Woman execs can make a difference amid slowdown,say experts

Global executive recruiting firm Korn/Ferry International,International Practice Head Leadership and Talent Consulting Nina Chatrath told PTI about the different perspectives brought in by women in business.

“Managerial skills are in abundance in women with their abilities to perform better in challenging positions,mental resilience,multi-tasking and manging cost issues in business definitely gives them an edge in fighting tough times such as the current economic slowdown scenario,” Chatrath said.

Global consultancy KPMG also recognises importance of the value of perspectives women bring and have launched programmes dedicated to women to help them advance their skill sets.

“As part of our commitment towards our people agenda we have launched KNOW (KPMG Network of Women) initiative in India …which will create a more compelling work environment and promote advancement of diverse spectrum of women into various roles,” KPMG has stated. Further,the Indian School of Business (ISB) partnered with Goldman Sachs in their global “10,000 women” programme.

The initiative is aimed at encouraging women entrepreneurs by providing them with world-class education that would help them unleash their full potential,thinking big and growing their businesses.

“Women are usually better managers as they understand reality,respond well to challenges…,” ISB professor and Associate Dean-Academic Programmes Kavil Ramachandran said.

Experts believe with some support from organisation and business schools,women can acquire the needed competitive edge to jump to the top in the corporate world,along with their innate abilities.

Further,ISB Associate Dean for Executive Education Deepak Chandra said in the programme with Goldman Sachs,many women entrepreneurs have enhanced their knowledge and confidence level.

“The women,who have participated in the programme,have come across as a more confident lot and display high level of enthusiasm for their business projects and with the support of the ISB faculty may prove to be highly successful in the corporate world,” Chandra said.

Meanwhile,KPMG Executive Director Shalini Pillai believes that the gender diversity is not an issue,as the individual qualities reveal a person’s ability to answer to situations accordingly.

“When it comes to answering the economic challenges,it is not a gender-specific thing but more about leadership qualities balancing macro issues with those of the organisation,” Pillai said.

Pillai added that companies in current times are doing a number of things to encourage women employees and give them exposure to widen their horizons and climb up the corporate ladder.

However,Chatrath said that the picture does not remain rosy for women as it is seen that businesses started by them have short lives or fail to jump to next expansion level after making stunning growth in the beginning.

The problem,which women leaders face,is that they cannot make hard decisions like laying off people and may also falter at such times.

However,experts are unanimous that in the next 10-15 years,the reach of women in the corporate world would be significantly more than at present and may be able to overcome the hurdles.