Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 15
DIVERSITY AND
INCLUSION
DR. KRISTAL
WALKER, CPTM
REPURPOSING EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS
TO SUPPORT LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
As learning leaders continue to
incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion
(DEI) into their respective learning and
development (L&D) strategies, creating
or repurposing employee resource
groups (ERGs) might be an essential
method for furthering progress.
Traditionally, ERGs were established
to support employees with shared
interests or identities. However, when
we consider their use in contemporary
work cultures that welcome innovation
from high-performing talent, they can
play an important role in expanding
or creating a more effective learning
ecosystem within an organization.
ERGs can provide a space for employees
to come together and share knowledge,
experiences and best practices
associated with work roles and career
experiences. For ERGs to best support
skill acquisition and application, these
groups should be created with purpose,
structure and rules for engagement.
DEFINE THE PURPOSE
OF THE GROUP
One ERG might be focused solely on
supporting new hires, while another
group might be geared towards helping
employees develop skillsets that are
specific to their job function. In all cases,
it
is important to be clear about the
group's purpose from the outset. Three
questions that learning leaders might
consider when defining the purpose of
the group might include:
* What type of learning activities will
take place within the group?
* Who is the target audience for
the group?
* What are the goals and objectives of
the group?
The answers to these questions will not
only help to shape the group's purpose,
but also create guardrails that will keep
learning on track. Purpose also helps
to ensure that the time commitment
invested by employees in the group will
be most effective and efficient.
CREATE STRUCTURE FOR EFFICIENCY
In addition to defining the purpose, it
is important to establish structure. This
will require the group to consider things
like membership criteria, meeting times,
cadence and locations (including virtual
considerations), as well as how decisions
will be made. It might also be the time
to establish how the group will measure
its success. A few questions to consider
when creating structure might include:
* What are the rules for joining and
leaving the group?
* Who will be responsible for leading
the group?
* What is the expected time commitment
for group members?
* Where will the group meet?
Consider these questions early on to
ensure the greatest efficiency. Establishing
structure with the initial group makes
it easier for future members because
expectations will have already been set.
ESTABLISH RULES FOR ENGAGEMENT
The final piece of the puzzle is to
establish rules for engagement. Rules
help ensure that the group can have
productive conversations, share best
practices and develop actionable plans.
Some initial considerations might include
things like maintaining confidentiality,
being respectful of diverse opinions and
determining how the group's time and
resources are best spent. For example,
if the group is focused on professional
development, then time spent discussing
personal matters might not be an
acceptable use of the group's time.
ERGS SHOULD BE
CREATED WITH
PURPOSE, STRUCTURE
AND RULES FOR
ENGAGEMENT.
A few questions when establishing
rules of engagement might include:
* What is the process for sharing ideas
and information within the group?
* How will
handled?
controversial topics be
* What is the process for making
decisions?
The rules of engagement should not
feel punitive. But they should provide
a framework within which the group
can operate. Above all, the group's
activities, outputs and outcomes should
feel inclusive to all while the rules of
engagements should result in each
member feeling a sense of value while
transferring their newly acquired skills to
their real-world experiences.
Dr. Kristal Walker, CPTM, is the vice
president of employee wellbeing at
Sweetwater. Kristal is also a facilitator
for Training Industry's Diversity and
Inclusion Master Class. Email Kristal.
TRAINING INDUSTRY MAGAZINE - WINTER 2023 I WWW.TRAININGINDUSTRY.COM/MAGAZINE
| 15
https://trainingindustry.com/blog/content-development/4-tips-for-setting-effective-learning-goals/
https://trainingindustry.com/articles/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/encourage-an-inclusive-workplace-with-employee-resource-groups/
https://trainingindustry.com/articles/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/encourage-an-inclusive-workplace-with-employee-resource-groups/
https://trainingindustry.com/wiki/professional-development/professional-development-plan-pdp/
https://trainingindustry.com/wiki/professional-development/professional-development-plan-pdp/
https://trainingindustry.com/continuing-professional-development/master-classes/building-diversity-inclusion-training-programs/
https://trainingindustry.com/continuing-professional-development/master-classes/building-diversity-inclusion-training-programs/
https://www.trainingindustry.com/magazine
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023
From the Editor
Table of Contents
4 Steps To Set Your Learning Resolutions For 2023
How To Future-proof Your Edtech Investment
Unprecedented Challenges Require Aligned Responses
Repurposing Employee Resource Groups To Support Learning and Development
How High-performing Leaders and Teams Can Leverage Adaptive Learning and Change To Accelerate New Growth
From Creation to Enablement: The Future Skills L&D Professionals Need
Lights, Camera, Action! Behind the Scenes of Successful Hybrid Learning Events
A Mutual Gains Approach To Measuring ROI: Why It Pays To Align Learning Initiatives With Business Goals
3 Reasons Why Social Learning Is More Important Than Ever
The Power of Self-directed Learning
A Lean Learning Approach For Your Next Digital Transformation
How To Create a Learning Journey
Virtual Employee Engagement Through Virtual Conversational Leadership
Thinking Outside the Bootcamp
The Rising Importance of Data Literacy in Organizational Success
Transform Your Culture With Continuous Learning
Crafting an Internship Training Program To Grow Your Organization From Within
Crisis of Confidence?
Practical Tips for Optimizing Self-directed Learning
How upGrad Is Building an Integrated Platform For Lifelong Learning
Company News
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Intro
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Cover1
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Cover2
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - CT1
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - CT2
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - From the Editor
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 4
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 5
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Table of Contents
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 7
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 8
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 4 Steps To Set Your Learning Resolutions For 2023
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 10
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - How To Future-proof Your Edtech Investment
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 12
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Unprecedented Challenges Require Aligned Responses
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 14
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Repurposing Employee Resource Groups To Support Learning and Development
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - How High-performing Leaders and Teams Can Leverage Adaptive Learning and Change To Accelerate New Growth
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 17
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 18
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 19
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - From Creation to Enablement: The Future Skills L&D Professionals Need
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 21
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 22
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 23
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Lights, Camera, Action! Behind the Scenes of Successful Hybrid Learning Events
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 25
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 26
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 27
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 28
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - A Mutual Gains Approach To Measuring ROI: Why It Pays To Align Learning Initiatives With Business Goals
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 30
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 31
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 3 Reasons Why Social Learning Is More Important Than Ever
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 33
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 34
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 35
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - The Power of Self-directed Learning
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 37
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 38
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 39
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - A Lean Learning Approach For Your Next Digital Transformation
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 41
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 42
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 43
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - How To Create a Learning Journey
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 45
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Virtual Employee Engagement Through Virtual Conversational Leadership
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 47
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 48
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 49
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Thinking Outside the Bootcamp
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 51
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 52
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 53
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - The Rising Importance of Data Literacy in Organizational Success
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 55
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 56
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 57
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Transform Your Culture With Continuous Learning
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 59
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 60
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 61
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Crafting an Internship Training Program To Grow Your Organization From Within
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 63
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 64
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 65
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 66
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Crisis of Confidence?
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - 68
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Practical Tips for Optimizing Self-directed Learning
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - How upGrad Is Building an Integrated Platform For Lifelong Learning
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Cover3
Training Industry Magazine - Winter 2023 - Cover4
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