Women’s Network Benelux

Question
“Can you help us set up and activate an organization-wide women’s network and activate it among the women at BMI?”

Background
Diversity and inclusion are spearheads for many contemporary organizations. BMI Benelux, a manufacturer of flat and sloping roofs, came to us with the desire to accelerate around this topic. The world of construction and manufacturing has traditionally been a men’s world, but BMI is also home to a group of wonderful women. Together with BMI, we established the Women’s Network Benelux to connect the women at BMI with each other, empowering them to grow and develop together and inspire one another, and to communicate externally that BMI is also a place where women can feel at home.

Our approach
Frisse Blikken helped BMI shape this network. We started by talking to a group of enthusiastic women who expressed that they would like to actively contribute to this network. Together, we mapped out the wishes and needs, and which activities could meet those needs. We also set some targets, linked to BMI’s four core values. The goals of the network, we established, were to connect women at differences branches with one another, inspire each other and attract more female employees, empower through development and growth opportunities, and evolve, by stimulating an inclusive culture.

The result
We created a video in which four BMI employees talk about what the network means to them. This video was launched during the kick-off event. We also worked on several communication channels and activation tools through which to involve and update BMI. During an inspiration session, one of BMI’s top women talked about her personal experiences and career choices. We’ll organize various workshops in the coming period. We’ll also do our best to make all locations and facilities as inclusive as possible. Three work groups have been formed in the meantime, each with their own responsibilities.