Joe Gerstandt | keynote speaker, freedom fighter, freak-flag flier

I did actually think long and hard about the name for this site, so it does have some significance.  When it comes to the issues of diversity and inclusion, I think that it is very important for our organizations and our community to take real action.  There are currently a number of very important shifts taking place and these shifts are making diversity and inclusion more critical to success.  If we do not want to be left behind in the new economy, we need to take action.  Here are a few of the most important changes taking place:

1. Demographics:  Our population demographics are undergoing drastic changes right now, and these changes will impact the workplace and the consumer market.  It is now estimated that by 2008, 70% of new entrants into the workforce will be women and ethnic and racial minorities.  The workforce is also shrinking due to the generational transitions that are moving through the workforce right now, so as the war for talent heats up…you will want to make sure that your organization is reaching out to as much potential talent as possible and is able to retain as much of its talent as possible.  Practices, policies and priorities need to be re-examined on a regular basis to make sure that they are not skewed or biased, and beyond that if you do not currently have a lot of diversity in your applicant pool, then you probably need to examine your branding, and job marketing.
2. Context for Business:  What determines competitive advantage has changed.  Companies in this country are having and will continue to have a hard time building competitive advantage on quality or price.  Innovation is king right now and not just in new product development.  Diversity and an inclusive culture can be driving forces for innovation.
3. Importance of Place:  Richard Florida has spoken and written about this at great length.  I believe that this is an issue that Omaha must take a serious look at.  A lot of Gen X and Yers, especially those that Florida refers to as the Creative Class, often decide where they are going to live before deciding where to work.  Whether you are a fan of Floridas or not (I am), I think it is important that Omaha be appealing to as many talented potential employees as possible, regardless of what language they speak, what country they are from, what race or ethnicity they are or who they date.  It is good for our community and it is good for our organizations.

Diversity is a part of life, and in my opinion a powerful part of life.  If we are to take advantage of an economy that is being driven more and more by innovation and creativity, if we are to benefit from the changing demographics if we are to benefit from the new importance of place then we must:

• Make sure that the perception and reality of our community and our organizations is that anyone willing to pitch in is welcome and can experience any level of success here
• Come to an increased understanding regarding the value of diversity
• Re-invest in education and our youth
• Stop accepting racial and ethnic disparities in the education, healthcare and criminal justice arenas
• Stop accepting a lack of diversity on corporate and non-profit boards of directors
• Promote, reward and expect more innovation, creativity and collaboration
• Increase our opportunities and our capacity for dialogue
• Be unrelenting in our effort to integrate personal and professional networks

At least that is what comes to mind right now.  The world is changing and it is our time to act.  It is Friday night and I think it is time for me to go to bed.  I am sleepy like this guy: