The State of the Alliance – Looking Back on a Great Year

As we come to the end of the year, we at the Alliance have been encouraging our members and friends to reflect on their accomplishments and celebrate this year’s successes. We would also like to share with you what we’ve accomplished and where we’ve been this year.

In 2016, we provided trainings and workshops, individual strategic planning sessions, policy drafting advice, culture assessment surveys, and focus groups to our 58 member firms and corporations. We welcomed eight new members and were thrilled to continue to expand our reach into the financial services and consulting industries.

We conducted and analyzed critical research on flexibility and gender diversity in law firms and advised our members on how they could continue to improve in these areas. We were proud that many media outlets covered our research reports, including The Wall Street Journal Blog, Yahoo Finance, The Washington Business Journal, Law360, and Courtroom View Network, among others.

We shared our expertise through countless presentations on topics ranging from women’s leadership, women’s initiatives, mindset, grit, and confidence to managing remote teams, among others. We traveled to Mexico City and around the United States providing insights into and expertise on leveraging the value of diversity and flexibility in organizations. Read more

Spotlight on Flex – A Reflective Look Back At 2016

The Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.

As the year comes to a close, here’s a look back at some of the highlights from our 2016 Spotlight on Flex interviewees:

 

Megan Devaney
Partner, Winston & Strawn LLP (Chicago, IL)

To make flex successful, I worked with my Practice Group Leaders to make sure I was staffed on projects that would expand my skills set and not just do “leftover” work.  We met on a regular basis to discuss what I was working on, if I had too little or too much work, and to make sure there was a constant balance of quality matters on my plate.  I surrounded myself (and continue to do so) with people who are, and a firm that is, supportive of me and my schedule. [Full interview]

 

Jennifer Morrissey
Counsel, Dentons (Washington, DC)

When life changed, I asked for the help that I needed to manage work and family commitments. You simply have to ask for what you want. We do it for our clients all the time in negotiations, so why not do the same for ourselves?  And if things aren’t working out, or if there’s a problem, it is far more constructive to bring a proposed solution along with your “ask”. It may not be a solution that ultimately works, but at least it will start the thought process and possibly open up other solutions. And finally, there’s always a sacrifice – that’s not just for flex – that’s life. [Full interview]
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Action Step – Self Reflection: The Key to Setting Your Individual Goals for Next Year’s Flex Success™

The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility.  Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center. 

SELF REFLECTION:
THE KEY TO SETTING YOUR INDIVIDUAL GOALS FOR NEXT YEAR’S FLEX SUCCESS™

The end of the calendar year is the perfect time for organizations to take stock of their business initiatives and to reflect on both their successes as well as areas of improvement for the coming year. Metrics are an essential part of this equation and help organizations measure past successes to create future goals.

It is also important for individuals to incorporate this type of year-end reflection and goal setting to ensure career objectives and personal goals are balanced and integrated. As with business initiatives, individuals should have a clearly documented, personal, strategic plan as well as a mandate on how to execute that strategy for career success. This is especially critical if you are working a flexible work schedule….

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Fish & Richardson P.C. Welcomed As Newest Member of the Alliance

We are pleased to welcome Fish & Richardson P.C. as the newest member of the Alliance! The firm joins a community of over 55 leading organizations that are implementing innovative solutions to promote inclusive and flexible work cultures.

fish-richardson

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Spotlight on Flex – Lori Brandes

The Spotlight on Flex showcases professionals from member organizations who exemplify personal and professional success while working a flexible schedule. Their stories illustrate the long-term benefits that flexible schedules offer to both individuals and organizations.

This month, we are pleased to share insights from Lori Brandes, Ph.D., Of Counsel in the Washington, DC office of Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.

lori-brandesDiversity & Flexibility Alliance: How have you made flexibility a priority and a success through your schedule? 

Lori Brandes: I started at Sterne Kessler as a technical specialist right after I completed my Ph.D. in Pharmacology in 2002. A year later, I entered law school and switched to a student associate position with a reduced hours schedule while attending classes in the evening. Once I became a first year associate, I returned to a full time schedule, but switched back to reduced hours in 2009. I’ve been on a reduced hours schedule ever since.

The best example, however, is my current arrangement. In January 2015 my husband and I moved from Washington, DC to a 65 acre farm in West Virginia for a lifestyle change. I wanted to continue working at the firm, and the firm supported my decision. Since moving, I telecommute daily in addition to working a 90 percent reduced hours schedule. I come into the DC office two-three times/month to attend internal meetings and meet with clients. This is why I believe my current, holistic flex schedule is a true testament of the firm and me making flexibility a priority and a success.

DFA: How have clients, the firm, and your practice area contributed to your flex success? 

LB: I work primarily in patent prosecution, so much of my work focuses on drafting patent applications and working with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to obtain patents. The logistics of this particular work make my telecommuting arrangement seamless – I can file documents at the USPTO electronically and still meet with clients and USPTO examiners in person when necessary. There are so many technological resources available today that I can do anything in my home office that I can do at my DC office.

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Creating A Game Plan For Business Development

December 2016

Featuring — Tasneem Goodman, Managing Director, Akina (A GrowthPlay Company)

Most professionals know that preparation, planning, and strategy are critical to achieving success in developing business. Yet many end up winging it because they are pressed for time, uncomfortable, or lack simple and practical tools for planning.

This seminar will cover what skills and tools professionals need to be more effective in their business development efforts and how they can approach business development with the intentionality and discipline that produce results.

In particular, this seminar will equip participants to:

– Understand the framework and underlying principles of business development

– Identify their potential clients and most important internal and external stakeholders

– Create a business development roadmap that supports creating opportunity over time

Appreciation At Home and At the Office

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we at the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance want to thank our friends and members for their ongoing support and trust. We truly appreciate being surrounded by a community of intelligent, enthusiastic, thoughtful leaders who are invested in helping firms and organizations renew their commitment to diversity and flexibility.

In this day and age of constant contact and access to work, we are also thankful for the time to be with our families face to face and, at least for a few moments, disconnect from the office. We encourage you to do so too.

As flexibility is always top of mind, we also want to encourage you to take the time to appreciate your organization’s flexible work program. There’s a term that professional organization strategists use called “Appreciative Inquiry.” It refers to examining and highlighting the positive aspects of a business initiative to create a positive culture. We encourage you to examine and highlight the best features in your flex program and draw on these strengths as you expand and develop it. Read more

Action Step – Implementation Essentials For Flexibility Programs

The Alliance’s Action Steps are designed to assist organizations with implementing practical strategies and policies related to diversity and flexibility.  Members can access full versions of all of the Alliance’s Action Steps in the Member Resource Center.

IMPLEMENTATION ESSENTIALS FOR FLEXIBILITY PROGRAMS

Successful business initiatives, including flexibility programs, feature a clearly articulated and documented strategic plan as well as a mandate to execute on that strategy. When it comes to flexible work, many organizations have a plan in the form of a policy but struggle with execution. Whether your organization is launching a flexibility policy for the first time or enhancing an existing policy, a strong implementation process is the key to closing the gap between policy and action. Here are the essential features of successful implementation…

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The Third Step to Ensuring Your Flex Success™ – Activate Your Mindset and Grit to Overcome Flex Stigma

This is the third in a series of seven blog posts featuring advice on our Seven Strategies for Flex Success™. Check back as we walk you through the seven steps that will guarantee your success while working flexibly: Define Your Success; Own Your Value; Activate Your Mindset; Create A Strong Personal Brand; Build Your Networks; Expand Your Ideas on Business Development; and Enhance Your Work-Life Control.

seven-strategies-for-flex-successWe’re not going to lie to you. It’s not always going to be easy to transition from being in the office full-time to a flexible work schedule. While many industries have come a long way in understanding the value flexible work policies provide, biases still exist. No matter where you work, you may come across co-workers who think you’re less committed to the job because you work reduced hours. You may also be faced with supervisors who question your time at home and whether you are actually working when you’re not physically in the office.

It’s best to be prepared for these obstacles, and when they do arise, it’s important to maintain your confidence and harness your grit. You know you are meeting the needs and deadlines of your team and clients. You know you are following your company’s flexible work policy guidelines as well as your own personal flex plan. And, you know the quality of your work has not diminished at all (in fact it may have improved.)

Most of these hurdles and biases should be temporary bumps in the road. Activate your “big-picture,” growth mindset and remind yourself that working flexibly is actually better for you and your organization because it’s helping ensure a longer, more steadfast relationship. Read more

Goldberg Kohn Ltd Welcomed As Newest Member of the Alliance

We are pleased to welcome Goldberg Kohn Ltd as the newest member of the Alliance! The firm joins a community of over 55 leading organizations that are implementing innovative solutions to promote inclusive and flexible work cultures.

goldberg-kohn

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