Ronald C. Glover
Vice President, Diversity and Workforce Policy
IBM Corp.
Global workforce diversity is a cornerstone of IBM’s business strategy and Vice President, diversity and workforce policy, Ron Glover leads that charge. “At IBM there is a very high probability that you will work with, work for, or be managed by people who are from another country,†he says.
One of BE’s Best 40 Companies for Diversity in 2010, this business technology and services company conducts business in more than 170 countries and has employees in more than 75 countries. Since 1975, more than half of its annual revenue has come from outside the U.S. and since 1993, more than half of its employees work beyond U.S. shores.
“We’re extending beyond the traditional subjects of diversity–race, gender, religion, disability and sexual orientation–to aligning diversity with globalization,†says Glover. “The goal now is to provide opportunities to employees apart from their nationality, cultural background, native language, or geographic region.â€
Celebrating its centennial year in 2011, IBM’s efforts in diversity and inclusion date back to the early 1900s with the employment of African Americans and women. Today, more than 69 countries where IBM employees work have diversity legislation in place.
Since 1994 IBM has had several task forces comprised of employees and senior executives that have rolled out more than 196 business unit-based diversity programs around the globe that define the needs of specific communities. “We engage our employees in helping us define critical activities and formalize programs and processes around diversity,†explains Glover.
Continued on next page: Embracing multicultural thinkers, innovators and leaders