Celine Egan
More than 700,000 women running their own small businesses in Australia are being given a unique opportunity to have their say in the nation’s first national research project especially designed for them.
The Australian Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI), with the support of TCY Coaching, launched the project yesterday.
“While significant information is available on women in leadership and management roles, there is very little data on the hundreds of thousands of women running small to medium-sized business in Australia,” TCY director Celine Egan explained.
Women in business in Australia are being encouraged to take part in this poll as women play a significant role in Australia’s economy.
“The Women in Business Poll will provide a better understanding of the challenges, rewards and opportunities for women running a business around Australia. It will explore such issues as how and why women start businesses, in what industries, where the businesses operate, revenue and wages, procurement of contracts, superannuation, childcare issues and more,” AWCCI CEO Yolanda Vega said.
“We know the significant contribution women make to the economy and to their local communities, often with little support or recognition. It is critical to the success of the project that women around the country part in this important survey.
“Women need to get involved in they want changes to take place; they can no longer afford to stay silent because their communities and the economy relies on them.
“The research will address areas of disadvantage as well as understand the particular challenges and opportunities that arise for women that are in urban areas.
“While significant information is available on women in leadership and management roles, there is very little data on women running small to medium sized business,” Ms Vega explained.
The AWCCI and its alliances believe governments and industry must have this information in order to support women in business and to understand the barriers they face across this large county of ours.
The project will provide a state-by-state breakdown on what women want, need and think when it comes to running their business.
Ita Buttrose, AWCCI Advisory Board Member, said: “For too long the enterprising women running small to medium-sized business in Australia have not had their voices heard, yet they are important contributors to our country’s economy”.
“What we do know is that international reports from the World Bank and the OECD say that women are a ‘failsafe investment’ and that they have a higher ‘return on investment’ than their male counterparts. We also know that women are the biggest consumers in the world and in Australia represent 70 per cent of buying power.
“With more and more women than ever before starting up businesses I urge as many women as possible to put aside the time to take part in this survey as the data collected will provide extremely valuable information,” Ms Buttrose added.
The survey can be accessed through the AWCCI website www.awcci.org.au It will take about 10 minutes to complete and can be done anonymously.
Participants also have the chance to win some great prizes including:
1. A holiday thanks to Wild Bush Luxury, valued at $4,000 (several locations available)
2. Two business-coaching sessions with Avril Henry, valued at $3,000 (Avril is the author of Leadership Revelations: An Australian Perspective and leading management consultant).
3. Office space for three months, thanks to ServCorp, valued at $1,100 (Office available at any Servcorp location in either NSW, VIC or QLD). Terms and conditions apply; please see www.awcci.org.au for further information.
“If you know a woman in business, please tell her to raise her voice, because Australia needs to know what women in business need and want,” Ms Vega said.
TCY Coaching believes it is important to have a clear understanding of women in business to ensure the prosperity and growth of the Australian economy and its urban communities, Ms Egan said.
Supporting the Women in Business Poll are:
- Platinum Sponsors: The Australian Federal Government and The NSW Government
- Diamond Sponsors: EPR Careers and emPOWER
- Pearl Sponsors: Macquarie Leasing
- Opal Sponsor: HWL Ebsworth
- Media Partner: The Australian Women’s Weekly
- Partner: Women in Global Business
- Associates: Business Network International (BNI), Little Black Dress, Network Central, the Pharmacy Guild, Success Women Network, She Business Australia, Success Women Network, TCY, TIE, Trade Australia
- Supporters: the Australian Association of Angel Investors, BPW Australia, Business Chicks, Business Enterprise Connect Australia (BECA), Business Women Alliance, Country Women’s Association of NSW, Head Over Heels, Pinstripe Media, The Growth Faculty, Women in Business (WIB Tasmania), Women Chiefs of Enterprise International (WCEI), Women In Leadership Australia (WLA), Women In Mining, Women in Technology (WIT WA) and Women’s Village.
