John Deere has always relied on teamwork, and through its Team Enrichment initiative the company is gaining a better understanding of how high-performing teams are created, and how those teams create an environment in which employees of all backgrounds can participate and develop leadership skills.

This initiative is being carried out by four regional councils that develop region-specific tools and methods for developing high-performing teams.

The initiative has also introduced behavioral guidelines for employees. The guidelines describe behaviors that support aligned high-performance teamwork and also enhance individual performance. An on-line tool allows employees to identify and improve their teamwork behaviors.

Workplace diversity

Employees with diverse backgrounds, talents and perspectives are in the best position to help the company understand customer needs and create innovative products and processes. To foster diversity, John Deere supports employee networks around the world. Each network is focused on business, career and community, and brings together people with shared interests, gender, ethnicity, skills or specialization. This helps new employees feel welcome and quickly develop their own networks and knowledge of the company. Networks sponsor professional and technical forums, encourage a broad understanding of corporate goals, participate in community outreach programs and plan and implement social, cultural and educational events.

John Deere equipment is sold around the world by a network of diverse dealers, who are independent business people who represent the company in the marketplace.

Information about how to become a dealer is available so that the company can attract high-caliber, qualified candidates from a variety of backgrounds.

Supplier diversity

A sustainable business relies on strong, competent suppliers and a supply base that mirrors the diversity of markets worldwide. Since 1980, John Deere's supplier diversity program has been seeking out capable small and diverse suppliers.

We have found over the years that adding diversity in the supply base provides the company with broader perspectives and increases innovation and the adoption of technology.

As important, when we seek out and conduct business with small, diverse companies, those in high unemployment areas, and those in emerging economies, we help communities and the people in them flourish.

Community diversity

John Deere also works to foster diversity in professional communities through education. For example, for K-12 students in the United States, the company is a supporter of the Southeast Consortium of Minorities in Engineering (SECME), a national program that encourages budding scientists and engineers.

The company also supports collegiate-level programs such as Minorities in Agriculture, NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers), SWE (Society of Women Engineers), SHPE (Society of Hispanic Engineers), and NABA (National Association of Black Accountants). Additionally, the company supports minority education and diversity initiatives at a number of colleges and universities throughout the United States.

One of these initiatives is the annual John Deere Advancing Diversity Award. This award is presented to faculty and staff members who make significant contributions to diversity efforts at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.