awareness training assists in developing decision-making
and social action skills so that employees learn to view events and situations from a variety of perspectives.   To attract and retain the best talent will require companies to value their
employees.  It will be necessary for companies to devote time and resources that embrace the future workforce.

Detailed Diversity Programs Essential to the Worldwide Workplace
By Beverly Hung, SPHR

The days of the canned diversity program are limited as more and more companies “go global’ to remain viable entities.  Typically these programs have been developed from a United
States paradigm that makes certain assumptions about the values of the population. These assumptions and practices will need to be re-evaluated as companies continue to expand
internationally.

Individualism is a core value in the United States culture but individualism is not regarded the same in a global context. In the United States individuals with different religious practices
and beliefs are accommodated to meet the individual’s needs. When Europeans come to the United States to study business practices, they are surprised by this practice because in
their culture organizational priorities take precedence in business operations. In the United States, the culture promotes career advancement based on what people achieve through
their energy, talent and good work not because of their connections to influential people. On the contrary, using influential people as a conduit to career advancement is an acceptable
and expected practice in many parts of the world.

In an article titled, ‘Domestic Companies Urged To Increase International Diversity,’ by J. J. Smith on December 2006, Smith comments, “The problem many companies have when it
comes to instituting a diversity program is that the firms’ executives believe that hiring a few minorities is all they have to do.” Mohammed Ly, director of operations and recruiting for AZz
Lingua International, comments “That’s the wrong way to embrace diversity.” Ly further said, “tie the program to the company’s bottom line.”

The success of a global diversity program will be dependent upon the importance the leadership places on the program, how well the program is tied to overall organizational goals and
the ability to customize the program to create an inclusive work environment. Successful companies will need to continually develop diversity programs that are customized to a
particular market to ensure all employees feel confident that they have a good understanding of different cross-cultural communication styles and intercultural communication. The
ability for employees to understand cultural differences is essential to a healthy work environment that can function together to produce the results necessary to achieve organizational
goals in many different parts of the world. The development, implementation and assessment of these programs to help people assimilate into a global environment will be essential to
an organization’s sustainable success in the worldwide marketplace.  

Beverly Hung has over fifteen years experience in healthcare, high technology, and insurance business environments.  She has a Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR)
certification from the Society of Human Resource Management and a B.A. Degree in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University.  Mrs. Hung is a national member of the
Society of Human Resources Management and South Brevard Human Resources Management.  Mrs. Hung is currently a Human Resources Consultant.  

eSeminars

Organizational Behaviors: Changing Organization Culture  Order Now!
Thursday, May 22, 2008 11:00 am – 12:30 pm EST

Learn how to build a healthy, vibrant culture which is the key to long-term organizational success!
Dr. McGunagle takes a unique approach to leadership development by exploring the stories that give us meaning and context to the roles we play through archetypes.  These enhance
the inner awareness of culture and the skill set requirement for effective leadership.  The roles and characters that we adopt create themes within the culture of the organization.  Culture
can impact the employee performance, productivity, net profits, and turnover within the organization and understanding that can lead to profitability and increased presence in the
marketplace

Outsource Your Business: Create a Competitive Advantage Order Now!
Thursday, June 12, 2008- 3:00 pm ET

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Seminars

Leadership and Motivation in the Workplace
Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm  TED Center

Discusses the importance of leadership and the value of ethical behavior in business.  The course also explores the many ways an employer can create a culture that fosters growth
and creativity without adversely impacting the bottom-line.  Learn good management secrets and traps to avoid as an entrepreneur. Explore powerful techniques that can develop your
underperforming employees and maximize the potential of the your top players


Going Global
Tuesday, May 27, 2008 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm TED Center

Are you considering taking your first steps into importing or exporting?  Do you wonder if you are ready? Is so, attend this information-filled workshop to:  Determine your company's level
of import/export readiness, Find out how to research and target your top markets for import /export, Get tips on how to create an effective marketing strategy, and Discover the resources
available for international trade.  Seminar will cover basic information on regulatory requirements, freight forwarding, and payment mechanisms.

What's Coming in May

Global Solutions is moving to a weekly eZine format.  The global business world is constantly and quickly changing. Global Solutions will provide executives with essential strategic and
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picture.   We would love to hear from our readers, let us know what topics you would like to see in the eZine.   Send your email to dmcgunagle@globalstrategicmgmt.com and reference
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CEO Corner

One of our weekly features will cover interviews with CEOs and top officials on their philosophy on leadership.  The Leadership survey that will be used for research on a book and our
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