Skip to main content
Aug 06, 2013

10 priorities of women directors

More than 250 women corporate directors, CEOs, board chairs and other c-level officers met at the Women Corporate Directors' Global Institute and crafted a list of priorities that all top executives should see.

A list of 10 important action points came out of the Women Corporate Directors’ third annual Global Institute last month that deserves the attention of all directors and other top executives. More than 20 countries were represented at the gathering of more than 250 women corporate directors, CEOs, board chairs and other c-level officers who came together to discuss their priorities on a wide range of issues from increasing regulation to the growing power of women in the emerging markets. 

One thing to come out of the meeting was the list of ‘Ten big ideas on the minds of women corporate directors.’ Punctuated with quotes from participants who attended the meeting, each of the ideas represents an issue that corporate directors must prepare their companies to deal with if they expect them to be successful in today’s business environment. All companies can benefit from these savvy and accomplished women’s perspectives on what should be a corporation’s top priorities.

‘Competition in capital markets’ was listed as the number one big idea for women directors, reinforcing the concern that globally, success in the capital markets is one of the keys to growth for any company.

‘True boardroom equality’ was number 10 on the list, and the fact that such a fantastic list came directly from a meeting of women executives proves why they should continue to insist on more representation in corporate boardrooms. 

Other concerns on the list include:

  • Entering new markets – carefully 
  • Board education on a global level
  • Becoming an agent of change 
  • The impact of more women on boards

Each idea included a quote from a meeting participant that put the importance of the idea in the proper perspective. 

These high-level executive women have put together a list of priorities that any company would do well to pay attention to. So this may be a good time for your board of directors and management team to put together a list of 10 priorities for the next 12 months and see how that improves the productivity of your business. Your company might benefit from some big ideas of your own.

Speaking of big ideas, we at Corporate Secretary are very interested in your thoughts, so we would like you to participate in our 2013 Corporate Secretary Practice Survey. Your views, along with those of your peers, will help us develop future research to benefit all governance professionals and further our efforts to bring you the best news analysis of leading-edge GRC developments. Participants will be entered in a draw to win an iPad Mini, so if you haven’t received an email invitation to take the survey, please contact our research manager Lloyd Bevan at Lloyd.bevan@thecrossbordergroup.com.