 | Multicultural Musings
The Diversity Advantage E-ZineJanuary 2007
You are receiving this because you have shown an interest in supporting diversity and inclusion. It is my hope that the information you find in the following column is informative, useful and will on occasion cause you to smile. Feel free to forward this e-zine to your colleagues and friends. The more we spread the word, the sooner the world will see diversity as an advantage. If this was forwarded to you, you can sign up for your own copy by clicking here www.LenoraSpeaks.com
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A World of Inclusion: News of Interest Stepping Forward for GLBT Employees: Aetna's Mark Bertolini
Why would a straight, white, male executive become the champion of his corporation's gay-and-lesbian employee-resource group?
For Aetna's Mark Bertolini, the answer was his strong sense of equality. Although Aetna Network for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Employees (ANGLE) existed for nearly two decades, it disturbed Bertolini that it did not have a top executive as its corporate sponsor as all the other company employee-resource groups did. He knew that without that top-level support, the group's effectiveness was virtually nonexistent.
Source: December 2006 issue of DiversityInc Magazine
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Learning Resource Highlight  January Special - Lenora Recommends....
Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: The Bestselling Guide to Doing Business in More Than 60 Countries
by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway
In a global economy, it is crucial for business people to be sensitive to cultural differences. And although the best reason for doing so may be ethical, it's great for business as well! This is an invaluable book for "doing well while doing good" in your intercultural relations, covering the protocols of appointments, business entertaining, greetings, forms of address, gestures, dress, and gifts in 60 of the nations you're most likely to be doing business. Some interesting excerpts:
Australia: The "thumbs-up" sign, which in the U.S. indicates "O.K." is considered rude.
Brazil: The colors of the Brazilian flag are green and yellow, so avoid wearing this combination in any fashion.
China: Avoid making exaggerated gestures or using dramatic facial expressions. The Chinese do not generally use their hands when speaking, and become distracted by a speaker who does. The authors are very aware that no generalizations apply to all residents of a nation, and are careful not to stereotype or judge. Highly recommended to any business traveler--or any student of the diversity of human cultures.
-- Review on Amazon.com
Click here to purchase this book on Amazon.com |
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Ponder This... "People of Color" and "People of Quality" are not exclusive.
--Luke Visconti
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Useful Links For your convenience we add to this section from time to time without deleting any links. The new editions will be marked with an asterisk *.
Black Enterprise Magazine
www.ctrsr.org - The Center for Sexuality and Religion is an educational, interfaith, and interdisciplinary organization that assists communities of faith to promote sexual and spiritual health.
www.DiversityInc.com - The leading online and in-print magazine reports current diversity news.
www.glaad.org - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
www.hacu.net - Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
www.HireDiversity.com - An excellent site that provides a link between today's multicultural professional and corporate America.
info.monster.com/alliances/diversity - As the need for diverse talent grows, Monster's alliances with organizations focused on specific demographic communities help customers continue to recruit the best and most diverse talent. List of links to these organizations.
www.pflag.org - Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) is a national non-profit organization with over 200,000 members and supporters and over 500 affiliates in the United States.
www.splcenter.org - The Southern Poverty Law Center is internationally recognized for its work against racism and extremist groups.
www.tolerance.org - Your willingness to examine your own possible biases is an important step in understanding the roots of stereotypes and prejudice in our society. Take a Hidden Bias Test at this site to measure your unconscious, or automatic, biases.
*www.wisdomquotes.com - Quotations to inspire and challenge.
Thank You in over 465 languages
Listen to Lenora's latest radio interview! She provides an in-depth discussion on the value of diversity and why organizations that embrace diversity have the advantage in today's competitive environment. Click here, then scroll down to the February 21, 2006 episode!. |
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The Last Word..... "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts."
Daniel Patrick Moynihan
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About Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP is an internationally recognized speaker, diversity consultant, and author with more than twenty-five years experience in the public and private sectors. As an educator and keynoter, Lenora has developed a unique way of presenting sensitive topics in a high-energy, fun-filled, yet thought-provoking way. Call today to book her for your organization - 888.288.8885.
Helping you make diversity an advantage,
Lenora
Lenora Billings-Harris, CSP (Certified Speaking Professional)
lenora@LenoraSpeaks.com
888.288.8885 (toll free)
336.282.4443 (voice)
336.282.4487 (fax)
For more information, please go to
www.LenoraSpeaks.com |  |
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