OREANDA-NEWS. May 20, 2015. Bosch is mobilizing its 360,000 associates worldwide as ambassadors of diversity and equal opportunity on World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. The supplier of technology and services intends to send a signal that emphasizes the value of similarities and differences between people in the world of work. To do so, Bosch is organizing its second international day of action for its associates on May 21, 2015. On Bosch Diversity Day, dialogue events and activities aimed at getting people involved at more than 200 locations are intended to shine a spotlight on the role diversity plays in achieving excellence. Bosch sees teams encompassing different ages, nationalities, genders, and ways of working as a driver of its innovative strength. Each year, the group applies for thousands of patents worldwide.

Strengthening diversity – with ambassadors in 60 countries
“The benefits companies reap from diversity should also provide incentive for improving social integration around the world,” says Christoph K?bel, member of the board of management and director of industrial relations at Robert Bosch GmbH, explaining the campaign to mark the day. “The fact that our associates work with people of other nationalities means that they are well-versed in intercultural dialogue in their private lives as well. As ambassadors of diversity and equal opportunity, our associates in around 60 countries worldwide make a contribution to a society of mutual esteem and respect.” In particular, the promotion of equal opportunities for men and women, the integration of foreigners, and the acceptance of older workers are important for civil society, he adds. The UN’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was instigated in 2001. Among its objectives is to foster peaceful coexistence between diverse people and sections of society.

Diversity management fosters excellence
Diversity is an integral part of the corporate culture at Bosch. It consists of the four dimensions age, gender, nationality, and working culture. “Our customers expect excellence and fascinating products from us,” says Heidi Stock, who is in charge of global diversity management at Bosch. “We achieve this through a working atmosphere that respects and values different perspectives and encourages and harnesses diversity. This allows our associates to achieve better results, especially in international cooperation.” Mixed teams help solve demanding challenges in an increasingly connected world. For example, associates from different areas came up with the idea of using a lambda sensor from automotive technology in an oven. As a result, a sensor measures moisture levels and informs users by app when their cake is finished baking.

“Intergenerational tandem”: new pilot project in Germany
Partly as a result of demographic change, working in mixed-age teams is a major topic in Europe where diversity management is concerned. In Germany, Bosch has launched a new pilot project that allows younger associates to learn from older associates – and vice versa. An “intergenerational tandem” brings two associates who are at least ten years apart in age together on a voluntary basis. At regular intervals, they exchange knowledge and experiences from their day-to-day work, offer each other advice, and take a conscious look at things from a different perspective. “We want to further connect our associates across generations and show that everyone can learn from each other,” Stock says.

“We are Bosch”: diversity as corporate value
Diversity has more than just strategic importance at Bosch. The appreciation of different mindsets, life models, and experiences is a reflection of the company’s values-based culture. These corporate values form the basis of the company’s recently-revised “We are Bosch” mission statement. Straightforward and compact, the mission statement expresses how Bosch sees itself as a company.