Career support for professional women
Career women are beginning to break the glass ceiling in many sectors, but there is still much progress to be made. While almost three-quarters of women in the UK work outside the home (1), women are under-represented in managerial positions: women only make up 32% of managers and senior officials (2) and just over 10% of representation on corporate Boards (3). Additionally, 60% of people think that balancing work and family life is harder for women than it was thirty years ago. However, more and more research indicates that the number of senior women in an organisation has a positive impact on the bottom line. An American think tank study by Catalyst ranked Fortune 500 companies according to the proportion of women on their boards: the top 25% turned in a 53% higher return on equity than the bottom 25%. A 2007 McKinsey report on 89 European companies came to similar conclusions.
Whether the economy is good or bad, organisations need to retain their staff and keep them engaged. Star employees don’t leave organisations for money; they leave because no one is concerned about their learning and growth. Coaching demonstrates concern in a purposeful way, while meeting specific business challenges. It can develop and retain current employees while growing future leaders.
Coaching for professional women can focus on career development through addressing issues such as leadership, confidence and time-management. It can be a powerful tool in addressing skill shortages in the workplace, by helping women meet the unique challenges and responsibilities they face, helping them grow into more senior in-house positions. Does your company run a coaching and development programme that addresses the needs of professional women that you can join? If not, why not help them to set one up?
1. Labour Force Study, Office of National Statistics
2. Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office of National Statistics
3. European Professional Women's Network Board Women Monitor 2006
Networking, professional membership and learning and development organisations also help women to build and develop their careers - here's our selection of the organisations that we think are doing a great job in helping to further the careers of women in the 21st century.
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