Diversity In the Workplace Seminar

The discussion is the first in a year-long series which will explore cultural literacy through a new Chattanooga Chamber program called, “Developing A Global Mindset.” Consisting of six seminars, the series will bring expertise from the area’s international business leaders to local companies that are interested in learning about subjects such as employing multi-cultural sensitivity at home and abroad, navigating cross-cultural business environments, selling to global markets and executing culturally-sensitive HR strategies.

 

Panelists will include Ron Harris, corporate diversity official at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee (BCBST), Mario Duarte, assistant manager of staffing and workforce planning for Volkswagen Chattanooga, and Jennifer Hislop, recruiting and diversity specialist for Volkswagen Chattanooga. The discussion, titled “Diversity in the Workplace,” will cover the following points of interest:

 

·         Diversity and inclusion as necessary leadership in the 21^st century

·         An overview of corporate diversity initiatives and ways to apply them

 

Gladys Pineda-Loher, who developed the “Developing A Global Mindset” program and serves as business diversity coordinator for the Chattanooga Chamber, said the series is meant to educate local companies on ways cultural literacy can open doors and close deals.

 

“The globalization of business has opened borders between countries and dramatically broadened the scope of trade,” Pineda-Loher said. “Even if your own firm is local, you may have U.S.-based clients with an international presence or foreign clients that operate satellite offices in North America.”

 

This heightened level of contact between businesspeople of different backgrounds, Pineda-Loher said, calls for businesses to redefine their relationship-building strategies across the spectrum, from customer service and internal communications tactics to multi-market outreach.

 

“We must keep in mind that while some professional standards may converge across cultures, there is no universal way to conduct business,” Pineda-Loher said. “In some settings, actions as seemingly innocuous as putting your hands in your pockets or writing with a red pen could convey disrespect that, though unintended, could damage your relationship with the other party. That’s why it’s crucial to become critically-attuned to the cultural nuances of diverse customers and clients as you seek to build your business and its reputation.”

 

About the speakers

 

Ron Harris serves as the corporate diversity official at BCBST. In that capacity, Harris provides strategic leadership and counsel for diversity initiatives within the organization, including diversity awareness training, recruitment, translation services, employee development and community outreach. Over the last 25 years, Harris has served in various managerial positions at BCBST and co-founded the BlueCross BlueShield Association Diversity Alliance, which connects various BlueCross BlueShield plans throughout the country as a resource to share best practices and address diversity awareness and community outreach.

 

As assistant manager for staffing and workforce planning at Volkswagen, Mario Duarte is responsible for the design and implementation of strategies to ensure the best talent is acquired and retained by his company. He leads Volkswagen’s staffing and recruiting practices in order to align corporate diversity initiatives within an environment of global planning standards. Over the course of his career, Duarte has led the implementation of staffing, selection and assessment systems for nine large-scale plant launches, as well as plant expansions in three different countries for Fortune 500 companies.

 

Jennifer Hislop serves as the recruiting and diversity specialist at Volkswagen Chattanooga. In this capacity, she is responsible for recruiting a diverse workforce while ensuring that diversity and inclusion are aligned with Volkswagen’s corporate strategies and values. Hislop is involved in local diversity activities at the Chattanooga plant, which include providing counsel for diversity initiatives within the organization, recruitment, community outreach and monitoring employee development.

 

About “Developing A Global Mindset”

 

All “Developing A Global Mindset” seminars will take place from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Technology Conference Center at the Hamilton County Business Development Center. Price of admission is $10 for Chattanooga Chamber members and $12 for non-members. Advance registration is required. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Gladys Pineda-Loher at gpineda-loher@chattanoogachamber.com.