Yet another component in Debbe Kennedy's easy-to-use and refreshingly straightforward Diversity Breakthrough! Strategic Action series, Achievement profiles organizations that have launched diversity-promoting efforts to monitor, measure, and even celebrate progress as they work to create an inclusive organization.

Like all the booklets in Kennedy's goal-oriented series, this one comes with self-assessment tools, concrete action strategies to mobilize change, and fun, quick action-planning worksheets, all in a concise 64-page format that's as adaptable to an organization-wide initiative or a small group effort as it is to a single individual's nighttime reading and enrichment (where organizational change, after all, often begins). And as part of the real-life, first-person accounts that make all these booklets so lively, this edition includes real-life stories from such diverse organizations as Hewlett-Packard, IBM, the U.S. Army, and the Burgundy Group on diversity challenges and solutions.

Readers can use this booklet alone or in conjunction with others in the series, each of which focuses on a crucial phase in what author Kennedy, a veteran consultant and a former manager of Equal Opportunity and human resources at IBM, calls the "imperfect circle" of change: "Assessment," "Acceptance," "Action," "Accountability," "Achievement," and--you guessed it--"More Action." The Breakthrough system also includes a pack of 52 cards, each of which spells out a specific diversity roadblock (starting with "Our leadership team does not reflect our stated commitment to inclusion."). Passed around in group format, they allow participants to literally "put their cards on the table" about internal issues they'd rather not bring up aloud--making for not just a brilliant icebreaker on a touchy subject but a crucial first step in isolating strengths and weaknesses in the realm of diversity.

Whether read alone or as part of the integrated whole, this well-thought-out booklet may be just the thing for HR managers, trainers, and consultants lamenting the dearth of quality material on this perilous subject. --Timothy Murphy This book focuses on how-to monitor, measure and celebrate progress as you work to create a diverse, inclusive environment in your organization, business, workplace or community, so you can reflect the marketplaces and communities of the 21st Century. Includes organizational self-assessment tools to help you determine where you are now and what you can do action strategies and ideas for what and how to monitor, measure and celebrate achievement and progress in regards to leadership, culture, involvement, the business, strategies and measures, staffing and development and ownership. Additionally, there are inspiring personal stories from executives from IBM, Hewlett-Packard, U.S. Army, Leap Wireless International, The Burgundy Group, best-selling Australian author, Catherine DeVrye, as well as an action planning guide and a call to action. Twenty-five illustrations; two-color format. Designed for anyone with the responsibility of setting an example and leading change in your organization.