In 2022, Center Desk Consulting partnered with Clio to revitalize their ERGs and DIBE Council, creating tools, training, and a shared vision that strengthened impact across the organization.
Clio, a world leader in cloud-based legal technology, encouraged a grassroots approach to establish six ERGs representing various communities. To support the governance of these groups and drive organization wide programming, a Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity (DIBE) Council was formed around the same time. Three years after establishing these groups, the ERG and DIBE Council leaders felt demotivated and unsure how to make a positive impact. Additionally, employees outside of these communities questioned the need for and effectiveness of these groups.
In response, Clio’s Social Impact & DIBE team sought support in understanding the needs and experiences of their ERG and DIBE Council leaders, the maturity of their existing ERG program, and recommendations on how to better equip their leaders for organization-wide impact. Anticipating growth of their ERG program through this scope, the Social Impact & DIBE team also requested Center Desk Consulting’s insight on whether their DIBE Council operating model needed a refresh to complement the future trajectory of their ERG program.
Project
In response to Clio’s needs, Center Desk Consulting conducted a three-phase project over four months.
Phase 1: Discover – Center Desk Consulting’s project team identified and reviewed Clio’s existing ERG program and DIBE strategy documentation, contextualizing the ERG program within Clio’s broader DIBE efforts. The project team gathered insights on the current ERG program operations, impact, and participant experience through a series of one-to-one interviews with key audiences. These interviews included ERG leaders, the DIBE Council, the People and Marketing Departments, and Clio leadership.
Phase 2: Design – Informed by the Phase 1 insights, Center Desk Consulting and Clio’s Social Impact & DIBE team conducted a series of Process Co-Creation Sessions to identify and define fundamental ERG program processes. The parties customized Center Desk Consulting’s proprietary ERG Maturity Model to align to Clio terminology, DIBE and ERG program goals, and Clio reward and recognition program elements.
To close the Design Phase, Center Desk Consulting hosted a two-hour virtual ERG Future State Experience workshop with 22 employees representing the DIBE Council, ERG leaders, ERG members, and People process owners. During this session, the participants co-created a new ERG vision and identified areas for energized programming and cross-functional collaboration
Phase 3: Build – Stemming from the insights, Center Desk Consulting developed Clio’s ERG Playbook, ERG charter and annual planning templates, the ERG Maturity Assessment & Recommendations report, and advisory on updates to the DIBE Council’s governance and operating model. Center Desk Consulting also created an 8-part series of asynchronous training modules to onboard current and future ERG leaders to the ERG Playbook materials.
Outcome
The following quarter, Clio’s Social Impact & DIBE team introduced the project outputs to the DIBE Council, the ERG leaders, and their organizational supporters. All six of Clio’s ERGs developed their own charters and annual plans. A seventh ERG for Women in Engineering formed, using the new ERG Playbook and charter template tools as the foundation for their establishment. The ERG Playbook has led to increased organizational clarity on the purpose and programming of the ERGs, promoting internal collaboration between ERGs, the DIBE Council, and the People and Marketing functions. Informed by the revised ERG program vision, Clio’s DIBE Council was relaunched with a new purpose and operating model, enabling greater ERG leader and Social Impact & DIBE team support.
With support from Center Desk Consulting:
- Clio’s ERGs developed custom action plans to improve their effectiveness and achieve their desired group maturity.
- Each ERG has implemented new practices to improve their operational effectiveness.
- Four of Clio’s ERGs have increased their maturity level, resulting in greater reach and impact.
Center Desk Consulting has continued to be a trusted partner for Clio’s Social Impact & DIBE team, directly supporting ERG members and providing further DIBE and ERG program enablement services.
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If your organization is looking to supercharge your ERGs with a playbook, annuals plans, or visioning sessions, contact us to learn more!
