Well, there is no doubt that the issue raised about the lack of women in the Davenport list of "Management Gurus" has struck a chord. Tom Davenport himself talked about this in his most recent blog (http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/davenport/2008/05/the_dearth_of_female_managemen.html). In his blog, Tom considers a few women who might have been candidates for the list, some academics and some from different areas of life, and suggests reasons why they aren't there. That having to be alive part was a tough one. However, the most interesting part of his blog are his Rules on How to Become a Management Guru. Here is my summary version of his rules but please check them out for yourself.
1) Be old. Ooops, not old but in the field for a couple of decades. Take-away conclusion - Impact takes time. (Is this one from the U.S. Presidential race?)
2) Write a huge best-seller. Ok, we're all trying to figure that one out. The women who have had the most success at this are largely from "outside the field."
3) Have a regular outlet for your writing. Makes sense to me.
4) Don't be a second author. So the strategy has to be about how to be that first author (see Rule #1)
5) Be in the U.S. We'll see how this holds for 2012 (the possible next list?)
6) Pick "broad, sweeping topics." And we're back to impact again.
Tom closes by asking if women can pull this off. Another question is whether women want to or if there is a different kind of "impact" list that would matter even more.
Patti
Earlier this week I was copied on an email from Candy Brush. A student had forwarded her the article from Monday's WSJ which presents a "ranking of influential business thinkers" compiled for the Journal by Babson's own Tom Davenport. Professor Davenport used a methodology he developed earlier for his book ," What's the Big Idea," and measures according to Google hits, media mentions, and academic citations. I'm not reproducing the list here - but even the WSJ asked where the women were. The one woman on the 2003 list (Rosabeth Moss Kanter) has fallen off and no woman entered into the list.
Well, a flurry of email followed among a group of female academics. All of us wished there were some women on the list, but I think we started asking the right questions. We talked about the methodology, and thought we might be able to help with a different starting list next time as to the 100 leading business gurus. We wondered about the definition of "business guru" and certainly "top business guru." I'm challenging us all to continue that debate, so my first question is - how would you propose as female "top business gurus?" And if we are struggling with the list - that is a different question.
So, I emailed Tom Davenport and asked if he'd be willing to be part of a blog discussion on this. His answer came back almost right away - absolutely. Therefore, my friends, please share. Why did this list hit us so hard? Are women really not in this arena at all? And if so, why not?
Patti
Women's Entrepreneurship matters—women are creating and running businesses around the world, contributing to economies that represent more than 70% of the world's population and 93% of global GDP (2007).
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report 2007 on Women and Entrepreneurship was formally launched today during the full-day symposium for thought leaders, Growing Sustainable Businesses: Best Practices for Women Entrepreneurs sponsored by Ernst & Young LLP, 5 Times Square NY, NY.
To read the report click here!
To read more details in the press release click here.
I just left a really informative and actionable session featuring three authors of the best-selling book I Didn't See It Coming.
Amy Kopelan, President, Bedlam Entertainment Inc. and former Programming Manager, Good Morning America, Nancy Widmann, Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee; first woman president at CBS and Babson's own Elaine Eisenman, Dean, Babson Executive Education walked us through the steps to create our own personal exit strategy and how to deal with career situations that can take you by surprise.
A few key takeaways:
1. What is your value proposition? You are your own brand!
2.Develop an "Exit Strategy Skill Bank"
3.And my favorite...develop a personal board of advisors.
For more great tips, pick up the book and also visit http://www.ididntseeitcomingthebook.com/
Dr. Sally Ride, first American woman in space, entrepreneur, author, and educator addressed a packed luncheon sesssion. She has had an amazing career and focused her speech on the importance of introducing young girls to math and science at an early age.
Her recent enterprise, Imaginary Lines, is an organization founded to provide support for girls interested in science, math and technology. One instrument of this mission is the Sally Ride Club, created for upper elementary and middle school girls across the country.
