Only 22 percent of the G7 senior management roles are held by women, a Forbes report suggests. The situation isn’t much different in the Eurozone with only 24 percent of top managerial positions being held by women. When looking at parts of the world like Latin America and the developed Asia-Pacific, the numbers go down even further (18 and 13 percent respectively).
At the same time, businesses owned and managed by women in the US seem to be doing pretty well, the National Association of Women Business Owners reports. Currently, more than 9.1 million businesses are owned by women. These business ladies employ approximately 7.9 million people and generate 1.4 trillion dollars in sales.
If you’re a woman who’s looking for business development, chances are that launching your own startup would be the best decision that you’ll ever make. Startup companies offer excellent opportunities for women in the corporate world. Here are the main reasons why the involvement in such a business initiative is going to be highly beneficial for you.
The Number of Startups Owned by Women is Growing
Are you in need of some encouragement to take the plunge? If so, you’ll be probably happy to learn that the number of startups owned by women is growing. From 2007 to 2016, the number of companies owned by women increased by 45 percent.
The market growth over the same period is solely nine percent. The discrepancy in numbers is here to show that women are doing something right. These entrepreneurs are innovators who understand market niches and have managed to establish themselves successfully in a rather sluggish economy.
Knowing that you’re not alone in such endeavors can make it a whole lot easier to get established. There are various organizations that represent women in business and offer them networking opportunities. Learning from the experience of ladies who have already gone there may be all that you need in order to make that final step and complete the transition.
Flexible Business Culture
According to Inc. writers, startups are breaking the standard corporate modus operandi. They’re offering employees a lot more flexibility and they’re bringing an end to the traditional nine to five workday.
Many women are looking for such flexibility in an attempt to discover the balance between their personal and professional life. The rigorous corporate culture in a well-established multinational company isn’t going to provide such opportunities.
When it comes to flexibility, studies show this is the approach to the future workplace.
Research suggests that flexible working hours make employees much more productive and creative. This is one of the main reasons why over 20 million American professionals are currently selecting part-time employment.
Startups and small companies feature a much more flexible model. Some employees telecommute, some rely on home-based offices. Startups are breaking out of the corporate world, which is benefiting just about everyone involved.
Personal Characteristics Make it Easier to Succeed
Research suggests that male and female startup owners have a completely different approach when it comes to growing. Women tend to be more cautious, which results in sustainable growth in the long run.
According to a Forbes report, women are capable of doing better risk calculations. Approximately 80 percent of women report that they can see opportunities behind risks and make justified decisions about the future of their business. The same applies to 67 percent of men.
Women are also more likely than men to have a realistic approach when accepting a risk. As a result, even if losses occur, these are likely to be limited.
Female entrepreneurs are also less prone to being over-confident – another amazing characteristic that can make them highly successful in the startup world. Of all the women questioned by Forbes, only 42 percent said that their business is prospering. The same applies to 62 percent of the male startup owners.
A realistic assessment of the startup’s development is one of the keys to building a successful long-term strategy. The numbers quoted above don’t mean that women are less successful entrepreneurs.They’re simply indicative of a more conservative assessment that can be particularly beneficial in the business world.
More Opportunities
Let’s face it – the number of opportunities for women in the standard corporate world are limited. It’s still a male-dominated universe and solely the most ambitious and dedicated of ladies will get to accomplish the career progress that they’re hoping for.
Startups offer women a wider range of opportunities due to the much less rigid hierarchy.
Needless to say, being involved in a startup does come with tons of responsibilities. This is precisely where the opportunities stem from, however. Whether a woman launches her own startup or is hired for a managerial position, she can quickly establish her reputation and move forward.
Women usually seek out smaller positions in high paying corporations and few make it to the top of the corporate chain. There are still prejudices and gender roles that stand in the way of development. Startups are turning the corporate world upside down, which makes it much easier for just about every woman to seize the opportunities.
One thing to keep in mind is that being involved in a startup will initially demand a lot of work and commitment. Startups come with uncertainties and a big number of these initiatives will not make it. Still, a solid idea and an experienced team can move the project forward. If you’re a woman who’s looking to break out of the limiting corporate world, being a member of a startup may be the smartest thing to do.
