Perception change needed for more women to reach the top
8 Nov 2011
A new survey of top Australian businesswoman has found a change in perceptions, by both men and women, is required to enhance gender diversity in senior management of Australian companies.
The survey of finalists and winners of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards found fifty per cent believe that women need greater confidence in their own abilities in order to improve gender diversity in senior management and on boards in Australia.
Asked to nominate the factors they believe would make it easier for women to reach senior levels in business, 65 per cent named flexible working conditions and 50 per cent chose tax deductible childcare.
The survey results, based on 134 respondents, precede the announcement of the 2011 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year in Melbourne on 18 November.
Almost half of the respondents were business owners while 39 per cent are at CEO, COO, CFO or senior executive level.
Professional development opportunities and mentoring programs were seen as other important initiatives to enhance gender diversity.
Enforcing quotas on boards and senior management was favoured by only 21 per cent while the recent call for greater acceptance of nannies to assist working women attracted support from less than one in five respondents.
Kate McKenzie, Group Managing Director Telstra Innovation, Products & Marketing and Telstra Business Women’s Awards Ambassador, said the survey results were timely because
they indicate a lack of awareness of the benefits of diversity in some Australian workplaces.
“While family friendly workplaces and tax deductible childcare remain issues of high importance, it is clear too that for some women greater self-awareness of their abilities is necessary for them to reach the senior levels in management.
“Many winners from last year have spoken about the increased confidence, public exposure and job promotions they gained following their participation in the Awards program.
“The finalists heading to this year’s national Awards are an amazing group of Australian business women who provide inspiration and motivation for others,” Ms McKenzie said.
The state and territory winners who will compete for the title of 2011 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year are:
- Genevieve Atkins, Business Development Manager, The Travel Studio, Tasmania
- Kelly Baker-Jamieson, Managing Director of Edible Blooms, South Australia
- Catherine Burn, Deputy Commissioner of Corporate Services, NSW Police Force, NSW
- Estelle Cornell, Managing Director of Allora Garden Nursery, Northern Territory
- Dr Dimity Dornan AM, CEO of Hear and Say, Queensland
- Shelly Park, CEO of Southern Health, Victoria
- Catherine Stoddart, Western Australia’s Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer, WA
- Dr Robyn Walker, Director-General of Health for the Royal Australian Navy, ACT
Previous national winners include Denise Goldsworthy, Managing Director of Rio Tinto subsidiary Dampier Salt, Gina Rinehart, Chairman of Hancock Prospecting, Janine Allis, Founder of Boost Juice Bars, and Launa Inman, former Managing Director of Target Australia.
Other national Awards to be announced on 18 November are the Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award, the Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award, the White Pages Community and Government Award, the Nokia Innovation Award and the marie claire Young Business Women’s Award.
More information on the Telstra Business Women’s Awards can be found at www.telstrabusinesswomensawards.com
Media contacts:
Elizabeth Coad 0404 644 848 Lighthouse Communications Group
James Woollard 0419 130 588 Telstra
www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media-centre/
Reference: 338/2011
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Telstra Business Women's Awards Network