Insights from Steinbeis experts
Demographic change, skills shortages, increasing transnational business, the individualization of lifestyles, digital transformation, and the increasingly networked nature of the world we live and work in as a result of globalization: In the future, companies will have to get used to the fact that the workforce is becoming increasingly diverse and “colorful.” Against this backdrop, the topic of diversity – consciously dealing with, appreciating, and respecting differences and individuality – is becoming more and more important. Companies in particular have a number of things to gain from working in heterogeneous teams. Such teams bring together different ways of looking at things, different opinions, and diverse experiences, and as a result they can boost creativity and play a decisive role in gaining competitive advantage. In this edition’s Feature Topic, Steinbeis experts discuss how to leverage diversity and implement diversity management in business. The spectrum of topics they cover is as wide as it is diverse, ranging from receiving advice from co-workers to promoting intercultural knowhow, supporting girls and women, diversity as a driver of innovation and key success factor (not just for established companies but also startups), how to deal with conflicts in a diverse workforce, and HR strategies in modern times of diversity.