Plan Comparison

In this assignment, you will go back to the readings in “Effective Diversity Planning” and choose one of the companies listed under the heading: “What should diversity plans include?” You will compare that company’s diversity plan to the 10 common components of a diversity plan.

In a 2-3 page paper, give a general overview of the plan you chose for this assignment. Consider each of the 10 components and describe how the company has included this component. Be specific in your findings. If you do not see evidence of a component, consider how you believe the company might include the component.

In addition, provide ideas you have about how this plan can be improved in order to increase its effectiveness.

Effective Diversity Planning Reading

Why is planning needed?

Think back to your earliest management classes, you should remember the four functions of management. How might this management process play a role in managing a diverse workforce? In order to reach that inclusive working environment, each of these four functions will play a role.

A diversity vision and a plan with which to implement this vision are essential to the success of diversity initiatives. Together these steps create a well-mapped path toward a specific goal and they also provide control methods in which successes and failures can be measured. The plan includes when strategies should be deployed to respond to specific situations.

Diversity must be a strategic initiative of the organization, and to be successful it requires the buy-in of all key stakeholders. This is because inclusion covers every aspect of the organization, from organizational policies to hiring practices to advertising to customer service - and beyond. Including everyone and responding to their diverse needs can only be accomplished through this type of organizational overhaul.

What should diversity plans include?

Many examples of diversity plans can be found on the Internet for different organizations, here are a few examples: Shenandoah County Public Schools, Radisson and Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Other organizations may not provide its full plan in detail, but you can get evidence of what is included and prioritized by viewing the company website. View the diversity related information at Google and PepsiCo to get an idea of how a diversity plan looks when in place. You will find that some companies target specific areas, such as a supplier diversity plan in addition to workforce diversity plans.

Although the various diversity plans may vary in their approach and priority, each has some similarities in the components used. Use this activity to understand the 10 common components of a diversity plan.

Common Components of a Diversity Plan

Benefits of diversity plans

Through effective diversity planning and implementation, companies can see many business advantages. Even with these plans in place, challenges will continue to arise in every organization; however, you readily have the support you need to identify the concerns and respond as needed. In the long run, the company will see the benefits in their bottom-line profits.

As you can see through the examples shown, the diversity plan may vary, but the need to have a plan in place is clear.

10 Components

}Current Climate

◦Keep a baseline and compare frequently

}Timeline

◦Training, execution and measurement

}Advisors

◦Experts (internal and external)

}Training

◦Initial and ongoing...

Beware of Diversity fatigue

}External Assessments

◦Involve the community

◦Compare against other companies

}Investment

◦What resources are needed?

Financial, people, physical

}Communication

◦All involved

}People

◦Value diversity at all levels

}Accountability

◦What support is needed? Who is accountable?

}Metrics

◦Ways to measure if diversity plan is working

Turnover, employee satisfaction, diversity, profit margin