GENDER EQUALITY: WORD TO JUNIOR ENTREPRENEUR

A virtual chat with two alumni of our network on the topic of Gender Equality

"Achieve international cooperation ... in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction of race, sex, language or religion".

Article 1 of the United Nations Charter, adopted by the General Assembly on 10 December 1948, today more than ever needs to be defended and valued, because it is sometimes emptied of its purest meaning.

The right to equality is the backbone for the creation of peaceful societies based on meritocracy, solidarity, prosperity and sustainability; spreading and strengthening an inclusive and tolerant attitude could lead to the elimination of existing stereotypes and prejudices.

It is up to us -students and young professionals - leaders of the future, to act in order to affirm equal human rights and women's empowerment around the world!

Half of the world population is made up of women and girls whose complete emancipation would stimulate productivity, economic growth and would open a constructive debate on complementary or alternative models and approaches to gender equality.

In recent decades, we have begun to see significant progress in support of gender equality:

• implementation of 247 legislative and legal reforms in 131 countries
• increase in girls attending school
• 38% decrease in mothers' mortality
• decrease in forced and child marriages
• growth in the number of women in leadership positions and serving in parliament.

While we are proud of these achievements, we are nevertheless aware that the road ahead to achieve absolute Gender Equality is still very long and tortuous. But we accept the United Nations’ challenge to reach Goal 5: Gender Equality by 2030.

"Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls"

GENDER EMPOWERMENT, WORD TO THE JUNIOR ENTREPRENEURS

We wanted to discuss the issue of Gender Equality and women’s empowerment with two Alumni of our Network who, like most women and men, after graduating from university ventured courageously into the intricate business world, motivated by ambitious goals.

Erika Andreetta, founder of JEst in 1993, currently a member of the JE Italy Advisory Board, has been working as a Partner at PwC Italy since 2016, specializing in Retail & Consumer Goods, with particular interest in the fashion and luxury industry in the Italian and European landscape.

Christian Christodulopulos, part of the JE Italy Advisory Board since 2016, was a member of the Board of JEME Bocconi, Vice President and President of JE Italy. Today he is a Partner at Long Term Partners / OC&C, an international strategic consulting company, and boasts a twenty-year career in the advisory sector in the financial (Mergers & Acquisitions) and industrial (Strategy, Due Diligence) fields.

Let's start with a quote. In 1946 Simon De Beauvoir affirmed: "One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman". What do you think about this statement? And how would you contextualize it In today's world and In the entrepreneurship sector?

ERIKA:

I answer this quote with a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt:

" A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water."

The current working context penalizes the female professional figure, who, despite being at the same level in terms of competencies as men, must show more and more. The number of women in the business and entrepreneurial world is constantly increasing but the battle is still ongoing, especially here in Italy where gender differences are very influential.

CHRISTIAN:

We all play an important role in the professional growth of women. In the current historical period, growing up as a woman means:

• emerging through innate qualities (sensitivity, empathy, strength, risk perception, multitasking, proactivity, resourcefulness, etc ...) and skills acquired through experience;
• choosing a leader as a mentor to whom you can relate without necessarily imitating male models. You must have the courage to take risks and be yourself;
• promoting and increasing collaboration and solidarity between women.

Therefore, one becomes a woman when one is confident in one's own peculiarities, aware of one's abilities and open to recognizing potential in other women.

Professional Empowerment And Self-Empowerment, What Goals To Achieve Them And What Tools To Use? Can you tell us your experience?

ERIKA:

I believe it is important to first set yourself life goals as a person and then focus on those of professional growth.

Self empowerment is essential!

In the business world we women tend to be proactive and want to show more and more. We know our limits well and we have a greater awareness of ourselves.

During the journey of education and training I have always set myself important goals which, some within the established time frame and others not, I have always managed to achieve.

Delays have sometimes been a cause of demotivation, but with hindsight I am convinced that personal growth comes before professional growth. The important thing is to be aware and self-conscious, live experiences and continuously question yourself.

It is also precious to have collaborators with ways of thinking and working that are different from ours and to welcome discussions as an opportunity for discussion and exchange.

Changing your mind is a symptom of intelligence and favours growth, don't be afraid to do it!

CHRISTIAN:

"The difference between success and failure is that he/she that succeeds tries harder"

The world of JE is a fantastic training ground for empowerment because it allows Junior Entrepreneurs to face challenges beyond their seniority and within 2-3 years test their soft and hard skills by holding important positions. I developed problem solving techniques and gained confidence which allowed me to dive into more entrepreneurial activities.

I recommend women to not set themselves any limits and continuously look for greater challenges - there are no "gaps" except the limits that one sets upon oneself and those related to the challenges that are not undertaken. The result will be amazing!

How important is Female Leadership in a business? What value does it has?

ERIKA:

Female leadership in a business team is essential, especially in times when it is necessary to think strategically and not tactically. I believe that women are more creative and less schematic, inclined to seek solutions along strategic and unconventional paths.

The social distancing and the economic crisis of the current historical period are emotionally and psychologically affecting all individuals. The widespread feelings of fear and uncertainty of tomorrow, if transformed into creative and useful ideas, can be a winning weapon.

I would like to share an anecdote. At the end of February 2020, every day at 18:00 o'clock I looked at the Covid-19 infection bulletin. In reaction to which one day I decided to make a very simple gesture: I wrote and published a post on social channels, in which I invited users to team up and think of practical solutions to support hospitals on the front line in the fight against Covid-19 . Shortly after the post was shared by Chiara Ferragni and the result was extraordinary: 400 companies in the fashion and textile sector decided to collaborate by converting their production into masks and surgical gowns.

My desire to take action to make a voluntary contribution and help society has generated a great new network in support of public health.

CHRISTIAN:

In the act of decision making, we can choose between two types of decisions:

• an efficient one in terms of the decision-making process (quick)
• an effective one in terms of the result.

The first is clearly the individual’s decision even if, in some cases, it involves the aprioristic approval of other subjects. For this type of decisions, it is unlikely that the current leader will look for different personalities, points of view and mindsets compared to his/her own (regardless of gender).

The effective decision, on the other hand, requires a plurality of opinions, cultural backgrounds and knowledge, which go beyond the mere difference of gender. The discussion is effective if formed by different individuals and functions, because they favor a dynamic approach to the growth of the company in specific and evolving contexts. Differences are key to making effective decisions.

The theme is therefore not gender, but business: involving the female point of view without prior clarity of the decision-making objective (efficiency or effectiveness), even if right from an ethical point of view, risks of not being incisive. The type of decision most needed in current times and evolving environment should be clear…

Women have well known and unique qualities which can be added or integrated to the male ones:

• greater sensitivity and empathy (towards the customer, supplier or society as a whole, which avoids potential errors, for example especially in a period of greater attention to environmental and sustainability issues);
• different perception of the risk / benefit ratio that guarantees more thoughtful decisions and more timely detection of problems;
• efficient management of time and work;
• tenacity and propensity to fight all the battles they deem correct rather than letting them go
• attention and precision;
• multitasking.

Earning leadership means earning the trust and respect of co-workers, regardless of gender.

For us ambitious young people, poised between dreams and reality, you represent role models to follow and be inspired by. What do you feel like recommending?

ERIKA:

Never give up! Believe in your dreams and use the tools you have at your disposal with intelligence and originality, among all social networks, powerful and valuable channels for building networks and creating opportunities.

Now I turn in particular to my female colleagues: have the courage to challenge yourself, always. Take a risk and try to make your family and career ambitions coexist. Why give up a part of us?

Let others help you, asking for help is synonymous with humility and strength. There is always someone out there willing to give us a hand.

CHRISTIAN:

Be inspired like me by Jack Ma's message:

 “When you are 20 to 30 years old, you should follow a good boss [and] join a good company to learn how to do things properly”

“When you are 30 to 40 years old, if you want to do something yourself, just do it. You still can afford to lose, to fail” 

 “when you’re 40 to 50 years old, my suggestion is you should do things you are good at.”

“When you are 50 to 60 years old, spend time training and developing young people, the next generation”

Look for informal mentors outside your family / business environment who support and guide you in making the best choices, above all dictated by your sensitivity.

I suggest you choose your path/style carefully and stay consistent with it. It will be rewarding both for your career and personally.

We thank Erika and Christian for the time spent, the excellent food for thought and the valuable advice!

NOV 05, 2020 BY CARMELA PONTASSUGLIA IN JE ITALY BLOG

#GenderEquality, #GenderGap, #WeCanDoIt, #ChoosetoChallenge