Their index also shows that women-owned mid-market firms increased by 24% from 2008 to 2014 (compared to just a 4% increase across the markets). And it shows that women-led mid-market companies now account for 13% of all middle-market firms, compared to just 4% of Fortune 500 companies.
Another recent survey, by LinkedIn, reported that women leaders inspire women managers to keep striving for more, instead of leaving their present jobs due to lack of advancement or dissatisfaction with their leadership. A study by Catalyst shows that when it comes to leadership, 65% of women leaders who were mentored become mentors to other women in their field.
And it seems the time is right for female entrepreneurs. Interest rates are low and there are a lot of investors just looking for a good opportunity; media attention hasn’t hurt either. All of the high-visibility stories about successful women on the rise are spurring other women on. It seems that what is good for women entrepreneurs is also good for the market as a whole.
The 2015 Kauffman Index shows that women seem to be better than their male counterparts at recognizing needs in the market and meeting those needs. Pamela Prince Eason, president and CEO of Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, says that women business enterprises, “are agile, innovative problem-solvers” who can meet the needs of corporations by “adapting to marketplace changes and providing deep value and cost-effectiveness.”
Another edge that women bring to the table: It seems that private-equity firms that have women in their top spots actually have the competitive edge when it comes to winning bids for female-led companies (as attested to by the women on Mergers & Acquisitions’ Most Influential Women of the Mid-Market). In fact, when Riverside Co. wanted to make a deal with Tate’s Bake Shop’s founder, Kathleen King, they looked to their firm’s COO, Pam Hendrickson. Her involvement helped show how committed they were to keeping everyone’s perspectives in mind. Hendrickson plays a key role as part of Riverside’s investment committee. Riverside’s Board believe that having a woman in a leadership position helped them win the deal with Tate’s, and helped them recruit Maura Mottolese (formerly the president of Switch Beverage Co.) as the new CEO of Tate’s.
Today, companies run by women are entering the middle market at rates 8 times that of businesses in general. According to Hendrickson, women in leadership positions are helping expand companies’ knowledge bases, and providing them with new and different perspectives.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
