The global Women@Thomson Reuters network was launched through a series of three international telephone conferences on 24 September 2008. Drawing together the legacy Thomson Financial CHIC group and the various Reuters women's groups, the new network has been created to assist women in expanding their networks, finding opportunities and developing their skills.
The vision of the network is to develop the talents and champion the contributions of female employees, thus promoting women as equal partners in the success, achievement and profitability of Thomson Reuters.
The network operates via global and regional operating committees with local level networks. The UKI network draws women from 20+ locations across England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Events, held in person and by teleconference, address themes such as self branding, career development, mentoring and networking. The global group also operates a number of sub-committees including community engagement, mentoring, events management and marketing.
Julia Fuller, Corporate Responsibility Manager, leads the group.
On Wednesday 12 November 2008, around 100 women in over 13 countries dialled in to a virtual seminar on negotiation skills lead by Virginia Soukup of Soukup Consulting. Drawing on real-life examples from 10 Thomson Reuters women, the delegates were able to hear her thoughts on how to identify the hidden agenda in everyday negotiations. She spoke of the need to acknowledge legitimate concerns, challenge insidious comments and reverse the hidden agenda.
"The experience part was very useful and gave us some concrete examples of how strong women are in the Thomson Reuters world and in men-dominant areas such as selling and convincing skills," wrote one delegate.
"Despite my many years of negotiating experience, I managed to learn a lot from the ladies and Virginia herself. There was lots of wisdom and experience in play," wrote another.
● CONTACT julia.fuller@thomsonreuters.com
● Women in Focus
● A pioneer for women who broke through barriers
