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Change Management

Accelerating Diversity in Tech Leadership through a Strategic Internship Program

Company: CDW Legacy Excellence Program
Industry: Technology
Size: Fortune 500 Company
Challenge: Improving retention and promotion of Black and Brown tech talent

The Challenge

Our client, a leading Fortune 500 technology company, faced a significant challenge in retaining and promoting diverse talent, specifically, black and brown employees were leaving the company at higher rates than their white peers. There was a lack of diverse representation in leadership roles and a strong need to establish the company as a top destination for black and brown talent.

The challenge

Our Approach

We executed a multifaceted strategy to address these challenges:

  1. Targeted Internship Program: Designed a new program focusing on recruiting and developing talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

  2. Holistic Program Management: Addressed complex elements including potential revenue growth in HBCUs as an untapped source of high potential talent

  1. Change Management: Implemented strategies to overcome internal resistance and coordinate effectively across the large organization

  2. Risk Mitigation: Developed plans to manage reputational risk associated with the new program launch
Our strategy implementation for diversity retention

The Implementation Process

4 phases of the implementation process
Phase 1: Program Design and Foundation Building
  • Established relationships across the organization
  • Designed intern recruitment process
  • Developed framework for intern experience
Phase 2: Research and Development
  • Conducted research on support needed for HBCU student interns
  • Created leadership track development plan
  • Established connection between student support and company revenue
Phase 3: Pilot Program Launch
  • Facilitated intern recruitment and onboarding
  • Implemented support systems for interns
  • Monitored and evaluated program effectiveness
Phase 4: Process Standardization
  • Identified processes and standardization
  • Aligned program processes with company standards
  • Implemented cost and labor mitigation strategies

Results

Our execution of strategy yielded significant improvements

Our execution of strategy yielded significant improvements

Client Testimonial

“We have been working with Culminate Strategy Group since 2021. They have been instrumental in the successful launch of the Legacy Excellence Program. Their team swiftly produced comprehensive marketing materials and compelling presentations, ensuring a seamless introduction. Their efficiency and dedication were evident in every aspect of their support, making the entire process remarkably smooth and effective. Culminate Strategy Group continues to exceed expectations on every piece of the CDW Legacy Excellence Program.”
dione dyson
Dione Dyson
One CDW Talent Manager

Key Takeaways

Holistic Approach

Addressing diversity requires a multifaceted strategy

Dual Impact

Diversity initiatives can drive both social impact and business growth

Change Management is Crucial

Overcoming internal resistance is key to program success

Data-Driven Decisions

Continuous research and evaluation are essential for program refinement

Long-term Vision

Establishing processes for sustainability ensures program longevity

Conclusion

By implementing this strategic internship program with a focus on HBCUs, we helped our client take a significant step towards becoming a destination for strong Black and Brown tech talent. This case study demonstrates the power of combining targeted recruitment, comprehensive support, and effective change management in driving organizational diversity and inclusion.