EM Superhero

Many of you will have heard my views on “Positive Discrimination” – particularly at the end of last year when I was invited onto the James Max Show on LBC and I was involved in a very lively debate with Julie Hall of Women Unlimited.     I don’t find it difficult to accept that Julie and I have opposing views – but imagine how surprised I was to find myself in a full on discussion over lunch at The BIG Event 2010 with Bill Morrow (the founder of Angels Den).

I hadn’t realised before I embarked on my positioning that Bill was completely and utterly in favour of positive discrimination for Women.   To find myself arguing against a man on this subject was really quite unique!   It was very interesting to listen to a man’s views on this topic – and I have to say that overall he is actually quite right.   YES, of course Women should be on Boards of Directors, with Executive positions in the FTSE top 100 companies and beyond.  YES, of course, Women will add an extra dimension to the way companies are run and YES of course, Women are valuable members of society and should be represented in large numbers across business.    How could I possibly disagree with such obvious statements.   Because they are, after all, obvious!

Where we disagreed however was in the way this should be achieved.

Bill Morrow was extremely keen for directives to be given as to the % of board directors which should be women (and within a certain time frame) – as they have done in Norway and more recently France.    Does this mean that the right person will get the job?     Does this mean that a woman will be given the role even though a man may be better suited and more experienced?      This is definitely not the way forward – this is a very dangerous journey for us to embark on.

During the conversation, it was highlighted by Bill, that in a very large management consultancy firm only 6 of the partners were women – and that this was completely wrong.    My question now, and at the time is this:    We should not be focusing on the actual number of 6 but more on the reasons why?   Is it because Women are not being offered the position of partner – which clearly leads to the question of Why?   Or is it simply because Women are not applying to be partner within this particular firm – which again leads to the values of this particular company and what they are actually doing to encourage and enable women to become partners…….

It goes without saying that we (WOMEN) can add value, make a difference and be extremely competent in whatever roles we undertake but we need to be put in those roles because a) we want them and b) we are the best person for the job.

One listener to the conversation (a woman!) said that she would be insulted to be given a position within a company simply because she was a woman – she wanted to be given the position based on merit.

Change is required

Change is required – without a doubt – but it is not going to happen by being DICTATED to.    Let us start to educate and change the mindset of women to want to have these roles, to know they can have these roles and to encourage them to achieve them.

We will continue to increase our presence in senior positions – already HUGE change has taken place over the last 10 years.  There are many inspirational women role models who continue to shatter the glass ceiling time and time again …

What we need to do is KNOW and BELIEVE in ourselves and focus on being the absolute best.   Which is of course, is not that difficult!

Right, in case you weren’t already aware, next Monday is International Women’s Day 2010. Men: if you’re reading this don’t panic and stop! This is not going to be a blog complaining about you at all, actually I can empathise with both sexes… Rather a blog about the promotion of true equal rights.

Whilst the government and the UN work incredibly hard to ensure no difference of treatment based on race, gender or age – finding the balance is increasingly hard in today’s work place. Have you found this?

Let’s get real – when I founded Diva Cosmetics, naturally a lot of ladies were attracted to the roles that I advertised because when applying for jobs you look for subject areas that you have knowledge of and if you’re a woman the chances are that you’ve been playing around with makeup for years. Makeup is generally perceived to be a women’s subject even with 20% of all cosmetic sales being made by men – Prince did wonders for eyeliner…

Whilst I fully respect and applaud every movement resulting in women getting the same opportunities as men and not being held back in their creative or intellectual flair I think that we have to tread very carefully not to confuse the issue…

As a business owner I find the employment angle very simple – I want the best person for the job. I don’t have any preconceived ideas on race, gender or age – as a small business owner you want to be able to freely interview people and select the person that will fill the role and push your company forward be it a man or a woman.

Simply put: The best person for the job is the person that should get the job. This is based on skills, experience and everything else that is relevant when recruiting. The thought of someone failing to get given a position because their gender is not required to complete the correct ratio for the work place is utterly crazy.

Whilst men tend to dominate the financial sectors, women are gradually making their way up the ranks and earning their respect from making good decisions. It will be a while before they don’t have to earn respect and just get delivered it like men but it’s becoming easier thanks to the many women around the world that have the guts to make a stand when they see unfair treatment in the work place.

I am lucky enough to mentor several key business leaders, both men and women and the characteristics displayed by both are the same. They both harbour the same drive, vision, determination and creativity needed to be extraordinary in this world. So men: Don’t feel threatened by women – work with us and rejoice in the fact that one of our species must have helped you at some point with an issue of multi-tasking when you’re on deadline…

And women: Believe in your ideas and be strong enough to see them through. If you genuinely feel that unfair treatment is being dished out on you then seek help from the relevant information sites on how to act.

Until next week – enjoy and celebrate next Monday’s International Women’s Day – for an event near you see the link below, and in the words of five fabulously spicy and confident women: GIRL POWER!

www.internationalwomensday.com