Competitive Business Strategy Group's Jones Offers Success Tips To Women In the Workplace

PHILADELPHIA-- Women, still searching for success in the workplace? "Be yourself," says Suzanne Baldino Jones, President of Competitive Business Strategy Group (CBSG), a management consulting firm in Philadelphia and South Jersey.

Women are inundated with "self-help" books geared toward success in the corporate world. In many cases, authors highlight the differences between men and women- from the way the sexes think to the way they communicate. These books advance the theory that since business is male-dominated, to be successful, women must deal with men by following their rules.

A recent article in the New Yorker, "In the Company Of Women," supports this theory by stating, "because of real or perceived weaknesses, women often believe that they have to behave more like men, or, more precisely, in the way that they think men behave." In response, Jones poses a more basic question: "Women have learned to walk, talk and compete just like their male peers. But, at what cost?"

Research has shown that "male modeling" has not helped women move into the corporate boardroom. Working Woman has reported that only eleven percent of the eleven thousand corporate officers of Fortune 500 companies are women, and only one Fortune 500 company has a woman CEO.

Pat Moran took the reins as CEO of her family business, JM Family Enterprises, in 1989. She now runs the largest woman-owned business in America, with annual revenues estimated at $5.4 billion. JM Enterprises owns Southeast Toyota Distributors, World Omni Financial Group, JM&A Group and other automotive companies.

Despite Moran's success, women represent only ten percent of the executives in today's work force. In addition to making little progress up the corporate ladder, Jones believes that women who tried to play the game like men have lost a part of their own identity.

Jones' advice for working women is really no different than what she tells men: Know your individual strengths and weaknesses. She states, "As you move through the ranks, it is critical to surround yourself with individuals that are complimentary- both in substance and style. This is the mark of every good executive."

Women also achieve more when working in team environments, according to Jones. The New Yorker article supports Jones' assessment, stating, "Women are better managers- more nurturing, more collegial, more communicative, and more instinctual and these strengths mesh better with the corporate culture of teamwork and partnering which is emblematic of the informative age. For female executives, effective management isn't just doing what comes naturally; it may also be doing what they often do best."

Jones' bottom line for working women? She offers, "The key to success is to be proud and confident of who and what you are. Don't try to mold yourself into someone you're not."

The Competitive Business Strategy Group offers proven, practical management consulting that provides competitive advantages to develop and grow business through an integrated, multi-disciplinary approach. In addition to customer retention and loyalty services, they specialize in strategic and business planning; user-driven information technology design and analysis; process improvement; and training design and facilitation.

For more information, call CBSG toll-free at 888-411-5800.