Q: We are exploring creating a two-tier model of affinity groupsone tier that contains the traditional demographic-based groups (e.g., women’s group, Hispanic group) and another tier that is more based on a specific cause or interest (e.g., the environment group or the employees-with-pets group). Are you aware of any other Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 companies that have this multi-tier model for affinity groups
A: Several Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 companies have alternative or nontraditional resource groups. These groups are becoming increasingly prevalent as companies evolve, but these groups also form out of both interest and legitimate business need.Watch our web seminar on resource groups for innovative types of resource groups.
First evolution. All of the Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 companies have resource groups for Blacks, Latinos, Asians and women. This is up from 76 percent five years ago and 34 percent 10 years ago. These groups evolved from social networks, primarily for Blacks and women, to business-oriented groups inclusive of everyone. These groups are currently used for recruiting, on-boarding, identifying talent, talent development, mentoring and diversity-training initiatives as well as market research and building customer and client relationships.
