Business: The Value of Cultural Diversity

Today’s business world is a melting pot of cultural diversities among the workforce. Either due to immigration, globalization, or etc; the blend of so many minds continue to contribute to corporations around the globe, broadening their horizons and expanding beyond expectation.

One of the opportunities of having a diverse workforce is that there is no limit of ideas and perspectives. Each employee brings a different quality or talent to the table. Those companies that are witnessing today’s multi-cultured labor pool and choose not to acknowledge or even accept it will most likely be increasingly ineffective in external interactions and communication. (McInnes, 2000) Communication is a main key to success in the business world today, without it a business will fail.

As far as market strategies go, it’s the corporation’s obligation to realize consumers and the buying power that they have in today’s market. With the understanding of how the consumer mind works as a company you will have to find ways to convey the to the consumer, their need and want of your product or service. By hiring a diverse workforce a company will expand how they relate to their growing customer base. (McInnes, 2000)

Of course with so many different cultures working alongside of each other different challenges can arise. Although we have laws to protect employees, managers and customers alike, we still may encounter people who do not abide them. This poses a challenge if the opinionated person is anywhere on any level of the business spectrum. Whether it’s a customer that won’t buy from a company because of the race of the company representative they meet, or a manager who won’t promote a worthy employee due to their religious background, it’s wrong; but unfortunately not unheard of. Thanks to the EEOC or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission we have laws to protect and combat the demonstration of said judgmental acts in the workplace. (USEEOC, 1963-present)

In my opinion a more diverse workforce is not only a necessity in today’s competitive world of business but a strength that exhibits endless possibilities for the future of business in a whole.

References

1.      McInnes, R. (2000). Workforce diversity: changing the way you do business. Retrieved October, 2008, from Www.diversityworld.com Web site: http://www.diversityworld.com/Diversity/workforce_diversity.htm

2.      USEEOC. (1963-present). U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commision. Retrieved October, 2008, from Eeoc.gov Web site: http://www.eeoc.gov/