COMPANIES ENCOURAGED TO MARK APRIL AS 'CELEBRATE DIVERSITY MONTH'

(AANEWSWIRE)BOSTON, April 15, 2008 - Employers are being encouraged to observe April as "Celebrate Diversity Month," according to Novations Group, a global consulting firm based in Boston.

Celebrate Diversity Month is a time to honor the diversity surrounding us and to gain a deeper understanding of one another, according to Clint Poole, Novations Director of Marketing. "We can build connections with those we don't usually get an opportunity to know." Celebrate Diversity Month was initiated four years ago by ProGroup, a leading Minnesota diversity training firm that is now a part of Novations.

Poole noted that many organizations celebrate cultural history and heritage months, such as African-American History, Women's History, Asian/Pacific American Heritage, Gay and Lesbian Pride, Hispanic Heritage, Disability Employment Awareness and American Indian Heritage. "But there's been growing sentiment to celebrate all diversity, to recognize not only our differences, but also our connections. Celebrate Diversity Month is designed to do just that. It will bring people of unique cultures and backgrounds together to share and learn from one another."

Companies can observe diversity in several ways, said Poole, who offered some ideas from the Novations' Celebrate Diversity Month handbook 30 Ways 30 Days:

l Individually - Invite Someone New to Lunch
Vary your lunch partners. Seek out co-workers of different backgrounds, from different departments, and at different levels and lengths of tenure in the company. Ask respectful and open-ended questions that invite explanation and further conversation.
lAs an Organization - Start a Diversity Roundtable
Discuss critical issues facing your community. Listen to learn about different perspectives and offer your own perspective.
lAs a Group Activity - Create a Group Vision Statement
Create a group vision statement for Celebrate Diversity Month. Provide sticky notes, pens and a blank wall for people to add their ideas words and phrases. Compile the ideas into one statement for a comprehensive list.

Poole hopes organizations, schools and individuals will choose to celebrate similarities as well as differences during Celebrate Diversity Month.

Novations Group, Inc. is a leading provider of consulting and training services on four continents. Novations is recognized for its expertise in diversity & inclusion, employee engagement, talent management, employee selection, leadership development, organization communications, sales training and customer service. For more information, visit www.novations.com.

Contact: Pat FitzGerald, Novations, 617-787-2163, pfitzgerald@novations.com, or Phil Ryan, Ryan Public Relations, 845-339-7858.