New Survey on future global challenges for working women

A recent survey “One Step Ahead of 2011: A New Horizon for Working Women” conducted by Accenture provides an overview of how tomorrow’s workforce feels about the changes to business that will accompany the increasing levelling of economic power globally. 4,100 professionals (both gender were equally represented) from medium to large organizations in 17 countries were interviewed through an online survey. The report focuses in particular on the future changes for tomorrow’s female workforce around the world. It tries to identify what working women will need to do to adapt to the challenges of globalization, explores key differences between the genders and assesses people’s willingness to make the necessary adjustments. In terms of being prepared for future challenges, less than half of the participants felt equipped to succeed three years down the road. In the category skills readiness women ascribed greater importance to skills related to inclusion and diversity, social responsibility and global skills. However technology was the skill that women overall deemed most important to success in the future and the one they are most willing to embrace as an enabler of new business models. More than half of female respondents expressed uncertainty about their ability to foster global business relationships over the next three years. The report concludes that especially women “will need to understand what new skills they need to stay relevant and thrive”.