Diversity and Inclusion Consulting and Education

The Winters Group has worked with numerous large clients in support of the design and implementation of business case supported diversity and inclusion strategies.

There is a great deal of attention being paid by organizations to understanding the changing global workforce. Many related dynamics such as changing demographics, technological advances, and globalization make it imperative for forward-thinking companies to embrace the concepts of diversity and inclusion.

The Winters Group defines diversity as the differences and similarities in people, functions and processes. Inclusion is the ability to leverage the myriad of differences towards high-performing organizations. Diversity naturally exists in every organization but inclusion is only achieved when the culture is open to change, willing to adapt to difference and embarks on a journey to become more cross culturally competent.

The Winters Group believes in integrating inclusion concepts into all business processes. Inclusion should not be viewed as something that the organization does in addition to the business; diversity is core and central to the business.

Our approach is to move beyond awareness and sensitivity to developing cross-cultural competence at both the individual and organizational levels. Just like any other business skill, the ability to navigate effectively in diverse settings must be learned.

Diversity Strategy Services include:

• Theater Based Learning uses the power of live demonstrations presented by a team of professional actors to build skills in becoming more cross-culturally competent. The live demonstrations are high-impact, reality-based learning experiences that challenge existing beliefs and behaviors as well as provide new behavior models. Unlike most diversity training which focuses on building awareness and sensitivity, our theater based approach focuses on skill development and application. The skills include:
   
• Identifying biases, stereotypes and micro-inequities
• Learning how what we say and how we say it matters
• Developing effective communication skills in a multi-cultural setting
   
• Cross Cultural Learning Partners Recriprocal Mentoring Program:  This highly innovative and effective program pairs a leader with someone different from him/herself for one year. Structured learning modules are provided to the pair for monthly study, reflection and application. This model has been shown to increase cross-cultural competence as measured by Dr. Milton Bennett’s Intercultural Development Inventory.

**The Winters Group team is certified to administer The Intercultural Development Inventory which assesses individual intercultural sensitivity. As very powerful and reliable tool, it provides a baseline assessment from which to develop the appropriate interventions to enhance cultural competence.

       “The Winters Group partnered with us from day one working with senior leaders and individual contributors to infuse a culture of inclusion. Hewitt is now recognized as one of the leading companies in America for diversity and inclusion”. 

— Andres Tapia, Chief Diversity Officer.