Top 10 Reasons Diversity Training Succeeds

1. Training is developed with input from employees and an objective third party facilitator/trainer.

2. Diversity in the organization has a senior-level advocate and/or the CEO actively champions diversity.

3. The information being disseminated is backed by sound research that supports the business rationale, the bottom-line results of doing this work as well as the costs of not incorporating diversity.

4. Training occurs in a supportive corporate culture, one that reflects an ongoing commitment to continuous learning.

5. Diversity training is not just awareness-based, but is also skills-based; participants develop a set of skills or tools.

6. There is a transferring of skills from the training room to the workplace. There must be practical application of the knowledge attained during the training.

7. There is support of the diversity concept company-wide - a group forms that represents the whole organization and uniformly champions all of the initiatives.

8. The training does not occur in a vacuum and is carried through by other initiatives and activities, such as mentoring programs that encourage all employees to participate.

9. Training is thoroughly planned, implemented, and measured for its impact on the organization.

10. The idea of diversity within the organization takes on a life of its own. Employees are fired up and asked to participate to carry the torch forward. Employees are encouraged to get involved, develop and lead brown-bag discussions, mini-training, and other activities. A diversity learning center could even be established, with books, videos, audiotapes, CD-roms, and other learning materials available for all employees. There is an ongoing and continuous commitment to creating and promoting a more inclusive work environment that values diversity.

Excerpted from the Diversity Training Group at www.diversitydtg.com