“This powerful new book analyses the opportunities available to companies that really understand what motivates women in the workplace…” (Women-omics.com, October 9th 2008)
“Wittenberg-Cox & Maitland have opened new ground (and) added a useful dimension to the debate” Management Today, February 2008)
“Offers many fascinating findings on the roles of women today… a highly collaborative book” (People Management, Thursday 7th February 2008)
“…a cheering alternative to the traditional whinge about men holding women back in the workplace” (Financial World, February 2008)
“step-by-step guide for mangers on how to create growth by valuing the input of both women and men” (theglasshammer.com. Tuesday 5th February 2008)
” need Maitland and Wittenberg-Cox to spell out the persistence of “soft” barriers and spur the politicians to demand reforms.” (commentisfree.guardian.co.uk)
“At least someone is talking sense, and we shouldn’t be surprised that it’s a woman.” (Scotland On Sunday, Monday 11th February 2008)
“Why Women Mean Business is an innovative and stimulating book.” (Financial Times, Tuesday 26th February 2008)
“[The authors] make a convincing case for more women in senior business roles. The case is supported by sound research.“ (Financial Times, Thursday 28th February 2008)
“…offers practical advice, backed up by case studies and statistics.” (Director, March 2008)
“This powerful new book brings together…the multiplicity of opportunities available to companies that really understand what motivates women…” (The Business Channel Newsletter, March 2008)
“…this book lays out the importance of retaining women in senior leadership positions, and the dangers of ignoring half the talent pool.” (Harper’s Bazaar, April 2008)
“The authors have been meticulous in their research, with an impressive collection of up-to-date, relevant case studies and statistics.” (Personnel Today, Tuesday 1st April 2008)
“Why and how to improve women’s place in business leadership”. (International Herald Tribune, Friday 4th April 2008)
“The book is a comprehensive understanding of the emergence of women as the next economic revolution”. (TNT Link newsletter, March 2008)
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
“A timely contribution to the increasingly vocal debate about the economic importance of women. It is refreshing to read the authors’ comprehensive analysis of gender as a business issue, not a women’s issue… We can’t make the future happen unless women help the men adjust.”
―Niall FitzGerald KBE, Chairman, Reuters, in his foreword
“This excellent book asks every leader in the public or private sector to act on Gender as a Strategic Business Imperative… The emerging force of women in the 21st century is part of a major social and economic change which has to be acknowledged by any organisation looking for a competitive edge.”
―Larry Hirst, General Manager, IBM UK
“An important contribution to a serious business and political issue. It reframes the gender debate, providing pragmatic and realistic tools to harness the potential of women globally.”
―Vivienne Cox, Executive Vice President and CEO of Gas, Power & Renewables and Shipping, BP
“Leveraging the power of women, as business executives and as consumers, is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities for companies. This book presents powerful arguments to commit significant resources and management thinking to that cause.”
―Gerald Lema, President, Asia Pacific, Baxter International
“Why Women Mean Business is able to push the discussion from ‘let’s fix the women’ to a powerful new source of economic growth. Not only does it give a bright roadmap with ‘how to do’ tips but more importantly it shows the shift in ‘how to think’ that is required.”
―Peter Bakker, CEO, TNT
About the Author
AVIVAH WITTENBERG-COX is CEO of 20-First, one of Europe’s leading gender consultancies. 20-First works with progressive companies interested in building gender ‘bilingual’ organisations that capture the opportunities offered by the other half of the talent pool and the other half of the market – the female half. The firm’s renowned Bilingual Leadership programmes help executives – men and women – manage difference more effectively.
Avivah is also the Founder and Honorary President of the European Professional Women’s Network (www.EuropeanPWN.net), a certified executive coach and was a Visiting Coach at INSEAD. She is a popular speaker on leadership and gender issues across Europe and has had articles and interviews published in publications such as the International Herald Tribune and the Financial Times. Canadian, French and Swiss. In 2007, ELLE Magazine recognised her as one of the TOP 40 Women Leading Change. She lives in France with her husband and gender balanced children (a son and a daughter).
ALISON MAITLAND is an independent journalist and commentator who has been researching and writing about women in business for a decade. She spent 20 years with the Financial Times, including eight years as Management Writer. Her other specialist areas are leadership and corporate responsibility.
Alison is a Senior Visiting Fellow in the Faculty of Management at Cass Business School, City University, London. She is a conference speaker and moderator and she directs the Work-Life & Diversity Council of The Conference Board Europe. She served on the advisory group for the Equal Opportunities Commission’s 2007 investigation into the Transformation of Work. She lives in the UK with her husband and two daughters.
Wow! eBook
