Creating Multicultural Business Awareness

Last month’s article, we highlighted the three steps necessary to connect with minority based businesses. First, is create awareness. Second, to be inclusive. Third, is to create community.

I have had a great opportunity to work with a Multicultural Connections Council that is just “starting up”. It’s a grand adventure to connect with others of different cultures and to learn about their culture and traditions. They are working together on a mission to create an International Cultural Affair much like the huge event that has been happening for 33 years in Dayton, Ohio.

Representatives from the Filipino-Society, the African-American Chamber, the Hispanic Chamber, the Native American Society and the Celtic Society, work together to seek out other cultural groups to sit at the table and connect. In developing this organization, they have already determined that the first way they can educate the community at large about their cultures is to create awareness and they are doing it by making VISIBLE their culture, traditions and cuisine.

Visibility is the first step in creating awareness. If you’re not visible, then no one is aware that you exist. Are you visible to the minority business community? Are you involved in minority based activities, functions, events, organizations and meetings? Do you know the when and where of locations of minority based events?

Sure, you can go out and spend money buying a list or you can do some homework on your own.

1. Check listing for chambers of commerce. For example, San Antonio, Texas has 34 chambers of Commerce. In Houston, Texas there are over 90 chambers of commerce. Each chamber representing a different business community.
2. Check with local event listings. Minority cultures create awareness of their culture through traditions (like dance and art) and cuisine. Look for dance exhibitions or international fairs.
3. Connect with your local arts council. Often, they highlight many cultural groups at their events and they have a listing of the key contact people.

If you are serious about diversifying your networking, you’ll take these steps to make yourself aware of the ability of cultural groups but also to make these groups aware of your existence and your interest in connecting.

So, how do you connect once you’re aware of these groups? Make a phone call and attend some functions. Your own initiative will speak volumes of the type of person you are and who you are willing to connect with. I’m often frustrated and saddened when I hear organizations say they don’t have a mix of minorities on their board of directors or volunteers because they don’t know where to find them. I guarantee you they are not in hiding! They are however, connecting with people in their community or sub community so it is important for you to be proactive in making the connection. It is that outreach that will shine a positive outlook on you.

When you do connect, you are not seeking a relationship with the whole group in fact you are seeking to create relationships one at a time. One by one, much like you would do with any networking group, you will meet, listen, learn and gain trust.

Trust is the first foundational step in developing a relationship. Remember, to treat everyone differently, each according to their strengths and you will develop mutually beneficial trust relationships.

I’m looking forward to taking the next step into inclusion.

Until next time, ciao’!
Coach Maria Elena Duron

 

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Contact Maria at MariaD@TheNationalNetWorker.com or Post a Comment on TNNW Blog.