Diversity Is Good For Business, Whole Community

As we honor Martin Luther King Jr. today, I ask you to take a moment to remember that America remains a mosaic. We are made of different parts from many different places. While this has long been our nation's story, recent events have shown this to be true more than ever.

Look no further than the November 2012 elections. The results of those elections were influenced by minorities in an unprecedented way. Indeed, many of the elected are minorities. The composition of the 113th Congress reflects historical diversity with 101 women, 45 African-Americans, 31 Latinos and 12 Asian-Americans, among others.

America is more diverse than ever, and it is important we all remember this — especially those of us in the business community.

Every business has an audience, a community or customers it serves. Without a doubt, that community looks, thinks and acts differently than it did even 10 short years ago. As a result, businesses face new realities that require new attitudes and approaches. How should a business successfully adjust to this new reality? By welcoming it. We should not simply accept diversity — but welcome it. When businesses welcome diversity, fresh inspiration, renewed energy and exciting opportunities follow.

This is what we've experienced at Waller. My law firm has a rich history of leadership in recruiting, promoting and retaining women and minority attorneys. Our approach is different. We want diverse professionals because it creates a higher quality of legal services. Our attorneys come to the table with common goals but uncommon backgrounds. When diverse attorneys focus on a common goal, it fosters a more robust exchange of ideas; it energizes and yields new and better options to increasingly complex business problems. Our clients tell us they...