{"id":7922,"date":"2022-12-15T06:00:28","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T11:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adsknews.autodesk.com\/?post_type=news&p=7922"},"modified":"2023-02-06T15:52:36","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T20:52:36","slug":"next-level","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/adsknews.autodesk.com\/en\/news\/next-level\/","title":{"rendered":"Fostering innovation through Autodesk\u2019s inaugural \u2018NEXT LEVEL\u2019 cohort"},"content":{"rendered":"

Often, people focus solely on the moral and social benefits of diversity. While these benefits are critical, <\/span>I’m<\/span> a firm believer that we should also focus on the business case<\/span>.<\/span> Diversity fuels <\/span>new ideas<\/span>, creativity, and business growth. It is also a key driver of innovation and a critical <\/span>component<\/span> of being successful on a global scale.<\/span> Attracting a diverse workforce is a priority for Autodesk. And we realize that <\/span>we’ve<\/span> got to be just as committed to <\/span>retaining<\/span>, developing<\/span>,<\/span> and advancing talented individuals.<\/span><\/span> One of the ways <\/span>we’re<\/span> realizing our commitment to development is through our NEXT LEVEL program.<\/span><\/span>

\"Group

In November, members of the first NEXT LEVEL cohort convened in Atlanta for a capstone case competition.<\/p><\/div> NEXT LEVEL is a sponsorship and leadership development program designed in partnership with our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). The goal is to increase underrepresented people of color in leadership by creating a strong bench of talented individuals.\u202f<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

Learn<\/span><\/span><\/a> more about ERGs at Autodesk.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The program offers a nomination-based review and selection process, after which participants are supported by a Personal Advisory Board, including an executive sponsor and mentor. Participants also receive one-on-one coaching from both senior leaders and an external <\/span><\/span>Better Up<\/span><\/span><\/a> coach.<\/span><\/span> One thing that I find remarkable is that participants are tasked with navigating the program in addition to their day jobs. To do so requires incredible support, from their managers to senior sponsors, and is a testament to Autodesk\u2019s commitment to this initiative.<\/span><\/span> I recently spoke with Susanna Holt, VP Strategic Technologies at Autodesk, and sponsor for one of the participants, about her experience. She shared, \u201c<\/span><\/span>Creating <\/span>additional<\/span> opportunities for employees from underrepresented backgrounds is <\/span>very near<\/span> to my heart. I was excited to learn about the NEXT LEVEL program and was <\/span>almost certainly<\/span> among the very first to sign up as a sponsor. Here was a chance for me to become involved in a program that is larger and more impactful than anything I could make happen on my own. It is at scale where we can really start to make a difference, and Autodesk can provide that scale.\u201d<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

Crowning an <\/span>\u2018<\/span>Innovation <\/span>Idol\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

After an incredible six months of collaboration and learning, our first cohort of participants completed their training this past November, capping it off with \u201cInnovation Idol,\u201d a capstone case competition co-sponsored by the Platform Services & Engineering Technologies team<\/span>.<\/span>

\"Next

Capstone competition teams met remotely for weeks, balancing workloads and time zones to prepare for Innovation Idol.<\/p><\/div> As part of this exercise, participants were grouped into six teams to <\/span>exhibit<\/span> their problem-solving skills and pitch a recommendation for a real-world Autodesk opportunity. The proposals focused on <\/span>providing<\/span> automation and insight for design and make processes. The <\/span>objective<\/span> is for Autodesk to consider investing in one or more of these solutions to deliver customer value with machine learning (ML).<\/span><\/span> And what\u2019s fascinating is that none of these participants had any prior professional experience with ML.<\/span><\/span> Throughout the program, they spoke with experts across Autodesk, polled colleagues in customer-facing roles, and conducted research to better understand our customers\u2019 problems and the best ways to offer solutions.<\/span><\/span> Hosted at Autodesk\u2019s Atlanta office, participants attended the competition from places like Germany, Singapore, the UK, and across the US. In addition to these in-person attendees, <\/span>Autodeskers<\/span> from around the globe tuned in for the livestreamed event.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Meet<\/span><\/span><\/a> members from our first NEXT LEVEL cohort.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The winning team was selected by a panel of leadership judges and awarded the title of \u2018Innovation Idol\u2019 and a $10K prize. A \u2018People\u2019s Choice\u2019 award was also awarded based on the popular vote among employees.<\/span><\/span> <\/p>\n

Taking Autodesk to the Next Level<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

A diverse and talented workforce creates innovative products, solutions, and experiences<\/span>.<\/span> Through efforts like the NEXT LEVEL program, <\/span>we\u2019re<\/span> ensuring Autodesk cultivates a workplace where all employees can realize their potential and thrive. I <\/span>can\u2019t<\/span> wait to see <\/span>what\u2019s<\/span> next for these emerging leaders and the incredible value <\/span>they\u2019ll<\/span> bring to Autodesk.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Goal of new program is to increase underrepresented people of color in leadership<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":188,"featured_media":7931,"template":"","categories":[29,295],"adsk_tags":[423,410,424],"class_list":["post-7922","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categories-our_company","categories-people_and_culture","adsk_tags-autodesk-life","adsk_tags-diversity-belonging","adsk_tags-employee-resource-group"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nAutodesk partners with ERGs on leadership development | Autodesk News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"NEXT LEVEL is a sponsorship and leadership development program designed to increase underrepresented people of color in senior roles.\u202f\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/adsknews.autodesk.com\/en\/news\/next-level\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" 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