This is the first authoritative book on building employee resource groups (ERGs) to empower underrepresented employees and positively impact diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within organizations and in society at large. In existence for decades, ERGs originated out of affirmative action policies and have evolved into powerful sources of employee activity and engagement. Organizations can leverage ERGs to support business goals, but ERGs can also play a critical role in creating a more inclusive work environment for marginalized individuals. ERGs represent a balance of serving company interests and empowering employees, offering the opportunity for innovative leadership within organizations. This book is a practical guide on how to manage ERGs effectively and how they inspire a deeper connection between employees and companies while helping us progress toward the DEI goals that we aim to accomplish. Participating in an ERG can help professionals of color and other historically excluded groups advance their careers, thereby increasing diverse representation in leadership. Farzana Nayani provides foundational tools for starting ERGs and outlines the five Ps—purpose, people, processes, planning, and priorities—needed to successfully operate them. Unlike other ERG handbooks, this book is people-centric and socially conscious and thoughtfully takes into account the experiences of employees and leaders during current times. It also serves as a deeper call to action around how ERGs can foster authentic change within organizations, creating transformative impact in the surrounding world.
This is the first authoritative book on building employee resource groups (ERGs) to empower underrepresented employees and positively impact diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within organizations and in society at large. In existence for decades, ERGs originated out of affirmative action policies and have evolved into powerful sources of employee activity and engagement. Organizations can leverage ERGs to support business goals, but ERGs can also play a critical role in creating a more inclusive work environment for marginalized individuals. ERGs represent a balance of serving company interests and empowering employees, offering the opportunity for innovative leadership within organizations. This book is a practical guide on how to manage ERGs effectively and how they inspire a deeper connection between employees and companies while helping us progress toward the DEI goals that we aim to accomplish. Participating in an ERG can help professionals of color and other historically excluded groups advance their careers, thereby increasing diverse representation in leadership. Farzana Nayani provides foundational tools for starting ERGs and outlines the five Ps-purpose, people, processes, planning, and priorities-needed to successfully operate them. Unlike other ERG handbooks, this book is people-centric and socially conscious and thoughtfully takes into account the experiences of employees and leaders during current times. It also serves as a deeper call to action around how ERGs can foster authentic change within organizations, creating transformative impact in the surrounding world.
This is the first authoritative book on building employee resource groups (ERGs) to empower underrepresented employees and positively impact diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within organizations and in society at large. In existence for decades, ERGs originated out of affirmative action policies and have evolved into powerful sources of employee activity and engagement. Organizations can leverage ERGs to support business goals, but ERGs can also play a critical role in creating a more inclusive work environment for marginalized individuals. ERGs represent a balance of serving company interests and empowering employees, offering the opportunity for innovative leadership within organizations. This book is a practical guide on how to manage ERGs effectively and how they inspire a deeper connection between employees and companies while helping us progress toward the DEI goals that we aim to accomplish. Participating in an ERG can help professionals of color and other historically excluded groups advance their careers, thereby increasing diverse representation in leadership. Farzana Nayani provides foundational tools for starting ERGs and outlines the five Ps—purpose, people, processes, planning, and priorities—needed to successfully operate them. Unlike other ERG handbooks, this book is people-centric and socially conscious and thoughtfully takes into account the experiences of employees and leaders during current times. It also serves as a deeper call to action around how ERGs can foster authentic change within organizations, creating transformative impact in the surrounding world.
Unlock the potential of employee resource groups with advice from an accomplished industry thought leader In Employee Resource Group Excellence, renowned management and diversity expert Dr. Robert Rodriguez delivers a comprehensive exploration of the current state of employee resource groups (ERGs) in corporate America and a step-by-step roadmap to elevating their performance. The book draws on the author’s extensive experience in consulting with America’s most well-known companies to discuss successful and current ERG initiatives in corporations, universities and nonprofits, as well as ERG efforts being undertaken outside the United States. You’ll also discover: In-depth case studies highlighting ERG best practices, current trends and metrics Common pitfalls and mistakes that derail ERGs from achieving their goals Insights from the “The 4C Assessment,” the only ERG evaluation tool on the market today that has been completed by over 250 corporations and which examines the ERG pillars of careers, culture, community, and commerce Perfect for Chief Diversity Officers, ERG program managers, and ERG leaders in companies of all kinds, Employee Resource Group Excellence is also a must-have resource for HR professionals and other corporate executives interested in unlocking the full potential of these powerful groups as they strive to reach excellence.
"This indispensable guide includes frameworks, exercises, and case studies for understanding diversity, and practical steps for achieving effective diversity councils and employee resource groups."--Publisher.
This book offers five proven principles so multinational companies can advance diversity, equity, and inclusion with a nuanced understanding of local contexts across countries and cultures. It's easy to fall into the trap of using a single-culture worldview when implementing global DEI in organizations. But what makes DEI change efforts successful in one country may have opposite, unintended consequences in another. How do companies find the right balance between anchoring their efforts locally while pushing for change that may disrupt existing power dynamics? This is the question at the heart of global DEI work. Along with practical advice and examples, Rohini Anand offers five overarching principles derived from her own experience leading global DEI transformation and interviews with more than sixty-five leaders to provide a through line for leading global DEI transformation in divergent cultures. Local relevance—understanding markets and acknowledging local beliefs, regulations, and history—is essential for global success. This groundbreaking book explicitly details how to take local histories, laws, and practices into account in DEI transformation work while promoting social justice worldwide.
The era of social technologies provides seemingly endless opportunity, both for individuals and organizations. But it’s also the subject of seemingly endless hype. Yes, social tools allow us to do things entirely differently—but how do you really capitalize on that? In 11 Rules for Creating Value in the Social Era, the newest in Harvard Business Review’s line of digital books (HBR Singles), social strategist and insightful blogger Nilofer Merchant argues that “social” is much more than “media.” Smart companies are letting social become the backbone of their business models, increasing their speed and flexibility by pursuing openness and fluidity. These organizations don’t operate like the powerful “800-pound gorillas” of yesteryear—but instead act more like a herd of 800 gazelles, moving together across a savannah, outrunning the competition. This ebook offers new rules for creating value, leading, and innovating in our rapidly changing world. These social era rules are both provocative and grounded in reality—they cover thorny challenges like forsaking hierarchy and control for collaboration; getting the most out of all talent; allowing your customers to become co-creators in your organization; inspiring employees through purpose in a world where money alone no longer wields that power; and soliciting community investment in an idea so that it can take hold and grow. The strategies of the Industrial Era—or even the Information Age—will not be enough for the Social Era. Read 11 Rules for Creating Value in the Social Era to get ready to meet the challenges of this new age and thrive. HBR Singles provide brief yet potent business ideas, in digital form, for today's thinking professional. Editorial Reviews Named a “Best Business Book of 2012” by Fast Company “Ms. Merchant's new work provides a provocative vision of the future of both what organizations and what work might look like, yet grounded in real businesses today…this will inspire ideas and thought about what running a business really means.” — Forbes.com “Every CEO, CMO, and decision maker needs to read this. Nilofer has taken a high-level concept and made it abundantly clear how to implement this big idea.” — Tara Hunt, cofounder and CEO, Buyosphere; author, The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business “A rare combination: strategic, well researched, and actionable. Nilofer Merchant helps executives see what’s at stake in the connection economy.” — Seth Godin, author, Meatball Sundae: Is Your Marketing Out of Sync? “Traditional strategy is dead. But do not fear—Nilofer Merchant shows how your organization can thrive with the new rules of the Social Era. Buy yourself a copy—and one for every member of your board.” — Charlene Li, founder, Altimeter Group; author, Open Leadership: How Social Technology Can Transform the Way You Lead; and coauthor, Groundswell “Social media is not about hooking up online. It’s becoming a new means of production and engagement. Nilofer lays out her enormously helpful ‘11 Rules’ to embrace the Social Era.” — Don Tapscott, coauthor, Macrowikinomics: Rebooting Business and the World “Pay attention to Nilofer Merchant. Or risk obsolescence.” — Dave Gray, Senior Vice President, Dachis Group “Nilofer Merchant nails it in this important and timely book. It’s an insightful road map. through the new world of business that embraces openness, stability, sustainable advantages, profitability, and the new value chain. It’s all here for you to devour. I hope you’re hungry.” — Mitch Joel, President, Twist Image; author, Six Pixels of Separation: Everyone Is Connected. Connect Your Business to Everyone “Nilofer Merchant offers not just a name—the Social Era—to these confusing and turbulent times, but thoughtful and straightforward advice about how both institutions and people can thrive, not just be the last one standing. Required reading for today’s leaders—and tomorrow’s.” — Barry Z. Posner, Accolti Professor of Leadership, Santa Clara University; coauthor, The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations “With tools, metrics, and markets pulsing with change, Nilofer’s 11 Rules for Creating Value in the Social Era is a vital compass to staying relevant and profitable. Embrace them.” — Lisa Gansky, entrepreneur; author, The Mesh: Why the Future of Business Is Sharing “Nilofer Merchant deftly dissects the industrial traditions that are failing us. Not content to simply describe the state of affairs, she also offers comprehensive, prescient guidelines for taking the future into our own hands. This book opened me up to a whole new way of thinking about business, influence, and power.” — Deanna Zandt, media technologist; author, Share This!: How You Will Change the World with Social Networking “11 Rules for Creating Value in the Social Era completely, convincingly, and lucidly redefines what it’s going to take for companies to be successful going forward. Powerfully provocative and highly practical. Bravo, Nilofer!” — Tony Schwartz, President and CEO, The Energy Project; coauthor, The Power of Full Engagement and The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working
In today's increasingly diverse, global, interconnected business world, diversity and inclusion (D&I) is no longer just "the right thing to do," it is a core leadership competency and central to the success of business. Working effectively to combat unconscious bias across differences such as gender, culture, generational, race, and sexual orientation not only leads to a more productive, innovative corporate culture but also to a better engagement with customers and clients. The Inclusion Dividend provides a framework to tap the bottom-line impact that results from an inclusive culture. Most leaders have the intent to be inclusive, however translating that intent into a truly inclusive outcome with employees, customers, and other stakeholders requires a focused change effort. The authors explain that challenge and provide straightforward advice on how to achieve the kind of meritocracy that will result in a tangible dividend and move companies ahead of their competition.
Supercharge Your ERGs will immediately take any ERG/BRG leader and provide them with easy to grasp and even easier to implement ideas. It will literally take them and their group to a whole new level of high performance no matter where they are starting right now. Here's just a few examples of the praise for Supercharge Your ERGs from pre-release readers:"Supercharge gets to the point and packs a lot of powerful, yet practical ideas in a small package!" David L. Casey, Vice President, Workforce Strategies and Chief Diversity Officer at CVS Health"Joe has artfully tapped into his vast experiences with resource groups and laid out practical insights and approaches that make it easy to take learnings from this book and quickly put them into action in your organization". Corinne Abramson, National Inclusion Director at Choice Hotels International"Supercharge Your ERGs proves that you can be brief and simple, while not sacrificing an ounce of value and impact for your readers. Short chapters, brief explanations and gigantic ideas." Vu Pham, Chair, Elevate at UC San Diego Center for Executive Development (Rady School of Management) & Spectrum Knowledge"Packed with practical insights, powerful quotes and real life examples, Supercharge Your ERGs is a road map to unleashing the full potential of your ERGs." Christopher Rowland, Global Diversity Officer at Manpower"In less than two-hours of reading learn all you need to know to turn your ERG's into a highly praised engine of value for you, your company and your members." Jacqui Robertson, Global Head of Talent, Diversity and Inclusion at William Blair & Company, L.L.C."Supercharge your ERGs is a practical resource filled with helpful tips for ERG leaders to develop an impactful and sustainable strategy." Paul Martin, Senior Vice President & Chief Diversity Officer at Sony Pictures Entertainment
