Let's Start Small (companies) then Change the World

(Posted by a talented colleague, Mr Per Silverbeat):

A quick look at the figures will tell you that the real entrepreneurial growth in the world is coming from women, with the number of women-owned businesses in the US growing at twice the rate of all firms. 

In part due to an affirmative action legislation bill, 30% of US firms are majority-owned by women. 

That percentage falls by half in the UK [Ros: Come on, UK!!], though there are other interesting figures that point to a shift in attitudes in the world of commerce.  

In emerging economies, female entrepreneurial activity is as high as 45%, but there remains huge disparity in the business world between women and men. 

In the UK, men in full time work still take home on average 10% more than women. Could this have something to do with the rise of female-owned businesses?

Legislation may be doing much to ensure that woman are increasingly finding themselves in more executive positions, with the government going as far as telling FTSE 100 companies to have a minimum of 25% of female directors by 2015 or else face possible measures, but how far will that go towards fixing the subconscious psychological behaviour of the workplace?

Roslyn shared with me an interesting insight the other day about how the behaviour of a business trickles down to its employees from the top. So if upper management is stressed out, then this will be reflected in the behaviour of everyone further down in the chain of command. So if the majority of businesses are run by that outdated patriarchal figure of the grey haired, aggressive alpha male who has clawed his way to the top, then this behaviour will only be reinforced by all those who serve under him. This begs the question: how long will this same model continue? Certainly the rules of nature once stated survival of the fittest, but haven’t we largely placed our primordial, animalistic tendencies to one side and as individuals learned to feel some degree of compassion towards our fellow humans? With the not-so gradual increase in businesswomen starting their own companies, it looks like this model is finally going to change.

(Image kindly borrowed from Dylan Jones-Evans' blog.)

The Gender Agenda - Why Sex Matters!

It happened! The first 'Flipping Feminism' event took place in Davos at the World Economic Forum - a CNBC televised debate asking 'Why Sex Matters' to engage men (as well as women, but that's easier) on gender equality in the corporate world.

Our panel was fantastic. Sir Martin Sorrell, Carlos Ghosn and Muhtar Kent gave passionate speeches. But it was the women who got me really excited because it's such a rare treat to meet female global business leaders (because there are so few of them)! Orit Gadiesh, the Bain and Co Chairwoman, was laser sharp with real X-Factor. Arianna Huffington was smart, humorous, kind and a very classy lady. And Sheryl Sandberg instantly became my hero. Google her and you'll see why. She's truly remarkable yet still manages to be a warm, humble and generous person who clearly does all she can to support other women.

Take a look at the video if you have time http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw0vaRiWIp0
and send me your critique or just check out what others have said following a New York Times write-up: http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/30/tale-of-woman-sleep-deprivation-and-financial-meltdown/

Arianna Huffington in CNBC Davos Debate

Arianna Huffington agreed tentatively this week to be in our CNBC Davos Debate. She'll participate in one of two teams challenged with devising game changing ideas for popularising gender equality. I'm delighted. She'll be a fantastic addition. (Images from ABCNewstore & LibertyHill.org)

Flipping Fergie Perfect for Flipping Feminism

This is the picture that just inspired me to add Fergie to my wishlist of ambassadors for the Flipping Feminism project. We wouldn't require her to deliver all of her speeches mid-flip like this. (I borrowed the photo from JustJared.buzznet.com. Thank you)

Flipping Feminism - The Mission has a Name

‘Cherchez la femme’ is out. It might have worked as a project name if I'd been able to pronounce it.. The worst incident this week was when my frighteningly-sophisticated, French-speaking friend had no idea what I was trying to say (when I tested it on her) nor any comprehension of why I would label my project that way. So my absolute, FINAL, final title that will not change (for the next year at least) is 'Flipping Feminism'.



I like that you can’t help smiling when you say it. It’s memorable. And, magically, it communicates the two primary messages of this project, that I want to change (flip) the way feminism is perceived and that I am frustrated (flipping feminism!) with the way gender equality messages have been communicated previously.

Cherchez La Femme

After last week’s entry on feminism having a bad name I’ve been trying to think of a new title for my mission.

I was also influenced (a lot) by my father-in-law telling me ‘Feminism in Style’ made him squirm.
Not the desired effect. It’s gone. 'Feminism in Style' is no longer in style. I just wish I hadn’t bought the URL. Look out for it on eBay.

'Cherchez la femme' What do you think?

It means "look for the woman" and comes from the 1854 book The Mohicans of Paris by Alexandre Dumas (père).

The original passage reads: Il y a une femme dans toute les affaires; aussitôt qu'on me fait un rapport, je dis: 'Cherchez la femme'. There is a woman in every case; as soon as they bring me a report, I say, 'Look for the woman'.

In other words, no matter what the problem, a woman is often the root cause. I realise this may seem odd but I love the way we can twist it: If your company isn’t peak-performing, look for the woman. Oh – there isn’t one on your entire leadership team? Well there’s your root cause.

And women and men together created the situation we’re in now, so we both need to fix it. Women certainly are part of the cause.

Next time you are employing your leaders, cherchez la femme.

(Photo credit: Nylon magazine)