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FAQ - Opportunity Now

  • What is the Opportunity Now Benchmarking Survey?

    The Opportunity Now benchmarking survey is a chance for employers to take stock of their progress on the journey towards gender equality and diversity. It provides them with a tool to measure their own development over a set period and also gives them a snapshot of where they stand, relative to their peers. 

    The benchmarking survey has been designed to help organisations working towards gender equality and diversity, irrespective of whether they are just beginning or have been active for some time.  The survey consists of:

    • 67 multiple choice questions, all of which must be answered
    • 9 questions that ask for evidence
    • 1 question that asks for details of your learning

    At the end of the survey there is a page that asks for information on your workforce profile.

    All information supplied and results are treated as confidential.

    The benchmarking survey enables us to collect real-life data so that we can provide a comprehensive review of the progress on gender equality and diversity in the workplace made by UK organisations.

    Our benchmarking survey is based on a Diversity Change Model which can be used to facilitate organisational change.

     

     

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  • What is the Diversity Change Model?

    The survey is split into three sections:

    Motivate

    Motivate the organisation and its people to undertake gender equality and diversity action

    Act

    Take Action in order to develop and value gender equality and diversity

    Impact

    Assess the Impact of gender equality and diversity actions and learn from this assessment in order to re-motivate the organisation and establish future goals.

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  • Why should I Benchmark?

    • To find out where your organisation is making progress on gender and diversity
    • To identify gaps or areas where further action is needed
    • To compare your progress with other organisations in the same sector and more generally
    • To build a case for adequate resources in the coming year
    • To build an action based plan and prioritise your activities for the coming year more effectively
    • To share best practice and learn from other employers. 

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  • What are the Opportunity Now Awards?

    Opportunity Now’s prestigious annual awards programme has been running for many years and it recognises the exceptional progress made by organisations working towards gender equality, diversity and inclusion.  You are asked to anonymously submit your written entry which will be assessed by a panel of expert judges.  If you are shortlisted you will be asked to present your initiative to the judging panel.  The winners will be announced at our annual awards dinner.

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  • Why should I enter for an Award?

    Many organisations have benefited greatly from winning an Opportunity Now award in the past.  These organisations claim that it has helped to gain recognition for their work on gender diversity and inclusion.  The awards are also an excellent opportunity to raise an organisation’s profile and engage senior leaders.

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  • How do I join Opportunity Now?

    Please use our online joining form to sign up to Opportunity Now.

    If you have any questions please send you message to Opportunity Now

     

     

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  • Why should I join Opportunity Now?

    These are the top five reasons why your organisation should become a member of Opportunity Now:

    1. Benchmark your Progress
    Included in the membership fee is the     UK’s most extensive survey on gender equality and diversity in the workplace. This allows employers to clearly chart their progress on mainstreaming diversity and to compare their progress with other employers.

    Employers receive a detailed analysis of their performance and score, and are given advice and guidance on how to improve.

    2. Inspiring and Informative Events
    Opportunity Now organises a huge range of events to inspire and inform. Events include roundtable discussion forums, best practice networking meetings and full scale conferences on the most important and relevant issues. Events occur across the     UK, and have a particular emphasis on identifying and sharing best practice. As a member you will receive a 25% discount on admission to any charged conference.

    3. Thought Leadership
    Become a thought-leader by participating in shared research to explore current issues on women and work. Opportunity Now is continually investing in research to benefit members. We have conducted research on a wide range of topics from the integration of diversity to how to engage line managers. We ensure our members are kept abreast of new thinking by providing free copies of our research reports and a regular info packed magazine.

    4. Celebrate Exceptional Best Practice
    For over a decade Opportunity Now’s prestigious annual awards have celebrated outstanding practice in equality and diversity work, with a particular focus on gender. The high profile awards are the ideal opportunity to demonstrate and publicise your organisation’s best practice, innovation and dedication to gender equality. The awards are only open to Opportunity Now members.

    5. Website

    Access to our member only website, where you will be able to find best practice and toolkits on a variety of subject matters.  There is also an online discussion forum where you can post questions and viewpoints for responses from Opportunity Now staff and fellow peers.
     
    In summary, Opportunity Now acts as a broker and facilitator between employers by providing advice, sharing best practice and conducting research. We assist employers in setting goals and auditing performance through a self-assessment, benchmarking tool. We also recognise outstanding examples of best practice in our annual awards.

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  • What types of organisations are members of Opportunity Now?

    We have a wealth of experience in working with many organisations in the private, public and education sectors.  We work with large global corporate companies down to SME’s and take pride in our experience in working with many industry sectors.

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  • How do I become a member of the Advisory Board?

    Becoming a member of the Advisory Board is by invitation only and is reserved for organisations that demonstrate the highest level of commitment to promoting a diverse workforce.

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  • What are the benefits of becoming a Corporate Member

    Work with a Gender Specialist

    As a corporate member you will be able to work with one of Opportunity Now’s gender specialists who will be able to provide advice and guidance on your specific needs.

    Corporate members can benefit from up to five consultations annually with one of our gender specialists; one of which could be a bespoke gender seminar or workshop designed specifically to meet the needs of your organisation.

    Website

    As a corporate champion, five subsidiaries or sites can have access to the member’s only section of the web-site in addition to the parent organisation.  

    Profile your good work and commitment

    As part of your membership you will receive a page on our website profiling your champion status. This will give you the opportunity to highlight your successes through a well respected third party.

    Publications to the power of ten

    Opportunity Now produces research and publications to help make your life easier. Always emphasising the latest best practice and practical advice, corporate champions are able to benefit from up to 10 copies of all our publications, research and magazines.   Corporate champions will also be able to benefit from electronic PDF versions of all published research to aid easy dissemination throughout their organisation.

    Inspiring and informative events

    Opportunity Now organises a huge range of events to inspire and inform.  Events include roundtable discussion forums, best practice networking and full scale conferences on the most important and relevant issues. Events occur across the UK, and have a particular emphasis on identifying and sharing best practice.    Up to 10 people from each corporate champion organisation can be invited to attend these events.

    Exclusive corporate champion events

    In 2007 we are launching a series of exclusive corporate champion events.  These small and confidential roundtables on cutting edge topics will allow for open and frank discussion between leading organisations.

    Benchmark your progress

    Included in membership is the UK’s most extensive survey on gender equality and diversity in the workplace.  This allows employers to chart clearly their progress on mainstreaming diversity and to compare their progress with other employers.  A new and more dynamic benchmarking tool will be launched in 2008 and as a corporate champion you will be able to complete up to five benchmarks, which can be extremely useful for comparing progress by business unit or region.

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  • Where do I get my username and password for the Website?

    Please register on the home page,  if your organisation is a member of Opportunity Now the company domain name will be registered internally and you just need to choose a password.  A welcome email will be sent through to you and then you are all set to go !

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  • How do I provide information on my organisation for the Web pages?

    Whether you are a Core member or Corporate Champion, and you wish to provide information on your organisation for our website, please contact Debbie Sharp Tel: 01638 566043.

     

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  • What can I sponsor at Opportunity Now?

    There are many opportunities throughout the year to sponsor an event, piece of research or particular project.  If you would like more information about our current sponsorship opportunities please contact Rebecca O'leary 

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  • Can I host an event?

    We welcome volunteers to host all our events, if you would like to get involved please contact Louise.hall@bitc.org.uk

     

     

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