Business Management - Diverse Workforce - Essay Example

Equal opportunities in may just be a way of making it more palatable in today's climate, may be used to revitalize the equal opportunities agenda (Dickson and Hargie 2003). Also, the manager can cultivate diverse workforce organizational assessment, effective recruiting rules and norms and alternative work arrangements. Managing diversity is usually associated with the creation of a strong corporate culture with an emphasis on commitment, and it is inevitably portrayed as having a strategic and integrated focus.

The main challenges faced by a company involve attempts to manage diverse workforce and create positive corporate climate, low cohesiveness and communication problems caused by cultural and language differences, group tension and negative stereotyping (Bateman et al 2003). The main difference between leading and managing is found in management functions managing involves maximization of the output of organization through effective management tools and methods. In contrast, leading is aimed to induce and motivate employees to work towards group goals with confidence and keenness.

A leader's actions are devoted to helping a group to attain its objectives. Leading also implies that the leader accepts responsibility for the achievement of the group objective and it is therefore essential for trust and co-operation from both sides to be in evidence all the time. "Leading is focused on influencing people, while the other functions are focused on "resources" in addition to people" (McNamara, 2007). Every effective organization must lead in technology to meet changing economic environment and market demands.

Out-of-date technology may lead to plant failure and consequent delays in production. Its new technology achievements and overall business strategy, potential and capability to support high performance environments are the key elements for future developments. Technological forces generate problem-solving inventions. In many cases, technology helps to join material resource and human resources, and fastens this process. Every effective organization must lead in technology in order to resist competition and remain competitive in future.

Also, technology allows companies to reduce operational costs and increase productivity. Team Management Effective teamwork depends upon a number of factors including motivation, mutual understanding, cohesiveness and team spirit. A manager can build a cohesive team using (1) different communication methods which allow team members to share experiences, (2) diversity training activities, (3) retreats. Teams react to success. Just as success can enhance self-confidence and release energy potential for individuals, it also can help develop cohesion and camaraderie in groups.

An example of this was reported on the basis of undersea marine research teams. Each successful undersea mission, according to the account, led to increased team cohesion. Thus, building a high-performing team is difficult, particularly if the team is working on a variety of tasks and, possibly, line activities at the same time. Therefore, the deliberate use of competitive strategies to enhance work motivation and teamwork requires planning and control. In this case, communication plays a pivotal role helping team members and a leader to solve problem and share experiences (Bateman et al 2003).

Intergroup Conflict Intergroup conflict occurs because of incompatibility