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What President Obama’s Re-election Teaches Corporate America About Diversity

April 9, 2013 / Kari / No comments

President Obama Focuses on Diversity to Win Re-Election

As a nation we reached a diversity tipping point in November 2012 when President Obama won re-election. The President and his staff actively targeted their outreach efforts to a selection of voters with the belief that the diversity in the US matters and that the issues important to women, immigrants, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Gay and young voters were significant enough to win the President his re-election.  These efforts and beleifs paid off in Obama’s victory, but what does this victory teach corporate America about diversity?   

In the end President Obama garnered 93% of the black vote, 71% of the Hispanic vote, 73% of the Asian vote, 90% of gay voters, 41% of women voting and 60% of voters under the age of 30.  The numbers reflect what was necessary to win, a majority of the votes from minority groups in the United States.  Obama’s strategy allowed him to beat Romney, as Romney failed to understand the collective power of the diverse groups in the United States. Certainly Obama’s ability to attract a large number of diverse voters helped deliver him a second victory, but, what does the President’s re-election have to teach corporate America about diversity? That the diverse population of the US has grown to a critical mass and is now affecting major outcomes within the US. For corporate America, this means that the era of workplace diversity being a “nice to have program” has ended and the era of diversity programming being a “need to have program” has begun.  Companies must work to understand the values and needs of the growing diverse population in the United States, or they will lose their employees and customers.

The US is the Least Diverse We Will Ever Be

Right now, we the American people are the least diverse we will ever be.  The wave of diversity growth that is taking place in the US is a result of many factors that have combined to produce a gradual yet significant change in demographics.  Immigration for the past three decades has shifted from originating predominantly in Europe to originating from Latin America and Asia. During this same time period, white Americans have been having fewer children and are increasingly marrying across racial and ethnic groups.  Immigrants have higher birthrates than those people of childbearing age born in the US. With all of these factors combined, the US has reached the point where the majority of children born are now Hispanic, black, Asian or multi-racial.  The US stands at a turning point in history where the white population is declining and in the coming years the older less diverse generations will make way for the younger and more diverse generations.

But what is the significance of this diversity for corporations? One implication is that “business as usual” will not suffice and that employers will have to examine who they are and how they do business in order to ensure that they are attracting and retaining top talent.  Because the top talent is going to begin to look much different than it has in the past, employers can reasonably expect that these employees may have different values and needs than past or current employees.  In order to accommodate these differences, companies should look closely at their human capital needs and how their company culture might have to change in order to attract their future top performers.  Smart and forward thinking companies are already making changes that will result in more inclusive cultures. These cultures will be more appealing to young professional Americans.  For it is not only the racially and culturally diverse that are looking to work for inclusive and diverse companies, Gen Y as a whole has grown up with this culture and expects to see this mirrored in their workplace environment.  Those companies that are more conservative and slow to change may have a hard time retaining the diversity that they are able to attract, let alone attracting significant diversity to begin with.  Look to Romney’s campaign to see the implications of this route.

Changing Demographics Requires Changing Corporate America

Given the demographic changes and the impact they will have upon corporations in the coming years, what then is the way forward? In order to create a workplace that effectively attracts and retains top talent, we need to create a workplace culture that is built upon the values that those workers are looking for from their employers. CCI stipulates that these include: the value of respecting differences; including new ideas and ways of doing business; a willingness to challenge the status quo in order to find a new competitive edge; and a flexible workplace that allows employees to tailor their workday in a way that maximizes their productivity.  Many of these values can be introduced and reinforced through a company’s D&I program.

However, in order to effect change at the level of an organization’s culture, diversity needs to be internally positioned not as an isolated training program, but rather as an Organizational Development initiative that is able to effect organization wide change.   If a company does not currently have a D&I initiative that is structured in this way, then taking some of the following steps will help your organization get started:

  • Ensure that the D&I work is closely is closely aligned with organizational goals
  • Seek and gain senior leadership support and active engagement throughout the entire process. Have them model their own personal engagement with the initiative.
  • Engage and support managers in the work. Provide them with the training and resources to become advocates for diversity and inclusion within their teams.
  • Provide regular communication to employees about the diversity work, its alignment to organizational goals and why diversity is important

With this switch diversity moves from being viewed as a feel good activity or program, to being recognized as a business imperative where the long-term organizational culture changes in a way that directly drives business results.  In this framework diversity becomes an organizational development process that takes place over the course of many years and provides thousands of opportunities for employees to interact with the messaging behind the culture change.  These interactions help employees to understand, accept and ultimately embrace the creation of a diverse and inclusive company culture.  Which is exactly what the increasingly diverse majority of Americans are looking for.

Diversity is a “Need to Have” Program

As we saw in the re-election of President Obama, the demographics of the US have shifted and will continue to change and evolve.  Practically speaking, these changes will impact how businesses operate because the majority of employees and customers will continue to look different and have different needs than they did just five years ago.  These changes should motivate companies to take a good long look at the culture of their workplace and the operations that drive their major business outcomes.  Companies should consider this important question: How is diversity affecting my business outcomes today and how will it affect these in five years?  Companies and politicians alike need to understand who it is that lives in their communities and works for their companies.  Ignoring this diversity will result in people voting with their feet as they seek workplaces that values their diverse points of view and the workplace culture they desire.  Diversity has the power to transform and it is the strength of our diversity if we learn to leverage it that will continue to make our country and economy the most diverse and innovative in the world.

Category: Diversity, Resources, Uncategorized /

International Business Etiquette Tips – Qatar

March 12, 2013 / Mariel / No comments

Culture Coach International is doing a new blog series, where each weekly segment will have a list of the of 5 essential “International Business Etiquette Tips” to working with a specific country.

If you enjoy the series, Sign-up for our Monthly Newsletter to receive monthly cultural quick tips, international holidays, and proverbs from around the world.

International Business Etiquette – Qatar

  1. When Muslims greet each other, instead of saying, “good morning” or “hello” they often say “Assalamu Alaikum,” which means, “May peace be upon you and may God’s blessings be with you.” It is good to learn these greetings in Arabic as a sign of respect and effort on your part to learn a phrase of their language.
  2. Most Qataris do not eat any meat that has not been prepared to “halaal” (lawful) standards. Pork products are illegal in Qatar and many Qataris think of pigs as unclean animals, so it is very important to avoid pork products.
  3. Qataris often value close contact and less personal space, so do not back up or shy away; physical contact among males is common; if a Qatari man tries to take your hand while walking, do not quickly pull it away because this is a great sign of friendship.
  4. Be aware that in Qatar the Hijrah (Arabic) date is used as well as the Gregorian date; the workweek typically runs from Saturday to Thursday, 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm; Friday is a Muslim holy day; during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha (the two most important Islamic holidays) no business will be conducted.
  5. Qataris may leave for 15-20 minutes throughout the day to conduct prayers; when hosting, appointments and meetings should be set between particular prayer times if possible; make sure there is a space reserved where they may go to pray undisturbed.

If you enjoy the series, Sign-up for our Monthly Newsletter to receive monthly cultural quick tips, international holidays, and proverbs from around the world.

Category: Country Spotlight, Cross-Cultural, Cultural Quick Tips, Resources /

Countdown to Black History Month 2013: Events and Activities for Celebrating Black History Month

January 22, 2013 / Harmony / 2 comments

This post is part of our blog series, “Countdown to Black History Month 2013.”  Each blog post will cover one significant event or person in black history that we are highlighting as a lead in to Black History Month 2013: At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality.  This year is a particularly significant Black History Month as it is both the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation as well as the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.

January is a great month to begin planning for the events and activities that your organization is going to hold for Black History Month.  There are a wide variety of events and activities that your organization can host as a celebration of and way to focus on Black History Month.   Culture Coach International has worked with clients to developed meaningful Black History activities that engage and educate people in a variety of ways.  Below is a list of Black History Month activities and events, some created by CCI and some not, all are a great way to bring attention to this important month:

  1. Speakers: Organize speaker(s) to come to your organization and give topical addresses at the start and close of the month.  These people can be: professors from local colleges, experts from local libraries or museums as well as well-known professional speakers.
  2. Videos: Host weekly viewings of significant films related to Black History such as PBS’ Eyes on the Prize series.
  3. African American Timelines – Abridged Version: Post the African American Timeline in common spaces and send out emails informing people as to the purpose of the Timeline and highlighting some of the content on the Timeline.  This is a great activity that people can participate in at their leisure.
  4. African American Timeline – Full Version: Host a facilitated African American Timeline discussion(s) with the people at your organization.  This is a great event because it aims to provide an in-depth experience that every person can feel comfortable participating in.
  5. Famous African American Quotes: Send out weekly or twice weekly quotes via email or posted on internal company intranet.  We suggest using quotes that are in alignment with the Black History Month 2013 theme – At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality.
  6. African American Scavenger Hunt: Use this activity for a networking event and also to teach participants about 30 African Americans who have made an impact upon our culture and history.

CCI Authored Black History Month Activities Expanded:

African American History Timeline – Abridged Version

The abridged version of timeline measures just 4.5 feet long and brings together key facts from both the timeline and the cards that are used in the larger timeline. This smaller timeline is great for posting as an educational tool that employees can read by themselves and it is also a great tool for smaller groups discussions. The smaller timeline comes with sample discussion questions and a brief facilitator’s guide. This version of the timeline is available in both vinyl and paper. The paper version is divided into three, paper panels, so it can be easily displayed vertically or horizontally for small office spaces. The vinyl version of this timeline is a horizontal, continuous 4.5 long timeline.

This timeline is great for posting as an educational tool that employees can read by themselves and it is also a great tool for smaller groups discussions.

African American History Timeline – Full Version

The African-American History timeline is 12 feet long and contains significant historical facts related to African-American history. Participants interact with the timeline by placing additional facts/events (printed on laminated playing cards) on it for the year they believe the event took place. The trainer then facilitates a discussion by reviewing all of the cards placed on the timeline. If a card is not at the correct year, it can be easily moved to the right year. For each card, the trainer encourages discussion and questions by providing additional information. Depending on the level of knowledge of a particular group, discussions can be either introductory or very in-depth.

Famous African American Quotes

This activity is an designed to offer a small, daily reminder of Black History Month 2013 to employees. This electronic list is a selection of 28 quotes, one for each day of Black History Month, from famous African American men and women. The quotes center around this year’s Black History Month Theme: At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality. The quotes are given in an electronic format to be sent in daily email reminders to employees of the month’s theme through an inspiring quote.

Keep an eye out for upcoming blog posts that are a part of the “Countdown to Black History Month 2013” series. Black History Month provides a significant opportunity for organizations to have conversations around the history and contributions of African Americans.  Please visit our Black History Month Page for more information about Black History Month as well as ways to engage your employees or volunteers.

Category: Black History Month, Diversity, Resources / Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Latest Cultural Quick Tip Newsletter is Out Now – November 2012

November 8, 2012 / Mariel / No comments

The skyline of Boston has many skyscrapers. Like skyscrapers, diversity initiatives require “blue prints,” or plans and benchmarks, to be implemented successfully. (Photo by Culture Coach CEO Kari Heistad)

Culture Coach International just finished releasing the Cultural Quick Tip Newsletter for November 2012. The theme of the month will be Creating a Blueprint, which takes a metaphorical look at how diversity initiatives require well-laid plans to be successful.

This month’s holiday features Guy Fawkes Day in the UK: a celebration of the failed Gunpowder Plot, an attempt to blow up Parliament on November 5, 1605; it is celebrated with a large fireworks show.

We also included the international secular and religious holidays for the month of November, alongside some interesting proverbs and idioms from Tajikistan, Nigeria, and the Czech Republic.

For a complete look at the newsletter, click here. If you are interesting in signing up to receive the monthly tip in your inbox each month, sign up here.

Category: Cultural Quick Tips, Diversity, Resources /

Where To Travel To In The USA: Top 20 Historical Sites That Have Shaped America’s Culture (Part 4, 16-20)

June 11, 2012 / Eric / One comment

Where To Travel To In The USA: Top 20 Historical Sites That Have Shaped America’s Culture 16 – 20

This is the 4th installment of the Top 20 Culturally Significant Historical Sites that are integral in having shaped America’s diverse culture to what it is today. They are listed in no particular order, and I have provided some links and pictures for additional reading. I hope this will inspire you to visit these sites and the plethora of others in the future as they are an important marker on what America has gone through to become who we are as a nation today. I hope you have enjoyed the series and possibly inspired some historical related travel in the near future. :)


<— Historical Sites (Numbers 11 – 15)

 

16. Oil Creek State Park – Oil Creek Township, Pennsylvania

Oil Creek State Park in Pennsylvania - Where Seneca Oil Company First Extracted oil Commercially (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

During the 1850’s, the Northwest corner of Pennsylvania was a place where the timber industry ruled. However, this all changed on August 27, 1859 when Seneca Oil Company found a way to extract the oil in the ground, forming the first commercialized oil well in the United States. It sparked rapid growth across the area, and the United States would experience its first oil boom becoming the largest producer of the commodity around the world for decades to come. The growth of the oil industry spurred economic development that shaped America into the car loving society it is today.

National Parks Service Site on Oil Region National Heritage Area
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Page on Oil Creek State Park

 

17. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail – Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington

Sign for the Lewis and Clark Trail (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

In 1804, President Thomas Jefferson commissioned two war veterans, Meriwether Lewis and Lewis Clark, to explore the land beyond the Mississippi river, largely unexplored, in order to find a land route to Asia. At the same time, the pair and their crew were to map out the land and wildlife in order to both claim the territory for the United States and also to see how it could be of value in economic terms. Two years later, the crew reached the coast of the Pacific Northwest having documented and mapped much of the area. Their journey across the western frontier both exemplified the American frontiersman spirit of the time, while also established the border across the plains and Rockies, setting up thousands of future migrants who would make a similar journey a few decades later across routes such as the Oregon Trail, Mormon Trail, California Trail, and Santa Fe Trail.

National Parks Service Site on The Lewis and Clark Trail
The Story of Lewis and Clark

 

18. Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area – Arizona & California

Railroad bridge over the Colorado River close to the Yuma Crossing (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

For thousands of years, the Yuma Crossing area has been an important migration route for thousands of people, starting from pre-Colombian times. The granite columns that formed at the narrowest point of the river provided for the only crossing point for nearly a thousand miles. At the arrival of the 18th and 19th century, thousands of Europeans were using the route to immigrate to the new lands of New Spain (18th century) and California (19th Century for the Gold Rush). Eventually in 1877 a commercial rail line was placed across the river, and soon provided for the land crossing for thousands of Hispanics to the area where the culture dominates to this day.

National Parks Service Site on Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area
More history on the Yuma Crossing

 

19. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site – Little Rock, Arkansas

Front View of the Little Rock Central High School where the "Little Rock 9" first integrated in 1957 (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

In 1954, the Supreme Court Ruled in the case of Brown v. Board of Education struck down the “separate but equal” laws that allowed for the segregation of white and black schools. However, as 1957 rolled around, many schools in the south were still not integrating their student bodies. 9 courageous black students chose to enter the opulent Central High School in Little Rock in September of 1957. They were met with Arkansas National Guard troops summoned by then government Orval Faubus and not permitted to enter the school. As the issue escalated, the President of The United States, Dwight Eisenhower, ordered a division of the US Army to escort the students to and from their classes amidst threatening mobs of both students and residents. Full integration of the city’s high schools finally came about 2 years later.

National Parks Service Site on Little Rock Central High School
History of the Little Rock 9

 

20. Canaveral National Seashore – Florida

A shuttle launches off at Cape Canaveral in Florida (Public Domain)

Located on a barrier island 24 miles long, Canaveral National Seashore is home to the longest stretch of undeveloped beach on the east coast of the United States, and more importantly so, to the famous Kennedy Space Center on the extreme southern end of the island. This pristine area is home to one of America’s defining moments when the first man was put on the moon in 1969 in the great race with Soviet Union to be the first to do so. In the process, the United States claimed the upper hand in the middle of the Cold War. Politics aside, it was a time of great accomplishment for the entire human race.

National Parks Service Site on The Cape Canaveral National Seashore
History of Cape Canaveral 1959 – Present

 

<— Historical Sites (Numbers 11 – 15)


Thank you for checking out Culture Coach’s Top 20 Historical Sites that Have Shaped America’s Culture. Please feel free to share or “like” our page, or to leave us a comment on what you would have added to the list. Who knows, maybe there will be another list coming soon from your suggestions?

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Where To Travel To In The USA: Top 20 Historical Sites That Have Shaped America’s Culture (Part 3, 11-15)

June 7, 2012 / Eric / 4 comments

Where To Travel To In The USA: Top 20 Historical Sites That Have Shaped America’s Culture 11 – 15

This is the 3rd installment of the 20 Culturally Significant Historical Sites that are integral in having shaped America’s diverse culture to what it is today. They are listed in no particular order, and I have provided some links and pictures for additional reading. I hope this will inspire you to visit these sites and the plethora of others in the future as they are an important marker on what America has gone through to become who we are as a nation today.

<— Historical Sites (Numbers 6 – 10)  |  Historical Sites (Numbers 16 – 20) —>

11. Oregon National Historic Trail – Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon

An abandoned covered wagon along the Oregon Trail as it passes near Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Chimney Rock National Historic Site (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

This 2,000+ mile trail carried hundreds of thousands of settlers to the western lands on the newest frontier of the country for nearly 40 years. From its beginning as a mere footpath in the early 1830’s to the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, the Oregon trail and its many offshoots facilitated westward expansion. This expansion was fueled by government policies including Manifest Destiny, which concluded that it was in God’s plan that Americans should pioneer across the continent. Many Americans of European decent currently living on the west coast can trace their lineage back to the settlers who made the treacherous, months long journey to the Willamette Valley in present day Oregon.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on The Oregon National Historic Trail
Information on the History of The Oregon Trail

 

12. The Alamo National Historic Landmark – San Antonio, Texas

The Alamo National Historic Landmark in San Antonio, Texas (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

The Battle of the Alamo on February 23, 1836 was a definitive battle in the Texas Revolution, as settlers in current day Texas fought for independence from Mexico.  While the Texans had successfully driven Mexican troops led by Santa Anna out of Texas by October 1835, Santa Anna reentered current day San Antonio with 1,500 troops and slaughtered the approximately 200 men defending the Alamo Missionary, including the American legend Davey Crockett.  Word spread of the cruelty of Santa Anna during the battle, inciting both settlers from Texas and from the United States to join the effort of the revolution, with victory coming in April of that year. The Alamo is the most visited historical site in Texas and represents an important glimpse of the influence that Latin American cultures have had on the southwestern region throughout our history and that continue to influence the culture and politics today.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on The Alamo
Information on the History and Events at the Battle of the Alamo

 

13. Independence National Historic Park – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Independence Hall in Downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

There are few places in the country that hold such precedence when it comes to the founding fundamentals of the United States history. This square mile park houses Independence Hall, a UNESCO world heritage site where the Declaration of Independence was signed, the Liberty Bell, and several other important monuments from the time of the founding of the United States. For the American people, this Historic Park in the first capital of the United States and is a reminder of the freedoms that founded the Nation that guide us today.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on Independence National Historic Park
Government Archives of the Constitution and other documents signed during the founding days of the United States

 

14. The National Mall & Memorial Parks – Washington D.C.

Aerial view of the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington D.C. (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

First created in 1966, the National Mall & Memorial Parks are a series of buildings located in downtown Washington D.C. significant to the early history of the United States and its government. The iconic monuments within its grounds such as the Washington Monument, National Mall, the Vietnam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and Ford’s Theatre attract nearly 25 million tourists annually. In addition to the multitude of historic sites named above that are in the park, the area is also home to various buildings important to the government including the Capitol building and the White House. The various Smithsonian museums are also a popular place that display the rich and diverse history of American culture and civilization.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on The National Mall & Memorial Parks
Information on the Smithsonian Museums within the National Mall & Memorial Parks

 

15. Antietam National Battlefield – Sharpsburg, Maryland

Antietam National Battlefield in Sharpsburg, Maryland (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

On September 17, 1862, the bloodiest battle of America’s Civil War occurred. For the first time, southern confederate troops advanced over the state line of Maryland, a northern territory. The twelve hour battle killed or wounded more than 23,000 soldiers and ultimately the Northern forces came out victorious. The victory is said to have given then President Abraham Lincoln the courage to release Emancipation proclamation, an executive order decreeing that all 4 million slaves at the time should be free men. The momentum would continue in the north’s favor and the Civil War would eventually end 3 years later.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on Antietam National Battlefield
Description of the Events that took place at Antietam

 

<— Historical Sites (Numbers 6 – 10)  |  Historical Sites (Numbers 16 – 20) —>

Check back for the next series in the Top 20 Historical Sites that Have Shaped America’s Culture coming next week

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Where To Travel To In The USA: Top 20 Historical Sites That Have Shaped America’s Culture (Part 2, 6-10)

May 31, 2012 / Eric / 2 comments

Where To Travel To In The USA: Top 20 Historical Sites That Have Shaped America’s Culture 6 – 10

May is National Preservation Month in the United States and while the month is drawing to an end, I thought that these 20 Culturally Significant Historical Sites are relevant no matter what time of year it is. They are listed in no particular order, and I have provided some links and pictures for additional reading. I hope this will inspire you to visit these sites and the plethora of others in the future as they are an important marker on what America has gone through to become who we are as a nation today.

 

<—— Historical Sites (Numbers 1 – 5)  |  Historical Sites (Numbers 11 – 15) ——>

 

6. Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor – North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida

Gullah Baskets as made by the women living along the coast of the Carolinas (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

In 2006 the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor was established from Wilmington, North Carolina to Jacksonville, Florida in order to preserve America’s Creole languages, Gullah and Geechee, consisting of a mix of English and parts of up to 30 dialects from Central and Western Africa. Once slavery was abolished in 1865, the slave communities living on the barrier islands that dot the south east coast remained intact and isolated from mainland culture. Gullah/Geechee cultures continued to develop their unique traditions as a result and are an example of America’s rich cultural diversity today.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on Gullah/Geechee Heritage Corridor 
History & Culture of the Gullah People

 

7. World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument – Hawaii, Alaska, & California

Pearl Harbor Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

9 sites in these three states represent some of the most trying and influential times in American history, including some of the misguided policies that were a product of the wartime era. On December 7, 1941, the United States was attacked by Japan at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and the follow day, war was declared on the Japanese by President Franklin Roosevelt. At this time it was also deemed a threat by the military to have citizens of Japanese ancestry roaming free across the country, particularly the west coast. As a result, the government placed nearly 120,000 citizens of Japanese ancestral origin into 10 internment camps, the largest and most prominent of which was located at Tule Lake in Northern California and housed over 18,000 people. Both Pearl Harbor and Tule Lake are sites listed under the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument since its founding in 2008.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument
History of Tule Lake

 

8. Statue of Liberty National Monument – New York City, New York

Statue of Liberty on Governor's Island in New York City (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

This iconic Statue of Liberty was first given to the United States from France in 1886. In 1892, the adjacent Ellis Island was used to process nearly 12 million immigrants to the shores of New York alone in its 62 years of existence. For many Europeans, this was their first sight upon entering their new homeland and a welcome reminder for a better life ahead for the many immigrants that make America what it is today. Over 40% of the American population can trace their heritage back to one of their ancestors having passed through Ellis Island.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on Statue of Liberty National Monument
History of Ellis Island and Free Passenger Records Search 

 

9. Dry Tortugas National Park – Florida Keys, Florida

View of Fort Jefferson on one of the Keys of Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

Dry Tortugas was named for two things: the abundance of turtles found when the island was first discovered by Ponce de Leon in 1513, and the lack of fresh drinking water available to the crews on passing ships. Regardless, the small islands were considered an important point for the first European exploration of the Gulf Coast and the beginning of today’s Latino culture in Florida and the surrounding area. The islands where the park is located, however, became a trap for the increasing commerce emerging over the years from the gulf coast and Mississippi rivers. Treasure fleets were common sights and many would often sink while crossing these shallow waters on their way to Europe and the Caribbean.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on Dry Tortugas National Park 
Wikipedia Page on the History and Features of Dry Tortugas National Park


10. Trail of Tears National Historic Trail – Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee

Road sign marking the Trail of Tears Route (Public Domain)

In 1830, then President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act, that  authorized the forced removal of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to be located on reserves located west of the Mississippi river in order to make room for the expanding white settler population looking to capitalize on their lands. One group, the Cherokee, negotiated a deal with the government to give up its land in Georgia for a similarly sized track of land further west. Those that chose to move followed what is now known as the Trail of Tears, and today the tribe’s campsites, gravesites, and other stopping points have been recorded along the way. Of the 15,000 Cherokee alone who made the journey, 4,000 died before reaching their new homeland, exemplifying the treatment of America’s native people by the US Government at the time.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on the Trail of Tears 
Information on the History of the Trail and the Cherokee People 

 

<—— Historical Sites (Numbers 1 – 5)  |  Historical Sites (Numbers 11 – 15) ——>

Check back for the next series in the Top 20 Historical Sites that Have Shaped America’s Culture coming next week

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Where To Travel To In The USA: Top 20 Historical Sites That Have Shaped America’s Culture (Part 1, 1-5)

May 29, 2012 / Eric / One comment

Where To Travel To In The USA: Top 20 Historical Sites That Have Shaped America’s Culture 1 – 5

May is National Preservation Month in the United States and while the month is drawing to an end, I thought that these 20 Culturally Significant Historical Sites are relevant no matter what time of year it is. They are listed in no particular order, and I have provided some links and pictures for additional reading. I hope this will inspire you to visit these sites and the plethora of others in the future as they are an important marker on what America has gone through to become who we are as a nation today.

 

Historical Sites (Numbers 6 – 10) ——>

 

1. Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor – Massachusetts and Rhode Island

The Wilkinson & Slater Mills Along The Blackstone River in Pawtucket, Rhode Island (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

This corridor running from the city of Worcester, Massachusetts to Providence, Rhode Island reflects the early days of the Industrial Revolution that changed the way America made its living. The corridor includes historic Slater Mill in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the first water powered mill in America. It was built to spin cotton to make yarn and would be the first of thousands of similar mills built along the 50 miles of river that would harness the power of moving water. The progress and increased demand for labor attracted several waves of immigrants, including for the first time large Irish, Eastern European, and French Canadian citizens to the area and beyond. The idea of industrialization would spread across the country and turn America into an economic powerhouse by the end of the 19th century.

Click the following link to read more:
National Parks Service Site on Blackstone River Valley


2. San Francisco’s Historic Chinatown Neighborhood – San Francisco, California

Street Scene From Chinatown in San Francisco, California (Courtesy of Shuttertock.com)

In 1848, what would become the largest Chinatown outside of Asia began with the arrival of two men and a woman just one year prior to the 49er gold rush at Sutter Mill, California. Thousands more would follow, the majority of them men, seeking their fortune and a better life in the American West. Many would be employed on the Western half of the Transcontinental Railroad. When the railroad was completed in 1869, many of the laborers settled in San Francisco’s Chinatown. As one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the country, racial tensions ran high in the late 1800s and laws were passed limiting further immigration and labor opportunities. Today, the neighborhood is a vibrant business community and centerpiece to the Chinese community across California and the West Coast of the US.

Click the following links to read more:
The Webpage of San Francisco’s Chinatown
San Francisco Chronicle Neighborhood Guide on Chinatown  

 

3. Brown V. Board of Education National Historic Site – Topeka, Kansas

Monroe Elementary School in Topeka, Kansas. This segregated school for African American children sparked the Brown V. Board of Education court battle. (Courtesy of Wikipedia.org CC 2.0)

In 1951, the 13 parents of 20 African-American children filed a lawsuit against the city of Topeka, Kansas asking that the city remove its policy of segregating its elementary school student population. The case revolved around Monroe Elementary School, an all African-American school that was attended by some of the 20 students, particularly Linda Brown who would walk 1.5 miles to her segregated school while an all white school was just a few blocks away. After the state court initially upheld the segregation law, the hearing went to the Supreme Court in Washington D.C. where it was eventually ruled that segregation was unlawful. Monroe Elementary School was made a national historic site in 1992 as a milestone in the civil rights movement.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Service Site on Monroe Elementary
History of Brown V.s Board of Education 

 

4. Bering Land Bridge National Preserve – Seward Peninsula, Alaska

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve - Seward Peninsula, Alaska. (Photo by Bering Land Bridge National Preserve via Flickr.com)

Several thousand years ago, Alaska and Russia were connected via a large land bridge that is believed to have carried the first Americans across from Asia to the New World for the first time. The National Preserve was created in 1978 to protect what is remaining of the land bridge, which brought over not only foraging humans, but also several species that dominate the American landscape of past and present. Several artifacts can still be found today around the Preserve, which is also one of the most remote in the country.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Services Site on Bering Land Bridge
Animated Map of Post Glacial Flooding of the Land Bridge

 

5. Golden Spike National Historic Site – Promontory Summit, Utah

Historic steam train located at the Golden Spike National Historic Site in Promontory Summit, Utah (Courtesy of Shutterstock.com)

On May 10, 1869, the final stake on the Transcontinental Railroad was driven at Promontory Point, Utah marking the first time the Western and Eastern continental United States were united by rail transportation. The union was also a symbolic event rejoining the country after the ravishing divisions of the Civil War (1862-65). The project also brought the first wave of East Asian immigrants to this country. Even after the Civil War came to an end, the western front of the railroad found it difficult to employ enough labor to keep on schedule for completion. As a result, over 10,000 Chinese and Japanese immigrants were used and marked the first wave of Asian immigrants to the country. Once finished, these men congregated in Chinatowns across the West Coast with those who had arrived during the California Gold Rush of 1849.

Click the following links to read more:
National Parks Services Page on Golden Spike
Utah State Tourism Page on Golden Spike

 


Historical Sites (Numbers 6 – 10) ——>

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May is National Preservation Month

May 25, 2012 / admin / No comments

In the United States, any given month, week, or day can have its own theme dedicated to bringing awareness to a particular cause. Some of the larger ones that are well-known by name are International Women’s Day on March 8 and Black History Month in February. However, many of the smaller themes get considerably less attention in the media and society, but are equally important to our nation.

-National Trust for Historic Preservation

As May marks National Preservation Month, I thought that it would be a great way to showcase and promote not only the diversity of landscapes and landmarks in this country, but also the historical and cultural diversity that fall under the same theme and have contributed to the melting pot that America is today. Since the original National Preservation Week began in 1973, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has been leading the way in saving many well-known landmarks, as well as lesser-known, but equally important landmarks throughout the country for future generations to appreciate.

Click here to read more about their work: http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/preservation-month/

This blog will be posting a 4-5 day series highlighting a list of what I consider to be critical historical sites where the events and movements took place that directed the course of American history and shaped its regional culture. It will be a great way to learn about American history and about some sites that may be inspiration to plan a visit to regions of the United States you have not yet explored.

Category: Country Spotlight, Cross-Cultural, Diversity, Resources / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Research Shows Propranolol Can Reduce Incidences of Racism By Inhibiting The Fear And Anxiety Associated With It – But Does It Really Address The Underlying Issue?

May 1, 2012 / Eric / No comments

Earlier this month, a study done by numerous British researchers at Oxford University reached the conclusion that propranolol, a drug normally used to treat common symptoms such as high

Earlier this month, a study done by numerous British researchers at Oxford University reached the conclusion that propranolol, a drug normally used to treat common symptoms such as high blood pressure and anxiety, could also aid in combating unconscious bias. The 36 white male volunteers in the study were given either the propranolol or a placebo and asked to place positive or negative meaning words underneath photos of people of color. For those that took the anti-anxiety drug, the time it took for them to associate black faces to positive words was far quicker than those who were given the placebo, eventually leading researchers to establish that these volunteers were less unconsciously biased than their counterparts while on propranolol.

Propranolol

A closer look at how propranolol actually works shows that the drug alters nerve circuits in the brain that are associated with panic, possibly associating racism with feelings of fear, and specifically fear of the unfamiliar. Even those among us who profess not to be racist may still hold a bias on a particular social group, suggesting that racism may be something that has been socially or even biologically ingrained in our subconscious. Various other studies have also indicated that racism tends to be lessened in individuals who have higher rates of interaction with people from different social groups.

Personally, I believe we all possess some form of unconscious bias whether we choose to recognize it or not. As humans, we fear the unknown.  This fear is visibly manifested in such human constructs as the segregated Chinatowns, suburbs and inner cities we see today.  These semi-closed communities can be viewed as efforts to create spaces where people can be surrounded by community members like themselves and help those people to feel comfortable with what they can outwardly associate with. Interestingly enough, Project Implicit, a collaborative effort between several universities and founded in 1998, has provided sample tests to determine your social cognition. I am particularly interested in the Race IAT (click on the link, then on ‘demonstration’), which appears to be quite similar to the test described as being given to the participants in the above study. While propranolol may be effective in reducing our fear levels associated with different social groups, we should really be taking a look at the root cause of what makes us fearful rather than taking a drug to inhibit those feeling that essentially just ‘cover up’ the problem and does not address the underlying issue.

Say no to racism. Photo by Vectorportal at flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/vectorportal/5026592624

Instead of numbing the anxiety response with drugs, we should address the root problem by taking time to think and ask ourselves questions like these:

1) What is the stimulus that is causing us/me to react this way?

2) Is my fear in response to this stimulus warranted or based on unreasoned and habitual thinking (such as bias, prejudice, or racism)?

Once you have answered these questions and recognize social behavioral patterns within yourself, you can then move forward enact a strategy that will help you change these reactions.  Some ways to help you change social patterns or ideas about people from other races include reaching out to meet people from races other than your own, reading articles and paying attention to the subconscious thoughts which you have when interacting with others. Reaching out across racial divides does not have to be something large, it could be something as small as smiling at someone or taking a seat next to a person on the subway that you would normally avoid.  While these are small first steps, they may catalyze further action on your part to challenge yourself and your assumptions.

In conclusion, I believe that if we can rationalize our fear, then we can also make a choice to break down that fear by consciously changing our negative reactions to certain groups of people. As humans one of our greatest gifts is the ability to be self aware and push the boundaries of that awareness so to make our lives and our world a bigger better place. If everyone made small personal efforts like this to better understand their own racism, society as a whole would be progressing towards healing the disease of racism, instead of just anesthetizing the symptoms.

 

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“Becoming Me”: Documentary on Transgender Youth/Looking at Transgender Issues in the Workplace

April 6, 2012 / Mariel / No comments

Yesterday I came across “Becoming Me”, a documentary on transgender youths, that offers an insightful and sympathetic look at families dealing with a child experiencing gender transition.  Gender identity is a person’s innate sense of their gender and someone who is transgender is born a particular sex, but identifies with the opposite gender. (This is different from sexual orientation, which defines who a person is romantically attracted to.). In this video, parents describe children as young as 2-3 clearly identifying with and demanding to be treated as the gender opposite to their physical appearance.

I can only imagine how difficult it is for the children and parents trying to navigate the transition between genders, no matter how loving, courageous, and accepting they are. Interestingly, the young children are very confident about their transgender identity. Jay, an 8 year old transgender boy, spoke with a self-assuredness lacking in most adults when first coming out to his mom: “Mom are you crying because I’m not a little girl anymore… because I’m still the same person so you would just be crying for my ponytails.” The confusion and difficulty for transgender youth seems to be less of a personal struggle, and more an issue with parents and guardians trying to prevent them from transitioning socially.  Initially, many parents are anxious to protect their children from bullying and being ostracized. Parents may attempt to force their child to stop their transitioning behaviors, but this often leads to outbursts and fits of depression from the child. When the child is allowed to physically express their new gender identity, many parents are so moved by the child’s obvious relief, joy, and ease of being “who they really are” that they inevitably choose to fully support and accept their child as he/she feels inside, even if it means facing criticism from other parents.

Drawing by Jay, 8-year-old transgender youth

As the children hit their teenage years and go into puberty, additional questions arise, such as whether to use drugs to block puberty and whether to allow for hormone shots or sex reassignment surgery. The option to give the child hormone drugs that block puberty allows more time for the transgendered child to mature mentally before making a drastic decision about their gender identity that will impact their entire life. For some, as you will see with 15 year old Skyler, they are so confident in who they are that they elect to have gender reassignment surgery at a young age.

There is an increasing awareness on transgendered issues thanks in part to efforts by parents such as Cheryl Kilodavis, author of My Princess Boy, a children’s book based on the real life story of her son Dyson who loves sparkly jewelry, pink tutus, and dancing around in pretty girl’s clothing. It is the first book of its kind geared towards gender issues and portrays the Princess Boy’s unique fashion as his passion and the expression of his exuberant personality, which is supported unconditionally from his parents, even when they face adversity from people around them.

There is also increasing anti-discrimination legislation being written on the state and local level to increase the rights of transgender individuals, especially in the workplace. However, it is still legal on the federal level to fire someone for being gay or transgender. While not a topic many are prepared to talk about, the chances that we will work with someone who is transgender in the workplace or in public is high. Astonishingly, 90% of transgendered people face some form of discrimination in the work place.[1]  Though these discrimination incidences are being reported at frequent and high rates,  Congress has still failed to pass laws that provide nationwide protection for transgender people.  Most companies do not have company policies with regards to the rights of transgender employees. Many transgendered employees face hostility about disclosing their transgender or transsexual status and do not feel comfortable turning to HR.

As a colleague or manager of someone who is openly transgender or transsexual or who is going through the difficult process of transitioning, it is important to be supportive. Share the video above and use the links below as resources to help increase your knowledge about gender identity and inform others who might be ignorant of issues surrounding gender identity.

Article: Managing Transsexual Transition in the Workplace

http://www.gendersanity.com/shrm.html

Transgender Diversity Workplace Network

http://transworkplace.ning.com/

New Zealand Government Transgender in the Workplace Glossary

http://www.dol.govt.nz/er/minimumrights/transgender/

[1] <http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2011/06/workplace_discrimination.html

Category: Diversity, Resources / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

10 Tips for Cross Cultural Networking

January 9, 2012 / admin / No comments

1. Be more formal than you might normally. Use titles and a deferential way of communicating.  Not sure how formal to be? Pretend you are speaking with your grandparents.

2. Do your research ahead of time to know how the local culture feels about greetings among men and women and what is an appropriate greeting (bow, handshake, Namaste etc.)

3. Have an open mind. Be curious. The more open you are to others, the more you will learn.

4. Bring lots and lots of business cards.  In some cultures, you give a card to everyone you meet, not just people you want to follow up with. If possible, have them translated.

5. Be observant. Watch what others are doing, discern what seems to be the “norm” and then follow suit.

6. Wait to be seated if you are sitting down. You don’t want to sit in the most important seat if you are not the most important person.

7. Speak slower than normal. Don’t use idioms, slang and acronyms without explaining them. Don’t assume industry specific vocabulary is understood.

8. Investigate what local cultural values are for specific colors. Choose suits, ties and dresses appropriately.

9. Learn what are “safe” questions to ask in that culture, i.e. many cultures don’t get into really personal questions when they first meet. If networking with Americans don’t be put off by personal questions.

10. Watch your liquor intake. When people are nervous they often drink too much. Be careful so that you do not make the wrong first impression.

For more information about cross cultural business interactions and how to optimize them visit our website: www.CultureCoach.biz

Category: Cross-Cultural, Resources /

Top Ten Tips for Entrepreneurs Going Global

January 6, 2012 / admin / No comments

1. Culture impacts all of your interactions.  Don’t discount the impact of culture on your communication style, business plan or marketing materials.

2. Don’t make assumptions.  Just because a strategy worked well in the US, doesn’t mean that it will in another country.  Explore how people buy your product or service in the cultures where you want to expand business before making strategic decisions about how to market and sell in those cultures.

3. Always customize your marketing materials and website by tailoring them to the local culture.  Just translating your US website sends the message that you either don’t know about the local market or don’t care.  Also, don’t use your US employees to do the translating.  Language is highly localized and changes constantly. Using incorrect terminology can have disastrous results.

4. Be diligent about your use of color.  Colors mean different things, and can have very strong significance, in other cultures.  Find out what specific colors mean in an international market before making important choices on product design and marketing.

5. Find a local company to partner with.  This company can serve as your cultural guide while saving you time, minimizing mistakes and maximizing profit.  In most cultures, introductions from a local person will be critical to booking business meetings and to being successful.

6. Do your due diligence on local cultural issues. Hire a cross-cultural consultant, read books, meet with local community members of the country where you are expanding.  Also, take a research trip to the country or region as part of your market research.

7. Be aware of your own cultural communication style and how it is different than the predominant communication style of the culture you are expanding into. The US, as a general rule, has a very direct communication style.  Americans tend to “tell it like it is.” Most of the rest of the world is more indirect. Be sensitive to this and pay attention to the nonverbal communication clues as well. This is particularly true in Asia where the nonverbal cues can dramatically alter the meaning of what is being said.

8. Be sensitive to people speaking English when it is not their native language. Speak slowly; don’t use acronyms, proverbs or idioms without explaining them. Don’t presume that people understand everything you say – so put as much as possible in writing. Translate your business cards.

9. Be patient. Americans tend to have a short-term focus and look for immediate results. Other cultures look to develop relationships, and position themselves for long-term success.  Be willing to invest in numerous trips and endless cups of tea before making a deal.  Impatience when negotiating is a sign that you are not investing in the long-term relationship, this will make a negative impression and it can be used against you.

10. Have fun!  It is an exciting adventure to take your business overseas. You will learn things that you never dreamed of, and eat things that you probably wish you had never known about.  Have a sense of humor about it, and yourself, and be willing to apologize if something goes awry!

For more information about going global and optimizing cross cultural business interactions visit our website: www.CultureCoach.biz

Category: Cross-Cultural, Resources /

Entrepreneurship Around the World

December 2, 2011 / admin / No comments

Inc. Magazine

In honor of the third annual Global Entrepreneurship Week, BizBuySell, an online marketplace of businesses for sale, tells the entrepreneurship story from Canada to Colombia with statistics and other fun facts.

To read more, click here: http://ow.ly/7x5T0

Category: Cross-Cultural, Resources /
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