Women in Leadership: Is your business missing out?

Is your company missing out? Are you taking gender diversity seriously enough?

Gender Diversity is often seen as a nice to have BUT issue. Think again!  There is a robust business case for more women at senior level:

• it's easier to understand your customers if they are equally represented at all levels.
• without diversity, you risk group-think, which limits innovation and opportunities for improvement.
• you could be missing out on the best talent if you don't offer an environment and culture that appeals to women.
• women may bring different approaches to leadership that add real value to organisations.
• recent studies have shown that a better gender balance at senior level increases profitability and reduces the impact of risky decision making.

What's more, a lack of gender diversity makes organisations look out of touch and risks their reputation, which could lead to losing customers and talented employees.  That costs money.

More and more organisations are seeing the benefits of offering flexible working arrangements on productivity and the improvement in board effectiveness that a better gender balance brings.  However there is still a long way to go. We still need to develop talented women in the work place and create a culture for them to thrive and get to senior level.

“The great majority of business leaders I meet with now recognise the economic case for gender balance and are actively working to increase the number of women on their boards and executive committees. But we must also challenge the paternalistic culture and silent assumptions about women's priorities that are ultimately keeping the glass ceiling in place. This is not just about gender equality, but about improving the performance and productivity of companies," Vince Cable.

How are YOU encouraging gender diversity?  Think of it in hard business terms as core to your organisation's success.

To find out more contact The Glass Lift on enquiries@theglasslift.co.uk

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The Glass Lift found startup support from Business West's Ready for Business programme, receiving one-to-one coaching and advice. Read their case study here. 

Ready for Business is funded by the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills via the Regional Growth Fund initiative and in association with Barclays to deliver intensive start-up training and support for new and developing businesses across the UK – with a particular emphasis on helping start-ups become investor ready and access private business finance.