Diversity Friendliness – Key To Competing For FDI

“Diversity: The art of thinking independently together.”

Malcolm Forbes

I was recently asked to author an article for Red Hot Location’s FDI Report, a Site Selection Magazine publication. I decided to illustrate how Xavier University’s American Dream Composite Index data can be used by multinational companies looking to determine where to locate operations in the U.S.. Below is a look at the opening paragraph, followed by a link to the full article.

Please take the time to read the full article and leave a comment with your thoughts. Also take the time to check out some of the previous issues of the FDI Report. I think you’ll find it a valuable resource.

ARTICLE:

By Edward Burghard,
CEO The Burghard Group LLC,
www.strengtheningbrandamerica.com

When multinational corporations make a site selection decision, not only do they need to determine the potential location’s ability to deliver on the mandatory project parameters, but they also have to consider the location’s receptivity to foreign direct investment (FDI). A Puget Sound Regional Council paper entitled “Attracting Foreign Direct Investment To Your Community” framed the importance of a community’s diversity friendliness this way – “Overseas operations are usually integrated into the management structure of the parent firm, so executives will often rotate through various locations. It is helpful if these postings are viewed not just as professionally rewarding, but also personally rewarding.”

DISCUSSION

I would love to hear the experience of economic development professionals or ste selection consultants who have hands-on experience with FDI attraction and/or retention. How important was the community’s receptivity to diverse cultures and thinking in the final location decision? What can a community do to improve its diversity friendliness?