The Power of Employee Resource Groups: How People Create Authentic Change

by Farzana Nayani

This is the first authoritative book on building employee resource groups (ERGs) to empower underrepresented employees and positively impact diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within organizations and in society at large.In existence for decades, ERGs originated out of affirmative action policies and have evolved into powerful sources of employee activity and engagement. Organizations can leverage ERGs to support business goals, but ERGs can also play a critical role in creating a more inclusive work environment for marginalized individuals. ERGs represent a balance of serving company interests and empowering employees, offering the opportunity for innovative leadership within organizations.

This book is a practical guide on how to manage ERGs effectively and how they inspire a deeper connection between employees and companies while helping us progress toward the DEI goals that we aim to accomplish. Participating in an ERG can help professionals of color and other historically excluded groups advance their careers, thereby increasing diverse representation in leadership. Farzana Nayani provides foundational tools for starting ERGs and outlines the five Ps-purpose, people, processes, planning, and priorities-needed to successfully operate them. 

Unlike other ERG handbooks, this book is people-centric and socially conscious and thoughtfully takes into account the experiences of employees and leaders during current times. It also serves as a deeper call to action around how ERGs can foster authentic change within organizations, creating transformative impact in the surrounding world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2022

About the author

Farzana Nayani is a recognized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion specialist, business and strategy coach, and international keynote speaker. She has worked with Fortune 500 corporations, public agencies, higher education institutions, school districts, and non-profit organizations as a consultant and trainer on diversity and inclusion, intercultural communication, supplier diversity, and employee engagement.
Farzana’s advisory work with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), small business advocacy, and entrepreneurship, and racial equity & inclusion has taken her to engagements across North America, from the White House to Silicon Valley. Farzana’s expertise has been featured in media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, DiversityInc, Parents magazine, NPR, the Washington Post, Marie Claire, and the LA Times. Her book Raising Multiracial Children: Tools for Nurturing Identity in a Racialized World with North Atlantic Books was released in 2020 and distributed by Penguin Random House. Her upcoming book The Power of Employee Resource Groups: How People Create Authentic Change will be released in Spring 2022. For more information visit: www.farzananayani.com

Reviews

[Rodney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect guidebook for anyone just starting out in creating a new ERG and even for those with an established ERG but who are struggling with growth and sustainability. Farzana helps the ERG founders and leadership teams avoid reinventing the wheel. Farzana guides the reader through the steps and helps define the process in ways anyone can follow and succeed. She shows the dynamic movement throughout the various stages of ERG growth and addresses the common issues they face. This book is a treasure trove of knowledge Farzana is sharing, and this book should be in the hands of all ERG leadership teams, be they on the local office or remote level up to the Global Leadership team level. It has been a privilege and honor to work with Farzana on the ERGs in Motion model developed by Jimmy Hua and myself for the Asian Leaders Alliance. 10/10

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for work after taking on leadership role in corporate LGBTQ+ ERG- this did a good job breaking down the key actions ERGs can take to be successful, and the discussion questions in each chapter were great for looking critically at what my group has done so far. Really helpful, especially for people without an HR background who are stepping in to these types of leadership roles.

[Sarah Faron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid read on the importance and potential of ERGs. I stand by my statement that parts of this book should be mandatory reading for all ERG leaders, but it did restate a lot of things I already knew (albeit, that may be more of a comment on the advanced stage of ERGs at JSC than a weakness of the book itself). Would definitely read another book by this author.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a free copy from the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program and think that it interesting. I would recommend it to everyone.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate Nayani sharing her knowledge and experience in this book and recommend it to people involved with ERGs everywhere.

[Theodore Kinni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed book here: https://www.strategy-business.com/art...

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic read for anyone involved in an ERG, especially anyone in a leadership role. Nayani gives real examples and offers tangible solutions.

[Emily Rosén · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good foundation for ERGs