Womenomics: The next 10 years
“Arguably, women are now the most powerful engine of global growth.” So says The Economist in its recent look at women and world econcomy. (12 April 2006)
I’m sure all you female Strivers are saying, “So, tell us something we don’t already know.” The article cites statistics that prove that more women are in paid work than ever before in western countries and that employment among men is on the decrease. Also, it points out, “…most working women are still responsible for the bulk of chores in their homes.” Oh Joy.
Despite this, it seems that we working women are responsible for generating a hugh boost in global economic growth. Since 1970, we not only have added more to GDP than men, our growth in capital investment is higher as is our contribution to overall productivity. I guess this is not surprising when you consider the cultural changes since that time.
But I wonder how much further we can take it? We have become adept at balancing corporate life with family life. Women sacrifice leisure time, contract out child care and, at times, seemingly live on the road. But we Strivers have got virtuality on our sides to redress the work/life balance.
More organisations should entertain the idea of going virtual. It just makes good business sense if you want to tap into “girl power”. The Economist cites Catalyst research that, ”American companies with more women in senior management jobs earned a higher return on equity than those with fewer women at the top.” Indeed! We Strivers have embraced virtuality and our clients reap the benefits.
Technology allows true liberation. But, Strive is at the thin end of the wedge. The next 10 years are going to be so exciting!
UPDATE: I just noticed that Todd Defren on PR Squared is STRIVING “to be as flexible and supportive as possible, while running a profitable business that is fair to everyone.” He raises some good points, is 20 hours facetime really necessary to lead a solid team? I think not, with the right use of technology.
Filed under: public relations
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Combining a high-powered job with domestic duties is always an enormous challenge, as so many women are always telling me. So, after having children, a large number of women feel they have to make a choice – to either return to long hours and make use of their talents, but spend very time with their children, or to put their children first but then settle for a job that does not maximise their potential. Virtual working, therefore, really does make so much sense. For a start, there’s no daily commuting and there is that much more flexibility in the way that we work. Forward-looking companies need to recognise the significant potential that women in the workplace can offer them – the data is all there to support this – and suitable devise working practices that allow them to reap the benefits. Strive’s philosophy represents an ideal example.
Thanks Nicola. We may not be able to “have it all”. But now we can come pretty darn close.