The Phoenix Principles

Competition is no longer limited by geography in today's increasingly global world. Business institutions seeking the multicultural pool of potential customers must first learn to unleash the often untapped competitive weapon within their arsenal... a diverse talent pool. The culture of inclusion needed to leverage this business advantage is often mistakenly viewed as a project, rather than a cultural transformation that can: - increase market share - increase productivity and profits - increase innovation for better products and services - reduce costs associated with employee turnover - improve community relations The Phoenix Principles takes readers step-by-step through the transformation journey of a fictional company and the actions of one individual, Phoenix. Phoenix guides the company through the process of inclusion - creating a cohesive, team-oriented culture poised to connect with and capture the diverse markets that comprise today's global marketplace. The challenges and ultimate rewards that Phoenix experiences provide a framework for businesses to leverage the inevitable differences among individuals.

VINCENT RANDOLPH BROWN has spent twenty-five years consulting for Fortune 500 clients on diversity and inclusion using teambuilding, leadership development, strategic planning, recruiting/retention, and affinity groups methods. Vincent remains an active part of many community-based and social service organizations. DR. JANET B. REID has traveled the globe consulting for top corporations on diversity and inclusion, focusing on shaping corporate strategy and developing quantitative and qualitative measures of bottom line benefits. She is a former brand manager for Procter & Gamble and chemistry professor at Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA. Janet earned her Ph.D. in Bioinorganic Chemistry from Howard University. She has served on the boards of several Cincinnati-based organizations including the Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati and another major healthcare organization.