Diversity/Compliance

Milwaukee executives discuss diversity

The Office of Diversity/Compliance (OD/C) has often used national statistics to teach audiences about the benefits of a diverse workforce. Information about the continual changes to the "typical consumer" profile and the need to respect differences in light of a burgeoning global marketplace have long been a part of OD/C training.

Now, in addition to providing "the numbers," the office has practical examples of the corporate need for diversity. In preparation for a customized Human Experience Theatre training last fall, Charmaine Clowney, assistant chancellor for OD/C, personally interviewed diversity executives from area corporations to learn about the specific advantages of a diverse workforce for these companies and their expectations of newly graduated employees.

Below is a brief synopsis of the feedback provided by executives from Motorola, Miller Brewing, and GE Medical Systems.

The advantages of having a workforce that values diversity
In addition to reduced EEO complaints, one of the advantages these executives note is that valuing cultural diversity means enabling the organization to seize new opportunities and cultivate talent that previously went unrecognized.

The skills new graduates need to deal with diversity issues
One skill new graduates need is to be more sensitive about individual cultures and realize the potential negative impact of their words and actions.

Potential challenges encountered by newly graduated employees from diverse backgrounds
Newly graduated employees from diverse backgrounds should be aware that, while race discrimination has become more subtle, treatment of gays and lesbians continues to be more overt. In addition, minorities and females continue to believe they must outperform their non-minority and male colleagues to be perceived as average. How institutions of higher education can help new graduates prepare for a diverse workforce
Diversity executives note that in order for institutions of higher education to help new graduates prepare for a diverse workforce, they need to do the following:

• Incorporate diversity issues into all course curricula.
• Incorporate problem-solving, business communication, and team-player skills into business school curricula.
• Provide students with more "real world" diversity experiences.