Dawon Hawkins serves as the Director of Culture and Engagement at DocuSign. In his role, he is at the forefront of shaping the company's ethos and culture, focusing on the amplification of its core values and championing the cause of DEI globally. In this episode, he shares how he built an effective communication strategy to help bolster company ERG engagement to an impressive 35%.
Dawon Hawkins Bio
Dawon Hawkins has worked in the Human Resources space for over two decades, specifically in the Learning Development and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) landscape across various industries including banking, specialty apparel retail, cannabis, and technology. Currently, he's the Director of Culture and Engagement at DocuSign, where he's focused on shaping the company's ethos and culture, focusing on the amplification of its core values, and championing the cause of DEI globally.
Dawon is currently based in Harlem, NYC. He is a foodie, an avid global traveler, hosts a weekly black/queer topical podcast called “Minoritea Report”, and is a self-proclaimed TV junky in his spare time.
Key Takeaways
- Clear processes and guidelines, combined with strategic alignment with internal stakeholders such as events teams and comms teams, help create a cohesive communication strategy. It's crucial to be mindful of integrating ERGs into the overall organizational communication strategy to prevent information overload.
- Getting employees involved in ERGs when they join an organization is crucial for creating an inclusive culture and fostering a sense of belonging. Leveraging necessary technology platforms can significantly boost ERG membership and engagement by providing visibility, resources, and personalized communication.
- Involving company leaders as champions of ERGs is essential for promoting effective communication and driving employee engagement. When leaders actively support and participate in ERG initiatives, it sends a powerful message about the company's commitment to diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
In this episode, we cover:
- (00:44) Understanding ERGs at DocuSign
- (01:54) Role of ERGs in Culture and Engagement Strategy
- (03:39) The Importance of ERGs in Driving Employee Engagement
- (05:55) Boosting ERG Membership and Engagement
- (09:35) Integrating ERGs into Employee Onboarding
- (16:39) Balancing ERG Communication in a Hybrid Workplace
- (19:53) Creating Clear Processes and Guidelines for ERGs
- (23:54) Role of Leaders in Promoting Effective ERG Communication
- (28:09) Conclusion and Contact Information
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