Recently, I had the privilege of attending the G20 YEA (Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance) Summit in Sydney where more than 400 international delegates came together to discuss solutions on issues such as youth unemployment, trade restrictions, access to capital for small businesses, education and technological innovation.
The final result of the Summit was the development of a communiqué that is then presented to the G20 and B20 Leaders for consideration.
I left the Summit feeling energetic, enlightened and full of optimism in a time where change is now the only thing that is consistent in our world.
Our ability to embrace change and be part of a positive movement is our chance, as women, to contribute to moving things forward in both small and big businesses.
Below are some of the key messages I took away from my weekend at the G20 YEA Summit.
Young people have a stronger value proposition than they have ever had in history.
Being young and fresh-faced used to be a disadvantage when it came to the world of business. These days, it represents being in touch with technology, being dynamically innovative and possessing an ability to disrupt old ways of thinking that we may or may not see in our more senior counterparts. Helen Clark, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (and the first woman to lead the organisation) received a standing ovation for her speech on UN Action on Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship. As she said: “Young people are savvier about technology, more knowledgeable about the world around them, and more interconnected than any previous youth generation has been.” This represents a great opportunity for young people to harness the power of their youth to accomplish great things.
Women will lead the way when it comes to the new economy.
It was refreshing to hear Dimitris Tsigos, the President European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs comment that: “The economy of yesterday was about hierarchies and domination. Today’s economy is about sustainability and collaboration. For this reason, women will be very powerful.” It’s true – as women, we bring a different style of leadership to the table that presents a great deal of value to boards, companies and teams. By taking immediate action to get a fair representation of women in the workplace and wider leadership groups, I believe our outcomes will become immediately stronger, whether it be in financial, ethical or other measures of success.
Companies that are socially engaged are the way of the future.
The idea that the ultimate purpose of a business is to maximise shareholder value is now regarded as naïve, narrow-minded and archaic. Clifford Rosenberg, Managing Director for South East Asia & Australia New Zealand at LinkedIn, shared some great statistics with us in this regard:
- 80% of employees would rather work for a socially engaged CEO
- Socially engaged companies are 58% more likely to attract and retain top talent
Just as organisations are demanding more from their employees, employees are demanding more of their organisations. This represents a refreshing shift in mindset that puts responsibility on powerful, profitable companies to give back to the community in which they are established.
So what does this mean for young, socially engaged women? Times like these are our chance to change the world and move things forward, one lesson at a time.