Citroën have made the news lately due to their pushing female presence in the life cycle of their cars. From design to sales Linda Jackson, Citroën’s chief executive is pushing the company to reflect the audiences they try sell into, a close to 50/50 split for most countries. Looking at this starts to open a discussion on how women and men are changing up the workplace dramatically.
Women have come far in business and home life, with more freedom in careers than ever
before, and the most independence for date, but despite the lack of suffragettes parading the street of London taking the lead the fight continues. Companies like Citroën are taking up the mantle though and are showing that not only is having a mixed team aiding in product design, it’s key in making products right for customers.
For example many women have other priorities than men when buying a car, with the majority of stay at home parents still women, more focus falls on space for kids and any items they need in addition. Other questions are raised by some women such as where to store their handbag, an issue you’d think more care would have been assigned earlier due to the rise in men carrying bags.
By pushing gender equality in the workplace, hopefully their products will become more inclusive as well as providing effect solutions that will also introduce new concepts to make the most of space and improve access to items stored in cars.
This can be copied by all industries and businesses though, by having a variety of staff able to bring attention to their desires from a product, as well as being given the chance to critically review products and services to make sure that what the company is delivering is as well designed and inclusive as possible.
Where to begin though? It all starts with a balanced and fair hiring policy which when followed properly will create a diverse workplace. Feel like you’ve tried and that’s not working? Check the demographic of where you are advertising, perhaps it has a large gender bias and thus your advert is missing a large portion of the groups you want to represent.
What do you think about gender balance at the work place? Have thoughts on this topic or want to suggest a topic or even submit an article? Let us know at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
