Hey Champs! 🌟

Let’s get real about one of the most talked-about metrics: retention. The idea that ERGs drive retention has almost always been sketchy to me. Reflecting on my own experience, I loved being a member and even a leader of an ERG, but when it was time to leave my company, no ERG experience could have kept me there. My reasons for leaving were bigger than my love for the ERG program.

We need to put reality in place when it comes to ERG programs. Telling executives that ERGs increase retention can sound silly. People won’t stay if the rest of their work experience is bad. You’ve probably heard it said: “people don’t leave jobs; they leave managers.” Even with dozens of job friends and connections, a bad relationship with a manager/senior leadership or lack of promotion opportunities will push them out.

This is why I equate ERGs to the employee experience team. Their job is to make the workplace a better place for people while they are there, creating a better culture that they can thrive in. Indirectly, this could impact retention, but it’s not something I’d call a retention driver.

If you’re saying your ERGs exist to impact retention retention or turnover, you’re making an empty promise. Here’s the thing: to truly measure retention and the impact of an ERG program, you’d need tactical measurements over a decade, including A/B testing for members and non-members. We’re struggling with the basics in data, so we’re not in a position to conduct such studies. Focus on metrics we already have access to, which are easy to digest, comprehend, visualize, and collect without needing tons of permissions.

We’re currently struggling with the basics of data collection, and if we were to really dive into complex studies required to correlate retention and ERG impact (A/B testing in a somewhat “controlled” environment over a decade, using T-tests or ANOVA for comparing retention rates, and regression analysis to find predictors of retention, etc.) you’d understand why it’s such a shocking statement that this is the core metric that ERGs are working to move. Instead, let’s focus on metrics we already have access to—those that are easy to digest, comprehend, visualize, and collect without needing tons of permissions, time, and advanced analysis skills.

If your ERG claims to impact retention, you’re setting yourself up for failure because, if we’re being honest, you can’t back that up. This same concept applies to any commerce or money-making initiatives related to ERGs. ERGs were never supposed to directly impact commerce. If you’re trying to use such metrics, you’re stepping into murky territory. Focus on what you can measure and support—engagement metrics.

Let’s be clear: engagement metrics matter. They tell the true story of your ERG’s impact. Sadly, no ERG software has tackled this well, and many consultants don’t talk about it. That’s why, as the ERG homegirl, I’m here to remind you that I’m in this fight with you. I’m actively testing and trialing the things I share with you. I bring back wins and learnings from my real experience, not hypotheticals.

So all that being said, there’s a huge gap in engagement metrics. I know many of you measure the number of members, attendees, and NPS surveys. But there’s such a gap to do more, to do better (if you attended The ERG Engagement Tour, then you already know that I don’t like those 3 metrics anyway), and to capture metrics that tell a real story. And then to visualize it in a way that makes sense.

I hope to see you all later in the workshop today where I will teach you how to centralize this data. Be sure to sign up for that, and I’m here if you have any questions. I usually don’t plug things, but if you need a dashboard built, The ERG Movement can do that for you in less than three days. And if you’re looking to refresh your ERG program, check out our Fresh Start Program. Within 90 days, you’ll have a fully revamped ERG program.

See you in the workshop, and hit me up with any questions.

I’ll catch you next week ✌🏿

The ERG Homegirl

That’s it for this week! 🙌🏿

Weeks of consistent newsletters: 6 🎊