The cut and color of your organization.

Cut:

The two main variables in your cut are shape and quality. The shape of a diamond is largely about preference and the needs of your consumers. Some people prefer the shape of a Starbucks-like business because if feels reliable and consistent. One caramel mocha will pretty much taste the same from store to store. Others may prefer their corner coffee shop which gives them a more unique feel and the idea that it is the only place to get a particular brand, or taste.

The quality of that particular cut is all about the facets. The top of the diamond. The variety of angles and faces that are seen when one gazes upon a stone, and in your company those facets, are the mail clerks, service technicians, receptionists and all the entry level positions that make up your organization. People don't buy a home theater system, or a new car from the CEO of the company. I bet most people couldn't even name the CEO's for most of the products in their home. But they might be able to name the salesperson who helped them. The quality of a diamond cut is based on the depth of the cut and the facets. The facets need to be well cared for, polished and chosen with care. The stone should not be cut too deep or it looses some of it's ability to shine. And this is true with your company too. The farther away from the front line a leader is, the less in touch the front line can be with that leaders ideas.

Color:

I know everyone is tired of "diversity education" and I think I can pin point why. We went about it all wrong. I'll own up to being part of that problem. So many of the diversity programs I taught in the past decade were more focused on tolerance instead of education. We told people that they were wrong to even notice our differences and we tried to make people color blind.

The strongest color for a diamond is clear, crystal clear. What makes this diamond so beautiful is that when you really look at it you see every color in the rainbow. It fractures the light and the different colors within become the diamond's shining strength. A white diamond looks like quartz, pink is called champagne. Black diamonds are used mainly for industrial work and the so called colorless diamonds just don't sparkle like they should. None of them hold the value that is found in the brilliance of a diamond that uses ALL the colors to hold your attention.