Blog: Drive greater impact through your ERG
How to drive greater impact through your Employee Resource Group
More than ever before, we are looking to establish a sense of purpose in our work. With this drive comes a deeper desire to be recognized, heard, and valued for our unique contributions. At the same time, heightened awareness around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has led to the evolution and expansion of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) within many organizations.
Dating back to the 1970s with the establishment of the Xerox National Black Employees Caucus, ERGs (also known as Affinity Groups or Business Groups) are internal communities of employees within an organization that share an identity.
Today, many companies have ERGs for women, Black, Hispanic, and Asian employees, employees that identify as LGBTQ2S +, and more. In fact, McKinsey reports that over 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies have ERGs, with many now critically involved in helping to shape company DEI strategies.
Properly supported, ERGs can:
- Foster inclusion – Help employees feel that they belong and are part of a community, where they can be authentic at work, and derive more meaning and purpose from the work that they do.
- Improve diversity – Participate in talent recruitment as well as support career advancement through intentional mentorship and sponsorship within or outside the ERG.
- Promote external impact – Connect members to business teams looking to embed diversity into operations and core strategies, promoting deeper understanding and ability to cater offerings to customers in underrepresented groups.
Leaders can avoid common pitfalls by taking steps to implement best practices and leveraging the resources of organizations like The WIT Network.
The WIT Network is your ERG’s outsourced team
When asked about how The WIT Network supports ERGs, CEO Christine Bongard said, One area where The WIT Network supports organizations as an outsourced ERG partner. We serve as a primary resource for ERG leaders and groups for content, communications, and support.
She explained that, as ERGs are often led by employee volunteers without the time, resources, budget, or experience to build effective programs, there is a need for outside support – and that’s exactly where The WIT Network can snap in and enhance your ability to make a difference in your company culture and help retain diverse talent.
We hear routinely from companies that, despite the excitement when they kick off a new Women’s ERG, momentum stalls by the second or third month because the path forward is unclear, said Christine. Not only that, but leaders must contend with the competing demands of their primary role while worker mobility can lead to frequent changes in ERG leadership.
Partnership with The WIT Network provides your organization with a benefit to employees that contributes to the experience of feeling supported, engaged, and satisfied.
One network partner put it this way: With over 200 members in our Compucom Women in Technology (WiT) affinity group, The WIT Network is helping us invest in our associates’ futures, which in turn will enhance their career journey at Compucom and support employee satisfaction and retention, states Jennifer Brooks, Solution Director, Compucom.
Here are a few ways that partnership with The WIT Network can help you provide continuity and a standard of program excellence that can transform the momentum of your Women’s ERG group:
- Employee orientations that help new members take advantage of all the opportunities and resources The WIT Network has to offer.
- Help you host listening parties and mentoring circles with our Webinars on Demand Library of over 60 speakers.
- Monthly meetings with ERG leaders to keep a pulse on satisfaction as well as review membership, engagement, feedback, and programing requests.
- Dedicated Account Manager to support ERG leaders in navigating and thriving in their role.
- A wide range of programs, content, and events that vary by format and topic, and can be easily distributed to an organization’s ERG members.
By providing high-quality programs, networking, and mentorship opportunities to leaders and members, The WIT Network aims to lighten the load for ERG leaders while equipping them with the support they need to drive greater inclusion and change within their organization.
Partner with The WIT Network
Organizations can leverage this expertise and enthusiasm of The WIT Network by partnering in a number of ways. One is to purchase a corporate membership that covers all employees of your organization’s ERG. Another is to support our mission and mandate through our various sponsorship opportunities.
Learn more about The WIT Network membership options for corporations and individuals.
Learn how to build a successful ERG
If your organization doesn’t have an ERG for women, or you believe it is underperforming, we invite you to watch our webinar sponsored by and in partnership with Insight: The Impact of ERGs on an Organization’s Culture. Through this webinar, you will learn how to build a successful group.
You can also reach out to us at women@thewitnetwork.com to chat about how The WIT Network can support you and your organization’s unique needs.
