PUTTING OUR IDEAS INTO ACTION!

Wall Street Associates - Women's Association

Launched on January 26, 2007

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The purpose of the Wall Street Associates Women's Association is to create the opportunity and environment for women to participate actively in business, so that women can apply what they learn to real-life activities, in order to refine their ability to participate in business management. Wall Street Associates has established the Women's Association under the directorship of Fumi Nakajima, Director of our Haken Staffing Business Division. For our first formal activity, we held an inaugural luncheon in order to:

1. Create opportunities for women to effectively communicate their opinions and act upon them, and
2. Learn how to embody the skills necessary to ensure other people hear those opinions and understand them.

Women's Association Inauguration Meeting Report

Date: January 26, 2007 12:00-13:00
Venue: Restaurant "Sky" at Ginza Mitsui Garden Hotel

Agenda:

1. Background on the establishment of the Women's Association and its goals
2. Presentations: Presentation of opinions by participating members

Details:

1. Background on the Creation of the Women's Association and its Goals

I returned to the staffing business in June of 2006 after 12 years away. I felt that even after a lapse of 12 years, little progress had been made in the workplace for women.

However, after speaking with women on a one-on-one basis, I was happy to discover that women's enthusiasm for their careers had greatly increased, they had fresh ideas, and had definitely increased their level of competence. However, there was a gap between this energy and their working reality, summed up as, "women's voices are not heard within the corporation." People have been saying this for many years, and although it has become somewhat of a cliché, women themselves also bear some of the blame. What, then, can be done?

I came up with the idea of creating a place for women to have more "real-world experiences." As a first step, my rallying cry became "let's try to move from ideas to action!" That is where the action begins. One step at a time, each woman should express her opinion, listen to other people's opinions, and make progress through increased involvement. Based on this philosophy, this kick-off meeting will become a foundation to apply such activities to society at large.

2. Presentations

During the presentations each participant presented herself in her own unique way, raising many voices of surprise and laughter. For example, despite one participant's slender figure, she confessed, "I'm really a champion eater!" Finishing up 86 plates of noodles at a noodle shop, she said "I could have eaten more," reluctantly putting down her chopsticks after learning that a couple's record for plates-eaten totaled 60 plates.

3. Free Discussion

A surprisingly rich and wide variety of ideas for action were raised and discussed. We all came away confident of the success of Women's Association inauguration meeting, and its future course. The main topics which were discussed were:

1. Setting up a mentor system for women to enhance their business skills and to facilitate their career advancement
2. Establishing a committee to identify and consider working (career) women's rights and viewpoints
3. Exchanging ideas with other women's committees and organizations that share and can relate to similar concerns and issues

Postscript:

It was great to see all members relating to each other's ideas so well as they gained mutual understanding. It was amazing how much ground was covered in just an hour's time.

We feel it is necessary for women to change. In order to embody the communication skills to have our own opinions sought and listened to, we must recognize the fact that "all communication in business is a presentation." Don't miss out on those small, but all-important, opportunities to present your own opinion. It is important to have an attitude of being prepared to communicate confidently and "express your opinion" to show that you are always prepared. This will become a step to apply your opinion in the workplace.

Closing Advice: Present your Opinion!

Other people may ask what you believe in, and why. Therefore, your logic must be prepared in advance. You need to be flexible in your discussions to persuade others (especially those with opposing opinions).This is repeatedly demanded in the workplace, on a daily basis, yet it is a hard thing to do. Following this advice will help you develop skills for business presentation, and to apply them.