Diversity is not just a nice thing to have but "will be imperative in the future" for companies to stay relevant in the changing global business environment, the leader of an international nonprofit organization told a recent symposium in Los Angeles.
"Looking at the share of global GDP projection, it is clear that the center of gravity is shifting to non-OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries," and companies "need to work in these diverse environments," said Toshihiro Nakamura, cofounder and CEO of Kopernik, an online marketplace of simple innovative technologies designed especially for developing countries.
Nakamura was among the people invited to speak at the symposium held March 22 by the Global Organization for Leadership and Diversity. It was the fifth symposium alternately held in the city and in Tokyo by the NPO, established by former banking executive Hiroko Tatebe to help foster women as leaders and bring diversity to business and professional circles.