Developing Talent to Yield
Innovative Business Solutions
CASE STUDY 1
Increase percentage of
women in key sales positions
doors in California and they walked around the campus
for 35–45 minutes.”
HOW RESOURCE GROUPS HELPED
Kraft Foods started ERGs for women in sales. The
national Women Sales Council convenes annually with
more than 80 women who are leaders. Their goal is to
increase representation of women, especially in underrepresented areas, and elevate them in the organization.
RESULTS
Relationships were built that had a significant impact on
retention and promotions.
WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT IT
“It was not intimidating because they were taking a walk.
It was a very casual conversation, and it’s been very beneficial to all our groups and to the white, male executives
who are involved.” Jae Requiro
RESULTS
Promotions of women in sales increased by 39 percent.
WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT IT
“We needed that internal voice of women in the organization really saying ‘I want to be a part of this organization
and these are some things that need to be done.’”
Jim Norman
CASE STUDY 2
Connect women with
senior executives, primarily
white men
HOW RESOURCE GROUPS HELPED
The Toyota women’s group came up with an idea called
Netwalk. Each of the business-partner groups identified people to come to an informal networking event to
reach out to senior leaders. They said: “Take a walk with
the group of three or four associates. They were out-
CASE STUDY 3
Connect U.S. talent with
managers in Japanese global
headquarters
HOW RESOURCE GROUPS HELPED
The Young Professionals Group at TEMA (Toyota
Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America)
developed a language-tracking program to speak conversational Japanese, including an advanced class.
RESULTS
Significant attendance and heightened relationships
with Japanese executives.
WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT IT
“They actually have a lot more interaction with the Japan
staff than the rest of the organization. It’s really a way of
building inclusion.” Jae Requiro
ERGs Used for Talent Development
TALENT DEVELOPMENT
“They need to understand the
partnership that they have and
accountability to the organization and,
frankly, to diversity management.”
Jim Norman, Kraft Foods
See the excerpts from the roundtable at
www.DiversityIncBestPractices.com/increase-promotions
