Media reviews - diversity training videos - Brief Article

Training & Development, Nov, 2001 by Bill Ellet, Lynn Monaco

Different Like You

In the opening segment, a trainer infatuated with the subject matter gushes to a stony-faced audience. One participant says to the camera that he expects nothing from the training because "this diversity thing is a crock." Street interviews follow with real people who give their views about workplace diversity.

The ensuing dramatic vignettes reveal the main purpose of this video: insidious attitudes about diversity. The scenes depict how such attitudes affect work life.

M.E.E.T. on Common Ground

This video made me uncomfortable, and I think it was supposed to. It puts the responsibility of respect in the workplace on viewers' shoulders and lays a foundation for how to do it. But even though it's an uncomfortable topic, the message is delivered in a comfortable manner. No authorities lecture us. Instead, a young Asian woman narrates while riding a bus to work.

Six scenarios show someone being disrespected. The first is of a man in his cubicle making an anti-Semitic remark while talking on the phone. A Jewish man in a nearby cubicle overhears the remark, and a tense confrontation ensues. The video then displays the words What do you think? so the facilitator can pause the tape for discussion. The scenario repeats, showing how the confrontation could've been handled better.

The large support package includes a leader guide, participant workbook, and self-study workbook.

Recommendation

Different Like You marries valuable content, creative production, and viewer interest. The video focuses on attitudes rather than trying to elicit behavioral changes.

M.E.E.T on Common Ground tackles the subject of diversity skillfully, with the exception that some viewers may be skeptical when the vignettes show offending people changing their behavior quickly and easily.

Video Details

Different Like You, video, 2001, Edge Training Systems: 800.476.1405, wwwedgetraining.com. Purchase US$595. Other material: leader guide, participant guide.

M.E.E.T. on Common Ground, video, 2001, VisionPoint Productions: 800.300.8880, www.vppi.com. Purchase US$695. Other material: leader guide, participant handouts, workbook.

Bill Ellet is editor and principal of Training Media Review. Lynn M. Monaco is a training consultant based in Framingham.

Different Like You


***1/2  Holds viewer interest
***1/2  Acting and presenting
***1/2              Diversity
****       Production quality
***1/2       Value of content
***1/2    Instructional value
****      Value for the money
***1/2         Overall rating
M.E.E.T on Common Ground


***1/2  Holds viewer interest
***1/2  Acting and presenting
****                Diversity
****       Production quality
***          Value of content
***       instructional value
**1/2     Value for the money
***1/2         Overall rating
RATINGS KEY


****      Outstanding
***1/2      Very good
***              Good
**1/2   Above average
**            Average
*1/2    Below average
*                Poor