Some consider Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) simply about political correctness. However, research tells us otherwise. In 2017 Gallup convincingly “linked engagement with positive business metrics including productivity, profitability, quality, employee commitment and retention” and reported that “Diversity combined with an inclusive culture can have an even greater impact on business outcomes”. D&I is a relevant, competitive, and strategic advantage. D&I also positively contributes to the ways we must communicate and work together in our increasingly global workplaces and cities.
Diversity and inclusion are not the same thing nor is D&I the same as affirmative action or equal employment opportunity. “Strategic diversity management” means you are bringing people of diverse races, cultures, genders, generations, and other diversity dimensions into your organization or board. “Strategic inclusion” means you are intentional about creating a culture of respect, acceptance and accountability such that everyone does his or her best work. Inclusive organizational cultures radiate “We welcome you.” Some of the prominent businesses in our community are leading the way with incorporating diversity and inclusion into their standard operations — and reaping benefits.
This month’s cover story looks at how diversity and inclusion impacts business operations. In Business Magazine editor RaeAnne Marsh brings this home with input from Intel, the Desert Botanical Garden and other businesses sharing their experience in unitizing diversity and inclusion strategies to advance the goals of their companies.
Another hot topic in today’s world is cybersecurity. Businesses spend enormous amounts of resources addressing the threat or consequences of breaches in their operations. Morey Haber explores the culpability of human error in the feature article “Why Do We Continue to Have Data Breaches?”
Conflict resolution is the focus of this issue’s Roundtable, a Candid Forum. R.W. Burke offers suggestions to businesses as to how to deal with addressing conflict between employees; between managers and employees; and between departments.
With its standard mix of information on healthcare, technology, commercial real estate, legal aspects of business practices — and even where to head for lunch and what wheels to use to drive there — In Business Magazine presents this December issue.
It is my pleasure to assist in bringing you this issue of In Business Magazine. Please enjoy your reading and may many spirited and forward-looking conversations be held because of it. Have a happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joel P. Martin
President
Triad West Inc.
Dr. Joel Martin, president of Triad West Inc. and founder of Positively Powerful Woman Awards & Programs, is an executive coach, speaker, author and consultant. She founded Triad West more than 15 years ago to provide clients with expertise in developing transformational leaders; diverse and inclusive cultures; and aligned, high-performing teams. Certified by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and a member of the Global Chamber and WOWOB, her company has provided services in diverse countries around the world.
Dr. Martin has appeared on “The Today Show” and ABC Channel 15, in The New York Times, Black Enterprise and Fortune; and is the author of How to Be a Positively Powerful Person and MBA: ‘Me’ Brand Awareness.
