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Joan Toth, Executive Director, Network of Executive Women (NEW)
Tel. (312) 693-5393 | E-mail jtoth@newonline.org | www.newonline.org

Network of Executive Women urges action on management diversity

White paper says ‘progress on diversity slow’

CHICAGO (February 11) – A new white paper from the Network of Executive Women urges the consumer products and retail industry to get into action to promote gender diversity in management. The white paper reported “an astonishing step back” in progress, citing a U.S. Census Bureau study showing that women’s share of executive positions declined from 32 percent in 1990 to 19 percent in 2000, the last year surveyed.

“The food production, food wholesaling and the food and drug store segments all rank below the Fortune 500” in gender diversity,” the report said, “with only 7.1 percent, 11 percent and 11.7 percent, respectively, of corporate officers positions held by women.”

Other consumer products and retail segments fare better: Women hold 15.4 percent of corporate officer positions in the food/consumer products category; general merchandising, 18.2 percent; beverages, 22.5 percent; and tobacco, 29.7 percent, the white paper said, quoting a 2002 Catalyst survey.

The 1,500-word report, “Leveraging Management Diversity for Competitive Advantage,” is the first in a series of white papers being released by the Network to promote diversity in the consumer products and retail industry. A white paper focused on women of color is currently on press and a third report is being developed highlighting the importance of networking and mentoring.

Ten step program

In addition to outlining the state of management diversity, the Network report suggested ten actions companies can take to promote greater gender diversity in their leadership.

Among the steps: Support diversity management from the top; create a gender diversity master plan; train and promote from within; support networking, mentoring and affinity programs; and benchmark results with measurable metrics.

“Management diversity is a business imperative, especially in light of the fact that three-quarters of the American population and nearly two-thirds of the nation’s workforce is comprised of women and minorities,” said Kimberly Betts, NEW’s president and communications director of Ahold USA. “Imagine the talent and creativity lost by when women employees don’t reach their full potential,” Betts said. “Gender diversity could be worth billions to American business.”

Benefits of diversity

The white paper lists numerous business benefits derived from management diversity, including an expanded executive talent pool, increased input in decision making, improved affinity with customers, higher productivity and morale, increased employee retention, expanded sales networks, and fewer grievances.

Executive Director Joan Toth said the report “is just one of many efforts that will be launched in 2005 to assist NEW sponsors and members realize the full potential of management diversity.” In addition to the white paper series, “NEW will continue to consult and advise its members on diversity issues, hold networking events, facilitate mentoring and champion the cause of industry diversity,” Toth said.

To inquire how your company can receive the report, contact NEW Executive Director Joan Toth at (312) 693-5855, or e-mail jtoth@newonline.org.

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