In collaboration with the Toyota Women’s Impact Network, Lorie Leitner, Senior Marketing Manager at ProLift Toyota Material Handling, and ProLift President Chris Frazee, held a session regarding implementing a women’s impact group in the Dealership. ProLift’s women’s network, ELEVATE, strives to position ProLift as the employer of choice for women by providing resources for inclusion and growth and development associates. ELEVATE focuses on the following three areas:
- Professional Development (in-person and virtual training)
- Networking Events (ProLift-sponsored and external opportunities)
- Community Service (women-focused, local non-profit organizations)
Women’s networking groups have existed for many decades, but recently there has been a surge in the numbers of these groups. These groups are not about excluding non-women but instead about having a place to focus energy with peers who experience the same or similar experiences.
Since launching around a year ago, ELEVATE has grown significantly and has launched a steering committee that operates its own budget for programming and events and frequently releases content through a company Sharepoint and LinkedIn page. ELEVATE has brought great value to ProLift through programming, which has blended associates through community service, uncovered gaps in resources and associate training through having diverse voices, and created space to discuss career paths and ideas that benefit all associates.
If your Dealership has an interest in this topic but isn’t sure where to begin, the following are some easy ideas for action:
- Send a delegation to the MHEDA Women in Industry Conference (or similar leadership conference)
- Host a virtual session with an inspirational leader (ideas include successful women Dealer leaders, TMH leaders, and external speakers)
- Organize a volunteer event with a non-profit organization that targets services for women or children
- Plan an event for Women’s History Month in March
- Identify a high-potential person who has an interest in leading an ongoing initiative at your Dealership and contact Megan McGriff (megan.mcgriff@toyotatmh.com) or Lea Ann King (leaann.king@toyotatmh.com) for assignment of a mentor who will guide the group to a successful launch and sustainment
For more information on ProLift’s ELEVATE network, please contact Lorie Leitner at lleitner@prolifttoyota.com.