Women In Business

Peul women wearing colourful headscarves. Orig...
Today is International Women's Day - a day to recognise and empower women around the world, especially those competing in business.

While much of the business world is still male dominated, it is changing, slowly.  Women have been in the workplace for less time than men and still earn less - even for doing the same job.

I've seen the rapidly expanding growth of women's business networks, where women get together to support other like-minded women.

Only a small percentage (12.5%) of the FTSE 100 companies have women on their boards and even less as CEOs.

Nearly 30% of self-employed businesses are run by women and they're growing and employing people at a greater rate than those run by men.

More women are setting up their own businesses.  The main reason given is that they're able to run a more flexible business around school hours, particularly with a young family and have a better work, family, life balance than being employed.  A reason why 30% of self-employed women work from home.

10% of women would like to start up a business but fear holds them back.  Lack of support is also likely to be a factor, as they're still expected to be the 'home-maker' and main carer of children, so have to juggle running a business alongside their family commitments.  It's probably one of the reasons that half of my clients are women.

Several 'kitchen-table' businesses have grown to become multi-million, global companies - the Body Shop is the most well-known.

Many ideas from businesses come from women recognising a gap in the market and creating a product or service to fill that gap or growing their hobby in to a business.  So, if you think you've got a good idea, why not take the next step to turning it in to a business?

Today you can support other women entrepreneurs on International Women's Day - for every download of the Time Audit I'll donate $1 to Kiva.  Grab your copy here.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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