News Article

Excerpts from the Ware Report

The Atlanta Constitution

Published: February 10, 2000

The following are the actual "preliminary recommendations" from a 1995 report on workplace diversity at Coca-Cola Co. that was presented to M. Douglas Ivester. The report was prepared by Carl Ware, the highest-ranking black executive at the soft drink company:

"Establish a targeted mentoring program designed to give African American employees access to the guidance needed to succeed at the Company. "

"Communicate a commitment to diversity management in the form of a universally distributed Statement of Philosophy developed and endorsed by all executive leaders. "

"Establish specific diversity goals for the succession planning process. Emphasize strict adherence to characteristics that produce effective leaders in the Company and develop skills to see those traits in African Americans. "

"Increase the acquisition of African Americans who desire access to the 'right' experiences. Among the 'right' experiences which are common to successful managers are executive assistant to senior management and headquarters and field operations. "

"Deliberately and consciously address the issue of why there are so few African Americans in certain areas and levels of the business. "

"Institute executive accountability for improved results with diversity management (recruitment, development, advancement). Use compensation as an incentive to drive development of diversity management skills among managers. "

"Challenge the pattern the Company has fallen into of placing disproportionate African Americans numbers into certain areas. "

"Convene senior officers to develop a clear vision for diversity and a Statement of Philosophy regarding diversity. "

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