Our country is the epitome of cultural diversity that is further solidified by the many holidays that we tend to celebrate as Malaysians. Within the first quarter of 2023 alone, we celebrated Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Wesak. As Malaysians, we come from various different backgrounds, and this promotes social cohesion and harmony within the workplace and the larger society.
According to the PwC’s Global Culture Survey 2021 report, almost 63 per cent of Malaysian participants believe that their organisation has a unique workforce culture that makes them stand out from competitors.
Meanwhile, around 86 per cent of respondents said their organisational culture still should evolve in the next three to five years to succeed, grow, and retain the best talents, as it can influence employee motivation, efficiency, and productivity.
It goes without saying that embracing cultural diversity in the workplace is an important first step for businesses that want to be competitive on an international scale. Embracing workplace diversity enables organisations to tap into this diverse knowledge base and effectively communicate with customers and clients from various cultural backgrounds. Understanding cultural nuances and adapting business practices accordingly can enhance customer satisfaction and strengthen business relationships.
Cultivating unity in diversity
After being in the human resource (HR) industry for over 13 years in my career, I, too personally, have witnessed instances where diversity practice has successfully bred creativity and driven innovation to greater heights.
Organisations that understand the diverse preferences, traditions, and values of customers from different ethnic groups allow them to tailor their offerings and marketing strategies accordingly. This targeted approach builds stronger customer relationships and increases brand loyalty within the diverse Malaysian market or even globally.
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When individuals from various cultural backgrounds collaborate, they bring unique insights, ideas, and problem-solving approaches. This diversity of thought stimulates innovation, leading to the development of new products, services, and strategies that cater to the diverse needs of the Malaysian market.
Having the ability to view issues from varying angles can also help solve organisational and managerial problems while meeting stakeholders’ expectations in new and exciting ways. This concept is especially useful when the organisation has plans to expand its business overseas because it can improve marketing strategies by equipping the company with better cross-cultural understanding and local market knowledge.
Promoting workplace diversity and inclusion aligns with the principles of social responsibility and equality. By fostering an inclusive work environment, organisations demonstrate their commitment to equal opportunities, respect, and fairness for all employees.
This positively impacts their reputation among customers, investors, and the larger community, positioning them as socially responsible and ethical entities in Malaysia.
However, unknown to most, unconscious biases tend to happen in the workplace more than people realise, especially if there is an apparent language barrier between peers. From my professional observation, the biases can relate to gender, age, ethnicity, and professional training, just to name a few.
Therefore, practising and adapting inclusivity will foster a sense of belonging and acceptance among employees. When individuals feel valued and respected for their unique qualities, they are more engaged and motivated in their work. Moreover, employees are more likely to stay with organisations that prioritise diversity and inclusion, reducing turnover and promoting long-term retention.
In a multicultural country like Malaysia, embracing workplace diversity and inclusion goes beyond compliance with legal requirements; it becomes a strategic advantage that enhances employee engagement, innovation, customer relationships, and overall business success.
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