Company: AT&T
Innovation: ERG Leadership Academies
Date Introduced: 2012
Award Recognition: Award of Excellence

Across AT&T, there are eleven Employee Resource Groups representing 220 chapters and led by 800 dedicated employees.

In 2012, ERG Leadership Academies—two-day leader-led sessions designed and delivered by AT&T University staff—were implemented. The curriculum includes competency and work style assessments, development courses in building high-performing teams, resolving conflict, and crafting meaningful value propositions. Attendees also participate in breakout sessions designed to build critical relationships across ERGs and share best practices. The Academies incorporate networking opportunities for ERG leaders to meet AT&T executives in informal settings.

The first set of academies were held in 2012: six sessions in five cities, where more than 300 ERG leaders were trained.

ERG leaders left the academies better equipped with the skills they need to articulate their ERG value propositions. From their meet and greets with potential members to the content they posted on the new ERG membership portal, to the programs they created to align with their value propositions, they grew ERG membership from 16,000 to more than 44,000 throughout 2012.