How can a company ingrain diversity into its business practices?
Companies can build diversity into their business practices by incorporating it into their value system and strategic plans. Ideally, diversity should be viewed as an important pillar of an organization’s foundation. Diversity scorecards can be used to help measure company progress in meeting diversity goals.
Companies also can require each employee to complete a diversity education course, for example, which can be Web-based, in-person or a combination of both. These courses focus on building an understanding of diversity and inclusion, and helping employees develop skills that are required in a multicultural environment. They encourage all employees to embrace and celebrate the differences among diverse employees and to create an atmosphere of inclusion. Senior-level executives and others also can be required to include diversity goals and objectives as part of their performance plans.
How can I tell if my company truly embraces diversity?
An obvious way is in the improvement in the hiring, retention and development of diverse colleagues. You also can tell if your company truly embraces diversity if it:
- Effectively utilizes and values similarities and differences in people to create a broad, richer work environment that encourages creative thinking and solutions
- Recognizes and leverages the benefits realized from a broad range of ideas, viewpoints and cultures working together to produce superior products and services for a diverse marketplace
- Embraces the inclusion of all talented and qualified individuals, regardless of differences in beliefs, experiences, backgrounds or physical characteristics
- Treats all colleagues, customers and vendors fairly and with dignity and respect
How will I know if my company is making a difference with its diversity program?
At Comerica, diversity is a core value and a key business driver. As a result, our bank has been nationally recognized for its diversity focus and commitment. Recognition is not the reason to have a diversity program in place, but it does serve to remind employees, customers and others with an interest in your company that diversity is a priority.
Leslie Sabbath is senior vice president for employee relations at Comerica Bank in Dallas, Texas. Comerica Bank is a commercial banking subsidiary of Comerica Inc. (NYSE: CMA), the largest banking company headquartered in Texas. In addition to Dallas/FortWorth, Comerica Bank locations in Texas can be found in Austin and Houston. To receive e-mail alerts of breaking Comerica news, go to www.comerica.com/newsalerts.
