Global Learning is Proud to Announce the Launch of Our Latest Mobile App, Diversity Now

100% free to the public, Diversity Now ^TM is an automatic and manual aggregation tool which curates high-quality, digital content from thought-leaders dedicated to diversity, human resources, and leadership. The app is currently available on the App Store and Google Play, with a version for BlackBerry’s App World scheduled for release in the coming month.

“With sharing capabilities built directly into the app, Diversity Now ^TM is a fantastic tool for social media professionals and practitioners constantly on the hunt for "just-in-time" diversity content“ says Michael Mastroddi, VP Social Media for Global Learning. In less than one year, Global Learning gained over 6,500 ‘natural’ followers, fans, and friends across our diverse social media accounts. By ‘natural’, I mean actual legitimate social media accounts; all spam followers are removed, and we don’t stand by the practice of purchasing followers.”

This fast-growing following was gained through Global Learning’s daily dedication to seeking out and amplifying the latest thought-leading current events, blogs, videos, podcasts, studies, and press releases – all dedicated to global diversity, human resources, and leadership. Global Learning averages an approximate minimum of 2,500 re-tweets, shares and +1’s of their social media content every 90 days.

“It became clear to us over this last year,” says Mastroddi, “that there is an active, intelligent audience continuously seeking this content.”

Wanting to bring the same curation they offer via social media to a wider audience, Global Learning set out to find a mobile app specifically dedicated to gathering diversity content from multiple sources. There were ample amounts of apps promoting singular voices; however, no such app existed that gathered all of this content into one place, and that was purely dedicated to diversity, human resources, and leadership.

Out of over 600,000+ apps currently available to mobile device users, Diversity Now ^TM is the only app on the market that is dedicated solely to the aggregation of diversity, human resources, and leadership content from multiple high-quality sources, and curates them in one place. 

Diversity Now ^TM features the content from such thought leading organizations as the Human Rights Campaign, SHRM WeKnowNext, the Maytree Foundation, the American Civil Liberties Union, Difference at Work, the Glass Hammer, and many more.

“While the information being provided is insightful and incredibly useful, what is truly astounding are the personalized connections that we have made through social media,” says CEO and Founder of Global Learning, Elaine Newman. “I believe to understand diversity is to understand the “power of possibilities”. We wanted to create this app not only as a tool to connect users with this great information, but also as a way to connect them with the brilliant change-agents creating this information. The more people and places we can direct our users to, the more possibilities there will be in creating actual change. I work with brands every day that are spending thousands of dollars on diversity initiatives that are receiving minimal recognition and impact with their customers.”

“We see Diversity Now ^TM as the perfect opportunity to help broaden the diversity brand message of thought-leader or thought-leading organizations. Change doesn’t work in a vacuum; you have to tell people what you are doing. Diversity Now ^TM has the capability to do so, and do so instantly.”

If you are interested in having your organization listed as an official sponsor or endorser of Diversity Now ^TM, please contact Elaine Newman for more information.

 More about the Global Learning Group of Companies

Founded in 1996 and led by CEO Elaine Newman, the Global Learning Group of Companies offers strategic consulting and training solutions to employers striving for success in today’s diverse business environment. They are known internationally for their widely used, innovative e-Learning tool, Diversity Moments ^TM.

Working with public and private organizations, Global Learning identifies, assesses, and resolves organizational issues, specifically in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Global Learning has built a strong reputation from knowing how to partner and collaborate with organizations, helping them achieve individualized success.

Contact: Elaine Newman, CEO

Phone: (416) 488-0175 Email: enewman@egloballearning.com Twitter: @eGlobalLearning

www.egloballearning.com

 

First Contact

While Global Learning will be first in line to lend a helping hand gaining equal rights for our intergalactic neighbors when that time comes, I'd like to focus on a different sort of "first contact" till that happens.

Understanding the power of first impressions is paramount in any number of crucial situations, from the first-time meeting with your soon to be in-laws to being on either side of a job interview process. With whom and how we choose to represent ourselves from first engagement can make or break a career or business before it's even off the ground.

Now, I have heard the argument (and actually agree) that “what others think of us is none of our business.” Here is a spot on article we recently aggregated and posted saying as much:

“What You Think of Me Is None of My Business” by Georgia Feiste

This is so true and relevant to our own personal mental health goals.

However, when it comes to business and creating your own organizational culture, I'd like to suggest the concept of caring what others think within a first contact situation is not about the individual; it's about properly representing a unified vision of organizational success that you as a business leader have created for your diverse staff.

In recent weeks I have encountered a spectrum of examples that have really resonated with me. If you have read my other blogs, you have caught on by now that I love my "real-time" examples:

• I recently accompanied a friend to the hospital in an emergency situation. There are times when a person can simply smell the trouble in the air: a pervasive waft of confusion that coincides with a pulse of anxiety. I made my way to what seemed to be a check-in point. There was a gentleman there behind the glass partition who I'd guess was in his late-forties to mid-fifties. Before I could get the words "Hi, how are you today?" out, I was abruptly interrupted with:

"The forms are over there, fill it out, put it in the box and we'll call you.”

I responded "O.k. Great, thanks!" and proceeded to the forms. I hadn't made it two feet when I hear the gentleman utter to a nurse standing with him:

"I wish people would just read the sign.That's why it's there; so you don't bother me."

It was one of those moments as an HR professional that I had to choose to either engage or walk away. For the sake of my friend’s well-being, I chose to not respond and continued on my path to the forms. I chuckled to myself as I thought "Thank goodness I have my own pen.” 

Have no fear I wrote a lovely note to the Director of HR of the hospital. I might also add that the rest of the hospital staff was stellar and my friend is feeling much better. This gentleman is the wrong choice of staff for first contact. 

• Straight from the files: Years ago my advice was sought in a case where an office IT trainer was found to be using racist humour in his training. The company realized there was a problem when they started using this trainer for introductory training of new hires. They saw a spike in the number of people that didn't return after the first day had increased by almost 25%. Had the company invested the time in creating a clear outline for the trainer and not just assumed that their choice would do a good job, they would have saved countless hours and resources seeking new employees.    

•  My favourite example: I recently found myself in a pool store. No, I do not own a pool. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a young woman, who very calmly approached and asked if I needed help finding anything. I was there with a given mission, so I told her what I needed. She directed me to exactly what I needed and then proceeded to describe to me the differences between the choices I had, without once trying to influence my decision. I ordered what I needed, she quickly instructed a fellow worker to package up my order. By the time I was done paying, I was thanked with a smile and then told to go out to my car where an attendant would be waiting with my order to help place it in my vehicle.  Now That Was Service!  What I absolutely adored about the entire experience was that every visible staff member was young. Now I don't know anything about their other staff as this isn't a store I frequently visit. So I hope the rest of their staff is multi-generational. But it was so refreshing to see a young, friendly group with a strong work ethic. I sincerely believed they cared.

Your staff should consist of individuals with a variety of personal histories that provide knowledge stemming from cultural, education and social backgrounds. It's imperative to have a team that is diverse, however it's up to you as a leader to unify their goal under your guidance.

Everything starts with a beginning and “a first impression”. Choose how you are represented and who is representing you, with pride and care.

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. “

~ Henry Ford