Kevin Roberts has confirmed what many people have known for years – that the Marketing industry has been very loathe to challenge the status quo and truly embrace diversity and inclusion. Without a brave and honest look at the culture and attitudes that prevail, there will be no change.
In an industry where there are close to equal numbers of male and female employees, it is not good enough to accept the fact that only a relatively tiny proportion of women reach senior roles without asking why. Is it really the case that so few women are interested in taking a leading role in organisations? Research, anecdotal evidence and personal experience would suggest that there is a lot more at play.
There have been many articles in recent years highlighting the issues organisations and their employees face around this issue, but only a handful of case studies showing how things can be changed. Surely now the problem has been established it is time for action on a larger scale?
In an industry where there are close to equal numbers of male and female employees, it is not good enough to accept the fact that only a relatively tiny proportion of women reach senior roles without asking why.
Women’s careers tend to be more complex and millennial women have very different expectations from work. It makes sense for organisations to try to understand the ways in which the ‘way things have always been done’ influences attitudes to work, promotion and recruitment. Female employees also need help to understand the ways in which they can step up, be heard and become more resilient. For an industry that relies so heavily on people surely it is time really try to understand what is going on and then act?
With birdsoup, our ambition is to work with organisations and employees in the industry to develop understanding that leads to effective change. Today’s conversations have made us even more convinced that this is needed. Watch this space for further updates…
