Where ambition takes us
Posted: Tue Dec 10, 2024 8:19 am
This year, Women's Entrepreneurship Day on November 19 is particularly important because not only does it reaffirm the essential role that women play in the success of local businesses, but it also coincides with a period of reflection brought about by both the pandemic and the major issues facing our world, such as climate change.
Since I arrived at BDC a few months ago, I have heard the same observation among business leaders: we can no longer do business as before , because we are operating in a new environment where the criteria for success have changed, and this, irreversibly.
Performance is now measured not only in financial terms, but also in environmental, social and governance indicators. Any company looking to expand its customer base, attract investors and attract talented staff must think about its impact equation.
Our business community needs women
To reinvent themselves in the face of a new reality, organizations have no choice but to look at things from different angles, opening the door to a greater diversity of points of view. Starting with that of women, who are still too often a minority at decision-making tables and at the head of our companies.
Women make up about half of our population and workforce , but only 28% of them are entrepreneurs. This needs to change.
More than ever, the business world needs women to invent what comes next, in the post-pandemic, in the post-COP26, in a new era where nothing will be the same again.
And more conventional leaders who don't make more room for women will soon realize that they are on the wrong track. The same goes for the inclusion of people from all minorities.
That's where the magic happens: when you have a great diversity of nurse database opinions, ideas and visions. It makes me very optimistic for the future to see that more and more organizations understand that.
More than ever, the business world needs women to invent what comes next, in the post-pandemic, in the post-COP26, in a new era where nothing will be the same again.
What better time for those who want to start a business?
Yes, the last 20 months have been tough, but I think we have a golden opportunity to reinvent ourselves and I see such an important place for ambitious women!
Having worked alongside many women in business, whether through the L'effet A initiative that I co-founded to contribute to the growth of women in business, or throughout my professional career in the private and government sectors, I can confirm that we are no less ambitious than men, but that many of us are still too shy about achieving our ambition.
The key is to build your comfort zone around the idea of ambition, to feel entitled to have ambitions, then to communicate them, and finally to achieve them. The more risks you take, the more confident you become in convincing others, while sharpening your negotiation skills along the way.
The key is to build your comfort zone around the idea of ambition, to feel entitled to have ambitions, then to communicate them, and finally to achieve them.
To those who are still too shy to realize their ambition, I say: go for it! For those who do not dare to raise their hand, now is the right time!
I am so happy to see that ambitious women are not afraid to call themselves ambitious. Every day I read or hear about a female SME owner who is changing the equation… I have met a few of you since I arrived at BDC – I am so inspired by your energy!
Talking circles for and with female entrepreneurs
As the bank for all business owners, BDC has made it a priority to support women entrepreneurs . And as the first woman to lead BDC, I want to better understand how we can be even more relevant to you, women entrepreneurs. We can and must do more and better.
That’s why we’re launching a cross-Canada tour – speaking circles for and with women entrepreneurs. I’ll be happy to meet you, listen to you, and learn more about your needs and growth opportunities, and better understand how BDC can help you. We’ll also have the opportunity to network and exchange with other women in business.
Along with several BDC champions of female entrepreneurship, I will be visiting several Canadian cities in the coming months.
Follow me on Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram for all the details.
Much to celebrate, still work to do
While we wait to meet you in person, my dear entrepreneurs from across Canada, we have plenty to celebrate on this Women's Entrepreneurship Day.
You are more numerous, more ambitious, more visible and more audible. You create role models and inspire other women to aim higher and go further.
Let us, women, make sure that we do not exclude ourselves from the business opportunities we want to seize; that we do not shy away from challenges simply because we are afraid they will be beyond our control; and that we act in accordance with our convictions.
But we also have a lot of work to do. The pandemic has set back gender equality by 35 years around the world , according to data from the World Economic Forum. Before the pandemic, it took 100 years to eliminate gender disparities. Now we are at 135 years. We need to act with more determination than before.
Let us, women, make sure that we do not exclude ourselves from the business opportunities we want to seize; that we do not shy away from challenges simply because we are afraid they will be beyond our control; and that we act in accordance with our convictions.
Don't wait for your idea to be perfect, but instead aim for excellence in progression. Reach out to others, especially those who are least like you. You won't please everyone, but that doesn't matter: you will go where your ambition takes you.
Since I arrived at BDC a few months ago, I have heard the same observation among business leaders: we can no longer do business as before , because we are operating in a new environment where the criteria for success have changed, and this, irreversibly.
Performance is now measured not only in financial terms, but also in environmental, social and governance indicators. Any company looking to expand its customer base, attract investors and attract talented staff must think about its impact equation.
Our business community needs women
To reinvent themselves in the face of a new reality, organizations have no choice but to look at things from different angles, opening the door to a greater diversity of points of view. Starting with that of women, who are still too often a minority at decision-making tables and at the head of our companies.
Women make up about half of our population and workforce , but only 28% of them are entrepreneurs. This needs to change.
More than ever, the business world needs women to invent what comes next, in the post-pandemic, in the post-COP26, in a new era where nothing will be the same again.
And more conventional leaders who don't make more room for women will soon realize that they are on the wrong track. The same goes for the inclusion of people from all minorities.
That's where the magic happens: when you have a great diversity of nurse database opinions, ideas and visions. It makes me very optimistic for the future to see that more and more organizations understand that.
More than ever, the business world needs women to invent what comes next, in the post-pandemic, in the post-COP26, in a new era where nothing will be the same again.
What better time for those who want to start a business?
Yes, the last 20 months have been tough, but I think we have a golden opportunity to reinvent ourselves and I see such an important place for ambitious women!
Having worked alongside many women in business, whether through the L'effet A initiative that I co-founded to contribute to the growth of women in business, or throughout my professional career in the private and government sectors, I can confirm that we are no less ambitious than men, but that many of us are still too shy about achieving our ambition.
The key is to build your comfort zone around the idea of ambition, to feel entitled to have ambitions, then to communicate them, and finally to achieve them. The more risks you take, the more confident you become in convincing others, while sharpening your negotiation skills along the way.
The key is to build your comfort zone around the idea of ambition, to feel entitled to have ambitions, then to communicate them, and finally to achieve them.
To those who are still too shy to realize their ambition, I say: go for it! For those who do not dare to raise their hand, now is the right time!
I am so happy to see that ambitious women are not afraid to call themselves ambitious. Every day I read or hear about a female SME owner who is changing the equation… I have met a few of you since I arrived at BDC – I am so inspired by your energy!
Talking circles for and with female entrepreneurs
As the bank for all business owners, BDC has made it a priority to support women entrepreneurs . And as the first woman to lead BDC, I want to better understand how we can be even more relevant to you, women entrepreneurs. We can and must do more and better.
That’s why we’re launching a cross-Canada tour – speaking circles for and with women entrepreneurs. I’ll be happy to meet you, listen to you, and learn more about your needs and growth opportunities, and better understand how BDC can help you. We’ll also have the opportunity to network and exchange with other women in business.
Along with several BDC champions of female entrepreneurship, I will be visiting several Canadian cities in the coming months.
Follow me on Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram for all the details.
Much to celebrate, still work to do
While we wait to meet you in person, my dear entrepreneurs from across Canada, we have plenty to celebrate on this Women's Entrepreneurship Day.
You are more numerous, more ambitious, more visible and more audible. You create role models and inspire other women to aim higher and go further.
Let us, women, make sure that we do not exclude ourselves from the business opportunities we want to seize; that we do not shy away from challenges simply because we are afraid they will be beyond our control; and that we act in accordance with our convictions.
But we also have a lot of work to do. The pandemic has set back gender equality by 35 years around the world , according to data from the World Economic Forum. Before the pandemic, it took 100 years to eliminate gender disparities. Now we are at 135 years. We need to act with more determination than before.
Let us, women, make sure that we do not exclude ourselves from the business opportunities we want to seize; that we do not shy away from challenges simply because we are afraid they will be beyond our control; and that we act in accordance with our convictions.
Don't wait for your idea to be perfect, but instead aim for excellence in progression. Reach out to others, especially those who are least like you. You won't please everyone, but that doesn't matter: you will go where your ambition takes you.