Quotas for Women on Boards? Yes Please!

I have just listened to a debate on BBC radio 4′s Today programme about women on boards and quotas following Cameron’s assertion that more women would be good for economic recovery.

I am in favour of quotas. I don’t agree with Karima Serageldin of Ariadne Capital who said on the programme it’s tokenism and things don’t change. Sometimes you have to force people who have the power, who are in charge and have always been in charge, to make a change. They have no real incentive to change (notwithstanding the fact that their is evidence that boards which feature a reasonable balance for women fare better, read this), when doing so means fewer places at the board table for them. Most incumbents will say it’s a good idea to have more women on boards but won’t actually do anything concrete about it. Or take measures that look good on paper but don’t actually cause a real change in numbers, i.e “Look, we’ve got a woman – now leave us alone!”

I do agree with Maggie Pagano, business editor at Independent newspapers who was also on the programme, who said men don’t feel patronised when they have (relatively) easy access to board seats so why should women (I’m paraphrasing her).

The UK government’s threat to bring in quotas wrought a tiny change when announced but complacency and vested interests continue to rule. We have always needed legislation to change unfair and unequal behaviour in society and we need it now.

What do you think?

And if this topic is of interest to you, do take a look at this interview with Dr Judith Baxter who has undertaken some research into women on boards.

Photo Credit: Carl Dwyer

Women, Grab a Seat on the Board!

I was recently at a professional development day on empowering women and took the opportunity to attend a seminar focussing on non executive board membership.

I’ve written before about the issue of so few women on boards, (see Why are Women Behind? and Why Can’t Women Speak their Minds in the Boardroom?) and if you’re a regular reader you’ll know I am, with reluctance, in favour of quotas. We need a gender balance on Britain’s boards and I don’t see it changing significantly until legalisation is introduced.

Board Seats for Women

The seminar was fascinating; led by the CEO of a recruitment agency for non executive directors we were told that companies are asking for more and more women on their shortlists. It seems this is a good time for a woman to be looking for a seat on the board. The mere threat of legislation has encouraged traditional boards to cast their net a bit wider.

Which is good news if you’re a woman actively looking for a seat. Update your CV and put yourself out there. Sign up with a recruitment agency or two.

Tokenism

My fear, however, is that this flurry of interest will be short lived and once boards have a women in tow they’ll sit back on their laurels and tick the gender diversity box. And women won’t gain, and nothing much will significantly change as one woman does not a summer make! (Or a change in culture or attitudes.)

Opportunity for Women

But in fairness, it is an opportunity. However, a slight caveat is most boards ask for experience and that type of experience can be hard for women to get, although apparently being a school governor is very good training as is being a trustee of a charity. Another route in is to invest some money in an organisation but according to Chris Spencer-Philips, of First Flight (Placements) Ltd common sense is a real prerequisite, and women have plenty of that!

Speak Up! Empowering Course for Professional Women

If you’re interested in advancing your career, whether you’re aiming for a seat on the board, or to make your way upwards in a largely male dominated world, you may well be interested in my brand new course, Speak up!

Speak Up is Women’s Leadership Training with a difference. It doesn’t teach women how to be like men; instead it works directly with women on how to be strong and powerful communicators who get their point across without being dogmatic, aggressive or disparaged. Learn how to make men listen to you, respect your views, and become an influential figure in your organisation. Advance your career! Invest in your personal and professional development.

This women’s course is launching in November 27th and 28th at the five star Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath. Give me a call on 01761 438749 or email me to find out more or reserve a place. Numbers are strictly limited to ensure everyone gets the maximum benefit.

And if you have any thoughts about women on boards, please share them below.

Photo Credit: Michelle Ho

Women in Business – How are you with change?

It’s a pretty unpredictable business world at the moment. To be honest, for most of my adult life it feels like it’s always been a pretty unpredictable business world; this time around the stats are telling us that women in business are getting the worse end of the financial crisis, (somewhat ironic in light of a new book published on neuroeconomics, highlighting how if women had been in charge we probably wouldn’t be in a downturn!)

However, we are where we are and our attitude to change will be a significant factor in how we survive.

How do you React to Change?

There are two ways of responding – try to ignore and resist it and adopt the ‘if I stay quiet it won’t notice me and will go away’… stance. Of course, it won’t go away and you will feel weak and powerless and a victim of circumstances. This victim mentality will not help you deal with whatever life is throwing at you. Although for a while it can be a comfortable place to be as we rant and rave at the powers that be, frequently quoting how different it might be if women had been in charge! Be warned, the apparent comfort of moaning is a terrible trap to fall into….it won’t help and it may harm you.

And the second option? Don’t give away your power. Life throws rubbish at us from time to time but we always have a choice – recycle or drown in garbage. Recycling is so much better!

Keep the End in Mind

It might not be exactly what you want because you’re making it from what you’ve actually got, not what you’d choose, but it’s better than the alternative! Even when times are tough there are solutions, you just have to look a bit harder.

Don’t stop looking ahead and making plans for your future. Don’t stop investing in your career. Perhaps you can’t afford a course but you could could get a good career relevant book or an on-line course. Tap into all your resources., including friends and colleagues and give back too.

Know where you want to be ultimately, even if for a while circumstances mean you need to do a bit of fancy footwork. and make some compromises. If you can keep those longer term aims in sight it makes the interim stuff much more bearable.  See it for what it is, a deviation on your route which might mean the route takes longer. Keep your eyes fixed on the end goal and one day you will be doing just what you want to do!

Photo Credit: Dieter Joel Jagnow

Inspirational Woman – Sam Roddick

I am so thrilled to bring you this interview with Sam Roddick. I heard Sam speak a while back and was entranced by her passion and by her feminist take on business. She runs her own business, Coco de Mer in her own inimitable and frank style. She has her late mother’s panache (Anita Roddick) as well as taking advice and inspiration from her father.  As you’ll see as you read the interview. Enjoy!

Sam, thank you so much for taking the time to give an interview. Having heard you speak I am really looking forward to what you have to say!  Most readers will be very familiar with the work of your parents, (Sam’s mother was Anita Roddick, was the founder of The Body Shop) and may not be so familiar with the marvellous career you have carved out for yourself (Coco de Mer). How would you describe what you do now and the philosophy behind Coco?
Sam: The Coco de Mer erotic boutique is the gate way to the realm of sensual and sexual pleasure. Exquisite, witty, warm, welcoming and wet! We embrace every orifice with beautifully ethically considered  products which have been displayed in the best of our museums. We are loving and rude and hold the belief the foundation of sexual freedom is consent. Our bodies are innocent and our mind needs to be coaxed into a safe loving space in order to fully embrace a liberated expression of sexual happiness. We are the treasure trove in a world of orgasms.

What kind of boss are you? What’s your style?
Everything is quite informal at Coco de Mer, however because it is a small business, whoever works here learns a lot. They get a taste of all aspects of the business. It is a fantastic learning curve. Coco de Mer is a very person focused company, people have a real personal ownership working here. There is a lot of opportunity to put as much of yourself into whatever you do.

I am genuinely interested in the people who work for me. I want to give them an opportunity to expand themselves and be seen in what they contribute and create a space where they  express themselves. People who work at Coco de Mer are very passionate about it which is fantastic!!! Somehow, even when they leave they still feel a part of the family.

Sam, you’ve been very open about having dyslexia. How has this impacted on the way you choose to do business? Did it have a huge effect on you when you were at school?
Yes, I believe dyslexia has had a huge effect on my life and the style in which I work. I am logical but not linear. I have had to do everything by creating my own route to my goal. Everything I do is through the back door.

Dyslexia caused a lot of obstacles in my life but it gave me the ability to problem solve and never believe anything is out of my reach. I just have to find an alternative route to it. It is like finding the order through the chaos. Even though I cant really operate in normal ways, more than anything now, I am dependant on having people around me that are very orderly.

School killed my confidence and made me believe I was stupid, this resulted in me becoming quite unmotivated in life. Other than my art teacher and my history teacher I felt like there was no point in trying for an A, I could only ever achieve a C.  They had no patience and basically thought I was lazy.

What were your aspirations when you a schoolgirl? Did you plan to go into business?
I used to say when I was a teenager that I would never ever go into retail and here I am. I am a reluctant businesswomen as it was never an aspiration, however I love it! It has been the toughest learning curve and my greatest university after being a mother.

I must say though I am not comfortable being a boss. I would rather be a friend, so that has been a massive shift for me. It has forced me to grow. Mostly it is learning how to have healthy boundaries and balance. Its about learning the necessary details whilst letting go of control. Its about knowing what you don’t have to do and what is vital. I have made some great friends through my work and worked with some creative geniuses!

If you weren’t in the business you are, what would your dream alternative career be (you can choose anything, however mad) and why?
As a kid I wanted to save the world, be a photographer, become a  writer (which was crazy as I was so dyslexic) or a film director/ documentary maker. Now I’d say full time creative activist and political irritant , alternative midwifery , and an artist of some sort.

What’s been the best piece of advice you have ever received?
My mum said “ to succeed, you have to believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a reality”

Apart from your very inspirational Mum, who else has motivated and inspired you in the past, and who does it for you now?
My dad  is amazing he has been my best teacher – he is a master at business and a humorous philosopher - I believe in him

I have a course for women in which one of the exercises is to ponder how different the world of work could be if it had been designed for women and not by and to suit men. What do you think would be the most significant differences if women, not men had been in charge at the time of industrialisation?
Well, time management, job shares would be more available. I think women work better as a teams not competitively against each other, include a sense of true well being in the work place, sense of dress would change, emotional expression would be included and I truly believe that women want to have their values and ethics included in what they do, to have something to believe in .

How do you encourage and promote diversity in your company? Do you think you operate very differently from your competitors?
Coco de mer is more like a cottage industry than a company. We are all messy around the edges, passionate and emotional, but warm and loving.  Actually, only women and gay men ever apply for the jobs  – saying that we have our first heterosexual male, he is our minority.

There has been some recent research showing women are far less likely to ask for start up capital for business than man are, and when they do ask, they don’t ask for enough. What advice would you give to a woman who was looking to change career, maybe even considering a business venture?
You need in setting up a business is to take the risk and invest your belief into your self - I honestly believe the same skills it takes to run a house and a family to run  a company -

• the only ingredients are the ability to be proactive  and  reactive
• change your course of action if you need to
• fire fight
• admit when you’re wrong
• fight for what you believe is right
• pay your bills and count the cash coming in
• parent staff in the same way you parent your kids, fair just with clear expectations and healthy boundaries and encourage them to grow and take responsibility
• be prepared to fail but work like your gonna succeed and don’t give up
• network like hell
• be sceptical of experts : trust your self
• ask for double, budget for half , forecast for loss

That’s a brilliant list, thank you! Next question, what’s your favourite saying or motto?
Forget all you know to do the impossible.

How do you best relax and unwind?
I’ll masturbate or watch a movie – sometimes both at the same time!

Sam, thank you so much for this. You’ve given us some great food for thought along with some wonderful tips for all aspiring business women. Long may your business thrive and flourish!

To find out more about Sam’s company, Coco de Mer and see the wide range she carries click this link.

Women and Confidence

I was listening to Deborah Meaden recently, a hugely successful businesswoman and member of the Dragon’s Den TV programme panel.

Deborah was asked why there are so few women in business at her level. She replied that lack of confidence in their own abilities was a huge factor. She used one image which rang so true from my coaching experiences. Deborah described a group of women at a networking or business event, all very successful high achievers. And she said, everyone of them will be wondering why they have been invited and are there in the company of such amazing women!

It is so true! I have spoken with countless women who have a ‘I will get found out one day’ feeling! They think that they are not as good as other people perceive them to be! We know this from research; women consistently undersell themselves on C.V.s, at interview, ask for less money for jobs, bank loans etc.

Come on women, time to sit up straight(!) and know your own worth. Deborah told you so and who are you to argue with her!

By the way, Deborah has a book out, Common Sense Rules which you can order via Amazon or any good bookshop!

Women Are Wonderful!

Women are wonderful! That’s my official verdict on this week!

You might expect me to say that as I work primarily with women and run courses for women but this week I have been at two women’s conferences and been reminded afresh.

London Women

First, came the everywoman conference which I attend most years and always enjoy. I arrived tired and frankly, feeling a bit worn out (lots of work – hooray, and an overheated uncomfortable hotel room the night before – boo). But just a few moments in the company of so many positive women was truly energising and then I bumped into the lovely Sarah Pennels (aka Savvy Woman, her interview on the site is here.) Joy!

The first speaker at everywoman was Sam Roddick. It was wonderful to listen to a business woman speak from the heart about running her business her way and not getting caught up in the trap of trying to behave like a man. Her best quote (paraphrased as was too busy applauding to write it down):

“Why is it OK for men to get angry but when women show their frustration or emotion through tears it’s wrong. I’m upset, I cry. Deal with it or get therapy!”

There is a great interview with Sam here on ‘Lipstick Liberation’. I wanted to scoop her up and bottle her energy!

It was a great day; I took the opportunity to reflect on my own business and where I was directing my energies and I reckon I have saved myself 4 grand by taking that time out! That’s a result by anyone’s standards. Thanks everywoman! See you next year!

Bristol Women

And then the very next day found me in Bristol, at the wonderful Alveston House Hotel. (I know they have won awards but I’m giving them my loveliest staff in Britain award! I was so well looked after all day and their staff are just brilliant!)

But I wasn’t there to review the hotel (!) but to be a speaker at the first ever Business Inspired conference. No sitting back this time; I was opening the conference. Thank you, Business Inspired, for the honour!

I do quite a bit of public speaking so didn’t feel nervous until I heard the introduction I was getting from Janice and Alison. “Blimey”, I thought, “I’d better be good!”

Sometimes you just know when something is going to work and I knew as soon as I stood up and saw the sea of smiling encouraging faces that it was going to be OK.  I’m sometimes told that women together are bit*hy and unsupportive. That has never been my experience. In general I find groups of business women support and encourage each other with very little overt competitiveness and huge generosity. And I thank them for their generosity to me. I came away glowing and certainly got as much back from them as I gave them.

Time Out

Both conferences served their purpose well. They refreshed and re energised me, ready to re enter the ‘fray’ of running my own business with new ideas and thoughts. Times may be hard (and potentially getting harder) for small businesses, but there is support and help out there. Women’s friendships are very important to them. Give freely of your support, take support where it is offered and continue to be wonderful!

And if you were at either of the conferences, I’d love to hear what you gained from them. Please do add a comment!