Engaging Executive Sponsors
Developed by the NW SEM Collaborative's Beyond the E working group, follow this guide to recruit your executive sponsor and maintain their support throughout the SEM enrollment process.
Commonalities of Great SEM Executive Sponsors
- Believes in the effort, even in the face of various constraints
- Makes time to be and stay engaged
- Supportive and able to lend a hand when the Energy Champion/Team needs help – even if it’s just sending an email
- Leadership – is a role model for energy efficiency • Helps manage the workload among their staff
- Shows up – is present, attends kick-off meetings/workshops
- Acknowledges and recognizes the team’s efforts
- Holds the Energy Champion accountable – have expectations that things get done. Resources and time have been built in
- Aware that resources have been invested – and doesn’t take this for granted
- Attends quarterly executive sponsor check-ins
- Can be a coach/role model – shares leadership prowess with energy champion
- A great executive sponsor does not:
- Voluntold
- Not prioritize
- Not show up (when they say they will, repeatedly)
Source: SEM Collaborative
Published: November 2020