Introduction
There is a trend towards diverse workforce both in and out of the country. Apart from factors such as way of life, gender, traditions and race, diversity in the workforce is also highly demonstrated by the desires and prospects of the employees. In recent years, talent competition has increased among several institutions. Various organizations have understood the need to treat their employees with utmost respect. Microsoft Corporation, being a company with global presence, has diverse work force that work together in a harmonious way. Although diversity brings various talents to work place, to some extent, it also poses a challenge. For instance, it might generate intricacy and anxiety alongside prospective improvement and inventiveness. Every company should be in a position to handle a variety of dimensions in diversity. To make the best use of diversity, Microsoft Cooperation must take steps to prepare its work force for new trend in diversity.
Diversity training
Diversity entails being able to work with people from different races, ethnicity and cultural backgrounds. For the workforce to be able to embrace diversity, training is required. Microsoft Corporation has a relatively diverse workforce with employees coming from all over the world (Levinson, S., 2003, p66). Perception and stereotypes are the main challenges in managing diversity. However, diversity training can change perception over diverse workforce. Diversity training would increase cultural awareness within Microsoft Corporation. The training will also provide employees with skills and knowledge that would enable them to embrace people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Promotion of identity groups
Dealing with diversity mostly consists of accommodating minority groups in the company. In Microsoft Corporation, minority groups consist of Hispanic and African Americans. These minority groups could be empowered through identity groups (Levinson, S., 2003, p72). Identity groups allow the minority groups to express and demonstrate their cultures. This is an important element in managing diversity for its ability to empower different culture and overcome perceptions and stereotypes that impede diversity.
Communication
Communication is very important in managing diversity. Diverse workforce leads to people with different languages and other communication mechanisms. For diversity programs to be successful, cultural and language barriers must be addressed (Levinson, S., 2003, p113). To address communication challenges, employees should be trained in variety of forms of communication used in the corporation.
Inclusion of diversity in workplace
Diversity should be part of workplace plan in Microsoft Corporation. It should work to promote the company’s productivity. In managing the workplace, the element of diversity should be taken as integral part of the workplace (Levinson, S., 2003, 56). As much as possible, every part of the company’s workplace should reflect the diversity in the company. Consequently, this will prepare the company for future trend in diversity.
Conclusion
The trend in work force in the country today shows an increase in diversity. This trend calls for increased efforts in handling it within the work force to overcome the challenges it poses. Microsoft Corporation has shown a constant increase in diversity in its workforce. To be able to manage current diversity and prepare for future diversity, the company must increase its effort in diversity programs. Diversity training to Microsoft Corporation’s employees will increase cultural awareness in the company and help to overcome cultural stereotypes that impede diversity. Diversity should be a part of workplace plan to ensure that a progressive trend towards diverse workforce in the future is achieved.
Reference List
Levinson, S. (2003). Wrestling with diversity. New York: Duke University Press.