Nationwide
Launches Monthly Cultural Celebrations With Black History
Month Speakers
Critically acclaimed
author George Fraser speaks
George
Fraser speakers to Nationwide associates
(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.
PRESS CONTACT:
Bob Cunningham
(614) 249-3091
Cunninb1@nationwide.com
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