This book clearly and methodically presents and outlines why and how women are - and will continue to be - the biggest, most influential demographic, finally emerging and impacting the global economy and workplace.
Women: "Time to Roar"?
This book is about simple economics and the sheer numbers, globally, regarding women. Their impact is being felt in business, the workplace, the marketplace, home, family, politics, and - most importantly - in leaving their legacy.
From the 2007 Global Gender Gap Survey:
“A nation’s competitiveness depends significantly on whether and how it educates and utilizes its female talent.”
As women, we must take responsibility to do our part to improve our education, skills, self esteem, and leadership, and use our emotional intelligence so that we can maximize being “utilized.”
Additional compelling data from the book Influence that makes the case for why women will continue to be the majority of job and career seekers and play significant roles in the world's economies:
- From a February, 2009, New York Times article by Catherine Rampell:
Women held 49% of all nonfarm jobs in 2008.
- Employment Policy Foundation analysis of GAO data (2004):
The number of women earning 100K + tripled between 1991 and 2001.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics historical data:
- Women hold 51% of all management, professional, and related positions in US
- In 2009, 40% of private firms are women-owned, compared with 26% in 1997
- US women control 51% of private wealth, and control 80% of all household spending
- American women have purchasing power of more than $5 trillion.
- UNICEF Report, 2007:
“Globally, women perform 66 percent of the world’s work, produce 50 percent of the food, but earn 10 percent of the income, and own 1 percent of the property."
One more major statistic that has major influence, growing in significance if this trend continues into the future:
- Women are 60% of college students and are entering into study in fields that pay more and command more esteem: doctors, technology, engineering, business, management. Women are getting 4 year degrees and going on to get their Masters and PhD’s at a brisk rate.
This is changing and will continue to change in the future - the tipping point, of what Dychtwald calls, “a tsunami of new vision sweeping over our world.”
Change in Job Search and Career Search for Women
Job search and career search for women will continue to look different than the same processes do for men.
Women will still become teachers, nurses, and educators. But, they will also become entrepreneurs who solve problems that are not currently being addressed for them.
Women will also change workplace policy, services, and benefits that must be in place for them to work and raise families.
Dychtwald talks about “women are the market.” They are who businesses and marketers must target with a message that resonates with and for them.
While jobs, career, and work are not just priorities for women, Dychtwald says that “countries that harness women’s economic power will win, those that fail will lose.”
One final thought that resonates with me and through the book Influence:
As women continue to become more independent, autonomous, and emancipated, that will also continue to transform gender roles. Men and women working together, in harmony and tandem, empowering each other. Possible? YES! If we think and act BIG and BOLD. Women are not waiting, they are moving ahead, and hoping this will evolve.
”Visionary companies, lawmakers, husbands, fathers, and sons are already joining with influential women to make staggering changes,” says Dychtwald.
Join the Future
Three areas women must advance to maximize this moment and their utilization:
- Education
- Self -esteem
- Leadership
Are you in? Are you doing? Are you growing?
See you on campus and in the workplace!
