Guest Blog: Colette Farley - Reflections of a Former Disability Employee Network Lead on Running a Successful and Impactful #PositivelyPurple Event

Without doubt PP was the highlight event of our “This Ability Employee Network “Calendar! It was a golden opportunity to shine the light on the purpose of the PP Event in celebrating the economic contribution of Disabled employees and our own “Purple” talent at Kyowa Kirin as part of annual IPDD Celebration. The network’s involvement in this event and PS started back in 2020, when I had the privilege of establishing and founding alongside our then EC KKI Sponsor and Co-Lead, the Disability Network as part of the KKI Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programme. My co-lead and I were crystal clear and aligned on our mission vision for the Disability network at the time we were adamant in our approach to ensure we made meaningful and lasting difference to our colleagues with lived /living experience of disabilities and that our efforts didn’t result in what Steve referenced as being another “plaque on the wall” without purpose and that our mission and vision was in alignment with the KKI Mission and Vision of “Making People Smile” and KKI’s D, E & I Strategy.


My Co-Lead and I had big plans for the network; however, we didn’t know what we didn’t know! When we started out the Disability Network it was the last network to be established in the D, E, &I programme, we started from scratch and advertised for network members via work networks such as the D, E &I Steering Committee, team channels, employee roulette coffee breaks, direct approaches and even an online EMEA Work conference! (what we achieved as a high functioning award winning network is another story for a different day). As the network evolved, my founding co-lead left KKI and I twisted the metaphorical arm of one of my established network members, our European SVP Finance, to come and join me on the roller-coaster ride of being a Disability Co-lead.


Our EC Head of HR (now Global Head of HR) introduced our network (disability community of interest) to Purple Space – our EC Head of HR had the pleasure of being introduced to PS by the wonderful Kate Nash (OBE)and thought that it may be helpful to the Disability Network to be introduced to PS. My first introduction to PS was with Brendan – we were blown away and were keen to be involved with PS and PP (aka #PLU). The support that Kate, Brendan and Kirstie have given us as the face of PS since the KKI network became members in 2021 is nothing short of outstanding!


Also most importantly, I would also like to show tremendous gratitude to my former employer Kyowa Kirin and the entire D,E & I Steering Committee @ KKI for the honour and pleasure of becoming the Founding Co-Lead of the EMEA region Disability DEI Network , an experience unsurpassed in my working life– the achievements of the Disability Employee Network (community of interest)@ KKI and PP Events would not have been possible without the dedication and commitment of the present and past KKI Team and our dedicated Disability Network Volunteers in addition to their hectic day jobs ! It’s gratifying to see the KKI Disability network (community of interest) evolving under the capable and dynamic hands and Leadership of Nicolo Curzio and Caroline

Conti #PP#PS#KKI- “Making People Smile#KKI Disability DEI Networker Volunteers Extraordinaire #


Welcome to my reflections and insights as a former Network Lead I felt it might be helpful to share some tips for a successful and impactful Positively Purple Event which may be helpful for newer network leads:


1: Top Tip # Start as early as possible in the planning process, it's always later than you think! It allows for ample time to ensure the following:


· Confirm that the event has been added to the company’s event calendar and marked in key event stakeholders’ diaries- (recommend this is undertaken 12months in advance)- this is where your company Communications (Comms Team), become your networks best friend!


· If required ,funding applications for the event can be submitted for approval and planning applications (if you lighting up your work building as a lot of companies don't own their office space and also allows you to engage in advance with external sources in the community with the view to lighting up their buildings as they may often hold relevant licenses) – engage early here with your facilities departments, they can be the unsung heroes on making stuff like this happen.


· Engagement with your target audience on what they would like to see in terms of the event and what’s important to them in terms of event accessibility.


· Brainstorm ideas within your network to delegate work associated with the event according to expertise.


· It's important to include all network members from the beginning as this is a key determinant of the success of your network, It's a team effort and teamwork makes the dreamwork!


· Planning ahead allows network members to fit in what needs to be done in relation to the event and network alongside their day job, it avoids burnout or network fatigue, and I have always proactively reached out to colleagues to join our network rather than wait for them to approach the network to join.


2: Ensure a close and effective working relationship with the Communications, I.T and the Facilities Teams from the beginning of the event and post event to maximize audience engagement and ensure your event and resources are available and accessible to everyone within the organization. It's vital both key stakeholders are involved from the beginning regarding your event and network as they play an essential role in the success and impact of your event and in promoting the network within the organization.


3: Have worked with sizeable event and network budget and also have worked with no budget for either! It’s not the size of the event budget that makes a success - This is

where having the Purple Space Positively Purple Resources have been vital to ensure visibility for both this event and the network in the following ways:


· Loved the Positively Purple (aka # Purple Light Up) and Purple Space resource packs - they have been an essential part of the kit to make both the event and the network work and become high functioning and impactful.


· Have used all the PS resources to encourage Confident Conversations, secure event and network budget, influence company culture and policy change within the organization.


· Examples: The Purple Space backgrounds for online meetings have been used skilfully by Network leads and network members to spark conversation and interest in the event and network with both internal and external- My Co-Lead Alain, would have his PS and PLU backgrounds on year-round to spark the conversation with in the organisation and the company adopted the backgrounds for the PP Events.

· As I was in customer facing role at the time, I was also able to raise awareness amongst our customers of PS and PP which they responded positively and shared their own experiences, which I feel reflect well on the organisation.


4: Look to do a post event company survey– to find out what went well about the event and what could be even better next time! – Feedback is the breakfast of champions and insights are like gold. E.G: We learnt a lot from our non -English speaking colleagues, that allowed us to make significant improvements to the inclusivity of the event going forwards.


5: If your organisation is global, look for opportunities to network and grow the event beyond your region- during my time as a Lead, I fostered great and productive collaborations across the organisation especially with our Global HQ – it fosters a greater sense of community and common purpose and broadens the reach of the audience and spreading the word about PS and PP.