Diversity
24
CEOs speak out on diversity
Diversity.
We Make it
Simple.
By Pino Migiliorino,
Cultural Perspectives Group
T
he Cultural Perspectives Group are leading experts on multicultural and Indigenous communication, and research consultancy. We have been delivering successful multicultural marketing
campaigns, research projects, and cultural competency consultant
services for more than 20 years. Our business is made up of three
agencies; Cultural Perspectives, Cultural and Indigenous Research
Centre (CIRCA), and DiverseWerks.
Championing diversity and helping others to understand its importance is Cultural Perspectives Group’s core mission.
Cultural Perspectives, the Group’s communications offer, helps clients to realise the huge potential of Australia’s multicultural markets.
Cultural Perspectives has delivered effective multicultural marketing
and communications campaigns to government, corporate, and
not-for-profit organisations since 1994. Furthermore, Cultural Perspectives were awarded the 2014 Australian Multicultural Marketing Award for Excellence in Communications for the National Digital
Switchover Campaign.
CIRCA is an expert in research and
evaluation with Cultural and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities,
and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. CIRCA has specialist
experience in dealing with complex and sensitive issues, and its key
strength is its national network of multilingual and Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander research consultants. CIRCA was the 2014 winner of the RICA Public Policy/Social Research Award.
DiverseWerks is the Group’s cultural competency consultancy
which develops tailored solutions that enable organisations to harness the benefits of cultural diversity to increase their strength and
responsiveness. DiverseWerks has unrivalled knowledge and insight
of Australian diversity, policy, and changing demographics.
Cultural Perspectives Group understands the exciting opportunities a culturally diverse Australia can offer, and seeks to encourage
our clients to make their practices more inclusive and responsive.
www.smpmagazine.com.au | Winter 2015
The Value
of Diversity
in the
Workplace
By Tony Aveling, Managing
Director of AVELING
I
am proud of the small contribution we have made in being part of
building Australia’s multicultural workforce over the past 18 years.
This has been done by assisting people from different parts of the
world gain employment in Australia, or by helping them become more
employable, by equipping them with the tools they need to better perform their roles and achieve their goals.
This drive is fundamental to
everything we do as we strive
to make a difference for this,
and future generations, by living our values. It’s our DNA to
Develop, Nurture and Appreciate our team, our clients, and the wider
community, thus creating an environment where people feel welcome
and safe to share as they learn.
As a Registered Training Organisation (delivering online and face to
face training to over 390,000 people in the last 5½ years) we get to
see firsthand how different life experiences and backgrounds enhance
the learning experience for all. Time and time again, we have had the
privilege of witnessing how when people are given opportunities to
share who they are and what they know, their sense of identity and
pride grows.
Providing these opportunities also assists people to gain a better understanding of how to overcome challenges and build better working
relationships. This epitomizes how diversity leads to more trust and respect amongst team members through a sense of shared understanding.
It is certainly well documented that when teams perform well together, companies benefit. Through better problem solving and increased
innovation, companies can become more flexible and adaptable allowing them to better meet the needs of their clients. This continuous
improvement is vital in meeting the ever changing demands of today’s
fast paced borderless market place.
We truly believe that by employing a diverse range of people and
investing in them through training and development, companies can
improve their longevity. This has certainly proved true for AVELING as
we have grown from a one-man operation in 1997, to now employing
over 45 permanent team members who range in age from early 20’s to
their 60’s, and herald from more than 15 different countries.
The creativity that diversity provides is essential to our business. Indeed, the varied life and educational experiences of our team members
allows us to provide quality training and support for all of our clients.
Whether they are assisting people overcome language or literacy barriers, or giving someone the confidence to believe in themselves through
understanding and patience, our diverse team is key to our success and
the development of our students.