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Running head: DIVERSITY AND ITS ROLE IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Diversity and its Role in Business Development

Reflection Paper: Briefing by Dr. Vernese Edghill-Walden

Kassia Webb
International College of the Cayman Islands

Seminar on Business and Society BE/SO425

Instructor: Dr. Marshall

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DIVERSITY AND ITS ROLE IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
On Wednesday, 18th of May 2016 at approximately 7:00 p.m. at Courtyard Marriot in the
Michigan Room, Dr. Edghill-Walden who is the Senior Associate Vice President for Academic
Diversity and Chief Diversity Officer from the Northern Illinois University, gave a presentation
on diversity and its role in business development.
Firstly, Dr. Edghill-Walden asked us to define diversity in our opinion as it is a very
widely used term. She wanted us to have a standardize understanding of diversity. My thought
on diversity is that we should value others people beliefs and their identity. On the other hand,
the negative effect that we face is discrimination in all aspects and stereotyping. Dr. EdghillWalden defined diversity as a variety of different thoughts, perspectives, racial, cultural, sexual
orientation and religions. Additionally, Dr. Edghill-Walden asked if we thought that diversity
and inclusive meant the same. However, I have learned from the discussion that in order to be
inclusive we have to accept diversity and know that people are different. We should see diversity
as a good thing, act positively and treat others right.
What I have learned is related to the topic of Business and Society as diversity in an issue
that most organizations face. Diversity in a business brings interest, opportunities, creates better
persons, enhances self-awareness and it helps us to appreciate other peoples cultures. Also, as a
part of her presentation, she showed us a video from Mellody Hobson, titled Color Blind or
Color Brave? This video was mainly about racism. After watching the video, it taught me that
we should stand up for what we believe in and that we can do and be whatever we want. What
stood to me though, was when Mellody stated that we should be comfortable being
uncomfortable and that we should be color brave and not color blind. In Mellodys video, she
also mentioned words of encouragement which said that the future matters and that dreams are
possible.

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DIVERSITY AND ITS ROLE IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
This topic is related to Chapter 17, Managing a Diverse Workforce. Lawrence & Weber
(2014) posits that, The term diversity refers to variation in the important human characteristics
that distinguish people from one another. The primary dimensions of diversity are age, ethnicity,
gender, mental or physical abilities, race, and sexual orientation (p. 379). This quote, ties back
to what Dr. Edghill-Walden defined diversity as. In addition, workforce diversity is common
amongst employees. It is an issue that most organizations face and as a result, it can cause ethical
challenges for businesses. According to Lawrence &Weber (2014), Laws and regulations
clearly require that businesses provide equal opportunity, and avoid discrimination and
harassment (p. 380). What Lawrence & Weber mean is that laws and regulations were put in
place for the equality and acceptance of others.
Furthermore, I believe that the government in Cayman lacks diversity in their way of
thinking and this is a problem. The Members of Legislative Assembly for example, are all
Caymanians of the same age group and they have similar approaches. Also, majority of civil
servants are Caymanians. Most government departments tend to hire Caymanians only, as it is
their preference. As a result of this, I believe diversity is lacking in this area. I have realized that
the mature Caymanians are very reluctant to change and again for this reason, Cayman lacks
diversity. My implications for Cayman would be that we should carry out the practices of being
diverse in the organizations and more importantly in the community.
In conclusion, the effects of diversity are discrimination and stereotyping which are
popular practices around the world and in businesses. To minimize these sort of challenges we
should be educate people to know what is right or wrong and how to treat and appreciate others
regardless of their age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation and any other
characteristics.

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DIVERSITY AND ITS ROLE IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
References
Lawrence, Anne T. & Weber, J. (2014). Business and Society: Stakeholders, Ethics, Public
Policy, 14th Edition.