Tue, 21 May 2013 00:34:01 -0500WeeblyThu, 16 May 2013 16:43:18 GMThttp://MLBennettConsulting.com/1/post/2013/05/attracting-and-retaining-diverse-talent.htmlJill is an African American woman with ten years of experience in
public accounting. She is certified and versatile in the areas of practice in
which she might contribute now and in the future.  She has deep community roots in the major metropolitan area in which she works and she has shown great promise in promoting the Firm in the market.  She has demonstrated ability to target in on very valid and significant business development opportunities. 
She is liked by her peers and develops the people on her teams.  She also plans to leave the Firm and possibly public accounting altogether. 
What is wrong with this picture?

Jill feels as if she works tirelessly to stay connected in the
Firm and to expand her network. She has been successful in this regard and is
networked and capable of tapping into opportunities.  She feels she has to prove herself every day when she walks through the door and again if she is working toward a significant opportunity in the Firm or the market. She feels when she speaks she must work much harder to be heard and to be taken seriously.   She feels that her superiors are not connected to her and that she is not on their radar screen.  She has observed the favoritism or advocacy circles that drive the
assignment of opportunities, promotions and pay increases.  She has managed to tap into these organizational circles from time to time, but also notes that she has to assimilate in order to stay connected. She is uncomfortable with the degree of assimilation required.  She understands that this assimilation also limits the value she may bring to the Firm. She has come to the conclusion that the energy she is pouring into trying to fit into the organization could be better applied to her work if she was in a more inclusive environment.  Her
exploration of the Public Accounting marketplace has turned up few options upon
deep research.  She knows she has many career options.  She cannot
envision herself on the outside trying to gain access daily for the undefined
and long term future.   This is a very difficult career path without taking into account the need to break into circles of influence that others do not have to work at to gain access.
 
The sustainability of our Firms is dependent upon attracting,
retaining and developing the best talent. 
A significant portion of this talent is represented by individuals who
represent something different then our current partner ranks. 
Our ability to develop and bring new solutions to new markets is
dependent on our success in creating an inclusive culture that supports a very broad level of diversity.  Diversity in thought, lifestyle, ethnicity, gender, education, socioeconomic experience and much more. 
Creating an inclusive culture can be accomplished with targeted
effort.  How do we attract, retain
and develop the individuals who represent the change we need for the future
while we continue to work on our culture?  

What can an organization do now to retain and develop top talent
like Jill?  One of the most important strategies that an organization can employ is targeted advocacy.  In our profession advocacy
relationships drive talent development and career navigation. 
These relationships are a natural part of our organizations and have been
so for decades.  Advocates not only understand how to navigate through an organization to access key opportunities and networks at the most appropriate junctures of a career but they also use political capital to facilitate these moves for their protégés.  Advocates also help the protégés to become visible in ways that individuals cannot do for themselves.  These relationships exist and drive our
  profession.  These relationships are essential for election to owner which is one of the ultimate career destinations in our profession.   

It is critical to note that for individuals who represent
  something different from the norm, the advocacy relationships do not form as
  naturally as they do for the majority group. Human beings are drawn to individuals who remind us of ourselves, those we can identify with. 
This is especially true of advocacy relationships that may form naturally
in public accounting Firms.  This is significant and an important element in Jill’s story.  How can a person like Jill reach the conclusion that the price to pay for
success in public accounting is too high?   As an experienced partner in a public
accounting Firm, I would be the first person to acknowledge the road is long and
challenging.  We expect to work hard to attain this goal. What is
lost on those of us who may represent the majority is that the path is not the
same for those who are diverse, those who may represent our future. 
The path is much harder every day. 
When we hear that these individuals do not want to do what it takes to
succeed we must understand that in significant ways we are asking them to do
more then we have had to do.  This is true in many Firms for women, minorities, those with different educational or socioeconomic experiences, those with different lifestyles, or those that represent any significant difference that currently requires the individual to suppress in order to assimilate and be accepted. If you are a member of the majority and dominant group, the need to suppress fundamental elements of who you are to succeed may sound like fiction. Those who represent diversity in the ranks of your Firm would assure you that the energy it takes to try to be a fully accepted and engaged member of the Firm is
significant.

Advocacy relationships must be in place for all of our top talent.  If left to chance, the relationships will most likely not be in place for the individuals who
represent a critical part of our future because they represent something
different.  Targeted Advocacy Programs are not difficult to implement. 
The ripple effect benefit of these programs is immense. 
One method of shifting culture is to work closely with those individuals
who represent the future.  Bias is generally unconscious.  Bias begins
to break down as we gain personal experience interacting with individuals. Both the advocate and the protégé learn from these relationships.   


]]>Wed, 15 Aug 2012 23:34:47 GMThttp://MLBennettConsulting.com/1/post/2012/08/why-do-we-avoid-succession-planning.htmlGiven the unavoidable retirement of the baby boomers -why is there such a resistance to effective succession planning? Because it touches us as human beings in ways we prefer not to think about.
1-Fear
Fear of the unknown
Fear of becoming irrelevant
Fear of retirement and beyond
Fear that someone will actually replace us

2-Denial
That our current role and responsibility must change
That we need to give emerging leaders the opportunity to lead
That we have neglected building a plan for the next phase of our lives

Significant amounts of compassion, counseling and coaching are essential in effective succession planning programs.  Beginning the process with validation and gratitude for the contributions of the current leaders is a good place to start. Dealing with the human element of succession is not a side element of the planning process but the central element that will speed and improve the entire endeavor.  The commitment, passion and engagement that have contributed to the organization's success will also hold it back if we do not actively and compassionately recognize it and deal with it creating dignity and appreciation.
]]>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 00:29:38 GMThttp://MLBennettConsulting.com/1/post/2012/04/flexibility-not-just-about-part-time-schedules.htmlFlexibility??  ...Been there done that?  or  That wont work here...our customers and clients are too demanding?  Do these comments sound familiar?  Read on to learn how flexibility may not be what you think.

Building flexibility into a work culture impacts so much more then your employees intention to stay and contribute their very best to the organization.  While it does do that,  it also has the power to enhance your business.  Flexibility has the power to contribute to:  
-Employee Attraction and Retention
-Improved Productivity
-Improved Customer Service and Satisfaction
-Effective Operational Management

For detailed information on each of these potential benefits from flexibility  read the whitepaper published on the AICPA website.  Link below.
(Flexibility Business Case- How Flexibility Can Actually Improve Your Business http://www.aicpa.org/career/womenintheprofession/downloadabledocuments/2010%20mary%20bennett%20flexibility-the%20business%20case.pdf )


In addition to the above benefits, flexibility is not just about changing work schedules.  Frequently there is an assumption made that if an employee wants to take advantage of flexibility it means that they want to reduce their total hours .In your organization does this also mean they are consciously or unconsciously labeled as "less committed", "less worthy of investment, attention, promotion"? Does this also sound familiar?
 
Flexibility is actually about treating your employees as professionals for the benefit of the firm as much as for the benefit of the individual.  Most of us arel aware of the flexibility required to deliver the value propostion expected of a professional in industries such as accounting and law.  The success of the firm depends on talented individuals being flexible and adaptable to anticipate and meet client needs.  This flexibility is similar to the adaptability required by the organization to allow individuals some freedom to meet their personal needs.  Consider Chris.

Chris is at the mid management level and is currently struggling to build a successful career and a successul family life simultaneously. The firm offers a flexible work arrangement program that allows one to cut back their hours and travel schedule to meet family needs.  It is common knowledge that this program will limit advancement even if the individual works full time plus hours during the most intense deadline periods of the year.  Chris feels compelled to take this option even though it is not exactly what is needed.  What Chris really needs is just a little bit more control over the schedule and approach to meeting firm and client needs. If less judgement and more acceptance were displayed by senior leaders when Chris departed from traditional face time expectations, there might be a chance to stay with this firm.  Chris actually has less desire to reduce hours and more desire to meet his responsibilities with some flexibility.  Chris feels that if this were possible, long term career options would most definitely include staying at this firm.  As it stands now, with part time as the only option to get some control weighed against the loss of income and advancement potential- a long term path here is not in the plan.

Flexibility is not just about part time.  Whether it does or does not include changes in total hours the core of building a flexible culture is clarity in expectations.  If a professional is clear on the expectations, accountabilities and how to create value at each level , flexibility becomes much easier.  Our top talent will exceed expectations if they understand what these expectations are.  Top talent will have the motivation, energy, enthusiasm to bring greater value if they feel they are treated as a professional- which includes allowing them to determine when, where and how to best meet their responsibilities. Like any developmental skill, meeting priorities is something that requires coaching. This is true regardless of the flexibility of the culture.  With targeted efforts to clarify expectations, there is less ambiguity for all.

The above discussion is not theory. After ten years experience leading a unit with a flexible culture, I have seen the theory in action.  Leading 50 people who were  all taking advantage of some type of " formal flexibility" - which included part time and full time schedules- I have seen first hand how flexibility can directly support the business goals of an organization.   Looking for employee engagement, commitment, retention and answers to work-life challenges that will  impact clients- building a flexible culture is your answer.  It comes with many side benefits.

]]>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:23:51 GMThttp://MLBennettConsulting.com/1/post/2012/04/building-inclusive-culturesthe-role-of-sponsorsadvocates.htmlThe power of sponsor-advocacy relationships is not very well understood in many organizations even though these relationships have been the electricity of career progress as long as there have been careers.  Intentional sponsorship and advocacy is frequently the missing element in building inclusive environments where all top talent can thrive.

The issue of sponsorship and advocacy is often subtle and requires a close look at how individuals move through the organization. How do they advance? How do they become visible? What is considered an increase in value delivered that puts someone on "the radar screen"?  Many of the subtle but essential rules about how an individual advances in an organization are real but unwritten. As a result , it is critical that all top talent have access to sponsor-advocates in their career journey.

Sponsor- advocacy in the development and career advancement process is often missing for emerging leaders, especially those who represent diversity from the current and past leadership teams. This is not because those in positions of influence are deliberately or even consciously excluding anyone but because  human beings regularly exhibit something called "affinity bias". This is simply a pattern of identifying with those who remind us of ourselves , with those on a path similar to the one we have taken.  We reach out to those who we feel an affinity with and "take them under our wing".  As a result of these human patterns the natural formation of traditional sponsor-advocate relationships can unevenly provide critical "survive and thrive" training.  

In most organizations there remains a lack of broadly defined diversity in the majority of positions of influence and power.  The positions that represent deep knowledge of the unwritten rules are still today not held by individuals who represent a broad definition of diversity. In many cases, senior leaders naturally reach out to younger leaders who remind them of themselves as protoges. When asked, senior leaders are often not aware that an uneven execution of sponsor- advocacy is happening and they are a party to it. When the question of why more emerging leaders who represent broader diversity are not in their circle the leaders often indicate that they do not feel they can be a mentor to women, minorities, GLBT, or the disabled. They acknowledge, when asked to reflect, that they have reached out naturally to people they feel they can help because they have walked the same road. These influential leaders sometimes feel they do not have as much to offer the individuals who they perceive to be walking a different road.  This is in fact not the case, there is much they have to offer and it is possibly even more important they offer it to those who represent diversity because these individuals have less access to critical information about the majority culture. In addition, these individuals may represent unique perspectives, networks, and experiences that will make the organization stronger.
 
These factors are a catalyst behind the lack of an even playing field for all top talent. Without the same access to senior leadership, critical learning and developmental experiences,all  individuals do not have the same opportunities. 

Moving through an organization seeking advancement is a very
real journey. This journey is one that requires a map that comes from a sponsor- advocate.  All individuals should be thinking about gaps in experiences needed to increase our skill level and our balance sheet of talent. It is important to first understand what the organization is looking for in its emerging  leaders. This is not always , in fact not often , written. A sponsor-advocate provides critical information that helps the individual understand where they are on track and where they are missing the mark. While understanding high value activities is the first step in efficient career navigation, an individual is not always in a position to acquire access to these opportunities and experiences without someone in the inner circle acting as an advocate. In some cases, it is nearly impossible to broker opportunities such as committee assignments, over seas promotions, strategic client relationships, profit and loss responsibility without assistance. Advocacy from those in positions of influence is required. 

Many emerging female and minority leaders do not have deep sponsor-advocate relationships. This fact slows the career progress of these diverse leaders. It creates real difference , not only in the opportunities that this talent has access to but also meaningful differences in learning and skill development. While it may be heresy to post this next comment- it is true. When we hear that there were no female or diverse candidates for promotion that were qualified...it is sometimes true because these candidates have not had the experiences needed to qualify them for the new opportunity largely because of a lack of sponsor-advocate intervention.

What can we do as individuals and organizations? Individuals must work to form relationships with senior leaders in order to access critical career navigation  information and support.  If you represent diversity from the current leadership team it is important that you work even more proactively to develop these relationships as they may not form naturally without you acting as a catalyst.  The good news is that talented individuals  can get what is needed  from multiple relationships and sources, and in fact should not expect to get everything from one sponsor-advocate.  Putting all of your efforts into one relationship is not a good strategy because there will always be change within organizations. How hard a talented individual works and the quality of their work is not the only thing that matters... it is the merely price of entry.  Talented individuals  need to know if they are doing the right things at the right time in their career.  In addition, the right people must know they are doing the right things. The "right things" are those things recognized as having top value to the organization.

 Organizations that understand all of the above take a hard look
at their assignment, promotion and sponsor-advocacy processes. Uneven access to senior leadership can be addressed through awareness raising, sponsor-advocacy programming and an enhanced talent development culture.

]]>Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:03:10 GMThttp://MLBennettConsulting.com/1/post/2012/03/mentors-vs-advocatessponsors-what-is-the-difference.htmlThere is a lot of buzz about the need for advocacy or sponsorship relationships as opposed to mentor relationships.  What is the difference?

The most significant difference between mentors and advocates is the level of active involvement in the career of the protoge. Sponsors and advocates are in a position of influence in the organziation.  Sponsor/advocates are also close enough to the protoges career trajectory AND personal goals to clearly see in detail where the protoge should be focusing their efforts in the near future to accomplish THEIR professional (and sometimes life) goals.   In addition the sponsor/advocate is  in position to be able to influence the opportunities the protoge has access to and is willing to actively "advocate" or "sponsor" this individual by placing personal reputation and political capital on the line in support of the protoge.  Lets face it, if we recommend someone for an assigment, promotion, raise, committee, opportunity of any kind- we put a portion of our reputation on the line. This is the primary difference between mentors and sponsor/advocates.  Many people have mentors who in fact have been playing the sponsor/advocate role -many times without the knowledge of the protoge.  Until we are insiders of the leadership team we often are unaware of how prevalent the sponsor/advocacy system is.

The sponsor/advocate also plays the role of education, awareness raising and skill building which may be common to mentor relationships.  One of the most challenging things about career progression is understanding exactly what you should be doing when , how to procure these assignments for yourself and how to ensure the right people know you are doing the right things.  These steps cannot be accomplished independently in most organizations.  Hence the need for sponsor/advocates.  ]]>Fri, 02 Mar 2012 18:49:58 GMThttp://MLBennettConsulting.com/1/post/2012/03/our-people-are-our-business.htmlIf we manufacture widgets we use materials, work in process and machines that combine with people power to create a product.  If we are in the knowledge business we harness and combine the talents of our people to create the services we sell.  We use equipment such as computers to support the service development and delivery and we may have a quasi tangible product such as financial statements or tax returns. 

It is difficult to deny, however, that the primary input to the delivery of the services we offer is our people.  The raw knowledge of our teams combined with their capability to create value with that knowledge is our "product".  Why is it then that in so many Firms we still see more time and effort spent on the upkeep of our IT equipment then we do on the upkeep of our people and their talents. This is not in any way to suggest that we should not invest in our IT equipment but that we consider the technological contributions along side the human contributions. 

Our people are our business. If we understand that our people are THE essential asset of our organization we also understand that we must invest in them to maintain and increase the contribution they make.  If you are not getting the contribution you need from your people you might ask yourself if you treat them as important organizational assets.  Consider some basic tips below:

-We certainly should invest in a regular review of the performance and development of our people- just as we engage in regular review and update of our software and hardware.
-We track our physical business assets but at any given point do we know where are people assets are? Might a competitor be working on pulling these assets out the door ?  What does it cost us to replace that talent in time and dollars? How do our clients feel about a revolving service team?
-Unlike machines our people have needs, desires and dreams. Do we know what these are? Do we attempt to provide what they need?
-We continually scan trends in the marketplace to ensure that we are investing in updated and/or new equipment to take our firms into the future.  Do we actively evaluate the competencies we will need for the future and follow through in recruiting and development of these new competencies? Do we prepare our culture for these new competencies?  Where would we be if we attempted to run our 2012 computers in the technological environment we used in 2000 or earlier? Are we not in some cases attempting to meet the needs of 2012 with the competencies of the past? Or we recognize the need for new competencies but ask them to thrive in the traditional environment of our past?

Our people are our business, does our investment in them reflect this fact?






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