Diversity MBA Magazine - April 2008 - (Page 26) TOP 50 COMPANIES — 2–50 networks, which sponsor programs to enhance professional and personal growth. The company’s commitment to diversity is also driven by a need to maintain a competitive advantage as a product innovator and a leading employer. Current areas of focus include a stronger commitment to management accountability, sharpening its approach to flexibility and innovative career options, evolving its culture to create an environment of inclusion, and raising the bar on its recruitment and retention efforts. diversity, including the PepsiCo Foundation, which gives grants to over 1,000 community organizations, its Supplier Diversity program, where it spent over $1 billion with minority and women vendors. It’s also a believer in fostering an atmosphere of caring, open communication and candor among employees, and follows a policy of marketing its products to all groups. 24 HSBC-North America Prospect Heights, IL 53,000 employees www.hsbc.com One of the top 10 financial services companies in the country, HSBC sees diversity as an essential element to its success. To that end, it believes in an inclusive work environment and embracing proactive supplier diversity supplier. It a diverse group of people as conducive to creativity, productivity and high performance that affords each employee the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. Among other efforts, HSBC supports African Heritage employee affinity groups in New York, Chicago, and Indianapolis, and the company recruits vigorously through a number of sources that specialize in minority talent. Its strategic diversity initiatives address leadership, talent acquisition, talent development, and employee retention, with the goal of measurable, sustainable progress in increasing women and people of color throughout the organization. To help ensure this occurs, executive bonuses are tied to diversity achievements 22 General Motors Corp. Detroit, MI 284,000 employees www.gm.com The world’s largest automobile manufacturer, GM makes cars and trucks in 33 countries under the brands Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, and Vauxhall. Its employees touch six continents, 192 countries, and 23 time zones, and speak more than 50 languages. Its mission is to create a culture and a business environment based upon inclusion, mutual respect, responsibility, and understanding. The company-wide “I Am GM” program highlights the value of each person and the diversity of its workforce. GM has 10 employee-driven affinity groups, which link diverse employee groups and GM’s diversity management, HR staff and senior management. Leadership Liaisons are senior executives who sponsor each group and offer advice and ideas about effective leadership within GM’s culture. GM’s Diversity Partners are employees committed to championing diversity efforts. Each has access to a Diversity Partner Network, used to influence change throughout the organization. 25 Merck & Co. Inc. Whitehouse Station, NJ 59,800 employees www.merck.com A major pharmaceuticals company with sales of $24.2 billion, Merck promotes diversity not through a separate program, but by incorporating its into the Merck Leadership Model, designed to promote and develop the leadership skills of all employees. It focuses on developing employee capabilities and creating a more productive workplace where differences are respected and teamwork is encouraged, but which also supports flexibility and a balance between work and personal life. Beyond the company supporting diversity among employees and suppliers, Merck’s Office of Diversity and Work Environment oversees its approach of including diversity in all business practices. The office supports division management in creating tailored diversity initiatives and serves as a consultant to the Office of Ethics to resolve any workplace issues involving diversity. It also oversees compliance with all local, state and federal regulations, and offers consulting support and resources to maintain a supportive work environment. 23 PepsiCo Purchase, NY 185,000 employees www.pepsico.com Pepsi’s history is almost a textbook of diversity. It represents the first minority-owned franchise in the country, and during World War II, was the only soft drink available to Black GIs due to segregated regiments. In 1947, it hired a Black executive and 10 Black salespeople to expand its sales to the African-American population, and was one of the earliest corporate contributors to the United Negro College Fund. It also signed a 12-month ad contract with Ebony magazine, and in 1950, underwrote a series of records on Black history for classrooms. It appointed a woman to its board of directors in 1959, and in 1962, named Harvey Russell vice president of corporate planning, maintaining his appointment despite an effort by the Ku Klux Klan to organize a national boycott. Today, Pepsi upholds its legacy, through a total commitment to 26 w w w. d ive r s it y mb a ma g a z in e. c o m http://www.hsbc.com http://www.gm.com http://www.merck.com http://www.pepsico.com http://www.diversitymbamagazine.com
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