Analyze the Leadership Snapshot of Ursula Burns specifically looking at how Xerox addressed issues of inclusion of women in the workforce.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Burns, who is African American, was recruited by Xerox in 1980 as part of its summer minority internship program, said that back then the diversity efforts then “didn’t extend to gender.”
It was through a woman’s caucus group that Xerox management learned women one obstacle in women obtaining and retaining top positions in its manufacturing divisions were the rigid hours of shift schedules. These schedules made it difficult for women who were also primary caregivers to their children to work in manufacturing. Executives learned that “women weren’t dumb in manufacturing, they need more flexibility” than the company allowed them, says Burns (Solman, 2014).
Xerox rose to dominance as maker of copy machines, but watched that market shrivel with competition from digital imaging. As a result, Xerox dramatically changed its business model. It is now in the business of client services and has become more globally oriented. In doing so, the company found that its suppliers, customers and partners came from diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences. In order to be able to connect with them, Xerox had to connect with the diversity within its own ranks.