2016/2017 FOCUS GROUP
SUMMARY
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO. We are at month sixteen since the acquisition of WXN and CBDC. Creating change requires boldness and never settling for the status quo. To advance our mandate, we need to get comfortable at being uncomfortable. This has become our new mantra. Long story short, we made the bold decision to merge the Stevens
Group
of
Companies
under
one
inclusive
organization. As of September, Stevens Resource Group, the Women’s Executive Network and the Canadian Board Diversity Council will unite as a new company. This will better align our products and services, leveraging our synergies globally. After the launch, you will see enhancements to our service lines. However, one thing will not change: our commitment to gender diversity in leadership. I know there have been some concerns that we are leaving this conversation behind. On the contrary, advancing women in leadership will always be part of our mandate. We strongly believe it is our duty to carry this torch. However, if we are to be inclusive leaders, then we must embrace our differences beyond the gender lens. In light of this realization, we are broadening our focus for events and programs to encompass diversity and inclusion. I want to thank all our Partners for meeting with me one-on-one last year and also for participating in our focus groups. I appreciate your feedback, it shows you care deeply for the mandate and want to see it succeed. While we finalize our plans for the launch, we are pleased to share a summary of the results of our Partner focus groups and invite you to stay tuned for our big reveal. The best of times are yet to come.
Sherri Stevens, President & CEO WXN & CBDC
2016/2017 FOCUS GROUP SUMMARY
WXN & CBDC
FOCUS GROUP SUMMARY. CANADA
“
Be brave enough to think differently & bold enough to believe you can change the world.
2016/2017 FOCUS GROUP SUMMARY
•
Engage more men, emerging leaders and post-secondary students to promote inclusive thinking and influence our next generations of leaders
•
Leverage CBDC’s mandate on diversity for corporate boards and senior leadership together with WXN’s focus on action for a broader diversity focus
•
Create ‘social’ cocktail style networking to encourage business development opportunities for our members
•
Implement workshop format events
•
Consider learning opportunities and events aligned with different stages of the career lifecycle
•
Adjust individual membership qualifications to encourage broader enrolment and engagement
•
Offer opportunities for customized onsite Client programs and engagement
IRELAND/UK •
Engage more men, emerging leaders and youth to promote inclusive thinking and influence our next generations of leaders
•
Leverage CBDC’s mandate on diversity for corporate boards and senior leadership together with WXN’s focus on action for a broader diversity focus
•
Create ‘social’ cocktail style networking to encourage business development opportunities for our members
•
Implement workshop format events
•
Consider learning opportunities and events aligned with different stages of the career lifecycle
•
Adjust individual membership qualifications to encourage broader enrolment and engagement
•
Offer opportunities for customized onsite Client programs and engagement
•
Launch the Diversity 50 initiative and Get on Board training programs
WXN & CBDC
INITIATIVES 2017/2018. •
Build diversity and inclusion awareness in all new and existing products and services
•
Implement enhanced individual memberships
•
Develop Diversity 50 and Get on Board programs for Ireland and the UK
•
Expand Speaker Series events to encompass a variety of formats with a social focus, including workshops, cocktails and business development
WHAT’S NEXT?
THANK YOU.
In addition to the initiatives above, you can expect to see us: •
Unite three strong brands (SRG, WXN, CBDC) under a new company
•
Enhance the Get on Board certification and Wisdom programs
•
Introduce our Search & Recruitment division to link our Diversity 50 initiative to board opportunities
Thank you for participating in our Focus Group. Your feedback and insight have been extremely helpful as we plan for the future direction of our company. We look forward to sharing updates as we make progress on our key initiatives. Exciting times are ahead!
2016/2017 FOCUS GROUP SUMMARY
WXN & CBDC