Three Diversity Case Studies on the Automobile Industry (Ford, Honda, Toyota websites) - Research Paper Example

19 May Three Diversity Case Studies on the Automobile Industry I. Ford, http www.ford.com Ford Go Further”) Ford website provides complete product and service information through colourful presentation that caters to the need of its website visitors whether they are potential customers, suppliers or employees. Upon visiting the website, the user is welcomed with huge images of its featured cars. This is in supplementary of the listing of various car models written in text. Both the text and images are hyperlinks that bring the website visitor to another page when clicked. The links are pages that provide detailed information on model features. Further on the welcome page, service information on car ownership such as warranty, accessories, payment, etc. are offered. Shopping tools that help a website visitor to do research, locate offices or find financing are also available. Diversity is addressed through another link on careers that takes the website visitor to a unique page that features its corporate structure. It seems that there is indeed a good diversity in Ford community not only in terms of gender, nationalities and age. It is also stated that Ford embraces diversity of thought, experience, perspective, race, gender and faith in their own company culture by learning of their emotional and intellectual roots to enable effective communication. And this inclusion principle has helped them organize a diverse staff to work towards the satisfaction of the needs of very diverse customers. It can also be observed that their website is available as well in Spanish language to cater to their numerous Spanish speaking website visitors that also comprise a significant percentage of their target market. Ford company’s awareness of the big diversity of their product enthusiasts has driven them to provide a social platform in their website where articles, stories and ideas of various persons are featured. It must be a good experience to be able to work at Ford, as they have depicted good corporate values in their websites. Their corporate system maximizes the diversity of their community to create information that enables the company to deliver better products and communicate well to satisfy customers’ needs and preferences. II. Honda, http://www.honda.com/ “Honda The Power of Dreams.” Honda website is characterized with simplicity of text presentation with minimal images on a white background. Its featured products are shown in text logos that can link the website visitor to another page that provides more car images and useful information to a potential customer, supplier or employee. Automobile shopping tools, ownership resources and car model research tools are also provided. The website also banners Honda’s environmental commitment by featuring their Hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles and more related news and stories about it. They also include future car models and concepts. This depicts Honda’s good organization skills and focus on car innovation and environmental leadership. Diversity is addressed generally through the “About” section in the welcome page. And the website is also available in Spanish language. The corporate structure is said to be built on “respect for the individual” principle that deals with trust, initiative and equality. Honda tangibly adopted diversity through diverse workforce, dealer body, team of suppliers and building of strong community through promotion of national events that benefit the company’s associates. Honda also recognize diversity in non-tangible ways by embracing viewpoints and concerns regarding their product design and marketing, the daily staff interactions, and sensitivity and responsibility to the diverse needs of the automobile communities. They adhere to the understanding that society, and the needs of their customers and associates and even the public, change. This must be their company’s motivation to produce more innovations. Honda further shows their commitment to diversity by organizing an active Honda North America Diversity Committee that is composed of several senior executives from various company divisions. The committee aims to regularly assess the status of diversity efforts and target areas of improvement. It must be also a worthwhile experience to be able to work at Honda because of the corporate values that can be practiced upon employment as exhibited by their level of commitment in embracing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of company organization and product innovation. III. Toyota, http://www.toyota.com/ (“Toyota Moving Forward”) Toyota website is similar in presentation to that of Ford’s. Toyota car model images are paraded in the welcome page. Several menus are available about current information on the newest car models. They have addressed an important need of the customer through their complimentary maintenance plan through roadside assistance, which is unique to the company. Also, they have a feature of helping website visitors find a car deal within their areas by asking them to provide zip code data. This is a very useful tool for potential customers that look for ways to save money on their car deals. There is also good information in the website that can be used by suppliers and potential employees. Hyperlinks of other products and services are available through text. Toyota’s website seems to appeal to a wide array of audience as shown by the variation of car models that they offer. Diversity is discussed through the careers option in the “About the Company” menu. Toyota company deals with diversity by ensuring the representation of their customers, business partners and employees in their workforce, marketing campaigns, dealerships and various communities supported. They are specifically recognized by DiversityInc., Black Enterprise and Hispanic Business in their leadership towards diversity and inclusion. They also formed their own Diversity Advisory Board which consists of leaders in diverse nationalities and fields such as diversity, public policy, economic development and community relations. It is the board’s goal to bring expert outside perspectives that will enable the company to shape and maintain their commitment to diversity. It seems that the corporate culture in Toyota is indeed dynamic and creative as shown by their inclusion efforts in both career and product development. They also exhibit commitment to corporate values of developing better automobile innovations that provide for the needs and safety of people. It must be a good experience as well to work in this company as corporate values of responsibility and commitment, and creativity in settings of company diversity can be learned. Works Cited “Ford Go Further.” Ford Motor Company, 2012. Web. 19 May 2012. “Honda The Power of Dreams.” American Honda Motor Inc., 2012. Web. 19 May 2012. “Toyota Moving Forward.” n.p., n.d., Web. 19 May 2012. Read More