Don't Worry Be Happy - But We Do

The MIT AgeLab has recently completed a large scale survey to investigate concerns about retirement. They have found large differences between men and women. The area where men are more worried than women is potential for being bored during retirement - there us women don't have many worries, but virtually on every other front we are more worried, and as the article says - probably with good reason.

The 3 primary areas where worries occur are: Inflation, Health, and Longevity. The researchers say it isn't unfounded worries given women tend to outlive their spouses, and a large number of women will end up living on significantly smaller incomes than men in retirement. Health, it suggests that women have to do a better job of taking care of themselves, much of their health energy is applied to looking after aging parents and their spouse. It's important to remember to take care of yourself. The final concern is about insuring they have enough assets to last them through their final days.

Increasing women's knowledge of investment funds, retirement funds, and working with financial planners is something that needs to happen. Yes, women do manage much of the money in the home and large financial decisions I haven't read of women's knowledge in long term planning happening. Potentially an area for growth.

The Ultimate Glass Ceiling Remains in Place

I can't have this site talk about getting more women into positions of power and decision making and not comment on Hilary Clinton not being the democratic choice for this fall election. Today in her concession speech she commented that not having been able to break the ultimate glass ceiling. Even though as Hilary said, "...we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you it has about 18 million cracks in it", polls suggest that female democrats are very keen she should be on the ticket as VP. However while that may seem the next best title, does it carry as much decision making as a different leadership position in the senate?

I became a citizen just prior to the last election so I could vote. While my life is busy with work, family, and 'just stuff happening' (while also looking for a few quick-moments) I have to participate when I can in politics - if we don't participate we can't complain when change doesn't happen. Sometimes it's exhausting to participate but you do feel better when decisions are made that you did whatever you could to make a difference. Today Hilary is an example of someone who tried extremely hard to make change and she has made it happen in terms of making it a real possibility that a woman can be President of the United States.

Asian-Pacific Women Increasing their Control of Spend

At the Global Summit of Women (GSW) this week it was reported in China View that by 2014 women will control $516B. They are making their way to fill the openings in the job market and are well educated and living the single life style. The report was from Mastercard Worldwide.

In Hanoi, at the summit, the number of women starting small businesses was given. In the US the number is 40%, Europe a third, and China 25%, and Japan 20%. I always feel a wave of empowerment when I read about such events, the tide is turning and attention is being given to women in business. Alas as I move through the agenda I also read about "... and breaking the cycle of trafficking women and children." These are remain challenging times and there are many benefits to seeing women make their way forward and upward in business to make change happen.

Not A Rosie Picture for All

While I like to be upbeat and optimistic about the increase in wealth of women, I do need a reality check on for which segments of the female population is this the case. Increases in wealth is not for all women. An article in the SignonSanDiego.com highlights the challenges women are facing with the current tightening of the economy. A Rockerfeller Foundation study produced these following results:

• One in five women had a medical prescription she couldn't afford to fill in the past year, compared with one out of eight men.
• One in eight women reported that she couldn't afford to take a child to the doctor during the past year, compared with one out of 16 men.
• One in 14 American women went hungry at some time last year because of lack of money, compared with one out of 25 men.
• More American women – 56 percent – are worried about cutbacks to Social Security than men, at 41 percent. One reason for this disparity is that half of retired women count on Social Security as a major source of income, compared with 38 percent of retired men. And one reason for that is that more men have employment-provided retirement savings plans, at 61 percent, than women, at 51 percent.

Keeping gender successes in perspective is important, and with success we've got to remember how to give back and create benefits for all, to strengthen overall society.

Imagine if all tradeshows considered a woman's perspective: Women's Day at the Auto Show

So what do I think of women's day as a theme for the Chicago auto show? I think now they've really internalized the fact that women influence car purchases significantly that their business strategies are starting to change. They've realized that 85% of car buying decisions are influenced by women, women buy just over 50% of cars, and yet only 25% of the attendees at the show are women (Foxbusiness). If this is a show to excite the market of potential purchasers then they need to increase that percentage. They've dropped the price of entry by 50% for women on Women's day which was Tuesday, and booths presented seminars, trainings and sessions for women on buying, leasing and car maintenance, and thought of additional attractions to improve the environment which included things like spa treatments. The nail treatments might be a bit obvious and almost tacky, but heck, honestly sometimes we do fall for such things, it's. Also the event actually deserves some credibility by collaborating with Motherproof.com which is a website that supports women in the purchasing of cars (awesome site by the way).

Even though its being entered into because of the business and not out the goodness of equality of their hearts, I'm going to say - Good for the auto show planners, an improvement over last year. I hope the event is an appropriate increase in support, and I sincerely hope they keep trying to figure out how to appeal to women.

Imagine if every large tradeshow or event truly understood the power of the economy of women and thought about how to reach out to tap the market how different business would be. It's not just women as buyers, but it's that female chain reaction of having more women in industry, in businesses, in decision making positions, to influence product creation that appeals to the audience. Do we need to have formal women's days at events? It makes me feel uncomfortable having always been in male environments in school and work to want a 'special' event, however considering how women at work benefit from formal networking opportunities versus casual relationships, the idea of formalizing an event that appeals to women offers the same benefits as formal networking opportunities in that it creates a safe environment with known expectations of what to do, and what's expected of you.

I want to see more attempts to engage with women - remember it's all about moving dollars from our pockets to their business pockets, it's not about equality, I simply want them to earn their money and for me to enjoy the spending experience and be happy with what I get. Win - Win - how hard can that be?