ABSTRACT
Businesses of today are recognizing that diversity among employees has become an essential ingredient for ongoing success because the working environment it creates directly impacts productivity, innovation, customer service, and sales. Through the strategic planning process, these companies are consciously taking steps to build a heterogeneous workforce and create an atmosphere in which all employees feel their work is valued and their ideas are welcome, thus, the companies are positioning themselves for the future. In contrast, those that fail to welcome people of all kinds will struggle with recruiting the most talented. They also risk alienating employees, customers, suppliers, and investors.
