Zeynep “Z” Ekemen is CEO and inventor of Silver Defenderwhich produces antimicrobial plastic film for high touch points.
getty
As the world continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, women entrepreneurs and inventors are stepping up to address the challenges we face. Using cutting-edge technology and innovation, these women are revolutionizing industries and reshaping the way we think about health and safety in our everyday lives.
As a business owner, I believe that the success of women entrepreneurs in various fields not only empowers them, but also demonstrates the transformative potential of their innovative ideas. Here are the top five areas in which I see female entrepreneurs excel and what we can all learn from them to shape the future of business in our fields.
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1. Embrace sustainability.
Entrepreneurs can learn from the growing trend of sustainable solutions and integrate environmentally friendly practices into their own business. By developing products and services that minimize environmental impact, entrepreneurs can contribute to global efforts to combat climate change and preserve our planet for future generations.
Take Emily Stone, the founder of Uncommon Cacao, for example, who has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability. Her company sources high-quality cocoa from small farmers in Latin America and the Caribbean and pays above market price to support sustainable agricultural practices and improve farmers’ livelihoods. This is a great example of the kind of practical steps leaders can take to embrace sustainability. Other practices to consider include reducing waste and energy use, using environmentally friendly materials and packaging, partnering with suppliers who prioritize sustainability, and regularly reviewing and improving environmental practices.
2. Prioritize health and wellness.
By inventing new technologies, tools or platforms that promote healthy living, entrepreneurs can revolutionize the way we approach healthcare and personal wellness. For example, the meditation and mindfulness app Headspace has several female leaders on their team, including Val Kaplan ZapataChief Marketing Officer – who have helped prioritize health and wellness by equipping their app with tools intended to improve mental health and reduce stress.
By focusing on health and wellness, business owners can not only support the physical or mental well-being of consumers, but also provide wellness benefits to employees that promote a healthy work-life balance. Here are a few examples you can consider implementing in your organization.
• Offer flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting, shortened work weeks or job sharing, to help employees balance their personal and professional responsibilities.
• Provide access to mental health resources, such as employee assistance programs, counseling services, or mindfulness training, to support employee emotional well-being.
• Provide a generous holiday and sick leave policy, encourage the use of paid time off and encourage employees to take regular breaks during the working day.
• Promote physical activity and healthy habits by offering onsite fitness classes or gym memberships, providing healthy snacks and beverages in the workplace, and encouraging employees to participate in wellness challenges or events.
• Foster a culture of open communication and transparency where employees feel comfortable sharing their work-life balance needs and concerns and managers feel empowered to address those needs.
By implementing these practices and prioritizing employee well-being, companies can create a more supportive and productive work environment that benefits both employees and the bottom line.
3. Make use of technology in education and skills development.
Entrepreneurs can use technology to transform education and skills development, making it more accessible and personal. By creating online learning platforms, tutoring services and skills development tools, entrepreneurs can remove barriers to education and empower individuals to reach their full potential. For example, Girls who codefounded by Reshma Saujani, is a non-profit organization that aims to close the gender gap in technology by teaching girls how to code and giving them access to technical education and mentorship.
Leaders can integrate educational technology by creating online learning platforms, hosting webinars or online training sessions, and providing access to digital tools and resources.
4. Promote empowerment and equality.
Entrepreneurs can also use their business as a platform to promote gender equality and empower others. For example, Rent the airstrip, founded by Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss, is a women-led company that has made strides toward empowerment and equality by providing women with access to high-quality designer clothing through a rental service. They show how creating opportunities for mentorship, networking and collaboration can foster an inclusive environment that supports the growth and development of leaders across industries.
To create similar opportunities in your organization, consider establishing mentorship and networking opportunities by organizing events or workshops, promoting staff groups, and seeking opportunities to collaborate with diverse partners.
5. Stimulating technological progress.
I believe that entrepreneurs should constantly look to innovate and push the boundaries of technology in their respective industries. To take Fei-Fei Li, co-founder of AI4ALL and a former vice president at Google, who has made significant contributions to driving technological advancements in artificial intelligence.
By developing cutting-edge solutions, you can also drive technological advancements that shape the future of business and our everyday lives. This can take the form of keeping abreast of industry developments and research, collaborating with experts and opinion leaders, and investing in R&D initiatives. By embracing innovation and collaboration, we can continue to shape the future of business and create a healthier, more inclusive world.
These examples may include female leaders, but I believe every leader can and should embrace these key areas to build successful and innovative companies that make a positive contribution to the world. Focusing on sustainability, health, wellness, education and skills development, empowerment and equity, you can shape the future of business in your field as a leader and create a healthier, more inclusive world for all.
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Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.