Welcome to our blogs page that provide insights, best practices and recognition for companies focused on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. There are lots of stories to share as we work as a global community to support women on their career journey.

 How The WIT Network will celebrate, raise awareness, and inspire action on International Women’s Day 2022

The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.

—Gloria Steinem, feminist, journalist, and activist

International Women’s Day (IWD, March 8th) is a global celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. IWD marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Like every year since The WIT Network’s inception, we plan to celebrate the day in grand fashion. IWD is an excellent opportunity for leaders and emerging leaders to be inspired by agents of change.

InternationalWomensDay.com wants us all to imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Microsoft celebrates women-led businesses

Diversity drives innovation. Honoring International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Microsoft is proud to celebrate women-led businesses and their innovative solutions solving industry challenges and making a difference.

As part of the Microsoft #BuildFor2030 Initiative, Microsoft is featuring solutions that range from digital security, financial risk monitoring, and mar-tech automation to content collaboration, language learning, talent recruiting and more.

The WIT Network invites you to join in supporting women-led businesses by sharing their solutions and amplifying their voices.

About the Microsoft #BuildFor2030 Initiative

The Microsoft #BuildFor2030 Initiative is a call-to-action for Microsoft partners to accelerate innovation, changemaking, and collective impact, helping to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Mothers, the original mentors (but should you take on a motherly role to mentor?)

Mothers have the ability to liberate by love or, by neglect, to imprison.

They‘re our first teachers; they are our first loves. – Dr. Maya Angelou

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

The WIT Network is upskilling 1,000 women by offering Cloud and AI technical training scholarships – are you in?

Traditional economic recovery investments are male-centered and it’s women that have been hit hardest during the pandemic. Therefore, we are on a mission to help women succeed as we build back better, especially those belonging to marginalized communities. This fall we are offering 1,000 scholarships within our Tech Track Program, developed in partnership with Directions Training and sponsored by Microsoft. Training women with in-demand technology skills makes them more hireable and will directly impact our representation in the industry.

Our membership already understands that diversity and inclusivity in the technology industry is critical, as it enables organizations to create better and safer solutions. Homogenous teams tend to create solutions that best serve that team. To build solutions that best serve society, companies need input from all types of people.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Up your game: Invest some time upskilling yourself with these The WIT Network resources

The beautiful thing about learning is nobody can take it away from you.

– B.B. King

There are many ways to upskill with The WIT Network. Some, such as the Emerging Leaders Program or the Tech Track are formal. However, we offer lots of other on-demand content that will help you polish your skills, grow your confidence, and get inspired. Whether you are just starting out, readying yourself to move up the ladder, or are already a leader – we have something for you.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

 Companies reap the rewards when they invest in leadership training

Hiring, on-boarding, and training new employees is costly when you factor in the time of those involved in the hiring and training process, fluctuations in productivity, and impact on the company or department morale. It‘s an expensive repeating cost for companies with high turnover rates, and the expenditure increases with the rank of the position turning over.  

• An entry-level employee costs between 30% and 50% of their annual salary to replace
• A mid-level employee costs 150% and above of their annual salary to replace
• A high-level or highly specialized employee costs approximately 400% of their annual salary to replace[i]

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

The power of courage, empathetic leadership, and authenticity in the workplace

Authenticity means erasing the gap between what you firmly believe inside and what you reveal to the outside world.

– Adam Grant, author

It is important to be an authentic, courageous, and empathetic leader. The days when people craved shows of bravado are gone. What people are most drawn to now is real people: authentic people. The best part of being authentic? If you’re just being you, no one can call you an imposter.

Authenticity looks different for everyone. For some, being authentic is loud and showy; for others it manifests as quiet withdrawal. No matter what it looks like, authenticity always has three characteristics. Embracing these three characteristics will help you be truer to who you are and enhance the impact of your leadership.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

How to deal with being declared redundant

Dealing with redundancy is complex and emotional, and it doesn’t discriminate on gender. I’m writing this blog from my experience because I have been made redundant twice in my career in IT. We work in an industry with a swift pace of change, so it comes with the territory. It’s no surprise that the redundancy rate in the UK has risen because of the global pandemic.

The Office for National Statistics said the number of people being made redundant in the UK almost doubled between June and August 2020, increasing by 114,000 to reach 227,000, as the shock from the COVID-19 recession rippled through the jobs market.[i] And, it’s not just here – it’s a sad reality on a global scale. 

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Be the change you want to see in your organization

Are you frustrated with the lack of diversity and inclusion at your workplace? We are too.

• For every 100 men promoted to manager, only 85 women were promoted—and this gap was even larger for some women: only 58 Black women and 71 Latinas were promoted[i]
• 40% of women say that they are judged by different standards in the workplace, which is a significant challenge to their success

34% of women are bullied at work[ii]

The reality is that while some improvements have been made toward shrinking the gender gap in the technology industry and elevating more women into leadership positions, the gains aren’t quick enough or substantial enough.

Diversity and inclusion are a necessity

But creating diverse and inclusive workplaces is critical – not only for the economy and because it’s the right thing to do – but because it’s needed to remain competitive, increase innovation, grow profits in a dynamic industry, and attract top talent.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Stop hesitating, start networking

In the technology industry, women often face barriers to networking. Studies have found that a lack of valuable networks contributes to the gender gap.[i] A critical part of a career advancement strategy is developing a powerful network – not just for more career ins and opportunities, but for informal mentorship and support as well.

• 85% of positions are filled through networking
• 70% of people found a job through connections in a company
• 46% of people got their current position through networking[ii]
• 80% of professionals believe that career success can be elevated through professional networking[iii]

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

Light up the world and change an industry with gratitude

At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

– Albert Schweitzer

We’ve all experienced times of adversity and inequality; when we feel like we don’t belong or don’t have a voice, disempowered by a toxic environment or toxic people. Dousing the flame.

A lack of gratitude or feeling unappreciated at work is a significant contributor to job dissatisfaction, turnover, absenteeism, and burnout.

• Employees who experience more gratitude at work report fewer depressive symptoms and stress.[i]

Just show up: The courage to be inspiring

Courage is a heart word. The root of the word courage is cor: the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage meant ‘To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.’ Over time, this definition has changed, and today, we typically associate courage with heroic and brave deeds. But in my opinion, this definition fails to recognize the inner strength and level of commitment required for us to actually speak honestly and openly about who we are and about our experiences—good and bad.

—Brené Brown, I Thought It Was Just Me: Women Reclaiming Power and Courage in a Culture of Shame

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

New year, new career trajectory

The start of a new year has us looking ahead with anticipation. We resolve to do things differently, to be better, to reach for more. While resolving to eat cleaner or get more active has merit, the new year is a fantastic opportunity to look at the bigger picture.

Take some time to reflect on your values and ensure your lifestyle aligns with them. Revisit your dreams and see if you are still on track to achieving them. Where does your career fit in? 

Why not write down your career dreams and goals and share them with us on social? There’s power in sharing your aspirations with others.

One of our members shared this with us the other day and we loved it:

My intention is for other women to look at me and say, That woman went after everything she wanted And manifested it all. If she can do it, so can I. 

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

The WIT Network Welcomes TIBCO Software Inc. to its Global Community

TIBCO Software joins The WIT Network as a Global Unlimited Corporate Member, giving all of its employees who identify as female and their allies access to vast professional development, networking, and mentoring opportunities.

Founded in 1997 – and now 3,500+ team members strong – TIBCO Software Inc. unlocks the potential of real-time data to inform faster, smarter decisions. Its Connected Intelligence platform seamlessly connects any application or data source; intelligently unifies data for greater access, trust, and control; and confidently predicts outcomes in real time and at scale. Now TIBCO is connecting its employees who identify as female and their allies to professional development, networking, and mentoring opportunities and an extensive library of resources through The WIT Network Global Unlimited Corporate Membership. 

The TIBCO team is excited about its partnership with The WIT Network, connecting members of its Women, Inclusion, Success, and Equity (WISE) employee resource group (ERG) members with professional development and networking opportunities to help them continue to advance their careers. Through The WIT Network‘s offerings, TIBCO can offer its WISE ERG members the tools they need to empower themselves with leadership development tailored to professionals at all stages in their careers. 

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

** If you would like to be a contributing editor for a blog story, please reach out to Ndennis@thewitnetwork.com.