The LenovoAll network is the adaptation for France of the Global approach of the brand “WILL” which stands for Women in Lenovo Leadership.
Lenovo’All is an internal network for diversity at Lenovo France created in 2008.
The topic is of major interest for the group as in 2018 there was 34% of women at Lenovo with 25% of women in technical jobs and 20% in executive positions.
Brief outline of the initiative
Lenovo’All is meant to:
- be an inclusive and open network
- reinforce diversity at Lenovo France
- promote respect and well being at work
- facilitate concrete local actions. In 2018 the focus was on mentoring, wellbeing and social engagement.
Building on the success of the WILL programem introduce by Lenova in 2007, Lenovo All is aiming at tackling one major challenge, that of attracting women in a male industry.
It is based on some key principles:
- Mentoring initaited through speed dating between Mentor/mentee
- Challenge in mentoring: goodwill of mentor/mentee/Cross countries. Involve in management practices.
- On a Volunteer basis.
It is an integral part of the EMEA specifoc approach of the WILL programme where 8 talents / year are selected for mentoring and trained on personal branding and communication training (speach expertise).
Duration
1 year
Frequency
Once a year
Funding
Internal funding
Budget
N/A
Key elements
Target
Women and men
Country of origin
France
Country/Region of implementation
France (+ Europe through WILL EMEA)
Number of participants
N/A based on volunteers
Core objective of the Programme
☒ Women empowerment (identifying barriers and working on strengths, creating a community)
☒ Supporting organizational change (strategy for developing diversity, implementation of specific policies, support to change makers)
☒ Allies buy-in and support (mentors, men championing)
☐ External Scrutiny (Pledge board, Indicators, celebration of success…)
☐ Other => Please specify:
Actions implemented
☒ Internal Diversity & Inclusion Strategy for a safe workplace with equal rights (please specify)
☒ Commitment of men
☐ Personal development training - please specify:
☒ Role model highlighted
☒ Networking (women network, men network or mixed)
☒ Mentoring (unique or mixed gender, please specify) (experienced & wise guide)
☐ Coaching (ability to inspire and grow people/Foster emulation/ Being influential)
☐ Events (sharing with other companies) - please specify:
☐ Other - please specify:
Format
☒ Online e-learning Module
☐ Online seminar
☒ Workshops
☒ Conference
☐ Self-Assessment tool
☐ Consolidated educational/training programme
☐ Other, please specify:
Identified Key Success Factors
- Multicultural approach
- Mentoring to empower
Transferable bites/elements
- Inclusion of the programme in a wider Diversity and Inclusion strategy
Testimonials
Any additional information you deem relevant regarding this Leadership Programme
The Lenovo All network is an emulation of the WILL – Women in Lenovo Leadership, the Global network at Lenovo. Indeed aach country customizes the network initiative (WILL board => Diversity & Inclusion board)
WILL, like all of Lenovo’s ERGs, is open to any employee, and fosters champions from male leaders within the company. WILL makes networking, volunteering, learning, and developmental opportunities available through panel discussions with female leaders and outside speakers, education on technical topics like the patent process, and celebrates women, including International Women’s Day.
Launched on International Women’s Day 2007, WILL EMEA continues to support women’s growth and skills. It now offers a newsletter, talent pool and mentoring programmes that aim to transform working conditions and nurture female progress.
=>Strategy tool to have women on boards. Balanced teams for better productivity (job description focus/ quid logitiel to avoid ‘male’ words)
=>Against ordinary sexism. Inclusive culture. Chinese company, diverse by AND (sense of inclusive culture/ Value differences from China, EU, US)
Organisation’s strategy to adress Women Empowerment
- Through the global WILL programme:
Founded in 2007, Women in Lenovo Leadership is Lenovo’s flagship employee resource group, with operations in more than 40 countries around the world. WILL offers events, forums and workshops for career management consulting, skills development and strengthening, mentoring and networking, and community volunteer act.
- Through collaboration with External Networks:
In France, special link with the “Cercle InterElle”which has been gathering for 18 years, 14 companies of scientific & technologic background, that want to move towards gender balanced organizations
Working group through companies (Gender in IA) (=>Initiative Café IA)
- Through a specific D&I strategy
Which has specific goals such as:
– Women trainings (leadership, self-confidence)
– Hiring women (targeted figures)
– Promoting talented women
– Gender life balance (parenthood measures) 34% women as collaborators
– Equaly pay policy (men/women equality measures)
Source of information: Interview + Online documentation
An initiative selected as a case study of the SWinG library of leadership development initiatives.
