Network of Executive Women Promotes Inclusivity with OBSESS Framework
The Network of Executive Women partnered with Zenith Labs to create Beyond Allies, a curriculum designed to help corporate teams support marginalized employees and unlock growth opportunities. Using the OBSESS framework, the initiative fostered inclusivity and was adopted by major brands like Coke and Visa.
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Through the OBSESS Framework, the Network of Executive Women and Zenith Labs created Beyond Allies as more than a curriculum—it became a movement within companies, fostering deep connections, actionable change, and a lasting commitment to helping marginalized employees thrive.
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The OBSESS framework
Here’s how they applied each
step of the OBSESS
framework to bring their values to life:
Observe
The Network of Executive Women and Zenith Labs started by observing workplace dynamics and the challenges marginalized employees face in accessing growth opportunities. They gathered insights from corporate partners and employees to identify barriers to inclusion and advancement. By examining corporate cultures, team interactions, and employee feedback, they pinpointed specific areas where an educational framework could help companies create a more supportive and equitable environment.
Benchmark
Next, they benchmarked against existing diversity and inclusion initiatives to identify gaps in how companies supported marginalized employees. They analyzed data and industry standards, discovering that many programs lacked practical tools to foster allyship and create clear growth pathways. This benchmarking helped Network of Executive Women and Zenith Labs establish a high bar for Beyond Allies, aiming to offer an actionable, comprehensive approach that would set it apart from other initiatives.
Strategize
Together, they created a targeted strategy that aligned with the mission of major corporations looking to enhance their commitment to inclusion. They designed a curriculum that combined practical training in allyship with resources for identifying and addressing growth barriers. By focusing on actionable steps, they ensured that Beyond Allies would be both inspiring and easy for companies to implement as part of their employee development process. This strategic alignment resonated with corporate partners, making it a compelling addition to their development programs.
Scale
Zenith Labs and Network of Executive Women developed and launched Beyond Allies with a step-by-step rollout plan, ensuring each component of the curriculum was accessible and impactful. They provided hands-on training, tools for tracking progress, and resources for both employees and leadership, fostering a shared responsibility for inclusion. This attention to detail during execution enabled the curriculum to integrate smoothly into corporate training programs, ensuring broad adoption and engagement from employees at all levels.
Execute
They initially rolled out Beyond Allies with a pilot program at select corporate partners, gathering feedback and making adjustments to enhance effectiveness. This scaled approach allowed them to refine the curriculum based on real-world results, preparing it for wider distribution to other partners. As a result, companies like Coke and Visa saw the immediate value of the program, which encouraged more organizations to adopt the curriculum across their employee development programs.
Sustain
To sustain the momentum, Network of Executive Women provided ongoing support, resources, and updates to corporate partners using Beyond Allies. They ensured the curriculum became a continuous, integral part of each company’s development process, providing regular follow-up and additional resources to reinforce its impact. This embedded approach kept the program relevant and maintained engagement, helping companies continue building inclusive cultures that supported marginalized employees over the long term.
Outcomes of our framework
This is how our OBSESS framework helped them with some
amazing outcomes
As companies like Coke and Visa adopted Beyond Allies, they developed a deeper partnership with the Network of Executive Women. This curriculum became a bridge, connecting these brands to a powerful mission of inclusion, which strengthened the relationship between the Network of Executive Women and its corporate partners.
Employees across these major corporations reported a clearer understanding of how to support and uplift marginalized colleagues. Through practical allyship training and actionable steps, employees felt empowered to contribute positively to an inclusive workplace, leading to a shift in how teams approached growth opportunities for all.
By implementing Beyond Allies, companies demonstrated a genuine commitment to inclusion, which resonated positively with employees and consumers alike. This commitment increased brand affinity, as employees and the public saw these companies as champions of diversity and equity, enhancing their reputations and strengthening employee loyalty.
