Renewable Energy

Hello, Peace & Love… As-Salaam-Alaikum, Konichiwa, Dobraye ootro, Chào buổi sáng, Hola, Bonjour, and thank you to all whom attended the Business of Diversity panel last week assembled in the City of Portland, Oregon USA. When we open ourselves up to other cultures, we learn new ways to view the world and innovate creative solutions. Including diverse groups in business allows for a magical potential to improve and innovate everything.

The conflicts in Charlottesville this past weekend run completely counter to the spirit Verbio and the Oregon Secretary of State tried to foster during our panel. Much of the press and social media are filled with people upset and speaking out. That’s well and good. But words will only go so far in a social media echo chamber.

The Business of Diversity panelists were striving to give you an ACTION item to apply to your life and work environment. I ask: What ACTION will you take today to reach out directly to someone different? Dr. Larry Roper suggested honestly mentoring a co-worker without tap-dancing around issues just because that colleague is a person of color. Shahriar Ahmed recommended greeting others in their own languages. Tina VanPhung emphasized the importance of making Asians and women feel like they are not invisible within a larger culture.

Virginia Joplin, CEO of Verbio – Gold rating for Sustainability at Work from the City of Portland, Oregon