Diversity, not ‘bubbles’, brings Utah prosperity, according to leaders at Utah Global Forum
Ana Navarro, GOP strategist and political contributor to CNN, ABC News and Telemundo, speaks at the Utah Global Forum Oct. 17, 2017.
Gov. Gary Herbert addresses the audience at the Utah Global Forum Oct. 17, 2017.
Ed Macha, president and founder of Reliable Controls Corporation, accepts the International Person of the Year award at the Utah Global Forum Oct. 17, 2017.
Elaine Young of Kirton McConkie addresses a question during the Diversity of People session of the Utah Global Forum Oct. 17, 2017. She was joined by Sunny Sanyal of Varex Imaging and Mark Holland of Ascend HR Solutions.
Ana Navarro, GOP strategist and political contributor to CNN, ABC News and Telemundo, warned Utah listeners during the Utah Global Forum of the danger of living in political, social and economic “bubbles” in America, which stop businesses from embracing diversity of thought.
This year’s Utah Global Forum sought to explore the topic of “Prosperity through Diversity,” and the speakers represented that diversity and prosperity in the local and global economy.
“I believe God made us all unique individuals. We’re not one homogeneous blob,” she said. “We bring different experiences, we bring different lives, we bring different roots to the table. And we have a responsibility to listen, but also to speak our different stories.”
She spoke candidly about the White House’s and the federal government’s flaws, saying Washington D.C. looks like it has “political multiple personality disorder.” She derided the president’s response to Puerto Rico, and called for more awareness and movement from all levels.
Despite the “division, dysfunction and discord” on a federal level, she applauded Utah for leading out in business and economy. In the global economy and for international trade, “Washington is not doing us any favors,” she said encouraging Utahns to forget about the federal government. States like Utah, with so much of its population fluent in other languages — 133 according to Gov. Gary Herbert’s numbers Tuesday — makes America look good, she added.
Other speakers assured Utah business leaders that, though there are some concerns that United States government leaders are politically positioning the nation in a disadvantageous light, the world’s consumers can differentiate politics from good business. And the world wants what America is selling.
“There is a hearty appetite for the American brand abroad,” said Randa Fahmy, president of Fahmy Hudome International. “The good news I have for all of you today, is that despite what the American political environment is, economically, international companies and individuals still want our brands.”
Javier Palomarez, president and CEO of the United State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, suggested that diversity is what makes America truly great. He encouraged the audience to focus less on the labels that divide the country, and more on unity.
“The real value of our differences lies in recognizing that our country’s diverse business communities are responsible for significant economic contribution to our collective American prosperity,” Palomarez said. “Our multicultural communities have become a defining feature in the changing face of America.”
“Let us all work together to defeat a climate of discord and division. Let’s move our economy and our society forward. Now more than ever, we must speak with one voice, an American voice for unity and prosperity,” he added.
Gov. Gary Herbert reminded those in attendance that 70 percent of the purchasing power is outside the United States. Developing local businesses into global businesses are essential to competing in today’s economy. He encouraged listeners to take part in the World Trade Center Utah trade missions to world nations, saying these help locals to make essential international connections. These also are part of the bigger picture Utah leaders are working towards — the need for global friendships and networking. Through those, Utahns can develop relationships with the world where “they understand us and we understand them better.”
“If we’re looking for something that will lead us to world peace, I’m going to suggest to us all that economic exchange will help us do that. This idea of being an isolationist and not working with other countries, I think that is foolish on many levels. And Utah, we understand that, and that’s why we’re expanding our opportunities to address the world,” Herbert said.
“As we diversify, we will in fact have prosperity,” Herbert concluded.
To support local business success in this hungry global economy, the day included discussion on diversity in four different areas: markets, money, resources and people. The diversity of markets discussion helped business leaders connect with potentially untapped markets around the world. The diversity of money discussion looked at maximizing profits abroad. The diversity of resources session shared the means for increasing local company’s competitiveness in the global marketplace. The diversity of people discussion debated how to create and maintain workplace diversity.