How Apex Systems Streamlined ERG Management, Saving 30% Time and Boosting Engagement with Chezie

At a Glance

Apex Systems, a leading IT staffing and services firm, has embraced diversity, equity, and inclusion as a core tenet of its culture. Understanding the role that Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play in building an inclusive environment, Apex sought a solution to manage their ERGs effectively. The company partnered with Chezie to streamline its ERG operations and enhance engagement across its workforce.

Before implementing Chezie, Apex had challenges managing its ERGs. The manual processes were inefficient, leading to a lack of visibility into group activities and making it difficult to track their impact on the organization’s overall culture. They had an urgent need for a more integrated and user-friendly platform that could support the company's ERGs and DEI goals.

Pain Points:

• Inefficient manual processes for managing ERGs.
• Lack of visibility into ERG activities and contributions.
• Difficulty in tracking the impact of ERGs on company culture.

Apex hit a few bumps when it came to building strong ERGs, and some employees felt like their efforts to connect and collaborate didn’t quite have the support they needed. But by tackling these challenges head-on, Apex saw the chance to create a more inclusive environment—and they went for it. Now, with a renewed focus on support and collaboration, Apex is teaming up with Chezie to make things easier and more impactful for their ERGs.

Results:

• Streamlined workflows that improved operational efficiency.
• Enhanced reporting capabilities to track ERG progress and impact.
• Increased engagement and participation in ERGs

Apex has always been committed to strengthening its ERGs, and they’ve made some impressive strides in creating a culture of collaboration and support. With a focus on empowering their ERG leads and participants, Apex saw growing participation and engagement. Now, with Chezie in the mix, they’ve taken things to the next level. The platform has streamlined their workflows and made it easier to track impact, further boosting ownership and accountability within their ERGs. Apex is now more efficient, with even more employees feeling empowered to get involved and make a difference.

‍About Apex Systems

• Founded: 1995
• Headquarters: Richmond, Virginia
• Revenue: N/A
• Company Size: 10,000+ employees
• Number of ERGs: 7 
• Company Description: Apex Systems is a leading global technology services business that incorporates industry insights and experience to deliver solutions that fulfill our clients' digital visions.

Introduction

Apex Systems saw the potential in its ERG program and was all in on making it even better. Focused on operational excellence and wanting better ways to track engagement and measure impact, they went looking for tech to streamline ERG processes and level up the member experience. They landed on Chezie—a user-friendly platform built specifically to meet the unique needs of ERGs.

What are the APEX ERG goals, and which organizational objectives do they support?

At APEX, our five ERG goals are to strengthen core values through leadership and onboarding, drive innovation across communities, equip employees with tools for any setting, provide networking and growth opportunities, and deepen understanding of diverse experiences to boost emotional intelligence for business success.

Before using our platform, how were you managing and tracking your ERGs?

We tracked ERG activity with Excel for attendance, then used Microsoft Teams to measure engagement over 30, 60, and 90 days before moving to a dedicated platform.

What prompted your exploration of ERG software? What were the top three pain points you were experiencing?

Our biggest challenge was time management— ERG leaders were juggling multiple commitments, from coordinating with marketing to developing resources. A dedicated platform now consolidates these tasks, making tracking for ESG reporting and data access easier.

Why did you decide to work with Chezie?

We chose Chezie because they aligned well with our goals and we wanted to support a diversely owned startup. Running ERGs takes effort, so finding a platform that fit our needs was key. Their great customer service and accessible team made it easy.

Apex was set on finding the right ERG software to make life easier for their ERG leaders, centralize management, and streamline navigation. That’s where Chezie came in—delivering exactly what Apex needed and then some. With Chezie, Apex found a solution that didn’t just check the boxes but actually leveled up their processes, making a real difference across the organization.

Operational Efficiency

Apex's ERG leaders brought plenty of passion and commitment to the table, working hard to create meaningful programs and build an inclusive environment. Even with challenges in communication and event planning, their dedication stayed strong. Seeing room for improvement, they were ready to dive into new tools that could help them focus on what really matters—making an even bigger impact.

Why was increasing the operational efficiencies of your ERGs important? Why did you want to streamline and automate the things that you were doing?

Efficiency is the key to our strategy. Data analysis has been huge as our ERGs grow. After 18 months, ERG leaders are acting on the results, and employees feel heard and continue to develop, even amid today’s complex environment.

How has Chezie improved your processes and boosted efficiency?

Partnering with Chezie has simplified our processes, making data more accessible and our actions more coordinated. Now, we can focus on strategic initiatives rather than admin work, allowing me to step back from daily ERG tasks and concentrate on growth projects.

How much time have you and your ERG leaders spent on ERG activities before using Chezie, and how much time are you spending now?

Before Chezie, we spent around eight hours a month on ERG activities; now it’s down to five or six. My role has shifted from event planning to strategic discussions on leadership development. I have freed up time for high-impact initiatives.

By bringing in a centralized platform, Apex’s ERG leaders totally transformed how they work. Now they can easily handle tasks like tracking attendance, collecting feedback, and managing resources all in one place. This new efficiency freed up time for the things that matter most, like planning bigger initiatives and building programs that make a real difference. With less time spent on the busywork, ERG leaders could focus on boosting employee engagement, tackling key issues, and opening up leadership opportunities. The result? More impactful initiatives that genuinely meet employee needs and align perfectly with Apex’s broader DEI goals.

Data and Reporting

Apex Systems took its commitment to improving ERGs seriously, putting real effort into understanding what was working by diving into data on participation, event turnout, and overall impact. With a focus on continuous improvement, they embraced innovative tools to help ERG leaders easily track and report key metrics. Now, with access to solid data, Apex can measure how effective its ERGs are and make smart decisions that keep them aligned with their big-picture goals.

How did you collect reports before integrating Chezie, and what kind of data did you report on?

Before Chezie, we used Zoom for attendance tracking, then manually transferred it to Excel, and had no way to track membership. Budget tracking was also manual and stressful. Now, Chezie handles participation data and KPI tracking, though we're still syncing it with our HR systems for accuracy.

What does having that data enable you to do?

With better data access, I can work more strategically with our 50 ERG leaders to address issues like career mobility and guide complex conversations, especially within communities like LGBTQ+ and Black ERGs. Engagement data this year helped us tailor support and present challenges to senior leadership.

Apex has tapped into its data and reporting tools to keep a close eye on ERG activities, pulling in insights that fuel its bigger DEI goals. This focus on tracking impact has boosted the visibility of Apex’s ERG program and strengthened its credibility across the company, shining a light on the meaningful work of their leaders and the initiatives they drive forward.

Engagement

Keeping engagement high within ERGs was another challenge for Apex. They’ve always been committed to building a strong community in their ERGs, so they knew they needed fresh, creative ways to make ERG activities more visible and accessible to everyone. By focusing on better event promotion, clear communication, and tracking participation, Apex has created a dynamic space that encourages more employees to jump in and get involved.

How Chezie has helped to improve the member experience within your ERG?

Chezie has improved our member experience by centralizing communication and reducing our reliance on multiple platforms. It encourages collaboration, and enables ERG leaders to organize events.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I want to highlight the platform’s versatility. Many organizations use multiple platforms for various initiatives, but Chezie can effectively address multiple departmental needs with one solution.

Apex’s ERGs have carved out a real sense of community within the company. Thanks to this commitment, participation and engagement are way up, with employees more tuned in to ERG activities and excited to get involved. This lively environment is helping to build a more inclusive workplace culture, boosting connections across teams and showing just how dedicated Apex is to diversity and inclusion.

Wrap-Up

Chezie has transformed how we operate our ERGs. The platform not only streamlined our workflows but has also provided us with robust reporting capabilities, allowing us to track progress and demonstrate the impact our ERGs have on Apex’s culture. It has been a game-changer for our DEI initiatives.

Apex Systems' partnership with Chezie has enhanced its approach to ERGs, delivering measurable improvements in operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and overall employee engagement. Apex Systems has taken impressive steps to enhance its approach to Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), leading to notable improvements in how they operate and engage employees. By streamlining ERG management, Apex has reduced the administrative burdens on leaders, allowing them to focus more on creating impactful programs that resonate with their members. This shift to a centralized system has not only saved time but also helped create consistency across all ERG activities.

The platform’s data and reporting capabilities have enabled Apex to track participation, measure event outcomes, and generate insights that inform its DEI strategies. This data-driven approach has allowed Apex to communicate the impact of its ERG initiatives to senior leadership, securing continued investment and support for these programs. The enhanced visibility into ERG performance has also provided a foundation for Apex to scale its DEI initiatives effectively, aligning them with organizational goals and objectives.

Beyond operational improvements and data insights, Apex has significantly bolstered employee engagement across its ERGs. By making it easier for employees to stay informed, connect, and participate, the platform has cultivated a stronger sense of community and belonging. With streamlined communication and event promotion tools, ERGs have seen participation and engagement from employees. 

As Apex evolves its ERG strategy, it’s showing other organizations how to build truly inclusive environments. Their dedication to improving employee experiences and nurturing a culture of belonging isn't just good for morale—it's a game changer for innovation and overall success. Apex is proving that when you invest in people, the whole company wins.

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If you’re ready to see how Chezie can transform your organization’s ERGs as it did for Apex Systems, book a demo with us today! Learn how our flexible platform can be the missing piece your ERGs have been looking for.