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  • 01 Jul 2015 19:10 | Deleted user

    Ernst & Young published a report, based on their survey, on global job creation and the new generation of young entrepreneurs in the spring of 2015. The survey included a sample of respondents from201 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year winners, 2,144 global entrepreneurs in 13 economic sectors worldwide and 2,807 young people encompassing students, workers in their first jobs and those looking for a job. The study captures a snapshot of the ambitions of future entrepreneurs for the forthcoming years, giving us insight on the upcoming impact of the new generation of entrepreneurs on job creation and growth stimulation. The survey specifically distinguishes EY ‘entrepreneurs of the year winners’, from the rest of entrepreneurs, with EY entrepreneurs having a higher job creation rate and a higher rate of mentoring for young talent than non-EY entrepreneurs. EY entrepreneurs of the year winners are characterized as young talent with successful business plan selected by EY to serve as a source of inspiration for others. EY entrepreneurs work mainly in Insurance, Financial Audit, Financial Accounting Advisory Services, Dispute Services, Climate Change and Sustainability Services.

    This report aims at identifying what the intentions of new entrepreneurs are, in terms of employment, how confident entrepreneurs are in global and domestic economies, how much they expect from the talent pool of the new generation of employees and the motivations of young entrepreneurs to start a business.

    EY found that one of the main drivers of young entrepreneurs’ is their ambitions to develop access to new markets.The surveys also covers the various aspirations of young entrepreneurs, with the highest percentage, 38 %, wanting to start a business in order to leave behind a positive legacy. The survey also found that there is no considerable gender gap concerning entrepreneurial ambitions, indeed future entrepreneurs from both genders are confident in their ability to start their own business, and young women’s confidence is on the rise. Additionally the reports sheds light on the shrinking gap between emerging and developed countries, highlighting the benefit of emerging economies having greater market development potential and a cheaper workforce. Indeed young entrepreneurs from India and China appear to be more optimistic than those from Germany and Japan because they benefit from an economic context with a high growth rate a greater talent pool where their career ambitions are more likely to be fulfilled.

    Moreover, young entrepreneurs appear to havea lot ofconfidence in the talent pool and in their ability to put their employees’ skills to the best use. By consequence, according to survey statistics, young entrepreneurs are therefore willing to increase their workforce. As many as 47% of young entrepreneurs expect to increase their global workforce over the next year, which is a more encouraging percentage than the 30% foreseen by seniors entrepreneurs. This is a positive trend in entrepreneurship, as the report qualifies job creation as “the world’s economic lifeblood”. By creating jobs, young entrepreneurscontribute to raising the employment rate, and utilizing the talent pool which ultimately can lead to greater innovation and competiveness. Young entrepreneurs continue to have a positive impact on the job market which is a key factor for a healthy economy.

    In conclusion this is an optimistic report that highlights the confidence of the younger generation of EY (and other) entrepreneurs in exploiting market opportunities, creating jobs and innovating.The survey results stress that the next generation of young entrepreneurs, especially the ones from emerging economy, are confident in their ability to compete in a complex business world and are ready to hire new talent to help conquer new markets, which makes these entrepreneurs key to the future success of our global economy.

    To read the full EY report please click here.

    To see the report on the EY website please click here.


  • 11 Dec 2014 10:36 | Deleted user

    European Commission members were sworn in by the Court of Justice of the EU on December 10th, 2014, and the new Commission is progressing with the adoption of the 2015 European Commission Work Programme set for December 17th. With things propelling forward, it is a good time to revisit the ten (10) priorities underpinning the next 5 years, as laid out by Commission President Mr. Jean Claude Juncker the day he was elected by the European Parliament- July 15, 2014.

    In an official political guidelines paper, President Juncker set the tone for his policy priorities, stating that he ‘wants a European Union that is bigger and more ambitious on big things, and small and more modest on small things’. Under his agenda for Jobs, Growth, Fairness and Democratic Change, are the following priorities:

    1. A new boost for Jobs and Growth Investment

    2. A connected digital single market

    3. A resilient Energy Union with a forward-looking climate change policy

    4. A deeper and fairer internal market with a strengthened industrial base

    5. A deeper and fairer Economic and Monetary Union (EMU)

    6. A reasonable and balanced free trade agreement with the United States

    7. An area of Justice and Fundamental Rights based on mutual trust

    8. Moving towards a new policy on migration

    9. Europe as a stronger global actor

    10. A Union of democratic change

    From these priorities, namely the first three, we can expect to see a progressive jobs, growth and investment package to be turned out within the first three months of President Junckers mandate. Likewise, within the first six months, the EU will likely see ambitious legislative steps towards enabling a more connected digital single market, with the overarching goal of eliminating roaming fees, providing borderless access for consumers to online services/music/movies/sport,as well as facilitating a level playing field for all companies offering digital goods and services in the EU, specifically in regards to data protection and consumer rules irrespective of where servers may be located. The European Energy Union is another ambitious priority stipulated among Juncker’s priorities for his mandate, which aims not only to pool and unite resources and infrastructures across EU member states, but to diversify energy sources- looking more to renewable energy, and go beyond the 2020 objectives in terms of enhancing energy efficiency.

    Each priority outlined in ‘Juncker’s paper’ is meticulously thought out and explained, and they all have their challenges, but every priority is ambitious in its own right, and only time will tell if these priorities are the right ones to re-energise the EU.

    To read about each priority, please find the full political guidelines document by Commission President Juncker here.

  • 14 Nov 2014 10:38 | Deleted user

    In June 2014, WIL Member Beatrice Covassi was appointed Deputy Head of Unit, Data Value Chain (G.3), European Commission Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content & Technology (DG Connect). The main goal of this Unit is the development of a thriving European data ecosystem by setting out the right framework conditions and building up a data community across the EU, notably through the recently established data value Public-Private Partnership. The Unit is also responsible for R&I on data and language technologies, for EU policy on open data and the implementation of the Public Sector Information Directive. Beatrice has a special responsibility for leading the policy team of the Unit and drive forward the data action plan for Europe under the new Commission.

    Prior to her appointment Beatrice Covassi spent four years working at the EU Delegation to the US in Washington as the first EU Digital Economy Counsellor. In this position she lead transatlantic efforts on the digital economy, privacy, cybersecurity and Internet governance.

    WIL would like to congratulate Ms. Covassi on this new development in her career and wishes her the best in this next exciting endeavour.

  • 06 Mar 2014 10:39 | Deleted user

    WIL Member Afke Schaart, Senior Director for EU Institutional Affairs at Microsoft has published a compelling blog post ahead of International Women's Day (March 8th) titled 'Feminizing the Command Line'.

    The Blog, posted on Project Syndicate, addresses the ongoing efforts to achieve gender equality and female participation in the still male dominated informations and communnications sector. The blog captures the current landscape of the sector and re-emphasises what a lack of women in technology is costing the European economy.

    Read the inspired post here!

  • 11 Feb 2014 10:01 | Deleted user

    From February 11 to 13 the Microsoft Tech Days 2014 took place in Paris at the Palais des Congrès. It is the number one brand event in Europe, reuniting actors of the digital world and providing a platform for new innovations in technologies. The three days are dedicated to new technology and issues of regarding digital transformation in the workplace and society. On a floor area of 5500 m2, 120 stands presented new products and solutions to over 18 000 visitors and professionals in the digital sector and interesting panels engaged attendees on thought-provoking topics.

    One inspiring session, moderated by Nathalie Wright, General Manager Enterprise & Partner Group, Microsoft France, a WIL member, addressed the benefits of the digital transformation for diversity and business performance. The discussion focused on the challenges and virtues of developing firms digitally. Emphasizing the great window of opportunity a technological restructuring creates for employee diversity within business. The panellists also commented on the considerable efforts and persistence needed to integrate this new workforce and to build an overall enterprise culture, nurturing deployment and innovation. The tenor of the panel expressed optimism about combining new competences and diversity aspirations: Technology might not be the cause of a more representative reproduction of society in the employee’s base, but it sure can be an accelerator.

  • 04 Feb 2014 10:41 | Deleted user

    We are proud to announce that Mari-Noëlle Jégo-Laveissière has been appointed Senior Executive Vice President of Innovation, Marketing and Technologies (IMT) division and a member of the Executive Committee at Orange.

    Mari-Noëlle has already filled several management positions at Orange throughout her career, and will offically step in to her new role on March 1st, 2014, replacing Vivek Badrinath, who is joining Accor Group as Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

    Stéphane Richard, CEO of Orange, commented on Ms. Jégo-Laveissière's promotion, stating: “I have every confidence in Mari-Noëlle's ability to lead the Innovation, Marketing and Technologies Division, which I wanted to establish to carry Orange's innovations to the highest level. I have chosen a young female talent who has demonstrated the breadth of her skills and her managerial capabilities.”

    As we reported previously, Orange ranked first for the feminization of their corporate governance in the French Ministry of Women’s Rights ranking in Octobre 2013. WIL would like to congratulate Orange on the continuous efforts to promote Women in Leadership and wish WIL Member Mari-Noëlle much success in her new position.

  • 13 Nov 2013 10:31 | Deleted user

    WIL would like to congratulate Irène Papaligouras, founder of Leaders Excellence Partners, on the publication of her great book “The Black Sheep of Management: Dysfunctional Bosses and Managers”, (published on 13 November 2013 in French: Les Moutons Noirs du Management, Edition EMS), co-authored by Hugues Chevalier, Senior Corporate Advisor to TAYLOR COMPANIES. The book analyses dysfunctional leadership, providing guidance on how to identify and mitigate dysfunctional leaders while understanding what qualities compose effective leadership.

    Everyone has crossed, at some point during their professional life, a dysfunctional manager or leader. Such a person can be dangerous or even fatal for a business, bringing about perilous positions or, perhaps, scandal. This book is about the portrait gallery of braggarts, megalomaniacs, tyrants, Machiavellian toxics and other ‘black sheep’ of leadership.

    Based on observation of various situations encountered along their career as consultants or senior executives, the authors were able to detect warning signals and help identify, manage or even remove leaders with such behavioural disorders. Through the analysis of these black sheep, the features requested for effective leadership become clearly visible. This book does not claim to give the recipe to cure dysfunctional leaders, but it is meant to be a guide to help detect efficient leaders and neutralize incompetent or dysfunctional ones. Indeed, economic and human disaster generated within companies by the ‘black sheep’ of management should and can be avoided.

    The Authors

    A specialist of the History of Economics and a Political Science graduate, Hugues Chevalier started his career as a professor at the political sciences faculty of Bordeaux before developing his own consultancy in business strategy development. He has been an international consultant for more than 20 years advising major international companies as well as SME’s and start-ups. Hugues Chevalier is Senior Corporate Advisor to TAYLOR COMPANIES (www.tay.com ) for mergers and acquisitions in Europe.

    Irène Papaligouras is the founder of Leaders Excellence Partners, a strategic human resources start-up, focused on a leadership development methodology specifically designed to fit top managers’ and entrepreneurs’ competencies and needs in a 21st century economic, societal and geopolitical environment.

    Irene has 30 years operational experience in human resources, strategy, organization and information systems acquired while working with large global industrial corporations (metals, chemicals and energy).

    In the last ten years, she was human resources director in a major energy corporation with specific responsibility for strategic career management for high-potential directors and executives. She also focused extensively on the issue of female leadership and international executives.

    Irène comes from a multicultural background and holds dual Greek and French nationality. She studied science and economics in the US, the UK and France. She holds respectively a Bachelor of Science from Brown University, a Master of Science from the London School of Economics and a PhD from Paris-Dauphine.

    Irène speaks five languages (modern Greek, French, English, Russian and German). She is on the board of two NGO’s: Geochina which promotes geopolitical links between France and China and the Greek Cultural Centre in Paris.


  • 08 Nov 2013 10:44 | Deleted user

    We are proud to announce, that WIL President Thaima Samman has been presented with the insignia of Chevalier of the Legion of Honour.

    On Friday November 8th close to 150 friends and family gathered in the large ball room of the French National Assembly Palace to join in the celebration of Ms. Samman’s outstanding career, political commitment and social consciousness. Claude Bartolone, President of the National Assembly, delivered an eloquent and heartfelt speech before officially awarding Ms. Samman with the medal of the Knight, in the presence of members of the Government, Parliament, the President of the main Business organization Medef and several high level representatives of the business community.

    The National Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest distinction in France and its recipients are designated by the President of the Republic. Insignia of the Legion of Honour are exclusively presented to requite the highest merit of personalities with impeccable conduct. The First Consul Bonaparte created the Legion of Honour on May 19th 1802 with the aim to reward military bravery and civil merit.

    Ms. Samman was honoured for her continuous political commitment, which she has maintained throughout her successful career and her assertiveness in pursuing societal equality. We want to sincerely congratulate our President on this meaningful achievement and on her great passion and conviction, which has guided her.

  • 30 Oct 2013 10:48 | Deleted user

    JUMP, in partnership with Bain & Company, needs your help for a unique study concerning the shift in traditional gender roles at home and in the workplace, as well as men’s greater involvement in the family sphere.

    If you are a couple with kids in which the man takes up most of the responsibility for housework and child care, then you are the respondent JUMP is looking for.

    Please take part in JUMP's survey. This should not take more than 15 minutes of your time. There are two access links : one questionnaire is meant for men and another one for women. If your partner does not have time, you can be the only member of your couple to answer the survey. Please do not forget to select your language in the upper right corner of the questionnaire.

    If you are a “traditional couple”, but you know a family in which the woman is the only, or the most important, breadwinner and the man, the main caregiver, please send them the questionnaire.

    Survey for Men

    Survey for Women

    Thank you very much for your help. If you provide JUMP with your email address, they will keep you posted concerning the survey's results. To contact JUMP, please send a message to info@jump.eu.com.


  • 18 Oct 2013 10:47 | Deleted user

    What Women Like About Working in a Tech Company

    Lenovo recently conducted a survey aimed at women in their company, with the purpose of answering the question: “what is enjoyable, exciting, different about working in technology?”. The results of the survey give cause for optimism and were presented by WIL member and Lenovo’s Executive Director, Corporate Marketing & Communication Catherine Ladousse at this years’ Women’s Forum Global in Deauville, France, an event partnered with Lenovo.

    In line with Lenovo’s long-lived commitment to embrace and encourage diversity, the objective of this survey was to capture positive trends and sentiments, and to develop a diversity program that fosters positive proclivities for the female workforce.

    Over 1000 female employees from Lenovo International and Lenovo China participated in the survey. The results, represent the tone from women actually working in the high-tech industry, and differ considerably from the stereotypes traditionally attached to the sector. To highlight some of the results, the survey showed that 55% of respondents were proud to work in technology because it is still unexpected for a woman to do so. Whereas the presumed reason for a lack of female presence in the technology sector is often attributed to fear of a male dominant work environment and challenging work, this survey shows that female employees actually gain fulfilment from succeeding in a challenging job and that almost 70% have a sense of pride to be working in such complex subject matter.

    Additionally the survey participants enjoy having a “front-row view” on the technological development of today and love the innovative element of their job. After innovation, the second and third most exciting aspects in technology was said to be the rapidly changing sector and dealing with complexity. Furthermore, women at Lenovo felt that working in the high-tech industry enhances their credibility and creativity and therefore their possibilities to move to another sector. All in all, the findings of the survey underpin a turning point in the perception and reality of the gender gap in the digital industry and hence can help to further dismantle fears and prejudice.



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