Women continue to enter the workforce in record numbers. In fact, almost 47% of the workforce is comprised of women. Yet, despite this fact, very few women hold the top slots.
Take one stroll past the executive suite in your organization and there will probably be a noticeable lack of women to be found, particularly if you exclude the support staff. Perhaps you never took the time to consider this or to even ask the question, but given the number of women in the workforce, does it seem rather odd that there aren't more women ensconced in the executive suites in business? I think so.
I've talked with many women leaders to try to identify the barriers that preclude more women from reaching the corner office. Here's what I've learned.
First, life-balance and family tradeoffs continue to plague women who want to build successful careers. As has long been the case, the bulk of family and household responsibilities still fall on women's shoulders. How each woman, her family, and her place of employment choose to manage and negotiate around this issue will clearly have an impact on a woman's ability to take advantage of those business opportunities that lead to long-term personal and professional success.
Another surprising deterrent is the perception that women lack key business credentials. As a woman with an MBA and MA under her belt, this one makes me chafe a little. However, having the right business credentials means more than having the right degree. Rather, it means being able to demonstrate in measurable ways a clear understanding of those business practices and the financial aspects that are important for an organizations success. This is what is commonly referred to as business acumen. Women don't lack key business credentials, they just need to do a better job of getting the credit and recognition for using them.
Finally, women continue to lack representation at senior levels simply because they just don't have visible positions. Many women typically follow career paths that lead them into the more traditional female roles such as marketing or operations. The lack of coveted profit and loss responsibility will often preclude them from consideration when the top jobs do become available.
Corporations need to make the case for developing women leaders within their organizations. They must stop overlooking the fact that women have good instincts about business and that they are good managers, delegators, collaborators, and team players. Since most businesses are built on relationships, these are crucial assets to an organizations long-term success.
While there are other reasons why organizations should focus on developing more women leaders, the primary reason, simply put, is that it just makes good business sense. Those organizations that want to reap the kind of financial returns so critical to their long-term success, should begin seeking out and supporting executive women leaders. Over the long haul, that's something that we can all bank on. Don't you agree?
And Women In Business
The number of women owned businesses in the US increased by 43 per cent between 1997 and 2006, almost double that of all businesses. In the UK, about 20,500 new businesses were started by women in the first quarter of 2006, an increase of more than 30 per cent from the same quarter last year. The rising trend in women starting their businesses is a worldwide phenomenon.
According to a study by three prominent women's business organizations the National Foundation for Women Business Owners (NFWBO), Catalyst, and The Committee of 200, women who launch their businesses are primarily inspired by an entrepreneurial idea. Entrepreneurship offers the opportunities to implement entrepreneurial ideas and gives women a sense of recognition since they work for themselves.
Other reasons for women starting their own business are the flexibility to dictate their own working hours, spend more time with the family and to escape the corporate glass ceiling.
How do you come up with an idea that can be transformed into a business? Here are four tips on brainstorming for business ideas.
Your passion and interests
What are you interested in? What do you do best? If you like to bake, then you may want to start a business in baking. If you are passionate about cooking, how about starting a catering business? When you build your business around your interests or passion, you are more likely to focus and persist when faced with challenges and obstacles.
Therefore, think about the things you like to do, or even if it is something new, what you want to learn about. Make a list of all these things and then go through the list to determine which ones are realistic and feasible.
Will you sell a product or service?
When deciding whether to sell a service or product you need to consider some of several factors. What is your business about? Do you have the ability to offer that product or service? Are you crafty? Can you make your own product? Do you want to sell someone else's product by becoming an independent distributor? What is your budget?
Problems and solutions
People are always searching for solutions to problems. Look around you. Ask your friends, family and neighbors. There may already be existing products or services to solve a particular problem. Can you improve on these products or services? In the case where there is no solution, can you come up with one? Generally, a solution helps to save time, money or stress.
Hobbies
Consider what you like to do in your spare time, and see if it could be turned into a business venture. If your hobby is painting, you could sell paintings or create custom paintings. Crafts and collectibles are some of the most sought after items in the consumer world.
It is often said that "two heads are better than one". To spawn more creativity, brainstorm with friends, family, co-workers and neighbors. You will be amazed at the various ideas that you'd never have thought of on your own, one of which could be translated into a viable business.
Both Regina Barr & Alvin Toh are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Regina Barr has sinced written about articles on various topics from Women in Business, self improvement and motivation and Hypnotherapy. Regina Barr is a management consultant and speaker who helps companies develop strategies to attract, develop and retain women leaders. Sign up for her FREE Ezine, Developing People...Inspiring Success at. Regina Barr's top article generates over 22200 views. Bookmark Regina Barr to your Favourites.
Alvin Toh has sinced written about articles on various topics from Bull Terrier Dogs, Fitness and ADHD. Online opportunities now abound for women entrepreneurs to start a business with just a computer and internet connection from home. We have identified. Alvin Toh's top article generates over 14800 views. Bookmark Alvin Toh to your Favourites.
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