Also read: factoids, DiversityInc Top 50, DiversityInc Specialty Lists, global diversity webinar, global leaders
The parameters of global diversity are still very much up for debate, but what we do know is that companies with strong inherent values carry them wherever they go. These companies respect local cultures but will not allow any group to be discriminated against, even if it means losing business.
Methodology: To determine this list, we first looked at companies that have strong global presences and then asked them a series of questions as part of The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity® survey. Those questions included the use of global employee-resource groups, mandatory diversity training globally, specific cultural-competence training for relocating employees and their families, and decisions about doing business in countries that have dissimilar values and/or working to actively change discriminatory values.
Here are The DiversityInc Top 10 Global Diversity Companies and a reason why each of them made the list:
No. 1: PricewaterhouseCoopers, No. 5 in the DiversityInc Top 50. Also No. 3 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees
The Big Four accounting firm, a long-time diversity leader, is known for its deep-rooted commitment to inclusiveness in all its operations worldwide, including company-sanctioned global employee-resource groups and working globally to change laws perceived as oppressive.
No. 2: IBM Corp., No. 10 in the DiversityInc Top 50. Also No. 1 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for People With Disabilities; No. 2 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Supplier Diversity; No. 4 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Asian Americans; and No. 4 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees
IBM has been the global leader in sticking up for its values everywhere and fighting abusive practices anywhere they are found. The mentoring program is used globally to build skills and transfer knowledge despite massive geographical boundaries.
No. 3: Procter & Gamble, No. 11 in the DiversityInc Top 50. Also No. 4 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for People With Disabilities and No. 7 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Latinos
The company has a powerful global presence and insists its values are adhered to everywhere. The company tells us: "All P&G employees worldwide receive a Worldwide Business Conduct Manual that flows from the company purpose, values and principles. All employees must review the manual annually via company Internet or hard copy and sign that they have reviews. This is tracked to ensure all employees have complied."
No. 4: Cisco Systems, one of DiversityInc's 25 Noteworthy Companies. Also No. 3 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for People With Disabilities and No. 9 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for LGBT Employees
With diverse and strong employee-resource groups forming its diversity council, the company is looking at its talented work force for the answers to reaching its increasingly global and multicultural clients.
No. 5: PepsiCo, No. 24 in the DiversityInc Top 50
PepsiCo has company-sanctioned global employee-resource groups and mandatory global-diversity training.
No. 6: Deloitte, No. 33 in the DiversityInc Top 50. Also No. 9 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Asian Americans
The company transmits its values globally. Deloitte states: "As a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu we: Codify, apply and measure our global commitment to high standards of corporate governance, transparency, accountability and professional conduct through our Deloitte Shared Values, Ethical Principles, member firm Codes of Conduct and operating policies; Integrate values and principles across the organization using leadership communication, learning and talent management programs; Center strategic responsibility for organizational culture and business conduct within the 'C' level of leadership; Pre-screen potential clients based on criteria for integrity and reputation; As a UN Global Compact founding signatory, promote principles of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption; and are developing Ethical Procurement Principles that will require a code of conduct for our vendor relationship managers."
No. 7: Colgate-Palmolive, No. 27 in the DiversityInc Top 50. Also No. 6 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Executive Women and No. 7 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Asian Americans
With 80 percent of its operations outside the United States, the consumer-products giant is clearly committed to its global values, refusing to do business in countries whose values conflict with the company's values. Colgate-Palmolive also has mandatory diversity training globally.
No. 8: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., No. 20 in the DiversityInc Top 50. Also No. 9 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Recruitment & Retention
Both in the United States and globally, Novartis is committed to values that emphasize diversity. The company has strong diversity training worldwide and has corporate-sanctioned employee groups globally.
No. 9: Bayer Corp. Also No. 8 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Asian Americans
Forty percent of the company's operations are outside of the United States. The company has formal programs to prepare employees who work in other countries as well as their families. There is mandatory diversity training, and Bayer Corp. refuses to do business in countries that don't have the same human-rights values as it does. Bayer's Human Rights Diversity Declaration states across the European Forum that everyone is valued and must be treated with respect. The company offers its Business Across Borders training to train employees and intact teams about cultural competence in foreign cultures.
No. 10: Accenture, No. 23 in the DiversityInc Top 50. Also No. 10 in The DiversityInc Top 10 Companies for Recruitment & Retention
With 82 percent of its operations outside the United States, the consulting giant has global employee-resource groups and refuses to do business in countries that don't share its human-rights values.
