Global Award - American Express

Local research underpinned global research, conducted via Diversity Councils in markets such as the UK, India, and Australia. Through involving more male leaders, American Express has increased mindshare and ownership of employees on ‘women in the pipeline’, both from a talent and market perspective.

At the beginning of 2010, four work streams have been established to identify and implement sustainable solutions. The four work streams are:

• Top Women List / Pathways to Sponsorship - a specific effort to identify, differentially support and invest in our highest potential future senior female leaders. 
  
•  American Express Women’s Conference – This was hosted for 170 of the company's most senior women from around the world with CEO and Vice Chairman as key sponsors.
  
• Gender Intelligent organisation
American Express has led training which has been designed to promote awareness with regard to gender matters.

The Sponsor Effect -sm

• The Sponsor Effect SM - Based on internal research findings in the UK and globally, American Express found that the Sponsor Effect concept is a key factor for women’s senior advancement.
  
• As part of the American Express’ journey to become a gender intelligent organisation, a member of the Global Steering Committee and a consultant ran training sessions for the CEO and his extended reporting line.

Training covered:

• Understanding the root of ‘ Unconscious Biases’
• Top gender challenge
• Dispelling the myths/ assumptions about gender
• Scientific facts of gender differences
• Behaviours that hinder inclusiveness
• Leadership and Gender
• Communication – Same Words, Different Language
• Gender tool

This training is followed up with each Senior Executive who completes personal action sessions, focussing on personal insights and development areas. Pilot sessions have also been undertaken in the UK and India to inform the rollout approach. Invites to these sessions were sent by American Express Vice Chairman, Ed Gilligan to demonstrate senior level commitment for diversity programmes. American Express is expanding ‘Pathways to Sponsorship’ across the globe with programmes in India, Australia, East Asia and Mexico.

By bringing gender differences to the surface of talent conversations, American Express feesl that a common language can be established to enable open discussions that pave the way for attitudinal and behavioural change.
American Express has already seen a change in the representation at the executive pipeline level.

• All senior leaders will be involved in a gender intelligence workshop by the end of Q1 2011

• Reporting lines for the market segmentation
  team have changed to include a reporting line to Global Diversity and Inclusion.