WITHOUT EXCUSES

THE BOOK

This year alone, organizations across America will spend billions on diversity training, hundreds of millions on diversity consultants, and as much as 70% of their recruiting budgets on recruiting diverse candidates. Yet despite this level of investment, executives and HR professionals everywhere are wringing their hands in frustration. They've tried really, really hard to build diversity, but they just can't seem to move the numbers.

Without Excuses: Unleashing the Power of Diversity to Build Your Business calls these well-intentioned professionals on the carpet. The book challenges their assumptions and strips away the excuses that have allowed them to fail. It then offers a productive alternative -- a proven, step-by-step strategic plan for success, and a list of resources to get the job done. Not only does the book provide practical tips on everything from Web site strategies, advertising, recruiting and interviewing, it also provides tremendous insight into the real problem holding companies back: fear of the unfamiliar. The book offers practical strategies for overcoming racial differences, and challenges the reader to push past the limits of his or her own comfort zone into the brave new world of diversity.

Advance Praise for the Book

"Joe Watson is a man on a mission. Without Excuses is the clear path he lays out for the American business world to follow. Joe makes the case that diversity is not just a necessary thing, but a great thing—and with the common sense approach in this book, truly achievable.”
Mark Warner, Governor of Virginia, 2002-2006

“Without Excuses is without exception a breath of fresh air, a comprehensive and refreshing look at corporate America’s relationship with diversity over the decades and a road map to help companies gain serious traction in making the business case for diversity. In author Joe Watson’s mind, the business case for diversity is simply about implementing solid business strategy. Or more importantly, succeeding in today’s business climate by meeting current demands and preparing for the future by rising to the challenges and opportunities offered by the diverse marketplace.”
Carl Brooks, President and CEO, The Executive Leadership Council

"Conversations rooted in diversity are often awkward and ineffectual. The reasons for this are many and recriminations abound. Now comes, Joe Watson and 'Without Excuses' - a positive, bold new vision for a collaborative future where our businesses and institutions fully engage the great potential of all people. If you are committed to an America that harnesses the full potential of all its citizens, then 'Without Excuses' is, quite simply, required reading. "
Jack Kemp, Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Former Vice-Presidential Candidate, Former US Congressman and Member of the Howard University Board of Trustees

“Going forward, an organization's success will largely depend on its ability to identify, attract and retain top talent from a shrinking and increasingly diverse talent pool. Without Excuses offers useful, straight forward guidance aimed at helping organizations win in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
W. H. Easter III, Chairman, CEO and President, Duke Energy Field Services

"Diversity, like gravity, is all around us and is therefore beyond dispute or debate; the challenge of leveraging that diversity - the work of inclusion - remains, however, unfinished and unfulfilled. Joe Watson offers a practical, highly readable and compelling case for inclusion and one that should re-energize those who suffer from "diversity fatigue".
Gilbert F. Casellas, former Chairman, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and Of Counsel, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, PC

"I truly appreciate how this profound and unadulterated book has hit every critical aspect of diversity. The theories and techniques identified contradict the standard biased logic that encompasses ideological patterns of constantly excusing the inexcusable. I work on a global platform and I consider this a must read not only for my national and international colleagues; but as a universal toolkit to help industries achieve a dominant position in multiculturalism."<
Stephanie R. Dawkins, Senior Vice President - People Performance and Workplace Environment, AB Volvo

“Joe Watson does an exceptional job of identifying some of the critical issue impacting corporate America’s efforts at diversity. He shows the reader how to get real & get ready, hot to connect networks and build relationship. Joe keeps it real and says “NO MORE EXCUSES” to the business world!”
Billy Dexter, Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, MTV Networks

"Joe Watson approaches the issue of diversity through the simple lens of things that either "can" or "can't" be done. He argues convincingly that the liberal use of the word "can't" reflects the distortion that the issues of diversity and race have injected into the normal course of business. "Without Excuses" offers the reader an opportunity to regain their "business" footing on the issue of diversity and return to the traditional path of business -- where strategies are developed, plans executed and the successful rewarded."
Stacey J. Mobley, Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel , DuPont

RESOURCES

THE BOOK

Advance Praise for the Book