W&F Issue 1 2018

www.wealthandfinance-news.com 30 Wealth & Finance International - Issue 1 2018 Drawing on Barbara’s vast experience in the consultancy market, GIG provides consulting services on the advancement and retention of women, and improving workplace culture. She discusses the firm’s core focus and how it works to ensure excellence for its clients. “At GIG, our mission is to create sustainable impact. We find that a lot of organizations fall into window-dressing initiatives that do not have any specific metrics to support them. We strongly believe that by working with metrics, we can create a lasting impact with regards to the advancement and retention of women, and transforming workplace cultures. This also ties into business imperatives, impacting how businesses interact with their external clients. “As part of this process, we look at gender equality from a strength-through-differences standpoint rather than equality in numbers. Our client- organizations recognize that men and women bring different perspectives to the table and need each other’s perspectives to sustain growth and success in this highly competitive, global information age. Our clients include many in the Wealth and Finance sector: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, HSBC, American Express, CIBC, BMO, RBC, as well as many other smaller financial institutions. GIG also works within many other industries worldwide. Additionally, we focus on understanding innovation in a different way than most firms. Innovation is key, and what we have found in our research is that men and women innovate differently. When you combine these differing skills, you produce better results. Gender Intelligence is an understanding of and appreciation for the naturally occurring characteristics that distinguish men and women beyond the obvious biological and cultural, to include attitudinal and behavioural differences. The Gender Intelligence Group (GIG), led by CEO and Global Leader in Gender Intelligence, helps companies become more effective and produce greater, more sustainable results by seeking and blending the contribution of both men and women in unison. She talks us through the firm, which has been named 2017 Best in Executive Coaching in our prestigious Global Excellence Awards of 2017. Supporting Businesses to Become Gender Intelligent 1712WF12 “Uniquely, we are the only firm who have worked at this length in researching both women and men. There are other firms who work with the advancement of women only. We have taken a more inclusive approach by engaging men in the conversation. With GIG, men and women learn, work, and win together.” Internally GIG seeks for staff who have not only a strong background in coaching and consultancy, but also a dedication to equality and who fit with the firm’s values, as Barbara highlights. “When seeking new staff, we always look for people who fit with our values, which include collaboration, engagement and integrity. We hire and retain accordingly, and we have an impeccable track record with our clients for this reason. Whether we are intervening in executive coaching or a culture diagnostic, we as a group bring the best minds together with the highest values.” Ultimately, as the corporate landscape continues to focus on gender equality and creating productive, supported workforces, Barbara foresees an increase in interest in her firm and the work it undertakes. GIG already has a number of exciting projects on the horizon which she is eager to explore in her concluding comments. “Looking to the future, we have several plans in the woodwork which will provide us with great opportunities. In March 2018, we are releasing an online community of practice. This will give people who are interested in learning more about gender diversity, inclusion, or the advancement and retention of women and minorities the opportunity to learn and engage in these topics online. We also have an amazing e-learning platform we’ve created in partnership with Pearson Education. This is the Transformative Learning Experience, BeGenderIntelligent. BeGenderIntelligent is an online interactive and engaging learning tool for people to truly understand how they can shift their behaviour and mindset, and be a more effective and inclusive leader. “Overall, when it comes to women, there’s an enormous paradigm shift occurring that will impact the global corporate landscape. We have found a lot of potential clients asking for help in how they can instil inclusive behaviour in their managers and leaders. We expect to see a lot more training, shifting of cultural norms, and a focus on being inclusive and effective for both men and women of all diverse backgrounds.” “At GIG, our mission is to create sustainable impact. We find that a lot of organizations fall into window-dressing initiatives that do not have any specific metrics to support them.”