Why Care About Diversity?
Rachelle Pachtman - May 23, 2008
It’s the Future, Stupid!
As a senior PR practitioner with a focus on companies that utilize diversity as a best business practice, I have learned a great deal about what makes them successful.
Companies that excel in diversity management know that attracting and retaining diverse employees is critical to gaining entry into lucrative new markets. They also realize that stakeholders must grasp how diversity directly impacts the bottom line. Yet the reporters I deal with often seem to miss the importance of diversity in the business landscape.
Today's business leaders understand that diversity is not a trend, but rather what America has become. We have all seen name brands that ruled just a few years ago become obsolete because they ignored the changing face of the marketplace while other brands were paying attention. One iconic American company, at the suggestion of a Latino employee on its diversity council, added the name "Chicharrones" to the packaging of its pork rinds, a snack popular with Latino customers. The small acknowledgement increased sales by millions.
I am happy when reporters call me for help, even though they frequently need lengthy briefings on the basics of diversity management, but I wish they'd get up to speed and try to get the facts right.
A senior management reporter at the top national daily needed help understanding client survey data for a special diversity section. After I spent several hours helping the reporter, he said the entire section was cut from the story because, although he understood the data, his editor didn't. Despite careful explanation, another reporter at the top financial wire service failed to grasp stock index numbers proving diversity management excellence's link to shareholder value - and got it wrong.
Reporters say they want hard news, so what's the problem? Are they dismissing diversity as too soft for their business news readers?
Until the business case for diversity gains more traction with the business media, it's the PR pro who must help reporters make their case by arming them with credible data and clients who can educate without preaching.
Ironically, the current news cycle is helping reporters connect the dots with clear examples every day of what can happen when Oprah gets "dissed" by Hermes or how a lack of diversity in upper management can impact the responsiveness of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a disaster.
It will take patience, thoughtfulness, and the willingness to keep on pitching and use timely news pegs. By positioning yourself as the go-to source and recommending top diversity experts beyond your clients, journalists will begin to keep you top of mind.
Encourage them to scratch a little deeper, and they will start to find the kind of ammunition that will convince their editors that this "soft stuff" is the "hard stuff" that is impacting America's bottom line and will determine the nation's ability to thrive in an increasingly diverse global economy.
If that's not news, I don't know what is.
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Posted by Rachelle Pachtman at May 23, 2008 04:48 PM
Comments
1. Posted by
skinny
![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.intentblog.com/nav-commenters.gif)
on
May 23, 2008 06:03 PM
When you appeared out of nowhere I thought why not give the display name “Skep” a try. So far it has not been removed. If they do, again, there is always the Huffpost, again.
I would like to make a deal with you Norm. I smoke one of your cigars, which will probably make me sick, and you will read one of my books, which will probably make you sick. It is not equal punishment but who knows, I may start enjoying cigars and you..? Nah, that would be hoping for too much, but at least we both would suffer doing the other a favour.
We would treat the other guy the way we would like to be treated, something that seems to have gone astray on IB? How about it, deal?
The book you have to read is on a real renaissance trail and written by one of my spiritual buddies. He is still teaching us a thing or two from his grave. You guessed it, it is Carl Sagan, and the book’s title is, “The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark”.
Click the speech bubble and have a good one; what ever it is you are having these days.
Time to go to the soccer game.
2. Posted by
message to skinny
on
May 23, 2008 06:26 PM
Hi Rachelle, each and every individual is diverse. Diversity needs to be properly channelized. Human body is a great example of diversity: Skin, bones, fingers, eyes, muscles, blood, ...
People who are successful, know about diversity and it is the reason for their success.
We need to find the common in the diversity and utilize it for the betterment of society.
3. Posted by
Life
on
May 23, 2008 11:28 PM
Hey Skep...deal!! I'll find the book. Go to your Cigar store and find a Macanudo. Very mild. Pour yourself some of that good Canadian Crown Royal on the rocks, light that cigar, blow smoke rings and just imagine....for just a few minutes you're just like me! Or Rush Limbaugh! That gave you the heebie jeebies, huh?
Actually, we're probably not as far apart as you might imagine on these science and theology issues. My main issue in the past, with you, and even more so with you partner Ron, was the presentation of the idea, not the idea itself. If one viewed the world thru a different lens, one was pretty much looked at as contemptible. I don't see that. Some of the greatest examples of goodness that I've ever seen came from people of faith. Sooo.. when their goodness and integrity is called into question...yeah, I would sorta erupt!
Oh well...it's all in the past. Here's to the good times. These Obama lovin' yahoos, John Irvine Chris, have completely destroyed the old flavor....and I guess in the great scheme of life, that's OK too!!
Have a great day Skep! Nice to hear from you! don't mind Baby D... he's off his meds!
norm
4. Posted by
skinny
on
May 25, 2008 04:08 AM
My blue eyes
Making one with the sky above
Inside vision
A fishing pole
Walking with me
Over this bridge of desires
A wind of mysteries
A gentle whisper and yet nothing more
The basket opened
Showing their red-y seductive charms
Alone over troubled waters
Haaa, Not again this way of seeing
Today the pole is resting
And the charms opened to the blue only
While my eyes looking under
Alone with miseries of time line
Alone with multitude little glories
Grand'Pas, oncles, parents, friends
Drawn on solitude illusions
How can I say to you
How destructive is
The power, the feeling of separation
If over-joy is elevated
Over-saddness is lowered
If over is eliminated
If over is not
Hmmmm...
I see my connection with you
Our glories are ours
Our sorrows are ours
And the waters opening up my vision
Into the deep of many...
5. Posted by
Jean-François Désaulniers
on
May 25, 2008 11:25 AM
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(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)Recent Posts
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Recent Comments
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Jean-François Désaulniers commented on Why Care About Diversity?
My blue eyes
Making one with t -
skinny commented on Why Care About Diversity?
Hey Skep...deal!! I'll find the book. Go to y
-
Life commented on Why Care About Diversity?
Hi Rachelle, each and every individual is diver
-
message to skinny commented on Why Care About Diversity?
When you appeared out of nowhere I thought why
-
skinny commented on Why Care About Diversity?
You're right....but diversity for diversity's s
You're right....but diversity for diversity's sake is stupid!
Kinda like...electing Barack Obama, because he is black...is stupid!
Or...maybe...electing Hillary Clinton because she is female...is stupid!
What we should do, is elect Condie Rice!! Now that's diversity!! Black, Female...and smart! That would be a good choice!
Sorry to do this to you Rachelle...but there is a good chance it'll liven up your blog!
:)