Lesedi’s Delights is a company owned by Lesedi Kekana and it is based in Atteridgeville. The company was registered in 2007. Lesedi, the owner, initially operated in a back room at her mom’s house. Her business was initially based on orders received from the local communities. The people in her township would order cakes, sandwiches and pies for their functions. Lesedi won a business award from the local business chamber in 2010 and she was given prize money of R250 000 for being the most promising entrepreneur. The award bought so much publicity that she started to struggle to fulfil orders.
Initially, she coped with this increase in orders with the help of her unemployed mother and her elder brother, who worked in Pretoria and assisted her with the deliveries after work. Some of her customers also fetched their own orders. As the business grew even more, she realised that she needed to employ at least two more people: an experienced baker and a reliable delivery person with a valid driver’s licence. Given the frequency and size of her orders, she could not afford to bring people in who could not hit the ground running in the two positions. From her recruitment process, she identified Natalie, a recently graduated hospitality student from a nearby university of technology. Natalie had also worked as an intern at a local confectionery. She also stayed in nearby Danville Township, which made travelling to work convenient.
Lesedi also identified Jonas as a suitable candidate for the driver position. He had worked for the same company for 30 years as a driver before the company closed when the owner relocated. Jonas was forced to retire at the age of 55.
Recommend a diversity training programme Naledi could use for her new employees. Motivate your answer from the case study.
Based on the case study, it is evident that Lesedi's Delights has a diverse workforce, with employees coming from different backgrounds and possessing a variety of skills and experiences. To ensure cohesion, understanding, and inclusivity within the team, it is important for Lesedi to implement a diversity training program.
One recommended diversity training program for Lesedi's new employees would be a Cultural Sensitivity Training. This type of training can help employees become aware of and respect the diverse cultures, values, and beliefs that exist within the company. It can also promote understanding and acceptance of different perspectives and help prevent any negative stereotypes or biases from impacting the work environment.
Motivation for this training can be derived from several factors in the case study. Firstly, Natalie is a hospitality student who has worked as an intern at a local confectionery. This suggests that she may have interacted with customers or colleagues from diverse backgrounds in her previous roles. A Cultural Sensitivity Training program can help her effectively navigate different cultural contexts and handle diverse customer interactions.
Secondly, Jonas has worked for the same company for 30 years before being forced to retire due to relocation. This indicates that he may have a wealth of experience and knowledge, possibly from interacting with a diverse range of colleagues and customers. A Cultural Sensitivity Training program can help Jonas adapt to the changing workforce demographics and ensure he is aware of and respectful towards new and different cultural perspectives.
Implementing a Cultural Sensitivity Training program will also address the potential challenges that can arise from having a diverse workforce. Lesedi mentioned that she needed employees who could hit the ground running, indicating the need for effective communication and collaboration within the team. This training can improve intercultural communication skills, enhance teamwork, and foster a harmonious work environment.
Overall, a Cultural Sensitivity Training program is recommended for Lesedi's Delights as it can help the diverse team understand and appreciate one another's cultural differences, leading to better teamwork, customer service, and overall success for the business.
Based on the information provided in the case study, a suitable diversity training program for Lesedi's new employees could focus on the following areas:
1. Cultural Sensitivity and Awareness: Lesedi's business caters to a diverse local community. It would be beneficial to provide training on understanding and appreciating different cultures, traditions, and customs. This training would help employees in interacting respectfully and positively with customers from various backgrounds.
2. Implicit Bias and Stereotype Awareness: To ensure that Lesedi's Delights creates an inclusive and welcoming environment, it is important to address any implicit biases or stereotypes that might exist among the employees. Training in this area would help sensitize the staff to not make assumptions about customers based on stereotypes and to examine their own biases.
3. Effective Communication and Customer Service: Lesedi's business relies heavily on customer satisfaction. A diversity training program could focus on enhancing communication skills in order to cater to customers with different needs and preferences. This could include areas such as active listening, empathy, and adapting communication styles to suit individual customers.
4. Inclusive Workplace Policies and Respectful Behavior: Given the diverse nature of Lesedi's employees, it is crucial to ensure a workplace environment that is inclusive and respectful. Training should focus on establishing and reinforcing policies that promote equal opportunity, non-discrimination, and respect for diversity.
5. Team Building and Collaboration: Since Lesedi is expanding her team, it would be beneficial to provide training focused on teamwork and collaboration. This would help employees develop effective ways of working together, leveraging their diverse skills and experiences, and fostering a sense of unity and cooperation.
Motivation: The case study mentions how Lesedi's Delights operates in a diverse local community and recruits employees from different backgrounds. A diversity training program would address the unique challenges that arise in such an environment, ensuring that Lesedi's business is inclusive, respectful, and able to cater to the needs of its diverse customer base. It would also help the new employees understand their roles and responsibilities and adapt quickly to Lesedi's high-volume business model. Ultimately, implementing a diversity training program would contribute to the growth and success of Lesedi's Delights.
Based on the case study, Lesedi's Delights is expanding and hiring new employees. It is important for Lesedi to ensure that her new employees receive a diversity training program to promote a respectful and inclusive work environment. A suitable diversity training program that she could use for her new employees is called "Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace."
Motivation:
1. The case study mentions that Lesedi's business is based in Atteridgeville, a township known for its diverse community. A diversity training program will help Lesedi's employees understand and appreciate the different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives of the local community. This will enable the company to better serve their customers and foster positive relationships.
2. Natalie, one of the new employees, is a recent graduate from a nearby university of technology. Many universities and educational institutions emphasize diversity and inclusion in their curriculum, and Natalie may already have some knowledge and awareness of the topic. A diversity training program will build on her existing knowledge and help her integrate into the company's values and practices.
3. Hiring Jonas, who was forced to retire at the age of 55, demonstrates Lesedi's commitment to age diversity and inclusion. Implementing a diversity training program will ensure that all employees, regardless of age, are treated with respect and given equal opportunities for growth and development.
4. The case study mentions that Lesedi won a business award that brought a lot of publicity to her company. With increasing attention and growing business, it becomes even more crucial for Lesedi to promote diversity and inclusion within her workforce. A diversity training program will equip her employees with the skills and knowledge to navigate an increasingly diverse customer base and maintain positive relationships with clients.
By implementing a diversity training program like "Building a Diverse and Inclusive Workplace," Lesedi will not only create a respectful work environment but also enhance her company's reputation and ability to adapt to the needs of a diverse customer base.