New thinking, real change, all nuance

As we prepare for the third event in our Regional Symposia Series, we find ourselves facing a unique opportunity. How do we best bring this particular subject – the importance of engaging men in diversity and inclusion initiatives – to life? At an event that promises to inspire and equip participants with practical tools, all of the figures, findings and knowledge have to do more than just explain.

If there is one thing we know from our work in diverse regions, the insights are as nuanced as the cultures they reflect. New thinking and real change occur when we step back and listen to each other. We look forward to exploring this culturally loaded, fascinating topic with all of the participants – and then putting the learning into practice. We hope you can join us.

Best wishes,
The Catalyst Europe AG Team

Catalyst announces 2009 Award winners

Following a rigorous, year-long examination of the nominations, Catalyst is delighted to announce that Baxter International Inc., CH2M HILL, Gibbons P.C. and KPMG LLP are the recipients of the 2009 Catalyst Award. The annual award honors exceptional initiatives from companies and firms that support and advance women in business. Reflecting Catalyst’s growing global reach, a pan-Asia Pacific initiative was included among the winners.

Findings from the upcoming Catalyst report, Engaging Men in Gender Initiatives: What Change Agents Need to Know, will act as a springboard for discussion at the third Catalyst Europe AG Regional Symposium on 12 March. The actual study, to be released this spring, examines why approaching gender gaps by focusing solely on women – to the exclusion of men – may hinder true change. Please click here to register for the symposium.

Catalyst delves into gender stereotypes at conference

Catalyst Europe rotation program underway

Media Corner: From the boardroom to the White House

Last call: Catalyst Europe Symposium (Paris)

Places are still available at the next Catalyst Europe AG Regional Symposium, Revisiting Workplace Inclusion: The Missing Link, which will take place on 12 March in the heart of Paris. This Sodexo-sponsored event will tap into new Catalyst research on the challenge of engaging both men and women in workplace inclusion efforts. True to previous Catalyst Europe symposia, Revisiting Workplace Inclusion will interweave research findings with insight from the panel and participants in order to stimulate meaningful and action-oriented discussion. We invite you to register soon.

Catalyst Awards Conference: Registration now open

Catalyst Annual Benchmarking Survey: Calling all members

Webcast: International Women’s Day with global member panel

Conference: Professional development for women (Brussels)

Call for input: Practices-in-Motion

Catalyst Europe Event: Re-sourcing D&I in tough times

Global membership: Big picture, local focus

Practitioner’s Perspective – Diversity is about the what, not the who

“My mandate at Endesa, ever since arriving four years ago, has revolved around re-addressing talent in an integrated way. This means not only tapping into our organizational diversity to improve the way we do business, but also identifying the perspectives, skills and knowledge we should be bringing in. Given our global presence and the imminent changes within the company, it is vital to find richness in our differences.
 
But true diversity goes beyond labels, categories and easily-defined ‘sources’ of diversity – in fact, the ‘source’ is less important. For us, what is more critical is to make the most of the different mindsets and ‘mental models’ spread across the organization. Seeing diversity this way is helping us create a culture that encourages innovation when it comes to the way we solve problems, take business decisions and develop our leaders.”
 
Arantxa Balsón Yarritu is Director of HR Development and Innovation at Endesa, S.A. Equipped with a corporate background in change management, she is a frequent graduate-level university lecturer.

Double-Take – The downside of staying away from company politics

How do internal company politics and the so-called unwritten rules affect an individual’s overall engagement in the company? According to the Leaders in a Global Economy: Talent Management in European Cultures report by Catalyst and Families and Work Institute, there is a link between an employee’s understanding of company politics and the person’s degree of engagement. The study found that limited political knowledge predicts lower engagement across all areas: job satisfaction, commitment and intention to stay in one’s position. Men and women leaders in Anglo Europe and Latin Europe, unlike those in Germanic Europe, were more likely to indicate that obscure internal politics put them at a disadvantage career-wise.