Funny that you left out age from the list since there is a current discussion about age discrimination on IdeaStorm and the forums.

I was about to point out the very same thing jervis. If Dell is working to be so "inclusive" why are there members on IdeaStorm and Dell Forums claiming people are being excluded just for being under 18 years of age?

Do these people not have a voice? 

Jervis, my bad; I stand corrected; age should have been included.  The point is that we welcome people to bring their entire, whole selves to work. It is through the inclusion of that diversity of experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, etc. etc. etc, that leadership, innovation and success are achieved.

Thanks for your reply Gil, I didn't think it was intentionally left out.  While Dell is being inclusive with its employees they are being divisive with the customers who want to help improve the company. 

Dell recently has been banning customers who are under 18 years of age from the IdeaStorm website.  While it is written in the site's TOU that you need to be 18 years old to participate most people don't read the long boring disclaimers when joining a site.  The argument has been brought up that Dell allows 13 year olds on the forums and there is no age restriction on Direct 2 Dell.  I feel the only reason there is a more strict age limit on IdeaStorm is due to Dell wanting to own the ideas that are being posted and the fact that a minor can legally back out of a contract.

I have suggested that Dell allow those under 18 to participate through votes and comments(they are consumers you know) and have a parent submit their ideas to avoid the legal problems. 

I don't want to detract from what Dell is doing but thought this would be a good article to bring this topic to light.

What what then are you saying about your customers? You know the people who actually buy and use your products? Are you saying only some of them are important.

I'm betting that's definitely the message many of them are getting.

What can I do to stop Dell from sending brochures, ads and other junk mail to me.   I do not want to hear from Dell by email or snail mail.