Why Women Mean Business

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. "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 WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS “...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.