Women in Business Part II

By Cherie Shepard, Director of Packaging & Material Handling, DRI

We are half way through our first year of our “Professional Women’s Organization” at DRI and DCA!

Recently, I wrote Part I about how our women’s group gives us a chance to bond and grow personally and professionally and the benefits derived.  Part II is below and about how a company can actually derive benefits as well.

Let’s explore the benefits a women’s organization has to a company.

  1. Recruiting new female employees– As someone who talks to candidates and hiring managers every day I hear from both sides “tell me about the culture” or “we have a great culture”. From a woman’s perspective, hearing about the company’s Women’s Organization and how it can benefit them as an individual is a strong indication of a forward thinking company. Let’s face it, we all know we spend a significant amount of time with our coworkers. Knowing that there is a provision for connection before walking in the door is a big selling point.
  1. Retaining female employees – There is an expense to replacing employees. Traditionally, women leave organizations at a faster rate than men. By instilling a women’s professional network companies have found that the gender gap in retention is closing. Women’s groups offer professional and personal development. It is an internal resource for education which may be available outside of a work setting but not without an expense to the individual.
  1. Developing Top Talent – Teaching employees to become great leaders and offering opportunities to further their professional and personal development offers an additional resource for developing future leaders in an organization. Women’s organizations within companies offer insight into communication skills, confidence building techniques, and negotiation tactics. These skills can translate into promoting employees within an organization rather than having to seek outside your company.

I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on what you are experiencing in your professional women’s groups and how it is effecting your company.

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