CEO/POLICY MAKER INTERACTION SERIES

In furtherance of our vision ‘to be the catalyst that elevates the profile and influence of women in management and business’, we hold periodic meetings with Chief Executive Officers and members of executive management to discuss and proffer solutions to the challenges that women face in the workplace. In past years we had met with several CEOs and Policy Makers to hear directly from them what they thought to be the critical challenges of women in management and business. The outcomes have lent credence to our vision and propelled us to stay on track.

2003….
In 2003 we met with 17 CEOs and Policy Makers. Key conclusions coming out of the meeting were as follows:

1. While it is true that women are different from men in many ways, women must not request for or expect preferential treatment in the workplace if they are to be taken seriously
2. Women tend to be very loyal employees but should not allow loyalty to hamper the ‘aggressive streak’ required to get ahead both with their careers and with business
3. Women that have successful careers or businesses are those that have been ‘moulded’ to be their very best from a very early age
4. Women are sometimes their own worst enemy in the workplace and should begin to think of ways in which they can help each other to grow and succeed in business.

This last conclusion concerned us very much indeed as it has been a recurring comment in several of our events i.e. a need to build strong mentoring networks.

2004….
It was in response to this last conclusion that the CEO forum for 2004 was themed ‘How to Reproduce Yourself; Imparting the Next Generation’. We invited a selected group of thirty women in various stages of their careers and business (chief executive officers of large and small organizations, entrepreneurs with successful businesses and those that were just starting their own businesses and young women at the very early rungs of the corporate ladder) to participate in a highly interactive two to three hour session where we heard “both sides of the story” and began to build the bridges to ensure that we are indeed helpers and supporters. The event held at the Abora Suite, EKO Hotel, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday June 10th

2007…
In response to the various workplace issues that have been raised at our Annual Conferences and other events in the past years and in line with contemporary issues, we themed our 2007 CEO/Policy Maker Interaction Series Workplace Mobility – WIMBIZ Engages the Men. We invited a select group of top executives, mainly men, to a Breakfast Meeting, to discuss the issues of workplace mobility and flexibility. This event brought together 17 of these top executives at a highly interactive session.

Click here to view and/or download the report and see the pictures.

The venue for the 2007 CEO/Policy Maker Interaction Series was the Foods of the Sun Restaurant, Eko Hotel and Suites, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos on Friday 20 July at 8.30am.