Today is International Women's Day and every year we are only too happy to celebrate the women in the GOJO team. Women have always shaped and influenced what we do at GOJO and are deeply rooted in the history and DNA of the company. You can read here just how profound the influence of women has always been. Female leadership is also noticeable in the new generation of our company. We spoke to our UK colleague Rachel Stephenson about the female presence at GOJO and what she thinks are the biggest challenges for women in business.
1. Dear Rachel, why don't you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your role at GOJO?
Very happily, I am European Trade Marketing Manager at GOJO, which essentially means translating the amazing expertise of all my colleagues into meaningful messages that reach our customers and end consumers. The role is complicated by the number of countries and markets we operate in, but thankfully I am supported by a hugely knowledgeable team who do a great job of making our content locally relevant.
2. Looking at the founding story of GOJO and especially the women being involved, how does this make you feel?
It is great to see that the balanced, equitable origins of the company continue through to the present day. Unlike many businesses, we have several women in senior positions, which helps protect the rights and interests of others, regardless of their positions.
3. Today we are celebrating International Women's Day. In your experience, what challenges do women face in the workplace that should also be addressed today?
I think the most common problems are still childcare and caring for relatives. In certain roles and the higher up the career ladder you go, you are often expected to travel to meetings or events. This kind of assumed willingness can often be a big challenge for women who also have responsibilities at home. This is also an important factor in the gender pay gap, as we see talented women stagnating in their careers because they feel they cannot balance the demands of senior roles with their other commitments.
4. How is GOJO supporting it’s female workforce in your opinion?
For example, GOJO has embraced flexible working, which is a boon for those with caring responsibilities. It is now possible to reconcile the need to be at home at a certain time with the need to attend meetings, allowing more female voices to be heard at important moments.
5. Could you share a memorable moment in your career, which inspired you regarding the role of women in the workplace?
In my first corporate job, the business was led by an incredible female founder. She was tiny and spoke very softly, yet in a conference room of a thousand people, everyone hung on her every word. I realised that women don't need to strive to shout louder, they need to show the world what their strengths can bring to the company. I hope that in my role as a leader, I can create the space that people need to feel comfortable and bring all their skills to light. And not just those that are seen as conforming to the corporate culture.
6. How exactly do you try to implement this in your daily work?
I try to make sure that all voices can be heard. Sometimes that means giving people space in team meetings to speak their minds. In other cases, it's about creating opportunities in other ways to bring certain stories and voices back to the table. I try to create an inclusive environment and make sure everyone is working towards a common goal. When we achieve something together, it's a cause for celebration for all of us, not just managers, leaders, directors or leaders in general.
Thank you very much for your time, dear Rachel, and the exciting insight into your work at GOJO!
