COMM1017: IBM Canada Diversity and Workplace Culture

This assignment is a discussion board post analyzing IBM Canada's approach to workplace diversity. It examines initiatives the company has implemented to promote inclusivity, such as leadership programs for women and support for the LGBT community. The post also addresses examples of cultural misunderstandings within the Canadian context, focusing on communication and trust issues arising from language and religious differences. The student suggests mentorship programs and skills training as solutions to improve employee performance and coordination. The assignment draws on resources from the Financial Post, Royal Bank of Canada, and the course textbook to support the analysis. The student also highlights IBM Canada's efforts to promote diversity through various programs designed to develop employees and foster positive relationships, concluding that IBM is making significant strides in maintaining and promoting workplace diversity.

IBM

Contents
INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................3
Initiative that can be developed by the firm for promoting diversity at the workplace............................3
Example of lack of cultural misunderstanding.........................................................................................3
Reason for selection................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION...........................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Cultural diversity at workplace refers to the different types of people at the workplaces
who coordinate with each other for the success of their assigned task. Mediacorp organization
has started diversity program to enhance their productivity and culture with the aim of getting
fruitful results in the future. . IBM Canada limited has been selected for this award for the year of
2019. This assessment will cover questions regarding the selection of IBM in the awards and
what company can develop for promoting the diversity at the workplace. This assessment will
also cover an example of a lack of cultural understanding and how it can be overcome by the
firm.
Initiative that can be developed by the firm for promoting diversity at the workplace
IBM is a global firm due to which employees from different cultures and backgrounds
works together for achieving the shared goals of the organization. Diversity is very essential
component of a workplace for ensuring the maximum output and efforts from the employees.
The organizations needs to promote diversity by implementing several ways such as providing
training for empowering the managers so that they can offer diverse opportunities for engaging
the employees in decision making and other policy making strategies. Through this employees
engagement can be enhanced at the workplace for clear communication of policies and work to
the workforce so that interaction among the workers increase for better relations and
performance (Ways to promote biodiversity, 2019). Management of IBM can also organize the
mentorship programs for the managers and employees so that their coordination level can
improve.
Example of lack of cultural misunderstanding
Canada is having different types of people who belong to different religions and nations.
These people speak different languages due to which main issue arises is of the communication
and trust. These people while working together faces cultural and language barriers which will
impact their working performance and efficiency. Such issues are common at the workplace due
to which some people couldn’t be capable of expressing their views and concerns at the
workplace. Such types of issues can impact the brand image and productivity of the firm.
However these issues can be resolved if the workers communicate in same language and
mutually respect each other decisions and working. This can be possible if the managers provide
guidance and necessary skills training to the employees and other co-workers. Through this, the

employees can perform better and coordinate each other in an effective manner which will also
improve their performance.
Reason for selection
IBM Canada is a huge firm which is involved in several programs for developing the
employees and their relations with each other for a better diversity (IBM- Canada’s best diversity
employer, 2019). Some of the programs for promoting the diversity are as follows:
 IBM Canada is organizing a global leadership program for the females in order to
develop their potential for better leadership and performance. Also the company is
hoisting different types of forums for the females for the leadership development and
skills development for their better and bright future.
 IBM is also supporting the LGBT community by launching industrial white papers on
gender transition and is also managing the LGBT championship program for the up-
liftman of bisexual people in the society. It would be easier for company to reach their
target audience by hiring potential candidate from every ethnic, gender, creed, religion
etc.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above assessment that IBM is really doing great efforts
for maintaining and promoting the diversity at the workplace. The IBM Canada is also
conducting forums and other programs to motivate women in the society for equality.

REFERENCES
Online
IBM- Canada’s best diversity employer. 2019. [Online]. Available through: <
https://content.eluta.ca/top-employer-ibm-canada>
Ways to promote biodiversity. 2019. [Online]. Available through: < https://blog.beekeeper.io/5-
ways-promote-workplace-diversity/>