2024 ERG Summit

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have emerged as powerful catalysts for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives while simultaneously contributing to overall business success. ERGs provide invaluable support and career development opportunities as they foster a stronger connection to company culture for their members.

ERGs also play a crucial role in driving business development and innovation. By bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences, these groups often generate fresh ideas and insights to help companies remain relevant in an ever-changing marketplace. They serve as internal think tanks, offering unique viewpoints on product development, marketing strategies, and customer engagement. Leveraging the knowledge and networks of ERG members allows companies to expand their reach into new markets and demographics. This leads to improved customer relations, enhanced brand reputation, and business growth.

At the same time, ERGs contribute to employee retention and satisfaction by creating a sense of belonging and community within the organization. This increased engagement translates to higher productivity and loyalty, directly impacting the company's bottom line.

ERGs are not just beneficial for employees; they are strategic assets that drive both DEI initiatives and business success, making them indispensable in today's competitive corporate landscape.

This summit is designed to advance the work of ERGs. Whether you lead a group, are an Executive sponsor, or oversee all ERGs, join us to learn how to increase the impact of these groups and their members.

Who Should Attend: ERG leaders, Executive Sponsors of ERGS, and the DEI Team Members who oversee ERGs. As part of this summit, every attendee will receive an ERG playbook for structuring, launching, and taking your ERGs to the next level.

AGENDA

7:00–7:05 a.m. WELCOME

7:05–7:45 a.m. FIRESIDE KEYNOTE | Ask for More: Authority, Advocacy and Advancement of ERG Leaders

Featuring: Alex Carter, Author “Ask for More”, NYU School of Law Professor & United Nations Negotiator

7:45–8:40 a.m.WORKSHOP | ERG’s Business Impact: Amplifying the Role of ERG’s

ERGs serve as valuable resources for businesses seeking to expand their market reach. Companies can develop more targeted products, services, and marketing strategies by tapping into diverse employee groups' insights and cultural knowledge in their ERGs. This approach helps companies better understand and serve diverse customers, increasing market share and revenue growth. For example, when ERGs collaborate with marketing teams, they can ensure that promotional materials and campaigns are culturally sensitive and inclusive. This partnership helps companies avoid costly missteps and enhances brand reputation among diverse audiences. By harnessing the knowledge and experiences of ERG members, businesses are developing more nuanced and effective strategies for reaching a broader customer base, ultimately contributing to increased sales and market share.

The collaborative nature of ERGs also fosters cross-functional relationships and knowledge sharing within your organization. This interconnectedness leads to more efficient problem-solving, streamlined processes, and innovative solutions that drive business growth. Takeaways include:

• The Both/And proposition for ERGs - developing business leaders of the future, showcasing diverse talent.
• Turning your ERGs into Innovation Think Tank Teams.
• Creating cross-ERG Problem-Solving Teams to address company challenges (using design thinking and other problem-solving methodologies) elevates the benefits of diverse teams while developing critical business skills for ERG members.
• Moving from awareness events to strategic programming that builds business acumen.
• Establishing robust metrics for tracking business impact.

8:40–8:50 a.m. VIRTUAL BREAK

8:50–9:30 a.m. PANEL | Influencing Without Authority

This discussion explores the intricacies of influencing without formal authority, focusing on empowering Employee Resource Group (ERG) leaders. We analyze the multifaceted strategies required to navigate organizational structures and cultivate collaboration across departments effectively. From honing persuasive communication techniques to leveraging networks and showcasing the value of their initiatives, ERG leaders will gain practical insights to enhance their influence and drive impactful change within their organizations, all while adeptly navigating complex power dynamics.

9:30–10:30 a.m. FACILITATED GROUP DISCUSSIONS | Each breakout offers a deeper dive into topics that impact ERGs. The smaller group format lets you showcase successes and ask for help with challenges from peers who can provide solutions to advance your work.

• Breakout Option 1 | Promoting Intersectionality - Does your ERG strategy take into account intersectionality? Do you plan events with other ERGs to encourage employees to affiliate with more than one group and expand allyship? Participants in this breakout will share what their ERGs are doing to erase rigid lines of affiliation and promote cross-ERG alignment.
• Breakout Option 2 | Building Allies - How do you leverage allies for your ERG at all organizational levels? During this session, learn more about how employees can use their areas of privilege to support another group, be active and not passive, and go beyond and promote allyship to others. It is a two-fold approach to answer: 1) where I can help with my privilege is X + ) where I need help because of my privilege is X.
• Breakout Option 3 | Advancing Sales - Sales teams are increasingly leveraging their company's ERGs, as a means to build rapport with customers. This approach creates a deeper connection with clients with similar values and recognizes that employees can help represent clients' needs. Some ERGs have taken their influence further by actively contributing to market expansion. ERG members can provide invaluable insights into diverse customer segments, helping companies tailor their products and services to meet the needs of previously untapped markets. Providing a sales fact sheet on what your company is doing on DEI&B can also be helpful to your salesforce in sharing with customers.

10:30–10:40 a.m. VIRTUAL BREAK

10:40–11:30 a.m. FIRESIDE CONVERSATION | ERG Member Development: Business Leadership Skills

A common goal of ERGs is the development of its members. Yet we see most programs sponsored by ERGs focus on educating others about their community or celebrating their differences. While celebrations (like International Women’s Day, Pride Month, etc.) are important to promoting an inclusive culture, they do not build the leadership skills that help members advance in their careers. In this session, our speakers discuss examples of how offering training on innovation and design thinking prepares members of your ERG to address real-world business issues. Engaging in case competitions and other interactive games where teams of participants from multiple ERGs leverage their diversity of thought and showcase these new business leadership skills offers a way to expose their abilities to senior leaders while solving business problems that add value.

FEATURING: Lauren Reilly, Executive Director, Gratitude Network; Kim Steppe, President & Co-founder, RISEQUITY; Marilyn Nagel, Chief Advocacy Officer and Co-founder, RISEQUITY

11:30–11:55 a.m. KEYNOTE | Design Thinking: Innovating Inclusion for the Future

FEATURING: To Be Announced

11:55 a.m.–12:00 p.m. CLOSE | Support & Resources

Explore the comprehensive resources offered by RISEQUITY to empower, nurture, and propel your ERGs forward. Review the tools and support systems designed to enhance the development and advancement of your ERGs, including:

• ERG Guidebook, including (re)launching your ERGS
• RISEQUITY Monthly ERG Forum
• RISEQUITY Private LinkedIn ERG Leader Forum