Integrating Multicultural Global Issues into the Corporate Culture

Topic: “Integrating Multicultural Global Issues into the Corporate Culture”

Kalamazoo – Thursday, November 12, 2015

Challenge:

Difference in resolving conflicts
Written contracts might not have value
Different implementation
Interface?
Diluted Culture
Silicon Valley – How we deal with each other
Google – had diversity/loose culture. 18 months later they found out it was not working.
Client base – will they outsource it and hang you out to dry?

Solutions:

Protect your core values
Integrity
Quality
Relationships internally and externally
Expertise – with full focus
Accountability
Excellence
Good Ethics
Take A Way
Protect your storehouse.
What is the real culture? Evaluate it and decide what your essential culture is.
Do the people you deal with feel heard?
Assimilate

Grand Rapids – Thursday, November 12, 2015

Factors that influence multiculturalism and diversity within the corporate culture:

West Michigan feels like a microcosm of diversity, in that heavily influenced by the reformed culture
Growing trend in West Michigan includes increased diversity among communities and regions
Current issues in the news, including Missouri University, increase the visibility of cultural diversity and societal influence

Challenges related to integrating a multicultural global culture into the corporate setting:

There are so my different ways to define “diversity” including cultural, socioeconomic, gender, ethnicity,
a Board of Directors must be bought into the vision of diversity
unfamiliarity with specific cultures and backgrounds may lead to “blind spots”

Solutions related to integrating multicultural mindset in the corporate setting:

Help the board by into the vision of multicultural mindset and diversity
bring on the right stakeholders, donors, and others that understand and see the vision with you
personally embrace the vision for diversity, in your personal life as well as corporate leadership
embrace “diversity and thinking” as you accept unique perspectives from a broad set of issues and ideas
let your corporate vision be the unifying force, pulling together people from all walks of life and backgrounds
remain curious, always seeking to learn from others

Personal application:

develop a “welcoming mindset” to people who are different than you, as you seek to learn from them and understand their cultural context
be intentional about visiting other cultural contexts and experiences, to help bring you out of your comfort zone.
Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in opportunities for crossing cultural barriers, personally and professionally
be respectful of the individual, without compromising your personal core values.

Holland – Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Challenge

recognizing different areas we spent some time defining multicultural
lots of time we have a common base to start with
have to be careful with what we don’t know
rules of business are common (English)
hurt and brokenness do not have cultural boundaries
lack of trust
time schedule

Solutions

find the common ground
exposure is huge
listen more talk less
treat this as an opportunity to learn

Takeaway

find the common ground
exposure is huge
listen more talk less
treat this as an opportunity to learn
hurt and brokenness do not have cultural boundaries

Detroit – Thursday, November 12, 2015

How do you integrate different generational cultures (i.e. millennials) you need to adapt by how do you adapt without compromising the values of the culture?

Different personality style, are not cultural differences

Businesses need to adapt to their customer who may have a different culture

Army is a good example of bringing different cultures together. They fight together regardless of culture.

What is a common denominator values that crosses different cultures?

The pursuit of excellence
The pursuit of happiness
Respect for the dignity of each person

Detroit metro area a good example of a multi-cultural community