Learn how to mentor women, Cook tells AHFA
More women needed in leadership roles
Powell Slaughter -- Furniture Today, December 6, 2005
HENDERSON, Nev. -- Women need the same sort of mentoring to become leaders that men in the furniture industry take for granted, Magnussen Home President and CEO Jeff Cook told the American Home Furnishings Alliance meeting here.
That would allow the industry to take full advantage of women’s talents and their perspective on female consumers, who make most of the furniture-buying decisions, he said.
Cook said much of the furniture industry remains bound by tradition when it should be reacting to constant change. He said Magnussen, a strong supporter of WithIt, or Women in the Home Industries Today, decided a couple of years ago that it had to do more to involve women in leadership.
“We’ve chosen to lead, grow and encourage women so they’re in leadership roles for the next generation, and to help us better understand the women who make so many of the buying decisions for our product,” he said. “This is not a feel-good policy; it’s not being politically correct. Our company believes it’s a valuable issue for our long-term success.”
Six years ago, Magnussen had a leadership team of eight men. Today, the team consists of 20 people, with five women.
Cook cited a WithIt survey with comments from 10 women in senior management positions in the industry, split between retailers and resources, and between public and private companies.
Comments included:
* “Informal but important decisions are made in areas where women aren’t included, like the golf course.”
* “Women are simply viewed with greater scrutiny in a male-dominated environment.”
* “There’s an old-school mentality … lack of compensation.”
* “More women need to step up to the plate when opportunities arise because they probably won’t be sought out.”
* “Expose women to all parts of the business, front end and back end, not just marketing and merchandising.”
* “Men have their own language, and many decisions are made on the golf course without women.... Conduct business in an office where all parties are present.”
Cook challenged the audience to create an environment where women can succeed.
“That includes listening to women on your team for different perspectives and new ways of doing things,” he said. “You know how to mentor the guys. Learn to mentor the women.”
