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Nationwide Launches Monthly Cultural Celebrations With Black History
Month Speakers
(left to right--Lorraine Brock, vice president of Diverse Markets for
Nationwide; George Fraser; Candice Barnhardt, Chief Diversity Officer
for Nationwide; and William Edmonds, administrative office for the
Office of Diversity & Inclusion for Nationwide.)
Columbus, OH (BlackNews.com) - As part of its diversity and inclusion
mission, Nationwide will celebrate nationally recognized cultural
observations in 2008, beginning with Black History Month. To kick off
the observation, George Fraser, author of two books, including
critically acclaimed bestseller, "Success Runs in Our Race,"
spoke recently to Nationwide associates. Fraser used the time allotted
to share information on why friends are so important and the value of
networking.
"Life is like a three legged stool that includes education, which
provides the ticket to get in the ballpark of life," said Fraser. The
other parts of the stool allow you to convert that into a marketable
skill and relationships being the third leg for your ability to work
with and through other people," Fraser says.
Fraser noted that you cannot accomplish the goals and objectives in your
life without building on relationships. He pointed out the importance of
selecting the right friends in building those relationships. "Don't
spend major time with minor people."
"My business advice today is that most business decisions are made at an
emotional level and then justified by facts," says Fraser. "It is
important to develop keen relationships and strategic alliances in life.
Key elements to this are cultivating, nurturing and developing those
relationships."
Fraser pointed out that you will need to build three types of networking
systems in your life - a personal network, an operational network, and a
strategic network of mentors and coaches.
The purpose of life according to George Fraser is to love, to give, to
serve and to add value. Fraser feels that our society is an integral
part of a large universe and successful people understand that we are
rivers not reservoirs - knowledge should flow through us and not be
held. We must give first and share always.
George Fraser is a frequent contributor to scholarly journals on a wide
range of topics to include networking, business ethics, valuing
diversity and economic development. He has also written a new book
entitled "Click"-the first business book on networking by an African
American. It is a book about the mistakes and challenges people face
around the topic of networking. Fraser says that we must remember and
understand that networking is a process-it is an enrichment program and
the goal of all networking is to click.
"We had a room full of givers because if you have to be a giver to get,
we got a powerful message from George Fraser," said Candice Barnhardt,
Chief Diversity Officer for Nationwide. "Fraser combined a timely
message of self-empowerment with practical advice and information about
business and networking," Barnhardt said.
Barnhardt pointed out that this start of cultural celebrations for
Nationwide aligns with the company's goal of inclusiveness. An
environment where everyone helps to create and make sure associates are
challenged, appreciated, respected and engaged. "A culture of diversity
and inclusion thrives when people with unique perspectives work together
to achieve common goals," Barnhardt adds.
Through this and subsequent celebrations, Nationwide will demonstrate
appreciation for fellow associates and their heritage and look for ways
to learn more about different cultures, while appreciating personal
differences, and welcoming them.
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified
insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more
than $160 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks #104 on the Fortune 500
list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial
services, including auto, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life, farm,
commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages,
mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and
productivity services. For more information, visit
www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally
registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
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