Wondering what the Women’s Leadership Forum (WOLF) has been up to recently? Read below for the latest updates, including:
- Conference Update
- Packs in Action
- WOLF Goes International!
- Talent Readiness Program Gains Momentum
- Omegas Making News
- Geek Squad Summer Academy Update
WOLF Conference Update
For the past five years, WOLF has brought together employees, leaders and female consumers from locations across the country to participate in our annual conference. This was incredibly important to the first phase of WOLF as we worked on mobilization and building the robust network that you see today with thousands of employees and consumers across the U.S. and internationally.
This past year WOLF has entered its second phase with a new enterprise focus centered around cultural transformation and delivering local growth through innovation. This shift in focus led us to the decision not to host a large annual conference and instead will be providing an option for territories to opt in to provide local experiences.
WOLF is not going away—it is growing and evolving! In upcoming weeks we’ll be planning this year’s local events, and welcome your ideas and involvement!
For more information, please visit the Watercooler discussion at: http://www.bbyportal.com/forums/viewtopics.php?forumId=26903). You can post questions anytime!
Packs in Action
Innovation! Innovation! Innovation! Each month we’ll be highlighting some of the great projects that Packs are working on and the results of their work.
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WOLF Goes International!
With 50 Packs across the U.S. and newly-formed teams going strong in Canada, WOLF is excited to announce our newest Pack in Mexico City! In June, Mary Stoddart was in Mexico City to help kick off this exciting new chapter as WOLF goes international. The launch was a huge success and very inspiring to all those involved!
Here are a few key details from the newly launched Pack:
The Mexico City Pack will be focused on driving results for the business—making Best Buy Mexico the place for women to work and shop.
The Pack is comprised of 50% Mexico corporate employees and 50% retail employees.
There are 5 stores represented in the Pack: Polanco, Guadalajara, Mundo E, Acoxpa, Interlomas
The Pack members are all fluent in Spanish
Launch Team Members: Fernanda Herrera, Leda Schuster and David Betancourt
"How exciting to be a part of this revolutionary concept in Mexico! I'm looking forward to the journey." --Aida Schaefer
Talent Readiness Program Gains Momentum
In March of this year, WOLF @ Best Buy proudly launched the new Talent Readiness Program to help develop leaders from corporate (Director and above) and the field (GM and above). This program, a 1-year commitment involving ongoing work and quarterly face-to-face sessions, combines a strategic mix of IQ (skills), Experience, and EQ (Social & Emotional Intelligence). Participants are also engaged in small on-line communities to build strong bonds and share their leadership journey throughout their program participation. On June 15-18, 163 participants gathered for the 2nd Quarter session to learn about topics from public speaking to self management strategies. Participants also engaged in dialogue during leadership sessions with Brian Dunn, Shari Ballard, Mary Stoddart, and Liz Haesler, sharing how they've developed as leaders.
Participating in the Talent Readiness Program has been a completely different experience for me. I thought it was going to be more of a traditional leadership training course focused on further developing skills. I found in this program we are learning more about who we are, what parts of our work bring out the best in us and where we will the most valuable for the company in the ever changing landscape of Best Buy and retail in general! I am also thrilled and impressed by the high caliber of leaders I have met from across the enterprise. The networking opportunities we have had as a result of this program will prove to pay off for years to come both personally and professionally! Annemarie Johnson
What I experienced at the WOLF Talent Readiness Program this past month was nothing short of amazing. I was able to connect with my partners in the field and received pointed feedback as it relates to my specific department. At the same time I also continued my learning journey around self-awareness and self-management. I am confident that with this program I will continue to develop as an individual and a leader in this organization. Julie Miller
I think the best part of TRP is two-fold.
1) Sometimes we forget one of the most important things about being a leader is taking care of ourselves. Are you as a leader a good learner, are you willing to look at yourself and your impact on those around you? The TRP has allowed me to do that, to take a minute pause and choose what outcome I want to have on others and the situation. In such a go go go environment as a gm, this is a lesson I will take with me as I move forward in best buy!
2) It is a talent program that the participants happen to be female. The charge in the room, the knowledge that WE can shape OUR company, not in spite of the fact we are female but BECAUSE we are. We bring a unique and needed perspective for our company, to take on the connected world, and this program is providing leaders with the inspiration and peer accountability to do just that--Mechelle Carey
For more information about this program, please contact WOLFTalentReadinessProgram@bestbuy.com.
Omegas Making News
Have you heard of the Omega Factor yet? It’s the WOLF program that’s turning female consumers into loyal Best Buy shoppers! We invite these consumers to participate in 90-day innovation projects and have them present their ideas around growth plans to local leaders and business leaders. The results of these partnerships can be seen across the company. Over 210 women were participating Omega programs this month. Here’s what they were up to in June:
Two New Omega Launches
With the goal of expanding The Omega Factor (turning female consumers into loyal Best Buy shoppers), we launched two new Omega chapters in June. On June 15th we launched our first chapter in Grand Rapids, Michigan. On June 10th, we launched our first Latina Omega chapter in Atlanta. Together, the Omegas, the WOLF Packs and the local teams in these cities will work together to test innovation ideas coming straight from our female consumers! Watch for more details on the ideas, tests and results in coming months!
Current Omega Chapters
In June, we have three Omega chapters working on their innovation projects in Minneapolis, Tampa and Orlando. In all three cities, our Omegas are 60 days into their 90 day projects and have begun to share and test some of their ideas around Appliances, Gaming, Home Theater, Best Buy Mobile, Connected World and Musical Instruments. Check back in coming weeks for their final recommendations and test results!
Around the Corner
In July and early August, we will be launching three more Omega chapters in Los Angeles, Miami and Dallas. These chapters will be focused solely on Best Buy Mobile.
For more information about Omegas, visit BestBuy.com/WOLF or email WOLFOmegas@bestbuy.com.
Geek Squad Summer Academy Update
Running 32 summer programs in 30 markets is keeping the Geek Squad Summer Academy Team busy this summer. When GSSA went back to where it all began in Chicago at Mother McAuley High School, the new Chicago Service Center LMN (Learning, Mentoring, and Networking) Pack decided to join them for one day of the three-day camp as their first Give Back. They spent the day working side-by-side with the Summer Academy Team to inspire the participants and teach them about technology. Pictures from the event can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gssummeracademy/sets/72157624149791391/
The LMN Pack was one of two new Service Center Packs that launched earlier this year—the other in Denver. Service Center Packs are comprised of Service Center employees, DC/DDC employees, and employees from surrounding stores.
Since Chicago, six other Summer Academies have run in D.C., Minneapolis, San Antonio, Denver, Santa Clara and El Paso. You can stay up to date on camp locations and dates on the calendar page of our website geeksquad.com/summeracademy.
About the Women's Leadership Forum
Best Buy's Women's Leadership Forum (WOLF) is an engaged network of women and men, employees and consumers, and non-profit partners working to make Best Buy a great place for women to work and shop. For more information visit www.BestBuy.com/WOLF.
