The inability to manage diversity in the workplace can be extremely harmful to your business. It can cost you:

You can keep your risks at a minimum by understanding what cultural diversity is, why it matters, and how to effectively manage your business in terms of diversity.

What is Cultural Diversity?

The United States is often thought of as the great melting pot where anyone from any background can assimilate into a single society. This idealistic way of thinking is not too applicable to our nation today. A more realistic and appropriate "ideal" is one of multiculturalism (cultural diversity). Multiculturalism is based on the idea that cultural identities should not be discarded or ignored, but instead, should be maintained and valued.

The importance of cultural diversity has been, by in large, accepted in American business. This is illustrated by the increased presence of women and minorities in the business world. Diversity has gone from being a moral and /or legal issue into a business necessity. As the year 2000 draws near, it will be necessary for business owners to compete in a more global arena. A study by the Hudson Institute for the U.S. Department of Labor found that 85% of the new entrants into the workforce in the year 2000 will be women, minorities, and immigrants. If you want your business to be Successful and competitive in the future, you will have to utilize these human resources and participate in these diversity trends.

Why Does Cultural Diversity Matter?

Cultural Diversity matters to every single one of us, both professionally and personally. When a group or segment of our population is excluded or oppressed, all of us are denied. For our businesses and communities to not only survive, but to thrive, each of us needs to be aware and sensitive to ALL the members of the community. Our communities are rich with resources. When all segments are respected and utilized, it benefits everyone involved.

A great many of us live on the "margins" of society. To be in a margin means that you are not a part of the mainstream, popular culture. In this nation, our popular culture, or ideal for business Success, is white, young, heterosexual, Christian, and male. This means you are on the margins if you are:

If you can answer "yes" to any one of these criteria, you live in the margins. This means that there are obstacles, prejudices, and stereotypes about YOU as an individual. You can not automatically assume that society's view of you is unobstructed or based solely on your individual character, qualifications, or accomplishments. Unfortunately, you may be put in the situation to "second guess" or question one's motives in their interactions and responses to you. Another fact this criteria illustrates is that more of us live IN the margins than do not. More of us DO NOT fit the societal prescription of what is normal and acceptable. While this all may be true, we all must do our best to function as productive, happy individuals. So what are we to do? We can all strive for change. We can all be proactive in our decisions and lifestyles rather than reactive to ignorance and intolerance. When a white woman snubs an ethnic woman, for instance, she is harming herself as well. The white woman lives in the same margin as the ethnic woman, and she is only perpetuating and cementing her place there.

America is the most diverse nation in the world. Our ethnicity, religion, life experience, etc., makes each of us unique. Ideas our nation once embraced about assimilation are now inappropriate and outdated. For someone who lives on the margins to assimilate into a single idea of acceptance to fit into society is a gross violation of their individual identity and rights. This means that we all need to learn to accept what is different from us and respect it.

Managing Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

The management of diversity can be considered a response to the need to recognize, respect and capitalize on the different backgrounds in our society in terms of race, ethnicity, and gender. Different cultural groups have different values, styles, and personalities, each of which may have a substantial effect on the way they do business. Rather than punishing or stifling these different management styles because they do not conform to the traditional white (male) management methods, employers should recognize these differences as benefits. Not only can diverse management styles achieve the same results as traditional methods, but a diverse workforce can also help improve the company's competitive position in the marketplace. Diversity, or sensitivity, training is now common place in the corporate world. However, small businesses need to be aware of these issues just as well. As a small business owner, your awareness and respect of diversity truly matters to your employees and your client base. You must create a balance of respect and understanding in the workplace to have happy and optimally productive workers. In addition to this, it is important that you AND your employees are aware of the importance of respecting diversity when dealing with your clients. When you work effectively with your community, both you and the community benefit.