Medtronic
Continues Support of the Business Leadership Network
by
Michael Valencia
Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, had a successful
2004 partnering with the local Business Leadership Network (BLN).
The US Business Leadership Network is a national organization that
supports the development and expansion of Business Leadership Networks
across the country, serving as their collective voice. The USBLN
recognizes and promotes best practices in hiring, retaining and marketing
to people with disabilities throughout the United States. Local Business
Leadership Networks have been developing across the country since
the first pilot program was launched in 1994. Presently there are
37 chapters throughout the country, including the Minnesota Chapter
that meets monthly at the Medtronic World headquarters facility in
Fridley.
Throughout 2004, the MNBLN
offered training sessions to businesses on various topics of interest.
The Employers Association provided training on “Disability in the Workplace, A Competitive Advantage.” Attendees
gained an understanding of how employing people with disabilities
can contribute to an organization’s bottom line in many ways.
Participants also learned that the actual costs of reasonable accommodation
typically range from zero dollars to a minimal investment. American
Express Financial Advisors disAbility Network sponsored a session
on “Understanding, Managing and Accommodating Hidden Disabilities,” which
addressed the issue of the need to raise awareness and provide more
information on disabilities.
Statistics show that the
number of people with disabilities is on the rise. In 1994, the
census indicated that one in five Americans has a disability. By
2010, the census projects that one in three Americans will have
a disability. The session also pointed out that people frequently
don’t think about or understand hidden disabilities
because of a lack of information and education.
Medtronic hosted “Minnesota Career Development for the 21st
Century” in October in conjunction with Disability Employment
Awareness month. The event was attended by college students with
disabilities as well as representatives from 3M, American Express
Finacial, Cargill, Northwest Airlines, Federal Executive Council
of Agencies, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
and the State of Minnesota. Senator Debbie Johnson, who was instrumental
in securing Governor Pawlenty’s proclamation of Disability
Mentoring Day in the state of Minnesota, was a special guest. Keynote
speaker Olegario Cantos VII, Special Assistant-to-Assistant Attorney
General R. Alexander Acost, presented his thoughts on the “Power
of Perseverance.”
The Minnesota BLN is dedicated to the vision of every employer recognizing
and benefiting from the best practice of including people with disabilities
in their workforce and marketplace. To serve a diverse market, businesses
must provide products and services expected by their customers by
finding the right combination of employees, products, services and
suppliers. Whether an organization wants to maximize tax incentives,
develop an employee base with above-average loyalty, take advantage
of creative solutions to important business needs, or maintain compliance
with an affirmative action plan, employees with disabilities remain
a critical resource. Medtronic is proud of its relationship with
the Minnesota BLN, the work done in partnership in 2004 and looks
forward to continued success throughout 2005.
For more information on becoming involved in the leadership that
makes change occur so that hiring people with disabilities becomes
a priority and barriers to employment become dismantled, please contact
the Minnesota Business Leadership Network at www.mnbln.org for more
information.
Medtronic, Inc., headquartered
in Minneapolis, is the world’s
leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions
for people with chronic disease. Medtronic’s internet address
is www.medtronic.com.
