Employee-Resource Groups: Why Employee-Resource Groups Are Business Resource Groups

As the popularity of employee-resource groups increases within organizations, leaders are challenged with how to effectively use these groups as resources for identifying and developing talent. How can employee-resource groups be used to reach the marketplace, and what are the best ways to increase participation and find group leaders and executive sponsors?

At DiversityInc’s Employee-Resource Groups networking lunch during a DiversityInc event on Nov. 9–10 in Washington, D.C., Jennifer Christie, chief diversity officer and vice president, executive recruitment, American Express (No. 13 in The 2011 DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity and the Top Company for Employee-Resource Groups), facilitated a vibrant discussion between more than 50 chief diversity officers and diversity-management executives. For more on our networking lunches, read “Networking & Sharing on ERGs, Diversity Councils, CEO Commitment, Talent Development, Mentoring.”

In this 1,989-word article, “Why Employee-Resource Groups Are Business Resource Groups,”readers will receive valuable takeaways, including:

• How employee-resource groups help develop and showcase transferable skills that lead to promotions
• Why employee-resource groups encourage valuable cultural connections/insights with customers/clients
• Why senior-leadership involvement and goals/metrics are critical to the success of employee-resource groups

 

Insights are presented from leaders at Prudential Financial (No. 16 in the DiversityInc Top 50 and the Top Company for Community Development); Tyson Foods; WellPoint (No. 36); Cummins (No. 18); The Standard; Mayo Clinic; CSX (No. 17 and the Top Company for Diversity-Management Progress); and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (No. 21).

Christie also shared some of the best practices used at American Express. “When you do have employee-resource groups or diversity programs that are closely linked to the business, it’s easier to make the business case for diversity,” she said.

Read the full “Why Employee-Resource Groups Are Business Resource Groups“ article at DiversityIncBestPractices.com. For more on our networking lunches, read “Networking & Sharing on ERGs, Diversity Councils, CEO Commitment, Talent Development, Mentoring.”