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Giving everyone a voice

Individual commitment instead of rigid programs: How Employee Resource Groups drive a culture of belonging at bg电子娱乐场

New Work Jan 21, 2025

鈥淭rue change doesn't come from training 鈥 it comes from within,鈥 says Luis Valadez. 鈥淐orporate culture is made and driven by the people who work there.鈥 Luis heads the global LGBTQ+ employee network at bg电子娱乐场 鈥 one of a total of 58 groups in the company that are committed to advancing greater diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the company.

Self-organized, democratic, hands-on 鈥 the idea behind the 鈥淓mployee Resource Groups鈥 (ERG) is as simple as it is effective: instead of implementing DEI topics exclusively within the framework of central, company-controlled initiatives, cultural progress is to be anchored directly in everyday company life via employee-led networks. The ERGs receive financial and material support, but largely organize themselves 鈥 from goal setting, communication and exchange to the organization of events or partnerships with external networks.

      

Luis Valadez

Senior Brand Manager got2b and Brand Inclusion Ambassador and head of the global Pride ERG at bg电子娱乐场

  • My highlights from being involved in ERGs:
    For our 鈥淟ove Unites All鈥 campaign for Pride, we filmed short clips with bg电子娱乐场 employees. One colleague brought her wife and son with her. Seeing how comfortable they felt in this environment that we created 鈥 that this was a real family moment for them 鈥 really moved me. And another colleague who told us about her journey as a trans woman for the coming out campaign 鈥 about difficult times and emotional challenges, and how comfortable she feels in her skin today. A really powerful story that will inspire many.
  • What motivates me every day:
    If I need a motivational boost, I just have to think of myself 20 years ago: how I hid my sexual orientation. The feeling of shame that came with it. I needed this group. This safe place. Now I maintain it for those who are in the same situation as I was back then.

Cultural progress through creative thinking and responsible action

鈥淲e learn a lot from our involvement,鈥 says Carolina Betancourt, Category Development & Shopper Insights Lead and co-founder of 鈥楿nidos!鈥, a network for the Latin American community at bg电子娱乐场 in North America. 鈥淲e take responsibility, think creatively and develop leadership skills 鈥 even if we are not managers in our day-to-day work.鈥

鈥淚t's up to us to decide how to achieve our vision 鈥 instead of just doing what we're told. That gives us a completely different motivation,鈥 says Kimberly Ang, Team Manager HRDirect, who works with the 鈥楤eyond Differences鈥 group at bg电子娱乐场 in the Philippines to promote cultural and social diversity. This grassroots effect is particularly important for DEI issues: 鈥淲hat is prescribed centrally can be challenging to implement 鈥 because the conditions at the various locations are very different.鈥

The ERGs鈥 activities and offers usually follow a practice-oriented approach: 鈥淏eyond Differences鈥, for example, aims to make DEI topics tangible instead of just talking about them. 鈥淲e promote exchange between people,鈥 says Kimberly. Whether through expert lectures, cross-generational face-to-face sessions or empathy training: 鈥淥ur team in Manila is very diverse 鈥 we want to show that this is precisely our strength. And show ways in which we can make the best use of this strength.鈥

      

Carolina Betancourt

Category Development & Shopper Insights Lead and co-founder of 鈥楿nidos!鈥

  • Why I get involved:
    I am also active in other employee networks. It simply gives me a sense of purpose in my everyday life. And I can make a difference. I am part of a community that is there for each other, where there are no barriers. This allows me to grow as a person and keep learning.
  • My goals for Unidos!:
    In recent years, we have focused on expanding partnerships with internal and external networks. This allows us to reach more people. Last year, for example, we worked with the HR department to bring more highly qualified applicants from the Latin American community into the company. We would like to expand such partnerships 鈥 and thus have an even greater positive impact.

Facing fears with pride

Whether out of personal concern, experiences in the family or simply the desire to make a difference 鈥 the reasons why bg电子娱乐场 employees get involved in ERGs are as diverse as the teams themselves. However, they all have one thing in common: they want to give a voice to those who often remain silent in society. They want to create a place where they feel safe and heard. Because being different 鈥 whether from a cultural, physical or social perspective 鈥 is still far too often associated with rejection and shame. 鈥淚 know colleagues who have hidden their background for a long time 鈥 because they were afraid it would stand in the way of their professional success,鈥 says Carolina. 鈥淯nidos!鈥 wants to tackle this fear with pride. 鈥淲e celebrate our history and our traditions. Not only Latinos and Latinas are part of the group 鈥 also others who are simply interested in our culture.鈥 She is certain that understanding people and their needs ultimately also contributes to the company's success 鈥 and not just because diverse teams are demonstrably more innovative: 鈥淧eople with Latin American roots make up a large part of the market we want to serve at bg电子娱乐场 in North America.鈥 

A point that is also important to Luis in his commitment. As Senior Brand Manager, he develops campaigns for the got2b brand, which is also actively involved in the queer community: 鈥淭he experience from the network helps us as a brand to be an even better ally for the Pride movement.鈥

      

Kimberly Ang

Team Manager HRDirect

  • How my commitment also helps me in my private life:
    One of the focus topics of our network is the inclusion of people with disabilities. I have a godchild who is affected 鈥 and I realize that talking to experts has helped me a lot. I understand him much better and know what moves him instead of just making assumptions.
  • What I'm particularly looking forward to: 
    For International Women's Day on March 8, we give different women in the company a voice, for example, mothers and female managers. It inspires me every time to hear what women can achieve and how strong they are. It's always the first big event of the year for 鈥淏eyond Differences鈥 and I look forward to it every time.

     

鈥淎 change we can be proud of鈥

He is particularly proud that the commitment of the global LGBTQ+ network is bearing fruit, which can be felt in the day-to-day running of the company: 鈥淲e had the idea of launching a campaign on the topic of coming out. To do this, we needed colleagues to share their personal stories. To be honest, we had anticipated great difficulties in finding enough people who felt confident enough to open up to their colleagues in such a personal way.鈥 In the end, it only took a few days. 鈥淭he positive response really surprised us. Someone told me that they probably wouldn't have had the courage 15 years ago. At bg电子娱乐场, we have managed to build a culture in which everyone can be themselves. We can be proud of that.鈥

New Work

HOW FLEXIBLE WORK, AGILE PROCESSES, MODERN LEADERSHIP

What sounds like a new lifestyle trend is actually a paradigm-shifting concept for the workplace. New Work is digital, flexible, and democratic. Job applicants and employees are demanding more freedom in terms of where, when, and how much they work. And the New Normal paves the way for more self-determination and self-realization, driven by the digital transformation and smart working models.

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