Australian companies losing a competitive edge.Women make up almost half our workforce but hold only 12 per cent of senior management positions in private companies and only 8 per cent of private sector board positions.

“Australian companies are losing the competitive advantage by ignoring a huge pool of talent. No country or company can afford to lose this opportunity in the new global economy,” said Dr Graeme Russell on behalf of the Catalyst for Change partnership.

A panel of Australian business leaders, facilitated by Ms Geraldine Doogue, will discuss employment practices that benefit both women and the businesses they work for at Catalyst for Change in Sydney on Wednesday, 29 March and in Melbourne on Friday, 31 March as part of a week-long program of events examining how businesses can make the most of women’s skills in the workforce.

Dr Mary Mattis, Senior Research Fellow at leading US-research organisation, Catalyst, will also present the keynote address on promoting corporate action. Dr Mattis conducts cutting-edge research and works with Fortune 500 companies, helping them make the most of women’s skills and developing initiatives that focus on recruiting, retaining and advancing women in business.

“To succeed in business today companies have to make the most of their workforce. Women make up at least half of the best available brainpower. They bring new perspectives and solutions, but companies have to make women want to join and stay with them,” Dr Mattis said.

“Companies that demonstrate top-level commitment to lifting barriers to women’s advancement and are willing to take risks on high-potential women, such as offering them non-traditional jobs, will reap the benefits,” she said.

The panel members will discuss the role of business leaders in advancing women in the workplace. The Sydney panel consists of Managing Director and CEO of IBM A/NZ, Mr David Thodey, Chief Executive Officer of AMP, Mr Paul Batchelor and company directors Ms Helen Lynch and Ms Diane Grady.The Melbourne panel consists of Managing Director of Hewlett-Packard, Mr Bruce Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Great Southern Railway, Mr Steve Bradford and company directors Ms Merran Kelsall and Ms Jane Tongs.

“In today’s world, to ignore the contribution women have to make in the workplace simply isn’t good business,” Managing Director and CEO of IBM A/NZ, Mr David Thodey, said.

“IBM recognises the need to provide opportunities for women to advance their careers and to provide a work environment which suits and reflects our diverse workforce. IBM has put in place a number of strategies to achieve this.”

AMP Chief Executive Officer, Mr Paul Batchelor said: “Under the Employer of Choice program, AMP is committed to continually improving the workplace opportunities for all our employees and that includes finding ways to help women move up the corporate ladder.

“AMP has a vibrant corporate culture that is constantly evolving – our success depends upon our people and it is imperative that the working environment at AMP supports all our people’s skills and stimulates performance across the full breadth of our diverse workforce”.

The Catalyst for Change program is organised by Catalyst, the National Diversity Think Tank, Work+Life Strategies, the Council for Equal Opportunity in Employment Ltd and the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA).

“Catalyst for Change will bring together Australian corporate, government and academic leaders to discuss the issues, challenges and opportunities in advancing women at work,” said Ms Fiona Krautil, on behalf of the Catalyst for Change partnership.

“It will provide inspiration and practical solutions for the fundamental shift required to value, recognise and advance women.”

For further information or to attend, contact Sylvie Marimon, Communications Officer, EOWA, on 02 8255 6321 or 0403 150 332.

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