Step Forward: A Place for Women to Thrive

SAN FRANCISCO and BERLIN, May 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- What an interesting time it is for women today. In terms of progression in the workplace, so often it's two steps forward and one step back. You know what I mean by this, but let me shine light on it.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150506/214449

The full article can also be found: http://www.glispa.com/blog/place-women-thrive.html

Step Forward
Evolving tremendously, International Women's Day is celebrated March 8^th. It was first observed in the United States in 1909 to honor workers who went on strike in 1908 protesting against poor working conditions in the New York garment industry. International Women's Day continues to build support for women's economic and political rights. Over the years it has grown in importance and is celebrated worldwide as many nations have adopted the day to recognize and show support for women. In some countries it's an official holiday and in other countries it holds the same significance as Mother's Day.

Step Forward
Regardless of your personal politics, the fact that Hilary Clinton and Carly Fiorina have announced they are running for President of the United States of America is supportive of women on a global stage.

Step Back
Ellen Pao losing her case against Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers. No matter your stance on the case, it's unfortunate that misogyny still exists in many workplaces, as well as other aspects of women's lives.

Gender Diversity Is Good For Business
We talk a lot about diversity at glispa and we have a team with an astounding 39 different nationalities speaking 24 different languages. As for our gender diversity, while we're not trying to fill a quota, we actively recruit women. glispa founders firmly believe that it's just as critical to have gender balance as it is to have a balance of nationalities because it just makes for better business. Why is it good for business? Balance fosters greater collaboration and alternative ways of thinking, which leads to creative solutions and ultimately innovation and even greater financial performance (as reported by McKinsey & Company in January 2015 - Why diversity matters).

Mentor Me - Mentor You
Last week I had the honor of being the opening keynote speaker at an amazing event held in conjunction with International Games Week Berlin called Womenize!. Our team from glispa actively recruited during the event because in attendance were women from all different disciplines. It was interesting and refreshing to have women, not only from typical roles like marketing and HR, but also developers and coders approaching me for mentorship and advice well into the evening. It really showed me how much women crave community, leadership and mentorship from other women. I also loved that a few men sought advice and mentorship during the same event.

To be open to women we need to authentically walk the talk and create openness and space for women and people of all cultural backgrounds to thrive.

We continually run into situations where a female employee or an employee who understands a different language and culture was the linking difference in creating lasting client relationships and driving growth in key markets. So how do we begin to take advantage of this diversity and how do we continue to grow it at the rate we need?

Focusing on creating gender balance within your team is a great start. Meaningful discussions are happening around gender equality in the workplace, but these are great examples of how embracing diversity has to go even farther.

I was fortunate enough to work for Steve Jobs who created an environment of allowing the best idea to win – no matter who it came from. At NeXT and then Apple if you had an excellent frame of reference (were well researched) and had the conviction – you could do almost anything you wanted. And so we did – we did the extraordinary.

Authenticity and true graciousness towards all people, regardless of status in a company, were valuable traits I learned early in my career while working with Eric Schmidt (Google's former CEO). Eric had a way of honoring each and every person around him regardless of gender, race and personal differences. I derived confidence from the way he treated me with so much respect. I'll never forget when he asked me to sit next to him at a Businessweek dinner and the table was reserved for 'Speakers Only.' Even as I was hesitant to occupy the seat, Eric was adamant about me sitting with him as he championed, "…no, no –Nicole should be seated at this table."

But what if you're not in a supported environment? So often we women find it's just easier to freelance, consult or start our own companies. I've certainly taken all those paths. All too often we feel pushed into a corner and not able to bring our greatest gifts, talents and contacts to the benefit of the organization. Or that our family needs are not respected around things like childcare so we're not set up to thrive.

I encourage you to find your place – a place where you can thrive, be respected, and (as a dear friend of mine says) - define it for yourself. That could be as a freelancer/consultant and it also could be working at the right company that supports you in thriving and not cramming you into that little box. In the end, as women, we're all entrepreneurs whether we're building companies from the ground up or encouraging others to approach things differently or by bringing that entrepreneurial spirit to your company job.

I encourage you to find mentorship. Find it in a colleague at work, a friend or approach someone you admire. Go for it! Ask for something formal (maybe a lunch once a month) and know that you are a mentor too. Mentoring always, always goes two ways.

I encourage you to connect with community. Make the effort to attend an event that is in your industry or special area of interest and perhaps even set a goal to exchange contact information with at least three new people. Maybe you'll find that mentor relationship, a business collaboration or even a friend. Quite possibly you will be a bit more inspired for the next day knowing you have more people in your camp seeing what you have to offer.

Step forward women! Let's keep the conversations going – and have an amazing day!

Nicole DeMeo, Chief Marketing Officer, glispa
Nicole DeMeo (@techiecat) is an accomplished business launch, growth and turnaround expert. As a marketing and business consultant she has developed strategies and guided companies through multiple phases of their lifecycles for over 20 years. Her participation in over 50 company launches - including four of her own - created significantly increased valuations, acquisitions and IPOs. Nicole has served as brand ambassador and marketing strategist for industry leaders Steve Jobs, Eric Schmidt and Carly Fiorina, and has created go-to-market strategies for Fortune 500 companies including HP and Accenture. Recently Nicole bridged Berlin and Silicon Valley working with Earlybird Venture Capital, to bring fast-growth companies like Aucitonata, EyeEm and Peak Games to market globally.

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