Beyond recruiting, onboarding and retaining veteran candidates, many of the best practice organizations are realizing that building an ally/advocate culture ensures additional benefits. Raising awareness, insights and relationships with the veteran community increases retention of veterans and competency across the organization of the veteran culture and needs as valued talent and leaders. The veteran community is also a vibrant consumer market and business community as potential diverse suppliers. The greater the cultural competence of all employees in the opportunities, needs and cultural affinity of veterans, the greater the corporate brand eminence, employer of choice and the greater the business impact.
Beyond recruiting, onboarding and retaining veteran candidates, many of the best practice organizations are realizing that building an ally/advocate culture ensures additional benefits.
Raising awareness, insights and relationships with the veteran community increases retention of veterans and competency across the organization of the veteran culture and needs as valued talent and leaders. The veteran community is also a vibrant consumer market and business community as potential diverse suppliers. The greater the cultural competence of all employees in the opportunities, needs and cultural affinity of veterans the greater the
corporate brand eminence, employer of choice and the greater the business impact.
One of the most common ways that organizations are building an ally/advocate culture is through community service initiatives that involve the entire organization. The community service initiatives connect employees to the veteran community beyond the company veteran ERG’s. The opportunity to educate, connect and learn more about veteran needs while providing a significant community service reinforces the organizations core values and brand
eminence.
Habitat for Humanity is popular with corporations looking to build an ally/advocate culture and engages corporations to use the activities to connect employees to veterans. There are over 27 major corporate sponsors.
J&J – Reconnect with the Community: The VLC, J&J’s ERG for veterans, actively partners with likeminded organizations to address the unique needs of service men and women and their families, especially during the challenging transition back to civilian life.
– In partnership with the Travis Manion Foundation, the VLC supports the Character Does Matter Program, which assists our nation’s veterans and families by empowering them to take the next step in their personal journeys and inspire the next generation of leaders.
– The VLC leads local high school programs to educate students on character values (e.g. Integrity, Moral Character) and encourages them to participate in community service events, including meal deliveries and veteran home visits.
Wells Fargo has donated more than $70 million over four years in support of military service members, veterans and their families through housing initiatives, career transition programs, financial education, foundation donations, and event sponsorships. 2016 highlights include grants to improve homeless veteran housing, strategic support for veteran-founded startup companies, hiring veterans for internships within Wells Fargo Securities, and support for
nonprofit programs that improve the lives of veterans with disabilities.
DELL – Veterans ERG members are also active in events in the communities where Dell team
members live and work. Annual community efforts include compiling and sending care
packages to deployed troops as well as partnering with several organizations who support
veteran and military groups including:
• Arlington National Cemetery – Wreath laying
• Carry the Load – Memorial Day event
• Honor Flight Austin – Austin Guardians
• Operation Homefront – Back to school brigade
• Soldiers’ Angels – Charity bowling event
• Wounded Warrior Project – Charity golf tournament
Accenture – the organization encourages employees to contribute to service projects as part of their community services initiatives. The veteran’s ERG selected the Tragedy Assistance Program (TAP). The project the Accenture team selected was designed to be easy to implement, engaging to employees and where they felt they could add the greatest value. One of the projects Tragedy Assistance Program for survivors engages in is to send out a
remembrance card to the families that have lost a loved one. They are hand written and hand signed. TAP was months behind in the project and the cards can not be sent out late and asked for assistance from Accenture. The employees throughout the company got involved in the project. The results were that TAP not only got caught up but were months ahead of schedule.
TAP assists companies in recruitment and retention. A very holistic approach, supplier diversity, ERG’s, change management practices, customizing sourcing strategy, train recruiters and hiring managers, interviewing and job descriptions, work with ERG’s on retention/community outreach/supplier diversity/marketing and outreach. Lisa Rosser leads TAP and works with corporate partners.
American Airlines – Has an extensive and integrated approach to engaging and supporting
veterans. The large percentage of veteran employees (10%) ensures participation. Community
service, customer appreciation and heritage day recognition ensures companywide allyship.
Some of the programs include:
Internal communications designed to engage all employees:
Sharing the personal stories and highlighting co-workers encourages allyship and is also a best practice to connect employees.
J&J – Veteran of the Month Program highlights specific contributions made by Veterans across
the company to support Johnson & Johnson’s business imperatives.
