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More Women Leaders Are Better For Business | Serena von der Heyde | TEDxSurreyUniversitySalon


if you were born in a month it has an a
if you were born in a month it has an a in the world could you please stand up
right so if I was to ask all of you
right so if I was to ask all of you standing up now to leave the room you’d
standing up now to leave the room you’d
standing up now to leave the room you’d think probably that I was crazy we also
think probably that I was crazy we also
think probably that I was crazy we also did that’s a really arbitral reason for
did that’s a really arbitral reason for
did that’s a really arbitral reason for asking me to leave the room so please
asking me to leave the room so please
asking me to leave the room so please sit down Ian the point is the point that
sit down Ian the point is the point that
sit down Ian the point is the point that I want to make is but the reality is
I want to make is but the reality is
I want to make is but the reality is that it all the men and women in this
that it all the men and women in this
that it all the men and women in this room today go into my industry the women
room today go into my industry the women
room today go into my industry the women will have fewer opportunities they’re
will have fewer opportunities they’re
will have fewer opportunities they’re quite likely to get paid less than the
quite likely to get paid less than the
quite likely to get paid less than the men and there are a lot less likely to
men and there are a lot less likely to
men and there are a lot less likely to be general manager in future and for me
be general manager in future and for me
be general manager in future and for me this feels that the reason it is on
this feels that the reason it is on
this feels that the reason it is on their gender and it feels arbitrary to
their gender and it feels arbitrary to
their gender and it feels arbitrary to me so that’s point that I’m making them
me so that’s point that I’m making them
me so that’s point that I’m making them today I want to talk about diversity
today I want to talk about diversity
today I want to talk about diversity than our industry and the opportunity is
than our industry and the opportunity is
than our industry and the opportunity is that as I seen for it and so start with
that as I seen for it and so start with
that as I seen for it and so start with slide I’ll get through the slice as
slide I’ll get through the slice as
slide I’ll get through the slice as quickly as possible because it those
quickly as possible because it those
quickly as possible because it those rooms and it’s importantly have a feel
rooms and it’s importantly have a feel
rooms and it’s importantly have a feel for the industry it’s a very big
for the industry it’s a very big
for the industry it’s a very big industry 7.2 percent of the total
industry 7.2 percent of the total
industry 7.2 percent of the total working population 58 said to the people
working population 58 said to the people
working population 58 said to the people working in our three women but only
working in our three women but only
working in our three women but only twenty percent less than twenty percent
twenty percent less than twenty percent
twenty percent less than twenty percent a general managers and I know that’s
a general managers and I know that’s
a general managers and I know that’s true because in my experience some of
true because in my experience some of
true because in my experience some of the British hospitality Association
the British hospitality Association
the British hospitality Association committee in London and I was four years
committee in London and I was four years
committee in London and I was four years the only woman on that committee when I
the only woman on that committee when I
the only woman on that committee when I go to general managers conference you
go to general managers conference you
go to general managers conference you see as a senior of men in suits
see as a senior of men in suits
see as a senior of men in suits just a few women there and I was lucky
just a few women there and I was lucky
just a few women there and I was lucky enough fearful l and your general
enough fearful l and your general
enough fearful l and your general managers program there were eight women
managers program there were eight women
managers program there were eight women at 50 on the course it’s dead level
at 50 on the course it’s dead level
at 50 on the course it’s dead level pegging 225 and then drops off and for
pegging 225 and then drops off and for
pegging 225 and then drops off and for skills shortage and chefs and management
skills shortage and chefs and management
skills shortage and chefs and management roles in our history and just to talk
roles in our history and just to talk
roles in our history and just to talk about chefs for a minute in London this
about chefs for a minute in London this
about chefs for a minute in London this year percentage of women working in
year percentage of women working in
year percentage of women working in kitchens in London dropped from thirteen
kitchens in London dropped from thirteen
kitchens in London dropped from thirteen percent to 11 sent so it’s going the
percent to 11 sent so it’s going the
percent to 11 sent so it’s going the wrong way and this is against the
wrong way and this is against the
wrong way and this is against the students leaving catering College of
students leaving catering College of
students leaving catering College of equal numbers in fact slightly more
equal numbers in fact slightly more
equal numbers in fact slightly more women the men so if we could retain
women the men so if we could retain
women the men so if we could retain these women that were training there
these women that were training there
these women that were training there would be halfway to solving our problem
would be halfway to solving our problem
would be halfway to solving our problem with with with the skills shortage that
with with with the skills shortage that
with with with the skills shortage that we have chefs so why the industry needs
we have chefs so why the industry needs
we have chefs so why the industry needs women well first of all a more diverse
women well first of all a more diverse
women well first of all a more diverse Board makes more money there are lots of
Board makes more money there are lots of
Board makes more money there are lots of studies out there now whether they all
studies out there now whether they all
studies out there now whether they all say the same thing they just make more
say the same thing they just make more
say the same thing they just make more money that they’re more successful
money that they’re more successful
money that they’re more successful Dennis light least robust and then have
Dennis light least robust and then have
Dennis light least robust and then have better decision-making and when I first
better decision-making and when I first
better decision-making and when I first got interested in this I asked myself I
got interested in this I asked myself I
got interested in this I asked myself I looked at my own leadership board and it
looked at my own leadership board and it
looked at my own leadership board and it was entirely women so my phone was the
was entirely women so my phone was the
was entirely women so my phone was the other way around three and so I got
other way around three and so I got
other way around three and so I got thinking about why is that I like
thinking about why is that I like
thinking about why is that I like choosing to promote people that look
choosing to promote people that look
choosing to promote people that look like me that have my kind of management
like me that have my kind of management
like me that have my kind of management style and I think part of it is
style and I think part of it is
style and I think part of it is continuity I was looking for continuity
continuity I was looking for continuity
continuity I was looking for continuity in the business but also I think there’s
in the business but also I think there’s
in the business but also I think there’s an element of you go in there I kind of
an element of you go in there I kind of
an element of you go in there I kind of wanted to promote and prolong my imagine
wanted to promote and prolong my imagine
wanted to promote and prolong my imagine style and I think as well though I
style and I think as well though I
style and I think as well though I thought that if everybody thought the
thought that if everybody thought the
thought that if everybody thought the same way and we’re going for the same
same way and we’re going for the same
same way and we’re going for the same goal the same destiny
goal the same destiny
goal the same destiny we kind of get there quicker but I’m
we kind of get there quicker but I’m
we kind of get there quicker but I’m wrong about that because what I wanted
wrong about that because what I wanted
wrong about that because what I wanted really in my boardroom if I want debate
really in my boardroom if I want debate
really in my boardroom if I want debate and I want to have these diverse
and I want to have these diverse
and I want to have these diverse opinions so that you have good
opinions so that you have good
opinions so that you have good discussion at that point and you don’t
discussion at that point and you don’t
discussion at that point and you don’t get to implementing something and then
get to implementing something and then
get to implementing something and then realize that it was the wrong decision
realize that it was the wrong decision
realize that it was the wrong decision so I have since then employed a male
so I have since then employed a male
so I have since then employed a male general manager and I have a another man
general manager and I have a another man
general manager and I have a another man I had HIV team it has made a difference
I had HIV team it has made a difference
I had HIV team it has made a difference to the debate and it has improved up
to the debate and it has improved up
to the debate and it has improved up forward so I absolutely can bear out
forward so I absolutely can bear out
forward so I absolutely can bear out that part of this mirroring the customer
that part of this mirroring the customer
that part of this mirroring the customer effect and women are responsible for
effect and women are responsible for
effect and women are responsible for seventy percent of of buying decisions
seventy percent of of buying decisions
seventy percent of of buying decisions so why do not have somebody on your ward
so why do not have somebody on your ward
so why do not have somebody on your ward to mirror that customer perspective
to mirror that customer perspective
to mirror that customer perspective halfords have recently discovered that
halfords have recently discovered that
halfords have recently discovered that they’re buying public is to a large
they’re buying public is to a large
they’re buying public is to a large degree women and yet Salesforce is
degree women and yet Salesforce is
degree women and yet Salesforce is mainly men and they’ve actually
mainly men and they’ve actually
mainly men and they’ve actually implemented a program now because they
implemented a program now because they
implemented a program now because they believe it will sell more when their
believe it will sell more when their
believe it will sell more when their sales force better mirror the customers
sales force better mirror the customers
sales force better mirror the customers that are walking through the Lord
that are walking through the Lord
that are walking through the Lord accessing the wild widest talent pool so
accessing the wild widest talent pool so
accessing the wild widest talent pool so to the barriers seventy percent site
to the barriers seventy percent site
to the barriers seventy percent site that combining senior level work with
that combining senior level work with
that combining senior level work with caring responsibilities and I know it’s
caring responsibilities and I know it’s
caring responsibilities and I know it’s like to juggle family and work I’ve been
like to juggle family and work I’ve been
like to juggle family and work I’ve been doing it for a really long time now but
doing it for a really long time now but
doing it for a really long time now but I’ve been lucky enough to be self
I’ve been lucky enough to be self
I’ve been lucky enough to be self employed during that time so it means
employed during that time so it means
employed during that time so it means that at any point in my career and and
that at any point in my career and and
that at any point in my career and and through the time of having babies and
through the time of having babies and
through the time of having babies and small children I’ve been able to flex my
small children I’ve been able to flex my
small children I’ve been able to flex my working hours and flex my role according
working hours and flex my role according
working hours and flex my role according to my needs at a time and I really
to my needs at a time and I really
to my needs at a time and I really didn’t you don’t we get people saying
didn’t you don’t we get people saying
didn’t you don’t we get people saying this very often but i absolutely believe
this very often but i absolutely believe
this very often but i absolutely believe that if you manage to successfully
that if you manage to successfully
that if you manage to successfully combine your family in your home life
combine your family in your home life
combine your family in your home life with your working life but it’s a
with your working life but it’s a
with your working life but it’s a symbiotic relationship it’s a two plus
symbiotic relationship it’s a two plus
symbiotic relationship it’s a two plus two equals five job because you were
two equals five job because you were
two equals five job because you were each feed off the other energize the
each feed off the other energize the
each feed off the other energize the other and dominant must
other and dominant must
other and dominant must in organizations and I think kitchens
in organizations and I think kitchens
in organizations and I think kitchens are a typical example you know hear
are a typical example you know hear
are a typical example you know hear about this stereotypical type of kitchen
about this stereotypical type of kitchen
about this stereotypical type of kitchen with very male-dominated and I recently
with very male-dominated and I recently
with very male-dominated and I recently met somebody cool is Gareth Burlington
met somebody cool is Gareth Burlington
met somebody cool is Gareth Burlington and he is the head chef for Everton
and he is the head chef for Everton
and he is the head chef for Everton football club he has a regained of 35
football club he has a regained of 35
football club he has a regained of 35 and 19 219 my team of his brigade are
and 19 219 my team of his brigade are
and 19 219 my team of his brigade are women and he has found that there is a
women and he has found that there is a
women and he has found that there is a different ethos in the balance of his
different ethos in the balance of his
different ethos in the balance of his kitchen that the communication is
kitchen that the communication is
kitchen that the communication is excellent that people are supportive
excellent that people are supportive
excellent that people are supportive there isn’t the testosterone fueled ego
there isn’t the testosterone fueled ego
there isn’t the testosterone fueled ego that you can often see this little
that you can often see this little
that you can often see this little celebrity programs and they have a
celebrity programs and they have a
celebrity programs and they have a highly performing team man the other
highly performing team man the other
highly performing team man the other reasons lack of networking the solution
reasons lack of networking the solution
reasons lack of networking the solution from the formal networks and plaque with
from the formal networks and plaque with
from the formal networks and plaque with women in senior positions and I don’t
women in senior positions and I don’t
women in senior positions and I don’t believe it’s just senior positions where
believe it’s just senior positions where
believe it’s just senior positions where we’re missing women I think that it’s
we’re missing women I think that it’s
we’re missing women I think that it’s important to have women in this senior
important to have women in this senior
important to have women in this senior positions but it’s also really important
positions but it’s also really important
positions but it’s also really important for women to be able to see the next
for women to be able to see the next
for women to be able to see the next step up so they can see where they’re
step up so they can see where they’re
step up so they can see where they’re going and then the step after a nap so
going and then the step after a nap so
going and then the step after a nap so we need women throughout organizations
we need women throughout organizations
we need women throughout organizations not just tilt it around in in strategic
not just tilt it around in in strategic
not just tilt it around in in strategic places so that concludes my slide but
places so that concludes my slide but
places so that concludes my slide but I’d like to say that if if men and women
I’d like to say that if if men and women
I’d like to say that if if men and women all want to work in freising vibrant
all want to work in freising vibrant
all want to work in freising vibrant exciting organizations and if men women
exciting organizations and if men women
exciting organizations and if men women or want to work in forward-thinking
or want to work in forward-thinking
or want to work in forward-thinking forward-looking industries and if men
forward-looking industries and if men
forward-looking industries and if men women both want to have a great work
women both want to have a great work
women both want to have a great work life balance and they both want to have
life balance and they both want to have
life balance and they both want to have fair pay and fair opportunity then this
fair pay and fair opportunity then this
fair pay and fair opportunity then this isn’t a case I’m not I’m not pleading
isn’t a case I’m not I’m not pleading
isn’t a case I’m not I’m not pleading for an unknown situation this is about
for an unknown situation this is about
for an unknown situation this is about us all of us and what we’re going to do
us all of us and what we’re going to do
us all of us and what we’re going to do to improve the situation so what can we
to improve the situation so what can we
to improve the situation so what can we do as an employer what can I do writing
do as an employer what can I do writing
do as an employer what can I do writing first of all I can make sure that i’m
first of all I can make sure that i’m
first of all I can make sure that i’m applying fairly and the way that I
applying fairly and the way that I
applying fairly and the way that I recruit and promote is is fair and the
recruit and promote is is fair and the
recruit and promote is is fair and the important part of that is that we
important part of that is that we
important part of that is that we measuring diversity not business because
measuring diversity not business because
measuring diversity not business because that means we can really see whether
that means we can really see whether
that means we can really see whether there’s unconscious biases getting in
there’s unconscious biases getting in
there’s unconscious biases getting in there and when we’re doing a good job
there and when we’re doing a good job
there and when we’re doing a good job and we should share these stories with
and we should share these stories with
and we should share these stories with our colleagues and I’m hold up your case
our colleagues and I’m hold up your case
our colleagues and I’m hold up your case studies and we should Lobby our industry
studies and we should Lobby our industry
studies and we should Lobby our industry bodies and encourage them to support and
bodies and encourage them to support and
bodies and encourage them to support and encourage diversity in our industry and
encourage diversity in our industry and
encourage diversity in our industry and and then what about is employees what
and then what about is employees what
and then what about is employees what can employees do to to forward the
can employees do to to forward the
can employees do to to forward the argument for diversity and if you first
argument for diversity and if you first
argument for diversity and if you first of all when you go for a job you should
of all when you go for a job you should
of all when you go for a job you should be asking what is the diversity of
be asking what is the diversity of
be asking what is the diversity of you’ll need a shipboard because these
you’ll need a shipboard because these
you’ll need a shipboard because these are among women its leadership team I
are among women its leadership team I
are among women its leadership team I suggest that you look for a different
suggest that you look for a different
suggest that you look for a different company if it is giving you a big clue
company if it is giving you a big clue
company if it is giving you a big clue there that you’re not going to get all
there that you’re not going to get all
there that you’re not going to get all the way to the top in that business and
the way to the top in that business and
the way to the top in that business and I sent as well as employees it’s really
I sent as well as employees it’s really
I sent as well as employees it’s really helpful as an employer if you are
helpful as an employer if you are
helpful as an employer if you are talking to your employer and you’re
talking to your employer and you’re
talking to your employer and you’re saying this is what I’m trading for all
saying this is what I’m trading for all
saying this is what I’m trading for all this is Liz my family commitment this is
this is Liz my family commitment this is
this is Liz my family commitment this is what I need for my for my role this is
what I need for my for my role this is
what I need for my for my role this is why I want to assess my role in this way
why I want to assess my role in this way
why I want to assess my role in this way for this time and I’ve always been
for this time and I’ve always been
for this time and I’ve always been really happy to do that my staff because
really happy to do that my staff because
really happy to do that my staff because I know that it’s always rewarded me
I know that it’s always rewarded me
I know that it’s always rewarded me there my loyalty to them and supporting
there my loyalty to them and supporting
there my loyalty to them and supporting them has always come back tenfold and
them has always come back tenfold and
them has always come back tenfold and supported the business as women what can
supported the business as women what can
supported the business as women what can we do and I think the last video
we do and I think the last video
we do and I think the last video referenced lead in by sheryl sandberg
referenced lead in by sheryl sandberg
referenced lead in by sheryl sandberg what i really do recommend if you
what i really do recommend if you
what i really do recommend if you haven’t read it read it I read it so i
haven’t read it read it I read it so i
haven’t read it read it I read it so i think this last year and i was off to
think this last year and i was off to
think this last year and i was off to element lobbying meeting at the house of
element lobbying meeting at the house of
element lobbying meeting at the house of commons and i arrived and walked into
commons and i arrived and walked into
commons and i arrived and walked into the room and there was one thing it’s
the room and there was one thing it’s
the room and there was one thing it’s packed already it was one seat right
packed already it was one seat right
packed already it was one seat right next to the chairman of the meeting and
next to the chairman of the meeting and
next to the chairman of the meeting and the couple of weeks by the wall at the
the couple of weeks by the wall at the
the couple of weeks by the wall at the back and one of the ladies has shifted
back and one of the ladies has shifted
back and one of the ladies has shifted belong and said
belong and said
belong and said it here and I’ve just been reading it
it here and I’ve just been reading it
it here and I’ve just been reading it but I thought no I come to this meeting
but I thought no I come to this meeting
but I thought no I come to this meeting I want to to make make the point I want
I want to to make make the point I want
I want to to make make the point I want it to be worth my wife so I push my ways
it to be worth my wife so I push my ways
it to be worth my wife so I push my ways brees my way around and got to the front
brees my way around and got to the front
brees my way around and got to the front knee that’s our next to the chair of
knee that’s our next to the chair of
knee that’s our next to the chair of meeting and I was able to make some
meeting and I was able to make some
meeting and I was able to make some important points and I did help to steer
important points and I did help to steer
important points and I did help to steer the conversation and it was right by
the conversation and it was right by
the conversation and it was right by turning up my point is it’s not worth
turning up my point is it’s not worth
turning up my point is it’s not worth them to a meeting if you don’t intend to
them to a meeting if you don’t intend to
them to a meeting if you don’t intend to make a contribution to it so when her or
make a contribution to it so when her or
make a contribution to it so when her or her points are sit at the table make a
her points are sit at the table make a
her points are sit at the table make a contribution don’t apologize don’t
contribution don’t apologize don’t
contribution don’t apologize don’t practice what you want to say bye this
practice what you want to say bye this
practice what you want to say bye this might sound stupid I’ve really heard
might sound stupid I’ve really heard
might sound stupid I’ve really heard that please don’t do it as men what can
that please don’t do it as men what can
that please don’t do it as men what can you do and I suggest that you can
you do and I suggest that you can
you do and I suggest that you can support your female colleagues because
support your female colleagues because
support your female colleagues because it’s great for you is better for your
it’s great for you is better for your
it’s great for you is better for your career if you’re at a really effective
career if you’re at a really effective
career if you’re at a really effective functioning team and that means men and
functioning team and that means men and
functioning team and that means men and women in that team a lot out of students
women in that team a lot out of students
women in that team a lot out of students and universities what can you do well I
and universities what can you do well I
and universities what can you do well I think that you have a strong voice than
think that you have a strong voice than
think that you have a strong voice than ever you’ve had in my career because at
ever you’ve had in my career because at
ever you’ve had in my career because at this moment we are as employs fighting
this moment we are as employs fighting
this moment we are as employs fighting falling over ourselves to try and get
falling over ourselves to try and get
falling over ourselves to try and get graduates and so your voice is really
graduates and so your voice is really
graduates and so your voice is really strong and you have the opportunity to
strong and you have the opportunity to
strong and you have the opportunity to challenge employers and say what about
challenge employers and say what about
challenge employers and say what about diversity in your businesses and I think
diversity in your businesses and I think
diversity in your businesses and I think that you can highlight these issues and
that you can highlight these issues and
that you can highlight these issues and and when you choose to go and work
and when you choose to go and work
and when you choose to go and work placements and I know in our industry
placements and I know in our industry
placements and I know in our industry involves a lot of work placements and
involves a lot of work placements and
involves a lot of work placements and industry experience choose those
industry experience choose those
industry experience choose those employers that are showing good
employers that are showing good
employers that are showing good diversity policies and don’t work for
diversity policies and don’t work for
diversity policies and don’t work for the ones that sit on and as academics
the ones that sit on and as academics
the ones that sit on and as academics don’t take partners on to your courses
don’t take partners on to your courses
don’t take partners on to your courses and into your students if they’re not
and into your students if they’re not
and into your students if they’re not showing that they are employing equally
showing that they are employing equally
showing that they are employing equally and giving opportunity to everybody I
and giving opportunity to everybody I
and giving opportunity to everybody I don’t be on that you can also you can
don’t be on that you can also you can
don’t be on that you can also you can write to journals industry journals and
write to journals industry journals and
write to journals industry journals and give your opinion piece this is your
give your opinion piece this is your
give your opinion piece this is your chance to spell out to the industry that
chance to spell out to the industry that
chance to spell out to the industry that you want
you want
you want to go into what you want your work-life
to go into what you want your work-life
to go into what you want your work-life balance to look like what you want your
balance to look like what you want your
balance to look like what you want your future working career to be and this is
future working career to be and this is
future working career to be and this is a really special opportunity you have at
a really special opportunity you have at
a really special opportunity you have at the moment so I would urge you to use
the moment so I would urge you to use
the moment so I would urge you to use your voice so I’m really believe in
your voice so I’m really believe in
your voice so I’m really believe in diversity I really believe that it makes
diversity I really believe that it makes
diversity I really believe that it makes better business and it gives us the
better business and it gives us the
better business and it gives us the opportunity for a better lifestyle of
opportunity for a better lifestyle of
opportunity for a better lifestyle of white balance I’ve had a fantastic
white balance I’ve had a fantastic
white balance I’ve had a fantastic career in hospitality it’s been
career in hospitality it’s been
career in hospitality it’s been exhilarating challenging varied fun it’s
exhilarating challenging varied fun it’s
exhilarating challenging varied fun it’s been completely brilliant and at the
been completely brilliant and at the
been completely brilliant and at the same time I’ve been able to have a very
same time I’ve been able to have a very
same time I’ve been able to have a very full family life and pretty firm
full family life and pretty firm
full family life and pretty firm sporting life and I really want that for
sporting life and I really want that for
sporting life and I really want that for everybody in the future so that’s my bit
everybody in the future so that’s my bit
everybody in the future so that’s my bit done with I would like to ask from you
done with I would like to ask from you
done with I would like to ask from you what are you writing is about how we can
what are you writing is about how we can
what are you writing is about how we can improve things in the future and if
improve things in the future and if
improve things in the future and if you’re interested in what I’ve been
you’re interested in what I’ve been
you’re interested in what I’ve been saying here today I’ll be very
saying here today I’ll be very
saying here today I’ll be very interested if you could come and give me
interested if you could come and give me
interested if you could come and give me yo speak to me at the end addition and
yo speak to me at the end addition and
yo speak to me at the end addition and and tell you if you were you know
and tell you if you were you know
and tell you if you were you know interested in keeping in touch in and
interested in keeping in touch in and
interested in keeping in touch in and helping to move things forward thank you
helping to move things forward thank you
helping to move things forward thank you very much
very much
very much [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
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