- Financial Empowerment: The Game-Changer for Women in Relationships and BeyondPosted 1 month ago
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Tips During and After PregnancyPosted 1 month ago
- Fall Renewal: Step outside your Comfort Zone & Experience Vibrant ChangePosted 2 months ago
- Women Entrepreneurs Need Support SystemsPosted 2 months ago
- The Rise of the Badass Bitch: It’s Time to Set Her FreePosted 2 months ago
- The Evolution of the Women’s MovementPosted 2 months ago
Women Running the Business World
Women are many things, they are kind, caring, great listeners, leaders and professionals, but it was not long ago that women were only truly recognized as mothers. Believe it or not women in Canada were not legally recognized as persons until October 18, 1929. This is why every October we celebrate the amazing advances of women today, and encourage those to learn more about women in history. This year’s theme Canadian Business Women – A Growing Economic Force will focus on professional women, and how far they’ve come.
Women have greatly contributed to the Canadian economy in many ways. They’ve created equal job opportunities for other professional women and men, as well as given back to their community. According to an RBC report 4 out of 5 businesses are started by women, and they have contributed in excess of $18 billion to the Canadian economy.
What Makes them Great Leaders?
Women make extraordinary leaders for many reasons. Their determination, communication, multitasking skills, maturity levels and perspective all attribute to their success in the business world. They are not men, nor do they try to be men, but they do try to succeed in everything that they do. By verbalizing thoughts, ideas and opinions women take a stand, as strong communication skills are necessary to have to become great leaders.
Multitasking skills are something most women perfect over time, and in business it is a necessary skill to have. Whether they’re thinking of potential clients, business opportunities or what their plans are for the weekend, women are naturally more talented at juggling multiple tasks at once. Their maturity and different perspective are also strong keys to have in business as they look at things differently than men. They are generally more aware of the risks and rewards they take in business.
Some of the Challenges They Face…
It is no surprise that women face different challenges then man in the workforce. Not only are they are constantly judged on their work performance, but also their lifestyle choices and decisions. It truly shouldn’t matter professionally whether or not a woman is or isn’t married, of if she is planning to have children.
Another challenge women face in the workforce is authoritative issues, in most cases people are very excepting of women in positions of authority however they do come across the occasional person with a negative view of women. These people may associate women with a bad connotation, for example referring them as bossy, stubborn or pushy, although they would not likely refer their bosses with those demeaning terms. Women are under constant scrutiny to prove themselves to others, when all they really should be worried about is their own opinion and personal successes.
Changing the Face of Business
The expression “Rome was not built in a day” could not be more true when it comes to women in business. Although some would argue that things have not gone as far as they should, Canada has made great strides for women, and will continue to do so in the future. As a part of the 2014 Economic Action Plan, the Canadian government will be taking action to encourage mentorship among women entrepreneurs.
We look forward to seeing the number of female entrepreneurs grow, and even more women break through the glass ceiling. It’s not about what gender you are, but how you do your job, and we truly believe that women can be just as successful, if not more than men. Women, you run the business world!
References
Canadian Business Women – A Growing Economic Force. (n.d.). Yahoo Finance Canada. Retrieved September 5, 2014, from https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/canadian-business-women-growing-economic-130000966.html
Fact sheet: Economic Security. (n.d.). Government of Canada, Status of Women Canada, Communications and Public Affairs Directorate. Retrieved September 5, 2014, from http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/initiatives/wesp-sepf/fs-fi/es-se-eng.html
Persons Day. (n.d.). Government of Canada, Status of Women Canada, Communications and Public Affairs Directorate. Retrieved September 5, 2014, from http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/commemoration/pd-jp/index-eng.html
Resources & Links. (n.d.). RBC Royal Bank. Retrieved September 5, 2014, from http://www.rbcroyalbank.com/sme/women/statistics.html
Women’s History Month. (n.d.). Government of Canada, Status of Women Canada, Communications and Public Affairs Directorate. Retrieved September 5, 2014, from http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/commemoration/whm-mhf/theme-eng.html