Creating a positive environment is the first step to developing loyal and motivated employees. Microsoft creates this environment by developing great practices of diversity. Our textbook points out the positive aspects of diversity including: higher creativity in decision making, better understanding and service to customers, a more satisfied workforce, higher stock prices, lower litigation expenses, and higher company performance.
Microsoft lists on their website their diversity and inclusion statement which says "To be led by a globally diverse workforce that consistently delivers outstanding business results, understands the various cultural demands of a global marketplace, is passionate about technology and the promise it holds to tap human potential, and thrives in a corporate culture where inclusive behaviors are valued". It is obvious that they understand diversity and how it contributes to their environment as well as their bottom line.
Microsoft does not just have a statement about diversity, but they also practice it. They have relationships with many different organizations that foster diversity, such as American Association of People with Disabilities and the Society of Women Engineers. They spend money on organizations that are diverse as well, their spending on women and minority owned businesses has increased by more than 250% over the last few years.
Cultural intelligence, or "a person's capability to understand how a person's cultural background influences one's behavior" is a huge part of how diversity affects an organization. Microsoft, since it is a larger company, has the resources to truly understand different cultures and how they work. Their diversity training can show managers how different cultures tend to act and this will help them nurture these relationships.
Microsoft's inclusion statement goes hand in hand with our textbook's positive aspects of diversity, showing that not only is it important fundamentally, but it is instrumental to a business'
growth.
-Kelsey Van Gieson
Team 4
To see that Microsoft not only claims that they value diversity, but also backs it up with their involvement and contribution to other organizations is great. Many companies consider themselves diverse but when faced with a lawsuit on discrimination, they are not able to back up their "We honor diversity" claims.It is nice to know that organizations today actively try to stay well rounded and are open to differences in opinions and thoughts that are fostered through diversity.
ReplyDeleteDanielle Trasatti
Team three
I agree with Threes Companies comment. It is great to see that such a large company still cares about all of its employees. Taking the time to make sure the employees are happy and the work environment is important no matter the size of the business. So it is good that Microsoft is still able to do this.
ReplyDeletePosted By: Jacob Cyscon
I agree with both of the above comments. It is great to see that a company backs up their commitment to diversity. It is also nice to see that they recognize what a growing impact women and minorities are having on businesses by increasing their spending for these types of organizations.
ReplyDeletePosted By: Amy Beagles