Diversity in the work place: moving full speed ahead

The look and the feel of this nation are changing at a rapid pace, and the issues of diversity and inclusion are fast becoming hot topics in our society. As minorities, particularly Hispanics, continue to grow, large corporation are beginning to understand the need and the advantages of having specific initiatives in place that target these groups as potential employees, but more importantly, as potential business partners.

Some good examples of the many companies that have managed to develop and implement successful diversity initiatives are: MGM Mirage, Wal-Mart and Astra Zeneca. Although these companies run the gamut of products and services that they offer, they hold programs of this type very dear both from the business standpoint and from the social aspect as well, and they are proud to be on the cutting edge of a movement that has deep social roots and whose existence will only expand in the near future.

MGM MIRAGE: Pioneers of the Gaming Industry

Without question, MGM MIRAGE's four-year journey since establishing its initiative reflects the passion of the Company's more than 40,000 employees and the progress forged through new diverse alliances. Of the company's commitment to diversity, MGM MIRAGE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J. Terrence Lanni has proudly said: "We have made great leaps in redefining ourselves through the prism of diversity--reeducating ourselves; restructuring to weave diversity into our operations; expanding our market horizons; strengthening our ties to the communities in which we do business; and broadening our external relationships and collaborations."

The Company's workforce reflects the rich diversity of society, and MGM MIRAGE strives to be regarded as an employer of choice for people of all ethnic backgrounds. As of year-end 2004, the minority employee representation rose to a total of 54.38 percent, from 50.48 percent in 2001; and the managerial positions and above held by minorities increased from 26.31 percent in 2001 to 31.16 percent in the same year. The gender representation of employees by the end of 2004 was 49.71 percent male and 50.29 percent female, and those numbers have continued to grow in the past two years.

For her part, Irene Bustamante Adams, Director of National Diversity Relations has plenty good things to say about the company's diversity initiative. "In the last decade, MGM MIRAGE has undergone an evolutionary journey. We have gone from one property with 7,000 employees to 23 properties with over 70,000 employees. How do we position ourselves to sustain the growth throughout the coming years? How do we position MGM MIRAGE as the number one company in our industry and into the future?

Our answer is that diversity will be part of a Company-wide workplace culture that values the contributions of every member of our Company, optimizes individual performance, cultivates innovative leadership and forges collaborative high-powered teams. Our conviction is that diversity is a competitive imperative, and is one of the foundations on which our Company is built.

"This inclusive culture will also carry over to key business areas through refinement of our business plans, methods and monitoring systems, our recruitment and management development programs, our outreach to diverse suppliers, contractors and multicultural customer markets, our strategic partnership and media relations and our targeted philanthropy." Irene says that in the short terns, the company "has focused on building through diversity a platform of shared vision and workplace values to unite our expanded company now and into the future. As we forge into the international space, diversity will be our competitive strength."

Other employees of the vast hotel chain share the beliefs of the company. For Myrna Soto, Vice President Business Solutions & PMO, inclusion is the key to success: "At MGM

MIRAGE, the importance and value of our diversity initiatives enables us to create a culture of inclusion that maximizes the potential of all our employees and in turn the success of our company. We have been able to demonstrate the value of a diverse workforce that values and respects their own differences to create a productive work environment. Additionally, I am extremely proud of how we have been able to leverage our diversity initiatives to promote diversification of our suppliers and overall customer outreach. The ever evolving demographic of our customers is demonstrated in our workforce and suppliers," says a proud Myrna.

For Jorge Perez, Director of Financial Projects at Mirage Resorts, Inc., the diversity, program goes ear beyond just a cultural experiment: "[The program] is extremely important, to the extent that I don't perceive it as an "initiative" or a company "project" that may have a finite end. Rather, I perceive it as a transformational movement of company culture. Something that reaches within each and every one of us and brings awareness to the way we perceive and relate to one another as human beings. As we move quickly toward a more diversified society and a more global and diversified company, this is not only a smart way to conduct business, it's the right way to do it!