According to research by the Gallup Organization and the U.S. Small Business Administration, women purchase or influence the purchase of a staggering 80% of all consumer goods, including big-ticket cars, financial services and computers.
As chief procurement officers of American households, women are expected to control or direct nearly $1 trillion, or 60% of U.S. wealth by 2010. However, women have not increased their presence and influence in the executive suites of Corporate America.....opting instead, to develop their own businesses as suppliers to industry. Over the past two decades, the number of women-owned businesses has exploded. The Center for Women's Business Research in Washington, DC reports that there are now 7.7 million firms in the U.S. that are majority-owned by women, a 42% increase over the past decade. These companies provide 7.1 million workers and generate sales of $1.1 trillion annually.
Pamela Eason, senior director of Pfizer's worldwide procurement organization, understands the role that women play in the pharmaceutical giant's success. "Women make so many health-care decisions for their families, and we benefit from that," Eason says. "Working with women suppliers gets us even closer to our customers and gives us innovative ways of doing business all around the world."
The next step forward is for business mentors and executive coaches to help women executives achieve success within Corporate America: www.ExecutiveWoman.info
Source: Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)