Women enliven the environment and enhance human values as mothers, sisters, spouses, partners, colleagues and friends. In addition, they occupy an increasing number of positions in the commercial and industrial world as professionals, managers, counsellors and more.
In our own small but growing society in New Zealand, women are evincing larger interest as businesspersons and professionals, apart from taking a lead role in social and community welfare issues.
Their increasing role as professionals, entrepreneurs and businesspersons is a source of pride and endearment.
Among them are Chief Executives, Chief Operating Officers and Senior Managers of large, medium and small enterprises, accountants, architects, doctors, engineers, interior decorators, lawyers and many others.
Almost all women entrepreneurs are success stories that deserve to be highlighted and rewarded.
Our Business Awards
In response to readers’ suggestions, we introduced the Best Businesswoman of the Year category to the Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards (IBA) last year to recognise and reward successful businesswomen and celebrate their success. As expected, this Category was popular.
As a departure from other categories, participants in this Category could file their entries directly or be nominated by a company or an individual, provided they meet the criteria.
This Award recognises an outstanding woman who has had a significant impact on the success of a business. As per the Rules of IBA, the person nominated to the category or entering on her own, need not be the owner of the business but be an important member and role-player in the organisation.
A number of women from India, Fiji and other parts of the world have found their role as businesspersons in New Zealand complimentary to their male counterparts. They have enhanced the values of businesses, bringing synergy, dignity and honour to the private sector, with diligence, devotion and determination.
New Zealand has a lot to offer to women who have the desire to succeed.
Increasing role
Indian women have been involved in a variety of commercial activities for several decades. Apart from partners or managers in the ubiquitous superettes and convenience stores, they are increasingly seen as major stakeholders in commercial ventures that call for tough and fast decisions.
New Zealand women of Indian origin, like their counterparts elsewhere, have been fighting long-standing prejudices and are working their way to the top of companies or starting their own businesses.
While women have shown their capacity to excel men in some areas, more often than not, the hurdle of conforming to traditional roles within families has thus far posed as much of a barrier to businesswomen as the still-too-thick glass ceiling at companies.
However, the new feminism contends that women are wired differently from men, and not just in trivial ways. They are less aggressive and more consensus seeking, less competitive and more collaborative, less power-obsessed and more group-oriented.
World Toppers
Women of Indian origin are among the top 50 Businesswomen of the world.
They include PepsiCo Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi, Britannia Industries Chief Executive Vinita Bali, Biocon Limited Chairman & Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Hindustan Times Group Chairperson and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia.
Many of the most successful women are Chief Executives and top managers in hard-edged companies, rather than the touchy-feely organisations of the new feminist imagination. These include leadership and top-decision making roles in such specialised industries as nuclear energy, mining, agribusiness, chemicals, oil and office technology.
The Cranfield School of Management’s Female FTSE 100 Index reveals that two of the industries with the best record for promoting women to their boards are banking and transport.
Our 2010 Winner
Joanne Godinho, Director, Allure Hair & Beauty, who won the Award last year, said it was one of the most exciting experiences in her career.
“While winning the Award undoubtedly provided market exposure for my Company and helped it to grow further, I was able to involve my staff and customers in preparing the entry form. It was a team effort, which enhanced the value of the Award,” she said.
For more details, visit our Awards website www.inliba.co.nz or call us on (09) 5336377. Email: editor@indiannewslink.co.nz
