[Tangent/OT -- Moving Forward On Inclusion.] Bridgestone US (Nashville): Only One, Out Of Seventy? Since 2015? Seriously?!

To be fair, the company has a long history of being a Japanese-controlled subsidiary, long within the former Firestone Tire & Rubber US footprint. That alone has put it well behind the times, in efforts at US-style inclusiveness. But that (in the land of whether the glass is more than half-empty, or less than half-full!) makes it a perfect place to, as a rising star / people person / advocate. . . make an immediate, and lasting. . . difference.

In fact, it turns out that it wasn't until 2018 that it had a formal statement on valuing diverse workforces, even in the US. Central control -- from Tokyo -- is a continuing dampener, to reaching the evolving US goals on inclusiveness. Do consider this, from its own website (shoved under the section on "sustainability"):

. . .Automotive training center (United States)

In the U.S., the Bridgestone Group is reducing the cycle of poverty by providing work skills that are in high demand. The Group is helping to educate high school students about automotive service careers in partnership with Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Academies of Nashville college and career preparation program at the Maplewood High School Automotive Training Center in Nashville, Tennessee, with a near-replica operating Firestone Complete Auto Care store and training curriculum.

Since 2015, 70 students have graduated, 33 of these former students are working for the Bridgestone Group and one has gone on to a management trainee program at Bridgestone. Ten more work in the automotive or transportation industries. In October 2018, a similar classroom and automotive service center was created at the Akron, Ohio, East Community Learning Center, in partnership with Akron Pubic Schools and the United Way of Summit County. . . .

One out of seventy limited means students made it to a management training program -- with a worldwide workforce of over 138,000?

This is an opportunity -- in work clothes.

A huge opportunity to make an impact, almost immediately -- with an aggressive program, and measured goals, tied directly to the compensation outcomes of US executive management in Nashville and Akron, Ohio. Onward! Smiling at a new day, ahead, indeed. Thank you, Ms. Simone. . . .



नमस्ते