Diversity

NAAAP and Diversity

Over the last decade or two, as economies became more global through international trade, companies began embarking on international markets in an effort to increase their sales of goods and services.

As more minorities began entering the corporate workforce, the demographics of the workforce began to change as well. In the beginning, minorities had to overcome obstacles to get certain jobs or were denied certain positions due to ill-placed perceptions placed upon them. However, as the realization that global sales began to comprise a growing percentage of overall gross revenue then did the value of diversity was first realized.

When it came down to doing business with Asian countries, multinational companies began looking into their own employee base for assistance. In the beginning, there weren’t many Asian Americans that companies could find which then lead to the need to hire more Asian Americans who were bi-lingual in English and an Asian language.

As more Asian Americans, whose culture embraces education, began graduating with more and more degrees, only did Asian Americans became a sought after in the workforce.

NAAAP Member Demographics

Corporate Diversity

As government tries to diversify to reflect the makeup of their constituents, so too do companies who strive to diversify their workforce to reflect the diverse consumers that it sells its good and services to.

Though Asian Americans have become a significant addition to the workforce, Asian Americans are still lacking in areas of top management and key industries.

Not only does NAAAP encourage companies to include Asian Americans in their diversity programs but we also encourage Asian Americans to go into under represented industries such as human resource, the media, academia, politics, law enforcement, the arts and many more.

Though Asian Americans have been successful in finance, engineering, law and medicine, there are still many unexplored industries and careers.

Companies who have diversity programs actively hire qualified Asian Americans or look to promote from within their own ranks. As Asian Americans are a viable and profitable consumer base, having Asian Americans involved in product development can help companies produce products and services aimed at the Asian American consumer.

Asian American employees also bring a cultural perspective to the corporate workforce as well. By helping human resource understand the needs of Asian Americans within their company helps them to enhance their employee retention programs.

At the same time though, Asian Americans need to take the initiative to make these diversity programs work by being involved in their companies diversity programs and if one doesn’t exist, then let the company know. Only Asian Americans can represent their interest but they need to take the initiative to do so.

NAAAP also believes that a work environment devoid of racism, prejudice, stereotypes and discrimination is one that is conducive to motivating Asian Americans to advance in their careers as they seek to climb the corporate ladder.