Glass Ceiling Forum > Is the glass ceiling a man's issue and a business issue?
Take a look at this report on women in business: "Scaling up: Women-owned businesses" it gives all the reasons we need to conquer the glass ceiling in Australia.
It can be found on the Ernst and Young Australia website: http://www.ey.com/AU/en/About-us/Entrepreneur-Of-The-Year
Here is just a sample of what it says:
"If women entrepreneurs in the US started with the same capital as men, they would add a whopping 6 million jobs to the economy in five years — 2 million of those in the first year alone."
"Desperate to turn things around? Take a fresh look at women-owned businesses. Far from being a niche market, they can be the tipping point for a global economic comeback. A new study by the Center for Women’s Business Research shows that the 8 million women-owned enterprises in the US have an annual economic impact of nearly US$3 trillion dollars. They create or maintain more than 23 million jobs, 16% of all US employment."
"Worldwide, women own or operate 25% to 33% of all private businesses, according to the World Bank. Women-owned enterprises grow faster than those owned by men and faster than businesses overall."
Read more - it gives excellent reasons to do all we can to rid ourselves of the glass ceiling.
It can be found on the Ernst and Young Australia website: http://www.ey.com/AU/en/About-us/Entrepreneur-Of-The-Year
Here is just a sample of what it says:
"If women entrepreneurs in the US started with the same capital as men, they would add a whopping 6 million jobs to the economy in five years — 2 million of those in the first year alone."
"Desperate to turn things around? Take a fresh look at women-owned businesses. Far from being a niche market, they can be the tipping point for a global economic comeback. A new study by the Center for Women’s Business Research shows that the 8 million women-owned enterprises in the US have an annual economic impact of nearly US$3 trillion dollars. They create or maintain more than 23 million jobs, 16% of all US employment."
"Worldwide, women own or operate 25% to 33% of all private businesses, according to the World Bank. Women-owned enterprises grow faster than those owned by men and faster than businesses overall."
Read more - it gives excellent reasons to do all we can to rid ourselves of the glass ceiling.
Mon 12 Jul, 10 at 4:51 PM |
Rachel Green
Rachel Green
An article has been published in Forbes which I think is well worth a read, thanks to Eugene for letting us know about it. Here is a sample of what it says. Do you agree? What are your reactions? What are the practical steps we coulld take?
The ‘Terrible Truth’ About Women On Corporate Boards
by Judy B. Rosener Ph.D.
... "This does not mean women are better than men, or would be better corporate board directors than men; rather it means they are different—and tend to bring what can be termed “added value” to a corporate board. This is because they ask different questions, are concerned about process, and tend to complement the attributes of their male colleagues."
Read full article here: http://blogs.forbes.com/womensmedia/2011/06/07/the-terrible-truth-about-women-on-corporate-boards/
The ‘Terrible Truth’ About Women On Corporate Boards
by Judy B. Rosener Ph.D.
... "This does not mean women are better than men, or would be better corporate board directors than men; rather it means they are different—and tend to bring what can be termed “added value” to a corporate board. This is because they ask different questions, are concerned about process, and tend to complement the attributes of their male colleagues."
Read full article here: http://blogs.forbes.com/womensmedia/2011/06/07/the-terrible-truth-about-women-on-corporate-boards/
Sun 19 Jun, 11 at 9:25 AM |
Rachel Green
Rachel Green
I was very encouraged to read those stats about women owned businesses growing faster than other business! I intend to start my own mortgage broking business next year once my baby is old enough so hopefully I will bear out those stats!
I think as long as women wish to be the primary carers of their children, we will see imbalance between the sexes in the corporate world.
Most of my peer group have young children now - I am 37 and pregnant with my first - and ALL of them have shifted gears dramatically. We have, en masse, pretty much lost interest in work as a primary driver and instead are focussing on family life. This is 100% of my friends, the majority of whom were totally career focussed throughout our adult lives, some of us very successfully, holding senior roles in major corporations. It has really surprised me to see my friends change like this, and to experience this paradigm shift myself. None of them have complained that they met with a glass ceiling, they simply have changed their focus.
As I mentioned, it is my intention to start my own business and I will certainly be striving with my usual energy and drive to make this a successful venture and to continue to grow as a professional person throughout my life,, however I cannot imagine myself in the corporate world again as it simply doesn't seem to offer the freedom I require to enable the work/life balance I deem necessary.
I can't imagine that I am alone in this, so I think we'll see more and more women starting their own businesses before we see more women in boardrooms. I am not saying this is right or wrong, or how it should be but for me, it's more important that I can pick my kids up from school. (while still making $100k p.a). than it is to make $250k and never see them.
I think as long as women wish to be the primary carers of their children, we will see imbalance between the sexes in the corporate world.
Most of my peer group have young children now - I am 37 and pregnant with my first - and ALL of them have shifted gears dramatically. We have, en masse, pretty much lost interest in work as a primary driver and instead are focussing on family life. This is 100% of my friends, the majority of whom were totally career focussed throughout our adult lives, some of us very successfully, holding senior roles in major corporations. It has really surprised me to see my friends change like this, and to experience this paradigm shift myself. None of them have complained that they met with a glass ceiling, they simply have changed their focus.
As I mentioned, it is my intention to start my own business and I will certainly be striving with my usual energy and drive to make this a successful venture and to continue to grow as a professional person throughout my life,, however I cannot imagine myself in the corporate world again as it simply doesn't seem to offer the freedom I require to enable the work/life balance I deem necessary.
I can't imagine that I am alone in this, so I think we'll see more and more women starting their own businesses before we see more women in boardrooms. I am not saying this is right or wrong, or how it should be but for me, it's more important that I can pick my kids up from school. (while still making $100k p.a). than it is to make $250k and never see them.
Tue 28 Jun, 11 at 11:25 AM |
Amy
Amy
Wonderful news about the baby Amy, and it is a relief to hear how much having the baby has changed your focus.
I have never understood women who give birth and rush straight back to work almost as if to get it all over with. Having a baby is a great gift and privilege ... and a huge "job" all on its own! Creating a family life with love is such an important "job" and somehow I think its value has been diminished.
Having said all that allowing women choice is also important and i think that is what the issues are about. Addressing work/life balance issues are certainly a vital part of this in the corporate world, and for both men and women.
Work/life balance in small business isn't always as easy as it sounds - lots of people in small business work very long hours! May yours be a balanced business.
Blessings and may your self-confidence keep shining, for you, your hubby and your new baby.
I have never understood women who give birth and rush straight back to work almost as if to get it all over with. Having a baby is a great gift and privilege ... and a huge "job" all on its own! Creating a family life with love is such an important "job" and somehow I think its value has been diminished.
Having said all that allowing women choice is also important and i think that is what the issues are about. Addressing work/life balance issues are certainly a vital part of this in the corporate world, and for both men and women.
Work/life balance in small business isn't always as easy as it sounds - lots of people in small business work very long hours! May yours be a balanced business.
Blessings and may your self-confidence keep shining, for you, your hubby and your new baby.
Fri 1 Jul, 11 at 7:41 AM |
Rachel Green
Rachel Green
Watch these videos to hear more about this from the authors of the book: "Why women mean business", Avivah Wittenberg-Cox and Alison Maitland.
http://www.whywomenmeanbusiness.com/view/0/video.html
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