From Good to Great: 10 Tips to Elevate Your Business Resource Group

We’ve all seen articles like this: 10 Ways to Lose Weight Before the Summer or 5 Tips for Being a Better Parent. They’re either (a) packed full of conventional wisdom; things you already know or (b) able to spur an ‘ah-ha’ moment; serve as a reminder for what we ought to do.

This is U.S. Bank’s Southeast Wisconsin Proud to Serve Business Resource Group (BRG) chapter’s attempt at one of those articles (in category “b,” of course). We hope that by sharing what has worked well for us, we can raise the bar for all employee groups – and start a dialogue focused on success. Combining our talents and insights make our groups stronger; not only increasing employee engagement and retention but also making progress toward the successful realization of business goals.

1. Preserve your ability to do great work
Maintain energy. Contributions to a BRG are typically made above and beyond an employee’s paid responsibilities. Put simply: it is extra work. A role in a BRG is often a passion project… a way to demonstrate skills outside of what one’s day job allows. BRG volunteers are like-minded and motivated employees. Set a tempo that is achievable without abusing the team’s energy and ability to do high-level work. BRG leaders should aim to maintain enthusiasm on their teams. If it starts to become a chore, you’re doing too much!

Define great work. Strive for meaningful, quality contributions, content and events. What does quality mean for your BRG? What is meaningful to the group that you represent? To the business? Remember that one significant event carries more weight than three mediocre ones.

2. Identify key strengths
What does your BRG do well or have to offer that sets you apart? What do your individual board members have to offer? Example: U.S. Bank offers up to 16 hours of paid volunteer time away from work – so our BRG provided an outlet for employees to use their time. That’s a lot of hours that are available to be shaped into a tremendous force! Ask yourself: how does our BRG tap into our strengths and use them to deliver results for our community and for our organization?

3. Mirror company goals

Every good corporate responsibility campaign has pillars or focus areas. Your BRG’s strategy should align with the corporate strategy. At U.S. Bank, we align with our Community Possible pillars of work, home, and play – supporting economic development, workforce readiness and recreation of all kinds. Mirroring your organization’s philanthropic and community goals with your BRG’s annual event planning guarantees positive results inside and outside your organization and demonstrates the value of your BRG.

4. Record metrics
U.S. Bank has elected to make a significant investment of resources in our BRGs. Your company has invested in your BRG, too. Take the time to record what you’re doing and how you’re doing it in order to demonstrate a return on your organization’s investment. Use number-based facts that add context to your story.

5. Telling your story
There are a few key mantras to keep in mind when telling your BRG’s story.

• Action, result, impact: When telling your story, try to answer the following questions in order. What did we do? How did we do it? Why does anyone care?
• Keep it simple: When telling your story, try to avoid complex terminology or work jargon. Your target audience is someone from outside the BRG world; potentially someone from outside your organization. If the story resonates on its own, it’s a good story.
• Tell a FULL story: Write out your actions, results and connect it back to the company’s strategy. Use the metrics you’ve collected to add additional context and quantifiable facts to give your story substance.

6. Find other like-minded orgs – forge a partnership
Adopt a crawl, walk, run philosophy when developing partnerships. Be cautious and considerate in who you align yourselves with. Try working with new partners on something small, assess the success, and grow the relationship from there. When partnering, you’re aligning strategic goals of multiple organizations. Remember to keep your own corporate goals at the forefront, and consult with your Community Relations team (or similar in-house group) to ensure everything’s on the up-and-up.

Be prepared to talk about your potential partner. Who are they and what’s their mission? How long have they been working in the community? What’s their external image, and how will it reflect on your BRG and on U.S. Bank as a whole?

It’s highly likely that other, local groups have the same focus or goals as your BRG – maybe it’s another BRG, a nonprofit or a school. Find these groups, work with them, align your common interests and passions, do great things together. If there isn’t one in the local area, there’s one somewhere in the world! The digital age has made neighbors of all of us. Reach out. More often than not, folks will share, because it’s the right thing to do.

7. Become a matchmaker
Once you have established partnerships, become a matchmaker. There may be instances where you may not be able to help a partner directly, but you may know another group that can help. Step in, align both and make a difference. Next time, they will think of you first, which increases the likelihood of identifying a great opportunity to do more.

8. Involve managers to build a stronger team

Forge partnerships with each board member’s management. Discuss time commitments, the member’s contribution, priority of effort (day job is #1), and work together to develop your BRG members. Give feedback to your board members. Share that feedback with each board member’s individual manager. Celebrate their successes. Share the BRG’s story, how your board member has contributed, and make the connection to U.S. Bank’s goals. Highlight their skills and the potential you see in them.

9. Trim the fat
Structure your board to be lean, agile and effective – less is more when it comes to making decisions and shaping your vision and goals.

Board members need to be value-added additions to a high-functioning team. If you have folks that are only there to add padding to their resume, or are habitually unavailable to assist, you need to have a conversation.

10. Keep business goals in your crosshairs at all times
The ‘B’ in BRG is “business.” Do you and your board have an eye on how your efforts affect the business side of the organization? If not, start now. Truly successful BRGs not only do great work but also know they’re responsible for contributing to the organization’s bottom line.

We’d love to hear how your employee groups are succeeding, and where you can use more guidance. Share your thoughts in the comments below.


Guest Contributor:
U.S. Bank, Proud to Serve, Southeast Wisconsin Business Resource Group. Recognized as #7 on the 2017 ERG and Council Honors Award Top 25 ERGs and Councils.

At U.S. Bank, our 10 Business Resource Groups (BRGs) bring together employees who have similar backgrounds, experiences or interests, and their allies. BRGs provide employees with opportunities to network, learn, develop leadership skills and contribute powerfully to our company and the communities where we live and work. They raise awareness and contribute to business results through the lens of what’s important to their members.