Employee Recognition Programs Forum
March is Women’s History Month: The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of women whose commitment to nature and the planet have proved invaluable to society. Abigail Adams helped plant the seeds that would start women and men thinking about women’s rights and roles in a country that had been founded on the ideas of equality and independence. How will you help plant the seeds for women to grow in the workplace?
Despite efforts by organizations around the world to achieve diversity in the workplace, the majority – 71% – do not have a clearly defined strategy or philosophy for developing women leaders, according to the new Women’s Leadership Development Survey conducted by Mercer in conjunction with Talent Management and Diversity Management magazines. Almost half (47%) of employers surveyed globally indicate their organizations do not offer any activities or programs targeted to the development needs of women leaders.
To successfully make that leap to the next level, women need something more specific: a sponsor. More than a mentor, the sponsor is someone in a senior position who is willing to be an advocate, make introductions, and teach the language of success. Forward-thinking companies recognize disadvantages for women, and smart employers are becoming matchmakers.
When American Express examined its workforce at the end of 2008, they discovered that only one of every three of the company’s top 500 positions is held by a woman. To crack this barrier, American Express created “Women in the Pipeline and at the Top.” This program aims to identify and develop women with the potential to reach the top two levels and give them more opportunities to interact and get exposure to the executive team.
Citi and Cisco are similarly committed to lift their talented women into the limelight. The “Citi Women’s Leadership Development Program” brings together women poised for senior management roles to strengthen skills like strategic networking, communicating for high impact, and strategic leadership.
What is your organization doing to promote strategic matchmaking or sponsorship for women? Whether the organization is big or small, there is value in developing women leaders. My hope is that employers will recognize Women’s History Month and begin to create their own programs for women leaders. As Abigail Adams planted the seeds for women’s rights and equality, we need to take a look at how we can contribute to the advancement of women in today’s society.
WBENC Wonder Woman comes armed with a Women’s Business Enterprise Certificate. She uses her lightening-fast speed and spark powers to showcase Michael C. Fina as a women-owned business. She is the sidekick to President Ashley Fina, and together they team up with the superheroes of supplier diversity at various companies.
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Jerry DeFalco
March 14th, 2011
As we celebrate Women’s history month, let us remember the words of Melinda Gates, “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. It’s complicated by the fact that in most nations women receive substantially less education than men”.
Thank you WBENC Wonder Woman! As always your blog is inspiring and always has its ‘aha moment’!
