Employee Resource Groups or ERGs, are organized networks of employees in organizations who have similar demographics, interests, or life experiences, i.e,, veterans, women, Gen Y, people over 40, African-American, people with various religious affiliations, South Asian, etc. Early on, many ERGs began as a affinity groups formed to provide social and career support for their members. As diversity and inclusion…
I’ve found ten key ways to raise your Cultural IQ. Here are the first five. 1- Decide to be curious and interested in learning about other cultures, and really understanding diversity in new ways. This means you’re willing to take a risk, observe other people’s behaviors and ask questions in appropriate ways. If you’re not interested or willing to view…
In the 1990’s and beyond people who made culturally offensive comments were often sent to “sensitivity training,” in the hopes that they would come back with remorse. It was viewed as a punishment and met with resistance. While some organizations and institutions are still providing sensitivity training to employees who have made statements deemed offensive, there is the growing understanding…
A key component of any diversity and inclusion culture change initiative is to develop a process to educate and include hourly and front line employees, the ones that actually deal with customers. If not, any culture change will stay stuck at the corporate office. The great programs and policies won’t make a difference if an employee is inappropriate, and offends…
I was honored to be part of the MFHA (Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance) program on LGBT Cultural Intelligence in the Foodservice and Hospitality Industry, at Johnson & Wales in Miami last week. Gerry Fernandez the Executive Director of MFHA, was the driving force behind the program. When he spoke about his journey to become an LGBT ally, many people…
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