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Can feminist thinking make a difference in the potential growth of your business? Whether you've fully embraced feminism or are just beginning to explore its relevance in business, it's worth considering the benefits and opportunities it can bring. By incorporating feminist thinking into your pursuits, you position yourself and your business for a more prosperous and forward-thinking economic future.
Intersectional feminism has emerged as an important concept, highlighting the need to recognise how different types of discrimination and unfair treatment are connected. It recognises that people, especially women, can face challenges and prejudice because of their social backgrounds, like their race or gender.
For those who run businesses, intersectional feminism provides a powerful framework that recognises the different experiences and challenges we face based on our diverse backgrounds.
As a Women-focused Marketing and Business Development consultant, I'm all about embracing this powerful framework. Understanding and applying intersectional feminism into our business plans is, in my opinion, a necessary mentality that can propel our companies to new heights.
Understanding Intersectional Feminism
Intersectional feminism recognises that gender inequality intersects with other forms of discrimination, such as race, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, disability, and more. It acknowledges that women's experiences are shaped by the combination of these intersecting identities and social systems. Intersectionality highlights that women face unique challenges and barriers based on their intersecting identities, and that these experiences cannot be separated or understood in isolation.
Let's dive into a real-life scenario to better understand the concept...
In a traditional workplace, a white woman may face challenges solely based on her gender. This can include unequal pay compared to male colleagues or instances of sexual harassment. She experiences inequality and oppression due to her gender.
Now, consider a black woman in the same setting. She not only faces gender-based challenges but also encounters racism from her colleagues and managers. Along with unequal pay and sexual harassment, she experiences the additional burden of racial discrimination. Her oppression is rooted in both her gender and race.
Now, let's add another layer. Imagine a black woman who also comes from a low to middle-income class. In addition to the challenges faced by the previous two women, she also struggles with financial difficulties. This means she endures three layers of oppression based on her gender, race, and class.
As we examine the experiences of these three women operating within the same environment, it becomes clear that their work experiences are not the same. You might be thinking, "Well, duh, it's common sense!" But let's ponder why this understanding hasn't been universally embraced by society, the workplace, and even among women ourselves.
For example, some women find it challenging to fully understand their own privileges and may mistakenly think that their struggles are the same as everyone else's, simply because they experience discrimination as women. This type of thinking often results in more affluent and successful women unfairly labelling poorer women as lazy, which demonstrates a remarkable lack of understanding. While it is not always an entirely inaccurate assumption, statistics consistently show that race is directly linked to one's likelihood of achieving financial success.
This is precisely what intersectional feminism seeks to illuminate. Our experiences as women are shaped by a complex interplay of intersecting identities and the prevailing social attitudes within the various structures of our lives, both on a micro and macro level. These are the invisible forces we navigate on a daily basis, often subconsciously.
Entrepreneurial Feminism
Enter entrepreneurial feminism, a concept that beautifully combines the principles of entrepreneurship with feminist values and goals. It recognises the transformative power of entrepreneurship in driving social change and promoting gender equality.
Entrepreneurial feminists firmly believe that entrepreneurship has the potential to empower women in remarkable ways. It actively addresses the systemic barriers and biases that women face in the entrepreneurial realm. Of which the ultimate aim is to foster an inclusive and equitable business environment that propels women towards success.
Some key entrepreneurial feminist principles are:
Economic Empowerment
Inclusivity and Diversity
Collaboration and Collective Action
Policy and Advocacy
These principles reflect the overarching goals and values of entrepreneurial feminism. However, it's important to note that individuals and organisations may interpret and emphasise these principles in different ways, taking into account their unique contexts and perspectives. The key is to embrace these principles as guiding lights on our journey toward a more inclusive and empowering entrepreneurial landscape.
Women hold diverse perspectives on how gender impacts their business practices. While some see no influence, others consider their female identity to be important. Many consciously defy societal expectations and prioritise collaboration with other women. Being female is significant to varying degrees in shaping their entrepreneurial identity, seen as both an asset and a liability. Overall, women's experiences and views on gender in business are multifaceted and individualised.
Various factors can influence how women experience business. For instance, women in progressive environments that prioritize women's issues and development may receive better opportunities due to policies promoting gender equality. Diversity and inclusion initiatives may also lead to preferential treatment for women based on their identities.
As the world progresses towards a more inclusive agenda, the ultimate aim of feminism is for gender biases to become obsolete. When women express that their identities do not (or conversely do) impact their business experiences, it is a reflection of this desired outcome.
However, it is crucial to introspect and evaluate whether this perceived lack of impact stems from ignorance and unawareness or from genuine gender advancement. Determining the true extent of gender advancement's influence requires a more in-depth analysis, which could be explored in a separate discussion.
Here are several ways in which adopting an intersectional feminism mindset can bring benefits to businesses:
Expanding Market Reach
By understanding the diverse experiences of women, intersectional feminism helps business owners identify and cater to the needs of a broader customer base. Recognising the unique challenges faced by women from different backgrounds enables entrepreneurs to develop products, services, and marketing strategies that resonate with and meet the specific needs of diverse consumers. The expanded market reach can lead to increased sales, customer loyalty, and brand reputation, thereby facilitating business growth.
Improved Talent Pool
By embracing diversity and inclusivity, businesses can attract a wider talent pool, leading to a more varied set of skills, ideas, and perspectives within the workforce. This diversity can enhance creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and decision-making processes, ultimately driving business growth - which ultimately the goal.
Competitive Edge
By actively seeking diverse perspectives and experiences, businesses can tap into a wealth of ideas and insights that may have otherwise been overlooked. This inclusive approach to problem-solving can spark innovation, facilitate creative thinking, and help businesses address challenges in unique ways, giving them a competitive edge in the market.
Social Responsibility and Brand Reputation
Demonstrating a commitment to intersectional feminism and social justice can enhance a business's reputation. By prioritising gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity, companies are seen as responsible corporate citizens, attracting socially conscious customers and investors. Aligning values with those of the customers builds long-term relationships, contributing to sustainable business growth and a positive brand reputation.
Employee Engagement and Satisfaction
Intersectional feminism emphasises creating an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. By prioritising equality, businesses can foster higher levels of employee engagement, job satisfaction, and loyalty. Employees who feel empowered and supported are more likely to be motivated, productive, and committed to their work, leading to improved overall business performance.
Regardless of whether you identify as a feminist or not, or if you prioritise intersectionality in your beliefs, or even if you are a man or a woman, it's crucial to recognise that embracing feminist thinking in business can open doors to growth opportunities. Ignoring this mindset means overlooking the potential for an economic future that prioritises what you may choose to disregard.
Feminist thinking in business promotes equality, inclusivity, and the recognition of diverse perspectives. By incorporating feminist principles, you tap into a broader customer base, attract top talent, enhance innovation, and build a positive brand reputation. These factors contribute to business growth and success in an ever-evolving marketplace.
So, whether you've fully embraced feminism or are just beginning to explore its relevance in business, it's worth considering the benefits and opportunities it can bring. By incorporating feminist thinking into your pursuits, you position yourself and business for a more prosperous and forward-thinking economic future.
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