Editorial December 2009

From platforms for exchange to paths of power

Changing role of women’s networks

Research has shown that the lack of access to informal networks of influence and power in corporations is one of the key challenges for women’s advancement, next to the absence of role models and the prevailing stereotypes. In the current fast-changing and complex business environment, who knows you is becoming more important than who you know. With this growing awareness, a shift is taking place in the focus of these networking activities. Although establishing social contacts and advocating against injustices are still important reasons for their existence, increasingly women’s networks focus on generating business opportunities, skills building and career advice. Executive women in corporations and entrepreneurs find value in creating formal and informal groups which address specific issues related to their positions in the business world.

Networking contributes to the advancement of women in business

In addition, companies in Europe have discovered that the establishment of an internal women’s network provides benefits in a number of areas. Such networks give women visibility, both as members of a group of talented individuals within the organisation and in their individual capacity as leaders, committee members, event organisers and spokespersons of the network. Another benefit is the additional flow of information within an organisation as a result of the connections across hierarchical, geographical and functional borders. This information flow creates opportunities for innovation, exchange of ideas and best practices, and the development of benchmarks throughout the organisation. The company benefits from the improved productivity, increased speed of decision-making, innovation and the better utilisation of human capital. In companies, women’s networks are drivers of culture change, HR processes and diversity policies. The cross-company information flow provides executive women with advantages related to increased influence and visibility next to more power in the execution of their job and the broadening of horizons for career opportunities.

Building bridges and confidence

External women’s networks, like ours, play a specific role. Firstly, they provide a secure environment within which executives can connect, socialise and share common experiences. Members build up their self-confidence with the knowledge and experience available through individual exchanges and the products and services of the organisation such as events, publications, surveys, skills building workshops and mentoring programmes. In addition, they publish studies, surveys and joint research with business partners, challenging common perceptions in the business world and influencing public opinion. As a result, members become more effective in addressing the challenges in daily business. EuropeanPWN builds bridges between different generations of women in business, whereby the more experienced women benefit from the up-to-date business knowledge which the new generation brings while offering their valuable insights from the business world to the new generation women leaders. EuropeanPWN’s membership includes top level executives from corporations and innovative start ups along with established entrepreneurs; generating business leads and doing business together are becoming more and more popular.

What about the next decade?

If the first decade of the 21st century has seen women’s networks evolve from platforms of exchange to paths of power, what will the next decade hold? I think professional women will continue to use the recently discovered paths of power to shape their corporate and family lives. The second decade of the 21st century may well be the turning point, like in Malcolm Gladwell’s book of the same name, since never before in history so many well-educated women have contributed to the labour market creating our current economic success. My bet is that well before the end of the next decade there will be more than 30% women in leadership positions in the corporate world, in politics and institutions across Europe. Women’s networks will have played a key role in this development and I have been privileged having been part of it.

Wishing you, your families and businesses an inspirational 2010!

Mirella Visser
President EuropeanPWN
December 2009