"… Dialogue on Diversity has exceeded our expectations for delivering critical diversity education to our front line and corporate employees in a fun and engaging way." LensCrafters began a committed journey to make diversity a part of its corporate culture in 1999. An indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Luxottica Group, S.p.A., LensCrafters operates more than 865 stores in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, and is known as the industry leader in the highly competitive optical retail market. The division has more than 25,000 associates (employees) and did nearly $2 billion in net sales in 2001.

One of LensCrafters' goals was to train the entire organization on diversity. To reach 100% of its associates (90 percent of whom are in the field), LensCrafters partnered with Global Lead Management Consulting to develop Dialogue on Diversity , the award-winning e-learning tool with state-of-the-art virtual experiences that promote dialogue and learning about diversity. When it was rolled out, field associates said Dialogue on Diversity made them feel as though they were attending a classroom diversity workshop. Home office associates were equally impressed.

The interactive training program was a milestone for LensCrafters, which needed a cost-effective way to reach all its associates, said Keith Borders, Esq., Senior Director of Associate Relations, "The CD-ROM got the entire workforce exposed to what diversity is and what is it not a consistent way. In addition, we're constantly having new people join our company, and with the CD-ROM, we can give them an understanding of diversity and what we're about."