Multiculturalism and diversity are two words that have been gaining weight during the past few years. Living in a multicultural environment is an undeniable fact today. With the help of the technology, we have erased some geographical constraints. More, we realize that the rest of the world is actually closer than we imagined, and that with a click of a button we can be anywhere we want. And what about the workplace?
A Multicultural Workplace… What Is It?
A multicultural workplace is where a wide range of cultural differences exist among employees that will bring together various sets of ethnic background.
Benefits of a Multicultural Environment
Some of the benefits of having a multicultural environment at work are the following.
Increased Creativity
Different cultures have different ways to approach problem. When having a multicultural team, everyone is looking at the same problem with a different lens and a unique perspective, promoting creative thinking and out of the box solutions.
Understanding and Respect for Cultural Differences
Preconceive false and erroneous ideas of people with a different background based on old school beliefs and ignorance can be the cause of disrespectful comments or actions. Having an educated team about multiculturalism will avoid misconceptions and stereotypes saving valuable time on working as a team.
Improved Customer Services
Having a multicultural team speaks to the public or clients. Customers could have the change of talking with someone who will understand better their values, customs or even share their native tongue. This could lead to increase Customer engagement.
Enhanced Work Environment
Allows people to feel appreciated for who they are and the uniqueness in their skill set. Valued employees are more likely to be happy, and happy employees tend to be more productive and stay longer in the Company (less turnover).
Learning or Strengthening a Second or Third Language
As helpful as it is to study vocabulary, grammar and learn how to read in another language there is no better way to start than speaking and understanding a basic conversation. People can practice their languages in a multicultural environment. Working at Ormuco, employees often end up speaking or understanding Spanish, for example. But they can also practice, English, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, Arabic, among many others.
Accepting the Fact that We Live in a Global World
A multicultural workplace reflects the acknowledgment of a company that the world is a smaller place than what we thought; specially today, living in world of globalization and technology where business happens all across the globe.
What About Ormuco?
At Ormuco, we consider ourselves a multicultural organization.
We are lucky to have people coming from around the globe, people that bring new ideas, are creative and from who we can learn every day.
We recently invited our employees to talk about their experience. Listen to their testimonials at the end of this article.
How Is Working at Ormuco? Discover it in This eBook.
Key Takeaway(s)
Mixing different ideas lead to business innovation. Open-mindedness and communication are the core benefit of a multicultural environment. Encouraging open dialog creates understanding, collaboration and teamwork.
We live in an era where globalization is everywhere and geographical borders are less and less important. We have no choice than to embrace and promote multiculturalism and diversity.
