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