Never before has there been such a confluence of international attention to the economic importance of women and the need for policies to enable them to fulfil their potential. The position of women - as employees, consumers and leaders - is seen as a measure of health, maturity and economic viability.
Never before has there been such a confluence of international attention to the economic importance of women and the need for policies to enable them to fulfil their potential. The position of women - as employees, consumers and leaders - is seen as a measure of health, maturity and economic viability. Why Women Mean Business takes the economic arguments for change to the heart of the corporate world. This powerful new book analyses the opportunities available to companies that really understand what motivates women in the workplace and the marketplace. Find out how companies that learn to adapt to women will be better able to respond to the challenge of an ageing workforce and the demands of the next generation of knowledge workers. The authors compare policies and approaches in countries around the world, that offer surprising and envious results. The optimisation of women’s talents will boost the bottom line. Taking action to achieve this will require sustained courage and conviction from today’s corporate leaders. Reading Why Women Mean Business will be an important first step.
The proven rewards of a gender-balanced business are clear, with numerous studies highlighting the positive impact on the bottom line. While some companies have successfully harnessed the potential of today's female consumers and talent, many still face an outdated gender imbalance across all levels and functions. Avivah Wittenberg-Cox addresses this issue with practical insights aimed at making gender balance a sustainable reality. As CEO of the consultancy 20-first, she has collaborated with major firms to demonstrate the benefits of balance. In this HBR Single ebook, she outlines actionable steps for companies to effect real change. Moving beyond ineffective mentoring and networking initiatives, Wittenberg-Cox emphasizes that achieving gender balance is a crucial management and leadership skill for the twenty-first century. Leaders must recognize the significant economic advantages of engaging the female population, both as customers and as talent, and develop the competencies to navigate gender dynamics. It’s essential for businesses to leverage the entire talent pool and connect with all market segments—male and female alike. Wittenberg-Cox explains why gender balance is imperative now and provides a roadmap for achieving it.