Why Women Mean Business: Understanding the Emergence of Our Next Economic Revolution - Softcover

Wittenberg-Cox, Avivah; Maitland, Alison

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0470749504 ISBN 13: 9780470749500

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2009

Synopsis

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.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

Gender is a business issue, not a women’s issue.

Never before has there been such a confluence of international attention to the economic importance of women. Their position as consumers, employees and leaders is being recognised as a measure of health, maturity and economic viability. They are becoming central to labour market solutions to the challenges of an ageing workforce, falling birth rates and skill shortages. Countries and companies are urgently seeking policies to enable women to fulfil their potential.

Why Women Mean Business takes the economic arguments for change to the heart of the corporate world. Women today are a majority of the talent pool and make up to 80% of consumer purchases. This powerful new book brings together in a single, concise volume the multiplicity of opportunities available to companies that really understand what motivates women in the global workplace and marketplace.

Book Benefits:

Understand WHY companies that adapt to women will become all-round employers of choice, as well as more effective 21st century marketers

Get a step-by-step guide, designed for managers, on HOW to drive growth by drawing on the complementary strengths of men and women

See why many current approaches to gender have not worked and why we need a new perspective, recognising that women are both equal and different.

Compare policies and approaches around the world, with surprising results

Hear from business leaders such as Niall FitzGerald (Reuters), Carlos Ghosn (Renault/Nissan) and Anne Mulcahy (Xerox) on the gender issue

The optimisation of women’s talents will boost business performance. Taking action to achieve this will require sustained courage and commitment from today’s corporate leaders. This is an opportunity not to be missed.

It is time for CEOs to get serious about sex.

From the Back Cover

"...gives example after example of the price that we all pay for a situation in which 'women may hold the keys but men still control the locks'."
—The Times

"What's especially valuable is the authors' analysis of where companies go wrong in managing women...that's how it will help women in the workplace."
—Harvard Business Review

"Lays out the importance of retaining women in senior leadership positions."
—Harpers Bazaar

"Wittenberg-Cox and Maitland have opened new ground."
—Management Today

WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS

They make up much of the market and most of the talent pool. Reaching women consumers and developing female talent is essential for sustainable economic growth in the 21st century. Studies show that better gender balance in business means better bottom line results and greater resistance to economic crises.

So why are there still so few women in leadership roles in business? Why are companies struggling to respond to today’s female consumer? Why is there a persistent pay gap between men and women around the world?

Why Women Mean Business takes the economic arguments for change to the heart of the corporate world. Fully updated in paperback, the book shows why getting gender right matters – as much when the economy’s bust as when it’s booming. A must-read, packed with ideas from companies that have made it work, views from top business leaders and step-by-step guides to how we can all become gender bilingual.

Avivah Wittenberg-Cox is CEO of the leading Gender Consultancy, 20-First.

Alison Maitland is a journalist and commentator. She was previously Management Writer at the Financial Times.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0470749504
• ISBN 13: 9780470749500
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 392