Click here to read about JBC’s research on Diversity + Social Media.

Diversity consultant Jennifer Brown, who works with firms to create strategies on hiring and engaging gay employees, says companies need to be aware that policies on the books, while a start, don’t always ensure that people feel safe working on the factory floor.

“[Companies] can’t guarantee that all people follow their rules,” Brown says, adding that employee resource groups need to watch out for homophobia and mistreatment at all levels—not just at corporate headquarters. “There are people regionally who have a lot of clout and impact how LGBT folks are treated.

Diversity consultant Jennifer Brown, who works with firms to create strategies on hiring and engaging gay employees, says companies need to be aware that policies on the books, while a start, don’t always ensure that people feel safe working on the factory floor.

“[Companies] can’t guarantee that all people follow their rules,” Brown says, adding that employee resource groups need to watch out for homophobia and mistreatment at all levels—not just at corporate headquarters. “There are people regionally who have a lot of clout and impact how LGBT folks are treated.

Influencing others with your personal brand

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
12:30pm – 1:45pm Pacific
Webinar registration $49.95

In a world where the average consumer sees over 3,000 messages a day, you want to make your message both memorable and desirable. In these tough economic times and in searching for your next career move, taking control of your personal brand is one of the most effective communication strategies you should employ. And for LGBT people, there has never been a better time to incorporate our identity into our brand as professionals – what we bring to the table is a growing differentiator for many leading employers. We must at the same time be sensitive to how our audience will receive our message, as well as do our homework on the receptivity of different professional environments. To learn about elements of successful brands, with an exploration of branding for LGBT professionals, please join us for this interactive session.

• Understand how others perceive you
• Define your most compelling brand attributes
• Explain what differentiates you from others
• Strategically integrate your identity as LGBT into your brand package

Jennifer Brown, CEO, Jennifer Brown Consulting
Jennifer Brown founded JBC to help talent at all levels redefine leadership for the future workplace. JBC’s training and coaching offerings target both traditional and non-traditional talent, encouraging them to promote their value proposition and recognize the new workplace rule, “The Personal is Professional”. Guided by a deep understanding of the experience of LGBT people and female professionals at work, Jennifer also advises senior management on creating healthy, open workplace cultures where every employee regularly “brings their whole selves to work”. Jennifer is a sought-after media commentator on these topics, with recent appearances on Sirius Radio’s “Out Q”, CBS News for Logo on Being Out at Work, and in Curve Magazine’s Career section. She is a popular Pride speaker, and frequently moderates panels on LGBT career issues, mainly focusing on being “out at work” in the corporate environment, specifically in senior or executive positions. She draws her observations and best practice examples from JBC’s consulting engagements across many industries, in leading companies such as American Express, Booz Allen Hamilton, Credit Suisse, The New York Times, Working Mother Media/Diversity Best Practices, Fortis, Cisco, BASF, Ernst & Young, ESPN, Chubb, and others. JBC is proud to be certified woman-owned by the WBE, as well as LGBT-owned by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Tim Wikstrom, SVP Client Relations, Jennifer Brown Consulting
Tim Wikstrom oversees JBC’s pioneering ERG effectiveness and personal branding programs, playing a critical role in leadership and diversity engagements with clients such as Chubb, Booz Allen, State Farm and Cisco. He embodies JBC’s reputation for facilitating interactive, high-energy learning environments that enable collaboration across silos and seniorities, and has coached many JBC clients to identify authentic career paths and recognize and leverage their strengths in service of their ultimate goals . Tim will be presenting at multiple workshops at this year’s Out & Equal Workplace Summit in Orlando, and co-leading JBC’s engagement as design partner for the first-ever regional Network and Affinity Leadership Congress, NALC West, on October 20, 2009 in San Francisco.

Click here for a PDF summary of the session notes.