Hillarysworld

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The Value of Diversity
A Commentary by Susan Estrich

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Diversity is not just a nice thing. It isn't just about fairness or equal opportunity. Diversity is good business, essential business, especially for companies that market to women -- or are covered by them.

If you have any doubt, consider the iPad.

Is there a woman in America who did not laugh, or at least roll her eyes, the minute she heard that the newest, hottest tablet computer from one of America's most ingenuous companies was going to sound like a feminine hygiene product? The iKotex is what most people I know are calling it, with apologies to Kotex.

So where were those women? The short answer is that, plainly, they were not in the room. Go to Apple's home page and look at the pictures and bios of key executives. I'll tell you who you'll find: Steve, Timothy, Scott, Jonathan, Ron, Bob, Peter, Mark, Philip, Bertrand and Bruce. All white, all men. If there is a "top" woman at Apple, at best she's No. 12.

The video released by Apple to trumpet the genius of the iPad (it really does) is equally un-diverse. Only men use the iPad. Only men talk about the iPad. It's almost as bad as the name.

That might work if you were selling jock straps. It doesn't work if you want American consumers -- half of whom are women -- to buy your product. Even car companies, notoriously male at the top, use women in their promotional campaigns. Did they really think we wouldn't notice?

This is not a new issue at Apple. [snip]

[SNIP]

[snip]And when they're sitting in a room full of people who look just like them, it doesn't occur to them that someone is missing.

I know a lot of women who spend their days in front of Apple computers
who are almost embarrassed that the company they so love and admire
could frankly be so blind and stupid.

[snip]

George had Gracie. Apple needs to find some dames. They will make a great company better.
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Full Article.


-- Edited by Sanders on Wednesday 3rd of February 2010 03:47:35 PM