When a company gets a perfect score 11 years in a row for providing a workplace where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees feel welcome, it’s a safe bet that management designated that accomplishment as a priority. So it is with military contractor Raytheon, which has made technology and talent the twin pillars of its competitive strategy. Like predecessor Bill Swanson, current Chairman & CEO Dr. Tom Kennedy believes Raytheon can’t offer the best technology unless it attracts the best talent — and that means fostering a diverse, inclusive workforce. Few companies do so much for their workers, from sponsoring employee resource groups to draw specific categories of personnel like millennials and veterans into the management system to helping folks defray the cost of adoption. If you thought defense contractors were all about the numbers, take a closer look at Raytheon — its numbers are pretty impressive, but they rest on an foundation of teamwork and mutual respect. I have written a commentary for Forbes here.
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