Invest in Your Business by Investing in Your People

Published in Complex Rehab on November 01, 2022

Sara Laures

By Sara Laures, Chief People Officer, VGM

Without doubt, your company’s most valuable asset is your employees. Products, services, trademarks, and even your brand and reputation depend on your people. That’s why no business growth strategy is complete without considering the people your company depends on. But where do you start? 

At VGM, we decided to take a targeted approach to investing in our people, building a program that we could use as a reference for our future efforts. And because they represent two-thirds of our workforce, it made sense for us to invest in our women leaders.

Investing in Women Leaders

VGM launched its Women in Leadership (WIL) program in 2016 as strategic initiative to support, motivate, and empower aspiring women leaders across our company. Since its inception, we have invested in over 100 women leaders by way of educational and networking opportunities. Among the WIL alumni, only 10 have left VGM. Retention, anyone? 

Investing in Women Leadesr

Your investment in women leaders has never bee nmore important. The pandemic has taken a toll on all employees, but the data shows that females have been particularly hit. Recent studies by Deloitte and Women Lead Change surveyed thousands of women professionals across the world. Their findings are significant:

  • More than half of women are more stressed than a year ago, and 46% feel burned out.
  • Women in middle-management roles and younger adult women (25 years old and younger) are experiencing the highest burnout levels.
  • Women are unable to “switch off” from work, and many are concerned about their career advancement.
  • Work-family conflict continues to be a main concern for women.
  • Remote work is beneficial, but it can also create feelings of isolation, blurred boundaries, and coordination problems.
  • Flexibility and workplace support are factors that can increase employee retention and alleviate employee stress.
  • Female participation in the labor force has decreased.

Building Network

Equity in the Workplace

Building a women’s networking group can be a meaningful step toward gender equity in the workplace—and, more importantly, it’s good for business.

A Foundation for Growth

Our VGM WIL program has evolved through the years. Today, the program is led by a leadership committee, we have a formalized nomination process, and we sponsor meaningful curriculum for both existing participants and alumni. We’ve since used this structure to create other professional cohorts who can connect and grow together.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

VGM Playbook Business Planning and LeadershipThis article was originally featured in the VGM Playbook: Business Planning and Leadership. To read the full article and more like this, download your copy of the playbook today


TAGS

  1. leadership
  2. playbook
  3. vgm

From Our Experts

2025 Growth Strategies in the Complex Rehab Technology Industry thumbnail 2025 Growth Strategies in the Complex Rehab Technology Industry Forward-thinking businesses are adopting strategic approaches to fuel growth and expand impact. Here are some key strategies CRT dealers are leveraging in 2025. ATP Gateway Allows Repair Techs to Explore New Career thumbnail ATP Gateway Allows Repair Techs to Explore New Career U.S. Rehab added a new ATP Gateway program to the back end of its recent live tech training events in an effort to increase the funnel of ATPs entering the market by leveraging the repair tech workforce. Heartland Conference 2025 Recap: Where Innovation Meets Intention thumbnail Heartland Conference 2025 Recap: Where Innovation Meets Intention Heartland 2025 brought together a vibrant community of professionals who are not only navigating change but actively shaping the future of care. U.S. Rehab, Nymbl ‘Make Life So Much Easier' For Therapists thumbnail U.S. Rehab, Nymbl ‘Make Life So Much Easier' For Therapists U.S. Rehab and Nymbl Systems have collaborated on a new software feature that allows ATPs and therapists to communicate more efficiently about wheelchair evaluations. Maximize Your Heartland Experience: Tips, Tools, & Must-Knows thumbnail Maximize Your Heartland Experience: Tips, Tools, & Must-Knows Here's everything you need to know to ensure a smooth, successful, and unforgettable Heartland experience. Understanding the Value of ATP Certification and ATP Academy thumbnail Understanding the Value of ATP Certification and ATP Academy Becoming an ATP is a popular path often taken by occupational therapists (OTs), physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapy assistants (OTAs), physical therapy assistants (PTAs), and wheelchair technicians. With an ATP certification, one can both fill the needs of suppliers to sell certain wheelchairs and demonstrate that they have the skills and knowledge to complete their job as defined by the leading authority in the credentialing industry. Mobility Awareness Month: Celebrating the Impact of Mobility Providers thumbnail Mobility Awareness Month: Celebrating the Impact of Mobility Providers May is Mobility Awareness Month, a time recognizing the importance of mobility solutions, the professionals who provide them, and those who rely on them. U.S. Rehab's Live Tech Training and ATP Gateway Training Programs for 2025 thumbnail U.S. Rehab's Live Tech Training and ATP Gateway Training Programs for 2025 Our focus and one of our key drivers to help support our U.S. Rehab members is to continue to lead the way in complex rehab technology (CRT) training, offering Live Tech Training sessions and a new ATP Gateway Training Program in 2025.