Whirlpool understands that its leaders must first show an understanding of and interest in
diversity before it can become part of the company culture. to involve busy senior leadership and
middle management in the company’s diversity efforts, it creates short five- to ten-minute podc3asts
that report on the company’s diversity initiatives, and gives iPod Shuffles to upper management so that
they can listen to these programs while on the go. Executives can also print them out as short, two-page
papers. A diversity and inclusion “lunch and learn” series, hosted by the employee-based diversity
networks, offers a comfortable environment to generate discussion among peers. The engagement of
Whirlpool’s leaders has stimulated positive change throughout the organization.
Whirlpool integrated diversity and inclusion into its business in three phases:
1. Awareness building: Whirlpool began by building the business case for diversity in a changing
consumer marketplace, and then delivered that message along with diversity training to the company’s
approximately 18,000 employees.
2. Building competency and capacity: Next, it developed tools to enable senior man-agers to effectively
manage a global workforce and build employee engagement.
3. Embedding best practices: After training managers and employees, Whirlpool wove best practices
into the fabric of the organization. It began by previewing the company’s diversity strategy for new
employees and continued through the development of an educational development curriculum that
prepares senior managers to effectively manage a multicultural workforce.
Whirlpool’s slogan even reflects its culture of diversity: “the only thing more diverse than our products,
are the people who create them.” Whirlpool was among Diversity Inc.’s top 10 Companies for Lesbian
Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Employees in 2007. In addition, Whirlpool has received a 100
percent rating in the human rights Campaign Corporate Equality index.
Questions:
1. Do you agree that Whirlpool can realize a competitive advantage through its diverse employees?
2. How else can technology be used to enhance Whirlpool’s culture of inclusion?
3. Do you feel that Whirlpool’s efforts to create a culture of inclusion are worthwhile? Explain your
answer.
