This week, we’re pleased to be talking with peer companies about using diversity and inclusion to drive strategic business decisions at a two-day event sponsored by DiversityInc in New York. We’re also honored that — in addition to our No. 26 ranking on the Top 50 Companies for Diversity — DiversityInc has recognized Dell out more than 500 companies with its 2012 Top Company for Resource Groups special award.
This award acknowledges the nine employee resource groups established within Dell to provide our more than 10,000 participating team members with informal mentoring, professional development and personal opportunities. These groups help foster a sense of inclusion in our company — something we strive to achieve across a diverse workforce from more than 80 countries with different languages, background, cultures, talents, age, career experience and ways of thinking.
In particular, the DiversityInc award reinforces several aspects of our ERG programs:
- Executive commitment and participation: Each ERG has one or more sponsors from Dell’s executive leadership team — as well as executive board members who represent various organizations across Dell and regularly engage Dell’s Global Diversity Council, led by Michael Dell.
- Global expansion and growth: Just last year, our ERGs grew from 49 to 65 global chapters, and participation increased by more than 80 percent.
- Leveraging ERGs for business impact: Our ERG members provide us with valuable strategic business insight into markets segments across the globe, as well as help to foster strong relationships with our customers. Through volunteering and community work, they serve as ambassadors for Dell. Inside the company, they help us better understand our customer’s needs — providing everything from translation services to support at executive briefings to engaging in social media.
Dell maintains nine ERGs:
- Adelante, focused on the Hispanic and Latino community
- Asians in Motion, focused on the Asian community
- B.R.I.D.G.E. (Building Relationships in Diverse Group Environments, focused on the African-American community
- GenNext, focused on young professionals
- Planet, focused on environmental sustainability
- Pride, focused on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally community
- True Ability, focused on abilities and the special needs community
- Virtus, focused on the military and veterans community
- Wise, focused on the women’s community
Together, these groups make Dell a more innovative company. We couldn’t be more pleased to see their good work honored. To learn more, visit www.dell.com/diversity.