Success Story - Guiding Organizational Growth Client:  Federal Division of major IT company Purpose of Consultation:  The division embarked on the "Growing with Diversity" initiative to insure that it would be culturally prepared for the 21st century.  The focus was to figure out how the division could differentiate itself from other companies  to attract and retain the very best employees from the increasingly diverse talent pool. Methodology:  The President was the visible leader and champion. The "organizational conversation" began with a cultural audit consisting of executive interviews, focus groups, analysis of employment data.  The summary report was presented to all employees in dialogue sessions conducted by a member of the executive team and the consultants.  A Diversity Council led by a senior executive prepared the Diversity Action Plan, a framework to guide actions over a 5 year period.  Results: The organization focused first on education and awareness building for all employees by rolling out a workshop, Building a Respectful and Inclusive Work Environment.  According to the VP of Human Resources, Jack Hughson, "Bette started a conversation within the organization that hopefully will never end." [Hughson, Jack C]      “We selected Bette George to work with us on this change effort because we knew of her excellent work with several other IT companies in the area.  She had built a strong reputation as a diversity consultant, and with her colleagues had recently published A Practical Guide to Working with Diversity.    Bette's team brought a diversity of talent and perspective to the process providing consulting, coaching, and training to help our division create and implement a comprehensive, long-term diversity action plan.       Bette was able to establish relationship environments built on trust and safety, enabling focus groups, the Diversity Council and participants in training sessions to contribute and learn.  Bette helped us open and sustain the "diversity conversation" and encouraged our leaders to recognize and communicate the business imperative driving the initiative.  She coached corporate executives, the Diversity Council, and other key leaders to ensure the ability of all involved to deal with the rate of behavioral and intellectual change required in the journey toward creating a more diverse and inclusive environment.”     — Jack Hughson, Vice President [Hughson, Jack C] Federal Systems Division, Unisys Close Window