CEO Pay Breaks Glass Ceiling: Yahoo's Bartz Gets $47.2 Million

In this article it talks about how women in CEO positions are beginning to make more money than men in these positions. "Sixteen women heading companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index averaged earnings of $14.2 million in their latest fiscal years, 43 percent more than the male average, according to data compiled by Bloomberg News from proxy filings".   This number is ground breaking and considering it was written 10 months ago this number is most likely rising to a completely new level.  

In this article they talk about how they believe that the glass ceiling is finally being shattered and women are not only breaking through to the top of the organization but they are also beginning to make the same if not more money than men in some of the same positions.  Having more women in power positions should make it easier for other women to break through into companies and get rid of the barriers that women might have while trying to get a job.

One thing that i found interesting in the article was a quote by Graef Crystal, a pay expert  “compensation committees are saying we don’t want to have any trouble” over underpaying women, “so if we err, let’s err on the side of giving them too much.”  Is this really the right thing to do? Why is it alright to overpay women but not men?

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-05-12/ceo-pay-breaks-glass-ceiling-as-bartz-gets-42-7-million-with-09-bonanza.html

Posted by: Jim Link

No Glass Ceiling for Women in India

Not only is just one woman in India breaking through the glass ceiling, but reportedly all women in India are.  Last week at the 17^th India Business Conference at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, many successful Indian women congregated to discuss some of their viewpoints on the glass ceiling, or lack thereof, in India. 

According to these successful women leaders, a glass ceiling does not exist in India.  Because of this, Shika Sharma the Managing Director and CEO of Axis Bank asks the audience how many women would consider moving to India if there was no question of hitting a glass ceiling.  Apparently, “more and more women are getting into senior executive positions in India.”  Why are these top executive jobs so easily attainable by women in India, but women in America still struggle with the issue in some areas? 

Indian women say the key to earning top positions is focusing on their ambitions and knowing the right balance between work and family, but I believe any person, no matter what country they are from can do this.  Perhaps considering Mumford’s Skills Model, Indian schools teach more problem-solving or social judgment skills at younger ages than in America so they grow to be more effective leaders.  In turn, effective leaders are more attractive for top positions.

Senior writer at the Wall Street Journal, S. Mitra Kalita stated, "Being a woman, I am more nurturing as a manager. I leverage the multi-tasking capabilities that women are naturally endowed with."  This raises the question, do you think women have more emotional intelligence than men because they are naturally more sensitive to others emotions due to their nurturing and comforting ways?  If so, do you think this makes them a more effective leader?

Women obtaining top positions are great for companies to gain a woman’s perspective on visions they have, as well as add some diversity.  Women, like men, have great ideas to share and I am glad that there are no boundaries for the women in India.  Do you think the Indian leadership style is more focused on relationships rather than tasks due to the high number of women leaders?  Overall, what is your opinion on why more women in India receive top executive positions than in America?


Posted by: Amanda Goetz

Read the full article here: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/jobs/no-glass-ceiling-for-women-in-india/articleshow/7442881.cms

"Young Harper aide shatters glass ceiling to run election campaign"

Thirty four year old Jenny Byrne emerged this week as the most powerful woman in politics in Ottawa, Canada.  Ms. Byrne is taking over as campaign manager for Doug Finley.   Finley is struggling with cancer, and he is unable to put much effort into the campaign at this time.  Byrne is taking on a position that is traditionally occupied by a middle-age white male.  She is claimed to be both feared and fearless.  She has a cultivated reputation where many people are scared to be on the wrong side of her.  So Harper thinks she will be able to do the job of running his campaign just fine.  Few women manage national campaigns but after two minority governments, Mr. Harper is desperate for a majority.  One former official of Harper says he does not care if it is a man or woman running the show; he just wants the job to get done.  He had picked Byrne to do this because even though she seems so intimidating she is just the person to get the job done.

Ms. Byrne attended College and the University of Ottawa, worked for the PMO as a director of issues management, was the director of political operations, seen victories in four out of seven by-elections, and previous to being appointed at campaign manager she served as Mr. Finley’s deputy.   Also with the election approaching fast, it is said that Ms. Byrne s not entirely on her own, The New national campaign chair Guy Giorno will be on her side.  He is a very calm man and will be a good balance with Ms. Byrne.

I believe that Ms. Byrne will do very well as the campaign manager for Mr. Harper.  Even though she has a very intense and controlling personality, I feel that she will able to pull through in elections.  It is amazing to me that a woman can take over a mans position, and fulfill it with all the potentials that he can.  I think that Ms. Byrne should feel very honored to be chosen for this position, and with her education and experience she will do great things.


Posted By: Kayla Samolinski
To view article go to: Young Harper aid shatters glass ceiling to run election campaign

"From guerrilla fighter to one of the most powerful women in the world"

On January 1st the first woman president took office in Brazil. Dilma Rousseff, made history by becoming the first female president of Brazil. She is not just an ordinary person who was randomly elected to be president. She was a guerrilla fighter in the 1960s that fought back against the dictatorship of the government. Since she fought back she was imprisoned for three years and during that time she was tortured. Ever since then she wanted to rise above the past and fight to make Brazil a better place for everyone. Her goal is to better education, help the poor, and provide health care and security to the people of Brazil.

In the United States we have began to change our view of how the president should be. In 2009 the first African-American president was elected. In England the Queen has been ruling for quite some time without a King. Recently, Brazil has set the stage for a woman to be at the top. Being one of the few countries to elect a woman has truly opened the door for other countries to really start thinking about and pursing electing a woman to run a country.

Every time change is among us we become scared and resistant to new ideas. The idea of a woman running a country is scary for many to accept but because Brazil has elected its first woman president, it is opening the door for a big change that could even happen here in the near future. What do you think about having a woman as president?

Posted by: Hugo Sanchez
Click here to watch the short video and to read more 

GM's Ms. Barra, Beaks the Ceiling!

This past January, GM promoted an individual to become the new head of Vehicle Development.  This individual was not just anybody, however, this individual happens to be a female.  This is a very interesting story becuase women are not always seen to be in the leading spot, let alone, of Vehicle Development.  This job tends to fall in the hands of men.

General Motors Co. Cheif Executive Officer Dan Akerson named human resource head Mary Barra senior vice president of global product development.  This is going outside the current vehicle team for the new leader of the futer models.  Many may say that this is going against a "tradition" or "norm" of having men take care of the automotive area.  However Barra has an outstanding background in manufacturing which gives her additional knowledge of GM's network.  Some may also believe that this is a risky move of Akerson, current CEO, becuase there hasn't yet been anyone as good since Lutz was in the lead.

Ms. Barra was already GMs highest ranking woman, and has served prior to HR, was vice president for global manufacturing engineering and manager of an assembly plant in Detroit.

I believe that this is a great move on GM's part.  They are setting the stage and adding a new style to the market.  They will benefit from her experience and different opinions.  She will demonstrate good leadership through her collaboration with two other individuals who will be helping her to get the different areas of the company working together.  As stated in an article, "Her ability to collaborate and build strong relationships will enhance the company's ability to deliver the products today's customers demand."  Do you think it was a good idea for GM to be the first to have a women in the spot of Ms. Barra.  Was it the right move?

Posted By: Laura Whisenhunt
Click Here to read the full article!