Diversity is taking on new meaning in corporate America as globalization changes the business landscape. That was the message corporate diversity executives delivered at a Wake Forest University School of Business lecture on February 5th.

“Celebrating and understanding differences is no longer enough. You have to know how to leverage those differences,” said Andres Tapia, chief diversity officer at Hewitt Associates. “I like to say that diversity is the mix, and inclusiveness is making the mix work well.”

“This is the forum for creating the debate and finding solutions to huge problems we continue to have,” said Esther Silver-Parker, senior vice president of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart, mentioning a recent New York Times article about African-Americans “whitening” their resumes. “People are too often…more comfortable with people who look like they look, and think like they think.”

Ronald C. Glover, vice president of diversity and workforce programs for IBM, offered a final insight for students. “Your competition – the talent the world needs – is everywhere now,” he said, adding that “the world is less forgiving of those of you who can’t keep up.”

The panel is part of Wake Forest’s Annual Marketing Summit which ran February 4th through 6th.

Hustletown readers: How is the ever growing focus on diversity impacting your business?