Diversity in tech – Confidence and visibility with Working Out Loud.

“Push and Support” is American computer scientist, Karen Holtzblatt’s simple advice. She has spent years researching women in tech and knows the way forward is to increase the visibility of women in business, give them leadership roles and demanding projects and don’t leave them in the lurch, i.e. alone among men. Working Out Loud (WOL) is an innovative learning method that offers both encouragement and support and Bechtle has just seen a second run of WOL #EmpoweringWomen conclude. 

What’s the idea behind WOL?

John Stepper’s fundamental idea was to develop a learning method that allows people to visualise their own work, share knowledge, network and hold discussions in a confidential setting. To do so, five people create a WOL circle that meets once a week for 12 weeks, during which time each person works towards an individual objective. The five discuss everyone’s objectives as a group, but are also given tasks and exercises as part of a fixed WOL curriculum, receiving support from mentors along the way.

What's special about WOL #EmpoweringWomen?

“The dynamics are very different and discussions are much more personal and open. Then there are the five role models—outstanding personalities from within the company—who take part in the events and we interview on the programme’s main topics of visibility, networking, networks and self-efficacy,” explains transformation guide and WOL expert Katharina Krentz, who has been part of WOL at Bechtle since the start. Many women feel like they need these kind of safe spaces before they can open up and understand that the way they feel and what they experience is exactly the same as what others feel and experience. “We are working in a world dominated by men who play by other rules, and by getting together and supporting each other, we can actively contribute to shaping this culture,” says Katharina Krentz. “Contrary to the classic WOL programme, this #EmpoweringWomen series helps women seize the opportunity to tackle topics specific to them and find a safe space for discussion,” confirms mentor Rebecca Ball, who has already taken part in several WOL programmes.

12 weeks, five people, five goals.

20 women and one man formed four circles meeting between September and December 2023 on their WOL #EmpoweringWomen journey, which included working with role models and social media coaching. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive with all participants saying the work in the circles was particularly beneficial. “I found WOL #EmpoweringWomen to be an incredibly enriching experience. The programme gave me the opportunity to get to know amazing women and build relationships based on trust. The range of perspectives in our circle coupled with mutual respect made this a very valuable experience,” explains Iris Assfalg, Tender Manager France, Bechtle Public Sector. Iris Assfalg is still in contact with her circle and building networks in Bechtle’s decentralised set up is one of the programme's objectives. This is backed up by mentor Alexandra Monaco, Channel Account Executive at HanseVision, saying “networking brings us closer together within the Bechtle Group.” For Bechtle’s People Development Department, the long-term impact of the programme is important: “Through a range of tasks and exercises, participants learn the tools they need to achieve any goal on their own and at their own pace and is a method that can integrate well into any department,” explains organiser, Nicole Fritz.