104
Feature
PowerList 2010
Network knowledge
Handled in the right way, staff affinity groups can be fantastic agents
for positive change within a company. Grace Alalade explains how
hange, someone once said, comes from within. How the business partnerships it establishes (business/functional
C
appropriate it is, therefore, to alter how an organisation leaders, process leaders/thinkers, human resources, talent
thinks by tapping into its staff’s experiences. management, recruitment etc) may also eventually become
Just as it takes only a small pebble to cause ripples supporters and sponsors of it.
across a river, an employee network has the potential to cause An employee network becomes important when it is seen as
waves that can span an entire organisation – if it is done right. i a change agent. if it is able to plan strategically and be selective
don’t mean the sort of affinity group that is in reality no more than regarding who its business partners are it can contribute to and be
a social network specialising in out-of-office entertainment, quizzes viewed as essential for organisational capability. this means that
and dating opportunities. No, i’m talking about networks within as an individual employee the diversity one brings is considered
companies that are focused on improvement in the workplace and important enough to move the company forward, ie you become a
advancing their members’ careers. contender in the talent pool. A network also becomes important when
An affinity group is a voice representing employees who are business leaders see it as adding value to the company, therefore
considered to be in the minority. it serves the interests of its your objectives should be shared with your sponsors and partners.
members and increases awareness of issues affecting the group. However, this should be done step-by-step by presenting chunks of
some go as far as attracting and developing the target audience they your network’s agenda incrementally, which gives the business time
represent. A network can therefore play the dual role of representing to digest improvements required in the company. remember, change
its members’ interests and of upholding company values. doesn’t happen overnight. As robert Greene and Joost elffers in the
‘An employee network has the potential to cause
waves that can span an entire organisation’
so, for example, if greater diversity needs to be reflected across 48 Laws of Power, their international bestseller, say: “if change is
the company, an employee network can become a strategic enabling necessary, make it feel like a gentle improvement on the past.”
agent to ensure that this happens. But it must take the right A good illustration to end with: ernst & Young, the global
approach. if it is inward-looking or exclusive it is likely to be viewed financial services group, won the 2008 Business in the Community
as militant and negative, not only by the company, but also by award in its widening the talent Pool category. in partnership with
potential members. However, when it is able to partner with senior three of its employee networks, e&Y set targets to double black and
leaders and key players, explain its unique selling point, and start minority ethnic representation at board level by 2010 and allow open
talking about value and how it is going to increase business benefits, collaboration for it to happen.
a network will start to be seen as a key stakeholder in the company. remember, a pebble will only cause strong ripples in a river if it
the world-renowned American business strategist and scientist is thrown at the right angle. if you can pitch your network correctly
Peter senge once said: “often, in our experience, failure to develop to both your members and the company so they are seeing the value
a compelling business case for change precludes any significant you bring, not only will you get their support, but also you could
momentum from developing.” the future and importance of a become a very powerful network indeed, affecting change within the
network hinges on its purpose and unique selling point. company.
Grace Alalade heads Shell’s Africa Network
Photograph by ©
iStockphoto.com/Lise Gagne
Networks can foster
unity in a company
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