Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! The business case for gender equality Barbara Chiavarino

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! Business: women do it better? A number of studies show a link between the gender distribution in a company’s management and its profitability Few studies in the USA and EU show the link between women on the executive management and profitability in both the short- and the long-term (between 18 and 69 % more)

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! What does it mean? Companies with good profitability can afford to experiment and promote women to senior position? OR Companies have better profitability because they have made smarter decisions: as to ensure TO GIVE TALENTS A CHANCE!

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance!...??? Are we suggesting that women are cleverer than men in business???? !!!! Nobody is saying that! BUT EVERYBODY CAN RECOGNIZE THAT The access to the total reserve of talent, that it is the mix –diversity -, gives better results

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! 5 excellent reasons for having more women in business: Accessing the full talent pool Investing in diversity Customers’ perspective Minimising risks and costs The employer of choice

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! Accessing the full talent pool Successful companies are characterised by high creativity and skills WOMEN have high education and higher results They ARE interested in a career and WANT to follow it

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! Accessing the full talent pool …Gender differences disappeared when the overall leadership efficiency is assessed So, WHY CONTINUE TO WASTE knowledge, creativity and experience of half the population?

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! Investing in diversity Decisions are of a better quality with women at the top It’s not a question of basic differences or empathy or intelligence (these are stereotypes!) It’s a question of different experiences and perspectives that add the values both to the innovation capacity and decision-making process

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! Customer’s perspective Women are consumers and economic decision-makers all over the world in every sector (83% of all consumer purchases, e.g. the half of all computers buyers!) Now, Who can say “what women want”? Be careful: in customer business the gender perspective is crucial to sense and respond to evolving market needs.

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! Minimising risks and costs Risks of litigation and costs that enterprises pay, are not only in terms of working time, legal costs and fines, but also in terms of bad publicity and damages to the trademark Look around! Look at all information both on the media and on internet A lack of equality is a part of a company’s risk management!

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! The employer of choice To be competitive it is crucial to recruit the right people and be able to keep them An employer promoting gender diversity can increase his prime source of competitive advantage: people! “People” means both women and men

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! The employer of choice Studies show that YOUNG MAN as well as young women want flexible working options and family friendly policies. In our global and such competitive market, enterprises that do not listen to young, will be ignored by them! High turnover and associated costs is a commonly experienced negative effect of the failure to promote gender

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! So, What are we waiting for? To improve business it’s time to Unlock Potential: Let women exploit their talents It’s possible and profitable! Successful enterprises well know it: THEY PRACTISE IT!

Break gender stereotypes, give talent a chance! The Business Case LET US SUPPORT EACH OTHERS THANK YOU!