Women have greater abilities

The variable that has the greatest impact on a company's bottom line is its employees. Business leaders always complain that there is a dearth of workforce talent and the workforce complain that they do not have suitable jobs. Aren't we tired of this argument? May I ask you; what is the best solution?

The war for talent is heating up- but the approach is wrong. Most people may not know that the war for talent is heating up in the Sri Lankan market though unemployment is still a problem.

We see more and more expatriate workers both men and women at all levels penetrating the job market here.

The trend seems alarming from an economic stand point. We're approaching the war in the wrong way-bringing in expats to fill the gap.

From sewing girls and housemaids to women executives is the need of the hour. As companies become strapped for talent, it's important to be aware that an increasing number of college degrees are going to women and that women are entering the workforce at a growth rate higher than ever before.

These women boast better credentials, higher ambitions and greater loyalty and focus than their male peers. Many industries such as banking, advertising and hospitality have begun to see the pipeline being filled with women.

Women think differently

I have been very vocal about the Sri-Lankan female talent. The reality today is that in most cases, the business woman's presence hasn't yet reached the top echelons in the right numbers but progressive companies will make this happen.

My experience is that some attributes women have will benefit the companies of the future - as more and more decisions will be driven by perceptions. Women have greater abilities to augment products or services to create the right perception.

Women bring different skill to the table compared to men. Women think different strategically and are generally more creative than men. Women conform better and comply with rules and ethics. Women have intuitive skills, greater determination and courage.

The diversity is an important element for organisations to have new dimensions and perspectives for wining strategies.

But there's a catch; women need to change

For the companies to employ women, many things have to change. Conventional cultural forces - family-related "pulls," such as daughterly duties to parents and in-laws, and work-related "pushes," such as extreme hours and dangerous commutes - force women to settle for dead-end jobs, switch to the public sector, or leave the workforce entirely after a brief period. Of course creating the right environment for women is a collective responsibility of all relevant stakeholders.

Organisation responsibility; offer real opportunities as a talent magnet

Organisations on the other hand, should put in place overall framework for creating conducive workable policies and programs to ensure that women are recruited, retained, and offered real opportunity within companies.

The future of Sri-Lankan companies is one of intense competition for talent.

The smartest of these organisations will discover the huge national talent pools of local women who are ready and willing to accept the challenge. Become a talent magnet by building a solid reputation as a company that hires and provides opportunity for talented women. What men and women should know

Role

We the male leaders should be conscious about the fact that it's for our country, for our sisters, daughters and granddaughters. So there is a benefit for me as well. Women have a serious role to play in the economic development of our country.

Take the lead not follow the men as done in the past. Don't waste public money spent on free education by being confined to meaningless traditional boundaries.

Get the best use of it for you and your loved ones which will in the end, help all Sri Lankans. I call this transformation of woman to 'lady'; its being a professional.