Research recently compiled for BBC News found that women were significantly under-represented in top jobs. For example only 16% of Business FTSE-100 board directors are women and only 36.7% are Secondary School Head Teachers. However there are some top business women in the workforce who deserve to be recognised so here are a few of them:
Irene Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Kraft Foods (most powerful women in the FT’s Fortune’s Annual rankings)
Rosenfeld made a tough decision this year to reverse her previous strategy and decided to split Kraft into two companies instead of expanding through acquisitions. All business people have to make tough decisions during their time and have to look at all the options available to them from factoring, cutting costs or outside help. Ensure you consider all the options before you make your final decision.
Indra Nooyi, CEO and Chairman of PepsiCo.
Nooyi is the 9th highest paid women according to Fortune with her total Compensation in 2010 a whopping $14,032, 298.
Ursula Burns, Chairman and CEO of Xerox
Burns recently closed Xerox’s biggest deal with the acquisition of Affiliated Computer Services which increased the companies profits by 25%.
Andrea Jung, Chairman and CEO of Avon Products
Jung, is the longest-serving women of a Fortune-500 company after running Avon for 12 years. Avon has been going for 125 years and sales are increasing into the billions. With double digit sales in most global regions, Avon continues to succeed. Jung also sits on the Apple and GE boards.
Angela Ahrendts CEO of Burberry
“I have seen women feel like they’ve got to dress like men, or feel that they’ve got to be more aggressive but I think that you have to always remain true to your own values and to who you are… I’ve not changed my personality, and it has not stopped me in progressing in my career.”
You can see the full list of top 10 women in World Business according to the Financial Times here.
Are you a woman in business? How do you cope with trying to stay on top and managing other people?
