A local expert helps companies leverage a diverse workforce’s strengths and assets.

In addition to expanding their workforce and target markets to reflect changing demgraphics, many corporations today are growing their businessesinternationally. As a result, they are attracting employees from all over the world.

It can be a dramatic shift in how a workforce looks—and difficult to change business models and structures to fit a diverse group of employees. Some companies have hired diversity officers, while others have brought in a consultant for inclusion and sensitivity training. But how does a company know what’s right for them? And how can they measure its effectiveness?

Enter Gladis Benavides, owner of Benavides Enterprises, a consulting firm specializing in cross-cultural communications. She brings more than thirty years of experience working in positions in both the private and public sectors. Her focus is cultural competency. “Historically, much attention has been given to awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences,” Benavides says. “But too many diversity plans are handled superficially. I work with companies to move from talking about ways to work effectively with different cultures to doing it.” Benavides believes that to help a company develop cultural competency, you have to teach them how to manage conflict. A company, she says, “has to feel comfortable with conflict, and has to know the consequences when they don’t.” read more . . .