Ethics Information

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Diversity And Success, In The Workplace


This article relates to the Diversity in the Workplace Competency, commonly evaluated in employee satisfaction surveys. This competency explores whether your organization provides understanding and supports interaction among diverse population groups while respecting individuals' personal values and ideas. Research shows that by fostering a climate where equity and mutual respect are intrinsic, an organization can create a success-oriented, cooperative and caring work environment that draws intellectual strength and produces innovative solutions from the synergy of its people.

All businesses can benefit from a diverse body of talent bringing fresh ideas, perspectives, and views to the workplace. However, a diverse workforce means that the managers within your organization must be capable of capitalizing on the mixture of genders, cultural backgrounds, ages, and lifestyles present in your staff to respond to business opportunities more rapidly and creatively.

This short story, Diversity----and Success, in the Workplace, is part of AlphaMeasure's Compilation, Tales from the Corporate Frontlines. It illustrates how one manager recognized and used a diverse team to achieve the best possible work product for the company, and win new business as well.

Anonymous Submission

It was a project unlike any our small ad agency had ever undertaken. A new client, selling a completely different product than we usually worked with. And our team had been awarded the opportunity to develop the perfect campaign and win the continued business of this new client. We all looked at our project manager, who was with us now for six whole months, like he had lost his mind. Why not team A? They had twice the experience and were always the group chosen to woo new clients with their work. Surely they were a safer choice. Why risk the client on us?

Our project manager patiently explained that out team had the required diversity for this project. If ever a project demanded workforce diversity---this was it. We looked around at each other, sure enough, we referred to ourselves as the "odds and ends" we were all so different. Our writers and designers represented a mixture of newbie talent, on fire with ambition, more mature people on their second careers, and new hires who earned their stripes far away, in big city agencies. We worked okay together, but our projects so far were small cast offs from the senior teams.

Yes, the project manager continued, this campaign required a diversity that the more entrenched teams lacked. More of our members represented the target demographic, and the deadline demanded quick turnaround. That was one of the reasons our company had landed the project. Times were tight and potential long-term clients were nothing to sneeze at. He was confident that if we pulled together, we'd achieve the best possible outcome for everyone--- a brilliant campaign that would lure the new client onto our roster forever.

Still thinking that he was crazy, we began our work. The entire process was amazing. Our brainstorming sessions produced several great concepts that we developed eagerly. The newbies provided smart, stylish slogans, while the latecomers worked overtime to combine them with vibrant design. Our client loved it. So much so that our firm was awarded three more projects with the expectation that our team would do the required work.

Yes, our project manager was crazy. Crazy enough to go against the usual procedure and capitalize on the workforce diversity of our team to the benefit of the company. We succeeded ---with his guidance, of course.

© 2005 AlphaMeasure, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

This article may be reprinted, provided it is published in its entirety, includes the author bio information, and all links remain active.

Measure. Report. Improve your organization with AlphaMeasure employee surveys.

Josh Greenberg is President of AlphaMeasure, Inc.

AlphaMeasure provides organizations of all sizes a powerful web based method for measuring employee satisfaction, determining employee engagement, and increasing employee retention.

Launch your employee surveys with AlphaMeasure.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Associated Press

Obama's role in Ill. ethics bill was complicated
The Associated Press - 14 hours ago
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Barack Obama likes to give himself star billing for his role in enacting ethics reforms in Illinois a decade ago, but he didn't act ...
Anti-Obama book to be launched in Nairobi today Standard
all 86 news articles


House ethics fight heats up
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - 15 hours ago
Phil Riesen, D-Holladay, asked a House committee to dismiss an ethics complaint brought against him by Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, arguing that he had a ...
House Ethics Committee to meet today over dueling complaints Deseret News
Rep. Riesen files request for dismissal KSL-TV
Walsh: Don't expect ethic charges to stick in Utah Salt Lake Tribune
all 6 news articles


ABC News

Republicans to high court: Stop Palin ethics probe
The Associated Press - 4 hours ago
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Republicans are asking the state's highest court to block an abuse-of-power investigation into vice presidential nominee ...
Palin’s Office Will Release Potentially Damaging Emails—For A Price The Public Record
Palin Aides Set To Testify In Troopergate Probe DigitalJournal.com
Palin Claims Right to See All State Files Atlantic Free Press
Voice of Arizona - Juneau Empire (subscription)
all 1,480 news articles


CTV.ca

Palin ethics probes beset by secrecy and lawsuit
The Associated Press - 3 hours ago
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin says she's an open book regarding an abuse-of-power investigation. ...
Troopergate expands into workers comp Juneau Empire (subscription)
Todd Palin plans interview in Troopergate probe The Associated Press
all 190 news articles


WWL

Monrose selected to La. Ethics Board by House vote
KATC, LA - 59 minutes ago
The Louisiana Board of Ethics has a complete slate of members and will resume work this week, after the state House of Representatives voted Monday on its ...
House elects Lafayette attorney to ethics board The Daily Advertiser
House to pick second ethics board member The Daily Advertiser
all 19 news articles


High school district taps institute on ethics
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 13 hours ago
“What you allow, you encourage,” said ethics expert Michael Josephson, who is working with the Grossmont Union High School District on the Character Counts ...


UPDATE: President White Restates Ethics Policy
Daily Illini, IL - 1 hour ago
By Sarah Small President B. Joseph White issued a mass email to faculty and students Monday at 2:50 pm regarding the University's the "Ethics Matters" ...
UI president clarifies stance on political activities Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette
all 5 news articles


Senate minority to pick Loren for ethics panel
GMA news.tv, Philippines - 12 hours ago
MANILA, Philippines - The Senate minority bloc will be tapping Senator Loren Legarda as its representative in the ethics committee following the resignation ...
Madrigal quits Senate ethics committee Inquirer.net
Santiago: Villar’s case may be handled by Ombudsman BusinessWorld Online
4 senators fail to make it for group photo GMA news.tv
all 5 news articles


Koster's ex-wife donates $140000 to AG opponent Gibbons
Kansas City Star, MO - 22 hours ago
The donation was received by the campaign on Friday and reported in a Missouri Ethics Commission filing on Sunday afternoon. ...
Attorney general candidate's ex-wife donates $140K to his opponent News-Leader.com
Koster responds to Gibbons' fundraising bonanza Columbia Daily Tribune
Ex-wife of Mo. Democratic AG candidate backs rival Belleville News Democrat
Legal News Line - Sports Network
all 184 news articles


Commission: Picayune mayor violated ethics law
Fort Mills Times, SC - 6 hours ago
The state Ethics Commission says Picayune Mayor Greg Mitchell has voluntarily repaid the city $1266 that was used to buy sports equipment from his ...

Ethics - Google News

home | site map
© 2006