Why Women Mean Business: Understanding the Emergence of Our Next Economic Revolution

by Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Alison Maitland

WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS “...gives example after example of the price that we all pay for a situation in which ‘women may hold the keys but men still control the locks’.”
The Times “What’s especially valuable is the authors’ analysis of where companies go wrong in managing women...that’s how it will help women in the workplace.”
Harvard Business Review “Lays out the importance of retaining women in senior leadership positions.”
Harpers Bazaar “Wittenberg-Cox and Maitland have opened new ground.”
Management Today WOMEN MEAN BUSINESS They make up much of the market and most of the talent pool. Reaching women consumers and developing female talent is essential for sustainable economic growth in the 21st century. Studies show that better gender balance in business means better bottom line results and greater resistance to economic crises. So why are there still so few women in leadership roles in business? Why are companies struggling to respond to today’s female consumer? Why is there a persistent pay gap between men and women around the world? Why Women Mean Business takes the economic arguments for change to the heart of the corporate world. Fully updated in paperback, the book shows why getting gender right matters – as much when the economy’s bust as when it’s booming. A must-read, packed with ideas from companies that have made it work, views from top business leaders and step-by-step guides to how we can all become gender bilingual.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Business

376 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful look at women and the global economy

Avivah Wittenberg-Cox and Alison Maitland have carefully gazed through the gender-equality kaleidoscope and then turned it slightly – giving readers a refreshing view. Treating women as a workforce minority is no longer acceptable; nor should executives manage them in the same way as their male counterparts. Women are different from men, and their work and leadership styles reflect this difference. Treating women like men, or trying to “fix them” so they will advance in a male-centric work culture has not been successful, as demonstrated by the dearth of women in high leadership positions and on executive boards. Therefore, company leaders must reframe the gender debate and repair their biased systems. This book tells them how. getAbstract considers it important reading for human resources directors and corporate leaders, who may be heartened by its assurance that organizations that become “gender-bilingual” will find solutions to many 21st-century problems.

[Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important work on the subject of women in the era of globalization, covering such areas on this demographic's growing numbers as consumers as well as their growing challenges in assuming corporate leadership. It is, at times, dry and academic. Leaning heavily on statistics and quotations from other sources, the book has the feel of a long, well-written research paper. Fleshing out the anecdotes and case studies would have given it a more personal touch, thereby making it more accessible to lay business readers and leaders.

[Chasmax1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an easier read, in my opinion, than the Womenomics: Write Your Own Rules for Success by Claire Shipman, Katty Kay book. Why Women Mean Business is more comprehensive and globally focused as to how women's issues matter in the workplace, as well as in the marketplace. A good, informative read.

[moneymummies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that makes the business case for gender diversity. Lots of good research and case studies and some practical advice for companies who want to become 'bilingual' in gender.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very important read.

[Kam Thirteen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting and I did get use for it in designing campaign material with gender policy at work.

However it felt somewhat unfinished and often subjects were presented, but not offered a comprehensive review of what potential solutions should be. Some very interesting statistics on men vs women job applications with using confidence and self-assessment as indicators.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book about women in the workplace and how to level the playing field. Still some relevant points even though it’s aged some by now.

[Hannah Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Factual and discursive, this book truly highlights the arguments for gender equality in the workplace, and has given me many examples to highlight how and where industry can improve.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was given to me. It is a book with lots a interesting data and information but it was written in 2008, and circumstances have changed in 13 years. 2 stars because of the old data.

[Laura Williams Argilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this instead of Lean In.