The Importance of Hiring Women for Tech Companies

[ General ] [ Jobs ] [ Startup ] 
by @ 13.1.2011 16:20 CET | 4 Comments Clip to Memonic
 

 

From Internet World Business/Switzerland – January 2011

Take a look at this picture. These faces abounded, over six editorial pages, within Internet World Businesses most recent issue – highlighting the faces and names rocking the tech scene in Switzerland. Notice anything funny?

We’ll tell you what it is: Save for ONE – on a different page – these are all men.

Now, we have nothing against men. Our company is also mostly male. But we do have two women on our team, and often work with female freelancers. This practice of engaging women enriches our operation, and offers a fresh perspective in the office. And we are not just talking about the decor.

Outdated notions about women are just that: out-dated (but for kicks, check out this link for a hilarious 1943 guide to hiring women). According to a recent US government report, it is estimated that women account for more than half the world’s output, and by 2025, the number of women in the workforce will surpass that of men. In the US alone, women already hold 49.1 per cent of the nation’s jobs, and more than half of college and university students are female. In Asia, the female labour force participation has been growing steadily over the last five years. Nonetheless, more can be done to encourage women, particularly those who have been out of the workforce, to come back to work. For example – opening up realms they may not naturally explore. Like TECHNOLOGY.

We hope that with examples like Google’s Marissa Meyer, or with High-Tech former CEOs like Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman and their rising profiles, this will change over time. For now, we chuckle at the fact that on the bottom right hand corner of the above picture, there’s an ad for a webmaster course…featuring a majority of women. Perhaps they’re out of touch. Or maybe- they can see the future.

For now, we encourage you, our friends, to hire for diversity. In the end – it will make your team that much stronger and more attractive. 

On that note, we would like to mention that Memonic is hiring! If you are or you know a huge talent in engineering, sales or marketing – we would love to hear from you! 

 
 
 

4 Comments

  1. Melania says:
    13. January 2011 at 17:02

    I remember going to my first Amazee Web Monday about a year ago and being amazed by the low number of women. It’s a great event, by the way: http://www.amazee.com/web-monday-zurich

    Also, I recently watched an excellent ted.com presentation by the Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg, on “Why we have too few women leaders”. She makes some excellent points: http://ted.com/talks/sher…w_women_leaders.html

  2. Jenny says:
    14. January 2011 at 17:18

    Good reminder! My hope is on the next generation. What if tech companies offer some “guided tour” or doors-open days for teenage girls? Few girls, especially here in Switzerland, have the chance to be exposed to the inside stories of what tech companies really do. Would you share with them what is fun with your daily work? What kind of experiences
    are more of art and less of science?

  3. keren says:
    16. January 2011 at 10:47

    what wonderful comments! Melania, you are right: the TED talk is a must – see.
    Jenny, I have argued since joining this industry that the correction needs to start at the bottom (because most likely, hollywood won’t be making a movie about how cool it is for women to rock the start up scene anytime soon).
    At memonic, we are doing our humble share by touring schools in Switzerland -with me *(Keren, a woman!) in tow. I think it makes a statement.
    There’s a lot that is fun about my work. Coming from a decidedly female line of work (maybe the holy grail for women) – the fashion/magazine industry, I can tell you this is not the scientific geek parade girls think it is. Sure, there is less need for the Prada dresses and Dior heels. But it’s really challenging. Marketing a small, unknown
    company gives you lots of freedom to be creative. For example – writing this blog – that is very creative! Also, we just launched an online contest (you could win a kindle) – which you can check out below orr on our facebook page. Examples abound.
    Also, you get to travel a lot, in many cases, for sales pitches- and for conferences. You learn so much about the digital space, which is very important for the near future of everything.
    And on these trips, you get to meet entrepreneurs – people who are really working for the dream. Idealists. Nothing is more invigorating. I encourage women to consider this rewarding arena.

  4. keren says:
    16. January 2011 at 17:35

    PS: there ARE others. Check out these fab role models: http://mercurynews.com/bu…80499?nclick_check=1

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