Contrary to popular opinion, writing columns on small business is not always easy. And this subject is most challenging to address all readers in a constructive manner. I will not engage in moral or ethical issues of racism and bias. On the other hand, the fact of the matter is most of us find ourselves working in a more diverse business world as relates to ethnic, national and racial origins. And to avoid dealing with the increased diversity can result in lost opportunities whether as employer, employee or B2B.

Adjusting to diversity can be summed up in three simple words - thoughts, words and actions.

Learning to deal with a person different from you by race, ethnicity or national origin begins in your mind. It must be recognized that we now live in a business world that has crossed national borders via the Internet. Legal and social developments in race relations and immigration have created new business opportunities for sectors of society historically absent from the process. In the overwhelming majority of circumstances, to avoid interaction with business people of such diversities is to isolate yourself from business opportunities. And this matter does not relate exclusively to people of racial, ethnic or national majorities. And it is not limited only to the United States. Just think of the fact this column is accessible to readers all over the world via the Internet.

To do business overseas, whether in person or in an exclusively remote manner via technology, requires recognition of the fact that people conduct business in different manners all over the world based on historically local customs. They, like you, should also recognize the distinctions of your way of conducting business.

In a work environment failure to recognize and respect these distinctions can lead to disharmony, low employee moral, lowered productivity. If you are the manager or owner of the business yours is the task to generate a positive attitude toward diversity.

The words we use to interact with people different than us can open or close doors, whether or not mentally accepting of their differences. I don't propose to be a world traveler with a profound knowledge of the diverse differences of cultural, language and other customs in other countries. But when interacting with associates and potential clients in other countries I try to pick up on their choice of words. I will conduct a little research about their country, its customs and history. I keep that in mind when communicating with them, whether by phone, email, snail mail or in person. I do admit to having some sensitivity to other people of other nationalities, having lived in South America and traveled overseas to the Pacific Rim. Regardless, I do my homework. A quick and easy way to do that is to conduct a search of the respective country via a search engine on the Internet.

Finally, there is the matter of actions. A good example to make the point in this case is to consider the workplace. Be equitable in your tone of voice and attitude toward all employees. To show preference to one person because of race, ethnicity or nationality is to be discriminatory against that person or all the others not receiving like treatment. In matters of nationality, you will be wise to understand there are obvious differences associated with certain actions. For example, the "okay" sign of curling the tip of your index finger to the tip of your thumb is considered a positive gesture in the United States. But in Brazil it has a vulgar meaning.

If you have difficulty understanding these issues of thought, words and actions it may be because you were never placed in a minority position. Imagine yourself in such a situation. On the other hand, if you have spent most of your life in a minority status consider the demands placed on an individual who has been in the majority status all of his or her life. They don't always understand your needs. Hopefully, you will show patience toward each other.

For additional reading and in-house materials to improve the multicultural workplace experience you may want to consider "Developing Diversity Training for the Workplace: A Guide for Trainers", by Lauren J. Nile, JD. If you are considering some training and guidance related to improve your multinational business opportunities consider a site like The ABC.org, the non-profit site for the Association for Business Communication. It offers Internet resources related to business communication, and in an international environment.

© 2000, Carroll Stephen Windhaus