Definition: Resource groups, known as employee-resource groups, business-resource groups, associate-resource groups, affinity groups and employee networks, have existed in corporate America for more than two decades. But it’s only in the past five years that their use in corporate America as key drivers for recruitment, retention, engagement, talent development, supplier diversity, and marketplace sales and customer service has escalated.
Historically, companies have started with resource groups for Blacks and women, and in their early versions, many of these were more social and were used for gripe sessions. Today, they are run by the company with specific business goals in mind.
Here’s a primer on how to set up resource groups and how to most effectively use them.
