By Brianne Murphy Miller, Business Development Manager at LCI
When you think about it – what really IS diversity in the workplace? Ticking boxes off a form, hoping to have a staff photo that is politically correct? Of all the places I’ve worked in 30-ish years, I’ve got to say that here at LCI diversity really…works.
Like most places, LCI’s staff represents a mix of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation and opinions on chunky vs. smooth peanut butter. We’re a group that celebrates birthdays, weddings, client wins and our San Francisco Giants. Everyone has an opinion (everyone!) and expresses it. But what brings creativity to the table is the breadth of experience and beliefs represented by those sitting around it. So maybe we can point out to a hospitality client that they’re missing the boat (and dollars) on same-sex marriage by using photos on their website that don’t represent everyone. Or perhaps those of us who have been discriminated against in the workplace are more liable to point out the gender bias in a survey result. The fact that LCI staffers who are daily client contacts have a few rings on the old tree means that experience pays off for our customers. Every day.
Yes, I tune out the politically correct mumbo jumbo on creating a diverse workplace…but that’s because I don’t have to think about it! We practice good business, cultivate great relationships and hire the best and brightest. Luckily for us, that also yields our diverse (and sometimes a little crazy) staff. Other companies need to think about it more…
LCI is a proud accredited member of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, member in good standing of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Business Association and certified by the City of San Francisco as a local business enterprise (LBE).
I think a diverse workplace means producing better work.
What do you think about workplace diversity? Let me know in the comments section below or send an email to [email protected].
6 thoughts on “We Don’t Pay Lip Service to Workplace Diversity”
Comments are closed.
Brianne,
Spot on. I have to commend Wells Fargo for workplace diversity. I worked there from 2002 – 2008. Wells then connected workplace diversity to being a stronger performing company – one that better understands its customers and is able to cultivate innovation from a wider variety of perspectives.
Sean
Brianne,
Thank you for bringing to light the power of diversity. Always a good message.
Hi Brianne,
Thanks for sharing your insights. I definitely agree that workplace diversity makes for a stronger company. As you said, “a diverse workplace means producing better work.” I’m glad to be part of a diverse organization!
– Elena
Brianne – thanks, as always, your thoughts are illuminating. At LCI, we’re proud not just to be diverse, but also to be certified by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), a proud member of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Business Association (GGBA) (serving San Francisco’s LGBT business community) and an official certified local business enterprise (LBE) by the City of San Francisco. In short, LCI is an official corporate diversity supplier. But what means the most is the service which we offer our clients – and that is something for which we are ultimately the most PROUD. Cheers, David
Great post, Brianne! I agree — an eclectic staff results in better work that appeals to a wider variety of people.
As PR folks, we constantly put ourselves in others’ shoes– whether it’s the client’s shoes or a journalist’s shoes– to solve problems. We try to look at issues from every perspective to come up with the best solutions. A company with a diverse workforce sitting around its staff table has an advantage. That being said, we’re lucky here at LCI that we’re encouraged to share our varying perspectives and opinions, otherwise having a diverse staff is a moot point.