Booz Allen Hamilton's award-winning corporate university is instrumental in providing required and elective diversity training courses that help staff learn the skills necessary to work and manage in a multicultural, multinational firm.

In addition to topics ranging from financial project management to presentation skills to software training, employees have access to a range of educational diversity programs designed to help them grow personally and professionally. The firm's corporate university utilizes both traditional classroom- and technology-based teaching.

"It was interesting to learn that Booz Allen has a global presence with business connections to 55 countries and that we support a multinational people-force encompassing 90 nationalities—that's almost mind boggling," said Robert Ginter, who recently attended "Managing in a Diverse Organization" training in Leavenworth, Kansas.

"Developing and teaching an in-house course such as this one delivers a powerful message—that diversity is a corporate focus and a way of life within the organization. The course provided 'real-world' exercises... it's not often that you can get immediate feedback on how others perceive your actions or thoughts... it was great learning and growing experience."

Booz Allen offers a wide range of courses, including:

• Skill-based Diversity Courses for staff at all levels, focusing on teachable skills necessary to work and manage effectively in a diverse environment such as Booz Allen



• Professional Development Diversity Series-workshops that focus on Asian-American, African-American and Latin-American professional development, as well as sexual orientation and gender issues in the workplace



• American Sign Language and Deaf Culture Classes



• Diversity Education Online Book Club

"I made life-changing discoveries in the Working Effectively in a Diverse Organization class," said Troy Hendrix, a Booz Allen Consultant for over five years. "It changed the way I see others, and opened my eyes to understanding other people's perspectives based on their personality."

Booz Allen provides required diversity training for the firm's vice presidents, principals, and senior associates and all employees are encouraged to attend any of the classes and workshops available through the firm's corporate university.

Diversity training and courses are another way Booz Allen embraces the diversity of its workforce, strengthens its core values and promotes a healthy work-life balance.

story posted November 4, 2005