This document discusses strategies for managing diversity in the workplace. It uses the analogy of a Christmas tree to represent a diverse workforce. It then outlines five strategies for dealing with diversity: 1) Recognize individual differences, 2) Ensure fairness, 3) Focus on managing your own attitudes, 4) Conduct unbiased employee assessments, and 5) Encourage interaction between all employees. Additional tips include implementing cultural sensitivity training and seeking employee feedback to evaluate diversity behaviors.

1. Our Christmas Business Tree
Dealing with Diversity in the Workplace

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 manage
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
• Recognizing and accepting diversity in
the workplace, starts with managing our
own attitudes and behaviors.
• 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 who fall 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 nonconfrontational 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
• Appreciation for Editorial
Assistance by William R.Z. Kush:
– billkush1965@gmail.com
• The following are referenced in this
presentation:
– Dr. Richard T. Alpert
http://www.diversityresources.com/culturaldiversity-workplace.htm
– Caroline Banton
Medihttp://everydaylife.globalpost.com/managediversity-workplace-1091.html
– Tom Ryan
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-strategies-dealingdiversity-workplace-18106.html

14. Our Christmas Business Tree
Our Business Contacts
Feel free to send us an e-mail.
Our Website:
www.licoreis.com
Our E-mail:
licoreis@licoreis.com
licoreis@licoreis.com.br
Linkedin: Roberto de Paula Lico Júnior
Skype: roberto.lico