NEW YORK, June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- PC EXPO BOOTH 5010 -- Results of a new
survey conducted by GLS Consulting indicate that the experiences of business
women in technology organizations and professions, provide valuable signposts
for how emerging tech businesses can best transform the social contract
between organizations and people to maximize their competitive edge and retain
exemplary employees.
The survey conducted by Mindy L. Gewirtz, Ph.D. and Ann Lindsey, MBA,
Principals in GLS Consulting, Inc. included 265 women, all members of WorldWIT
(World Women in Technology), a networking community of almost 10,000 women in
businesses and professions that serve the new economy, found that women are
attracted to the digital economy by the creative freedoms of a new frontier
and fewer barriers to leadership. But the WorldWIT members said the
opportunities are threatened by the 24/7 lifestyle that permeates the tech
industry.
Last fall, the women who subscribe to the 35 list-servs of WorldWIT
( http://www.WorldWIT.org ) were invited to respond to an online survey about working
in the digital economy.
Key Survey Results
-- 73% Upside: Women love working in the digital economy. They are
passionate about the exhilaration of having an impact at work, the
rapid professional growth, working in a dynamic, collaborative work
environment, and having the flexibility and freedom to be creative and
perhaps transform the world through technology. The non-hierarchical
management structure, the collaboration, the flexibility, the reduced
gender issues help women achieve more rapidly.
-- 68% Dark Side-Downside. Women pay a high price. "The exhilaration and
the exhaustion." The stress, the uncertainty, the constant change,
the 24/7 life, the lack of management experience and business
infrastructure. Personal, family, community time and romantic life
are greatly affected. However diminished, the gender issues of
feeling devalued, invisible, and having difficulty raising money still
exist.
-- 41% consider leaving their job. What keeps them there for now is the
exciting work, and gaining skills and experience, the impact and
autonomy, the comp package.
Implications
-- Women love the exhilaration, but have paid a heavy price. They have
traded off balance to the powerful impact and rapid growth.
-- Women are the "canary in the coal mine" warning us that the informal
social contract that has developed in the new economy is destructive
for employees, both men and women, and organizations in the long term.
-- The social contract is full of promise and potential for employees to
rapidly grow, to accumulate wealth. In practice, that may already be
showing diminishing returns. What has not changed, is the normative
requirement for employees to sacrifice their non-work life to meet the
"faster, better, more" required to remain globally competitive.
"We believe that women are frustrated and really ready to affect social
change," said Mindy L. Gewirtz, Principal, GLS Consulting. "The findings were
very specific as to what women are seeking in the workplace."
Liz Ryan, founder of WorldWIT, said, "Women are well aware of the
tradeoffs they're making to participate in the digital economy. Things like
valuing results over 'face-time' and giving more than lip service to work/life
balance, are determining which companies will get and keep talented women."
The results of this survey have led WorldWIT and GLS to form a strategic
alliance to leverage the networking reach and shared working experiences of
the WorldWIT community. A major goal of the alliance is to partner in
transforming the social contract between business and people to create better
workplaces for everyone. GLS is uniquely positioned to helping organizations
develop their strategic vision and management processes, so that companies
sustain their competitive edge, without sacrificing the personal/family lives
of people. WorldWIT provides a forum for women to discuss these issues, as
well give and receive business and "life" support, advice and tips.
Complete results of the WorldWIT/GLS survey can be found at both
http://www.WorldWIT.org and http://www.glsconsulting.com .
About GLS
GLS Consulting, Inc. is a Boston based leadership development consulting
firm specializing in helping companies integrate people and business processes
to create high performance work cultures. For more information visit
http://www.glsconsulting.com .
About WorldWIT
WorldWIT is World Women in Technology; an Internet gathering space for
businesswomen in technology organizations and professions. It was founded in
July 1999 by Liz Ryan, the first woman vice president at U.S. Robotics, and
co-founder and vice president of Ucentric Systems, a home networking
start-up, to share advice and ideas with other women eager to "connect."
WorldWIT through its 35 lists (and growing) and its site simplifies
cross-pollination of ideas and resources among almost 10,000 Women in working
in the digital economy across the nation and around the globe.
In addition to ongoing conversational email and the informative site,
women participating in WorldWIT lists hold regular free meetings and events in
their cities and regions made possible by corporate sponsors. For more
information, visit http://www.WorldWIT.org .
SOURCE WorldWIT
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Related links:
http://www.WorldWIT.org
CONTACT:
Media, Allison Clark of Ink Tank PR,
847-835-8700, or allison@inktankpr.com , for WorldWIT
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