A short presentation about dealing with diversity at the workplace.

1. Our
Christmas
Business Tree
Dealing with
Diversity in the
Workplace
Roberto Lico
Brazil - licoreis@licoreis.com

2. Our Christmas Business Tree
Introduction
• A Christmas tree is a
decorated tree, usually
an evergreen conifer
such as spruce, pine or
fir, traditionally
associated with the
celebration of
Christmas.

3. Our Christmas Business Tree
Encyclopædia Britannica - Information
• According to the
Encyclopædia Britannica,
"The use of evergreen trees,
wreaths, and garlands to
symbolize eternal life was a
custom of the ancient
Egyptians, Chinese, and
Hebrews”.

4. Our Christmas Business Tree
Important
• The tree was traditionally
decorated with edibles
such as apples, nuts or
dates but today, there are
a wide variety or a
diversity of traditional
ornaments, such as
garland, tinsel,
ornaments, colorful balls
and candy canes.

5. Our Christmas Business Tree
Our diversified business environment
• Like a Christmas tree
our business
environment is
composed of a
diversified group of
people with different
races, creeds, ages,
genders, colors and
educational
backgrounds.

6. Our Christmas Business Tree
Managing diversity – 05 Strategies
• Managing diversity involves
using some specific resources
and experiences for the benefit
of the organization.
• But knowing how to do this
requires understanding some
strategies to better deal with
diversity in our business
environment.

7. Our Christmas Business Tree
Strategy 01 - Recognition
• We must recognize that people have
differences, be they physical,
generational or cultural, and we
cannot pretend that these barriers have
been broken down or are not carried
to the workplace.
• Instead, we must accept the
differences among our employees, and
encourage them to let their
individualities show since their
diversity and knowledge could prove
useful to our business.

8. Our Christmas Business Tree
Strategy 02 - Fairness
• We should realize that by accepting
everyone’s differences does not
mean treating everyone exactly the
same but that we do demonstrate a
fair attitude that respects diversity.
• Acting fairly and acting uniformly
are different, and only one enables us
to successfully deal with diversity in
our workplace.
• It is important to treat people fairly
and respect the differences that make
them who they are.

9. Our Christmas Business Tree
Strategy 03 – Focus on yourself
• Diversity is an issue that we must
manage in the workplace, and it starts
with managing our own attitude and
behavior.
• We need to be aware of how we
respond and react to different styles,
cultures, backgrounds and diverse
differences.
• Self-awareness is key to managing and
developing a fair and equality-based
workplace for all employees.

10. Our Christmas Business Tree
Strategy 04 – Employee assessments
• When preparing an employee review and
assessment, we must also examine our
employees' attitudes, particularly how they
work with others and approach the workplace
with the same equality they expect.
• If we notice that an employee only delegates
tasks to people of a certain race, gender, age
or relationship…. or if an employee
disregards the ideas of people falls in to one
of these categories, it is our responsibility to
address and correct these biases.

11. Our Christmas Business Tree
Strategy 05 – Encourage interaction
• When we identify diversity-related
issues in the workplace, we must
discuss such issues with all of the
involved employees and in a non-
confrontational manner.
• We should set up HR courses and
workshops that will encourage and
help employees to understand how
to work with others regardless of
their diversity(ies) and that it’s not
optional!

12. Our Christmas Business Tree
Important
Set up “models” for good behavior procedures to clarify any
doubts or confusions of acceptable policy.
Invest in cultural sensitivity training for all staff
to facilitate better communication
Seek periodic feedback from staff and
to evaluate the company diversity behavior.
Encourage open communication and teamwork
across work functions.
Plan an annual event to break down formal barriers
and improve staff morale.

13. Our Christmas Business Tree
Our References
• The following are referenced in this
presentation:
– Dr. Richard T. Alpert
http://www.diversityresources.com/cultural-
diversity-workplace.htm
– Caroline Banton
Medihttp://everydaylife.globalpost.com/manage-
diversity-workplace-1091.html
– Tom Ryan
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-strategies-dealing-
diversity-workplace-18106.html

15. LRCL – Business Services Consulting
Roberto Lico – licoreis@licoreis.com

16. LRCL – Business Services Consulting
Information – licoreis@licoreis.com
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