Q. Is diversity training important for small businesses?
A. My answer may surprise you --
Many small business owners are not ready to handle the problems associated with cultural diversity in the workplace. If not prepared, a business may find themselves facing discrimination suits, litigation expenses, legal fees and settlements, high employee turnover, and negative community image.
Have you ever had an employee get angry with you because they felt discriminated against--even though that was not your intention? How did you respond? Were you able to diffuse the situation before it got out of control? Are you a woman business owner who takes male clients to lunch? Who pays the bill ? you or him? Do you travel abroad? What types of cultural differences do you need to be aware of? Are you prepared to deal with these situations?
If you are a business owner, you need to recognize, respect, and capitalize on the different backgrounds in our society. Different cultural groups have different values, styles, and personalities. This reflects in how businesses interact. Having a diverse workplace will improve your company?s competitive edge in the marketplace.
Diversity, or sensitivity training is very common among large corporations now. While many small business owners cannot afford this training, it is still important to put this into practice when dealing with your employees. Many companies use different techniques for sensitivity training.
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