January 08, 2019
"They cultivate influential mentors. Having influential senior leaders—including men as well as women of color—serve as mentors, advisers, and role models provided emerging women managers with the tacit knowledge needed to navigate their company's leadership structure. Mentors also advised on some of the less-talked-about necessities for staying on a desired career path: boosting resilience, coping with difficult emotions, and managing hypervisibility (the experience of feeling constantly observed because of one's difference, or of feeling "on display" as one of the few women of color in your company).Forbes.com: "Why a Woman's Network? Why Now?" (May 16, 2013)
"Despite this, the progress of women in business has plateaued. And while there has been a renewal of the national discussion on how to break this logjam, if the answer were one-dimensional, the challenge would already have been solved. The answer can be as unique to every woman as her own definition of personal and professional success.""Six Habits of Successfuly Private Companies" (June 30, 2013)
They keep employees happy.Google Search
As SAS Institute's CEO and cofounder, Jim Goodnight once said, "If you treat employees as if they make a difference to the company, they will make a difference." SAS, the analytics software company in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, achieved its 37th year of record revenue (up 4.2%) in 2012. Why? Something Goodnight and his co founder John Sall hit upon long ago. They take care of people, and not with options. They passed on going public years ago, something unusual as a tech company that competes with IBM and Oracle. Instead, they lavish the benefits: on-site medical care, including psychiatrists, dieticians, and physical therapists; on-site preschool and day care; paternity leave, summer camp, car detailing, nail salons, racquet stringing, dry cleaning, a swimming pool.
They react quickly and adapt.
Many of the biggest private companies are old: 42 of the top 220 are more than a century old. But heritage doesn't mean stale. Founded more than a century ago, Hallmark has continued to stay out in front. In 1932, it signed a licensing agreement with Disney, one of the first such ventures for both companies. It started a line of Spanish language greeting cards in the early 1990s, before Hispanic marketing took off. It diversified smartly into cable TV, embraced the Internet early with e-cards, and introduced some of the first cards with sound chips. Even more recent new product offerings include video greetings and many new recordable storybooks.
Opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of WITI.
Are you interested in boosting your career, personal development, networking, and giving back? If so, WITI is the place for you! Become a WITI Member and receive exclusive access to attend our WITI members-only events, webinars, online coaching circles, find mentorship opportunities (become a mentor; find a mentor), and more!
There are no WITI online coaching circles scheduled at this time. Please check back soon for updates.
Founded in 1989, WITI (Women in Technology International) is committed to empowering innovators, inspiring future generations and building inclusive cultures, worldwide. WITI is redefining the way women and men collaborate to drive innovation and business growth and is helping corporate partners create and foster gender inclusive cultures. A leading authority of women in technology and business, WITI has been advocating and recognizing women's contributions in the industry for more than 30 years.
The organization delivers leading edge programs and platforms for individuals and companies -- designed to empower professionals, boost competitiveness and cultivate partnerships, globally. WITI’s ecosystem includes more than a million professionals, 60 networks and 300 partners, worldwide.
Empower Innovators.
Inspire Future Generations.
Build Inclusive Cultures.
Building Your Network.
Building Your Brand.
Advancing Your Career.
Comments