LEADING WOMEN

Saudi female entrepreneurs exploit changing attitudes

By Rose Hoare, for CNN

June 8, 2012 -- Updated 1144 GMT (1944 HKT)

Rumman Company founder and general manager Maria Mahdaly in her Jeddah office.

HIDE CAPTION

<<

<

1

2

3

4

>

>>

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Although they can't yet drive, some Saudi women have started successful enterprises
• Entrepreneurial activity is mainly confined to already wealthy women, says researcher
• Saudi's leader has been softening legislation, making it easier for women to work
• Young Saudi businesswoman Maria Mahdaly feels more supported, she says

(CNN) -- It's not easy being a female entrepreneur in a country where women need a male guardian's permission to work, rent property or travel.

Yet in Saudi Arabia, a small but determined number of women are overcoming these obstacles to build their own thriving businesses.

Social constraints in the conservative Kingdom have not stopped women from amassing substantial individual wealth. An estimated $11.9 billion is held by women primarily in bonds and bank accounts, according to asset managers Al Masah Capital.

As it seeks to hedge against its overdependence on oil, there is increasing government recognition that women have a part to play in Saudi's economic development.

It has led to a moderate winding back of restrictions on women in the Kingdom smoothing the way for a new generation of young entrepreneurs, like Maria Mahdaly.

I never felt any resentment or problems...Mind you, I was very tough and strict.
Maria Mahdaly, Rumman Company

In 2007, aged 19, she started Rumman (Pomegranate, in English), a media and publishing house in Jeddah, with Enas Hashani and Bayan Abuzinadah. The company runs two ventures: A monthly city magazine with a circulation of 70,000, called Destination Jeddah, and a social network called Fainak (Where Are You, in English).

To read more on this, click on the link;

 http://edition.cnn.com/2012/05/30/business/saudi-female-entrepreneurs/index.html

LEADING WOMEN

Part of complete coverage on

Leading Women

Baidu boss: China helps women succeed at work

From Kristie Lu Stout, CNN

June 5, 2012 -- Updated 1632 GMT (0032 HKT)

Baidu's Jennifer Li offers some tough love: "We as women, we need to start and act; not thinking about the issues -- because I feel gender in the work environment should not be a factor when it comes to how far you can go."

HIDE CAPTION

Jennifer Li: A woman to watch in technology

<<

<

1

2

3

4

5

6

>

>>

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• China's work environment gives women more opportunities for success, says top businesswoman
• Jennifer Li is CFO of Baidu, the world's largest Chinese-language search engine
• Baidu, which has 78% share of China's internet market, employs slightly more women than men, says Li
• Li: "Gender is not a factor. To be a successful career person, it's about a passion for excellence"

(CNN) -- Women in China have a lot more opportunities in business because it is "not gender-based, it's merit-based," says one of China's top female businesswoman.

Jennifer Li, CFO of Baidu, the world's largest Chinese-language search engine, sometimes referred to as "China's Google," adds that China is a very female-friendly business environment.

"The society is very open and many companies create a level playing field when it comes to employment," adds Li, who controls the corporate functions of a company worth nearly $32 billion.

According to data from Beijing-based research firm Analysys International, Baidu has secured a staggering 78% share of the world's largest internet market -- China's 500 million internet users.

Baidu, founded by search engine expert and entrepreneur Robin Li (no relation) in 2000, employs slightly more women than men, according to Jennifer Li.

Woman at the heart of 'China's Google'

"They're very open, very communicative, very assertive and sometimes can be very aggressive, too," she says of Baidu's female employees.

"These women are all women with great ambition. You can tell their focus is not about, 'How do I fulfill a woman's role as a mother or as a young woman trying to get married?' They're more thinking about their lifetime career objectives."

Beijing-raised Li began her career in finance at General Motors, following an MBA at the University of British Columbia. She worked there for 14 years before joining Baidu in 2008.

Here Li talks to CNN about her management style, on balancing creativity with control and how to succeed as a woman in business.

On women and work ...

To read more please visit the link:  http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/05/business/baidu-jennifer-li-women/index.html

A woman of global relevance, Claudine P. Moore

http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/inspiring-woman/38805-a-woman-of-global-relevance-claudine-p-moore

Talk about one gorgeous and intelligent black woman doing the womenfolk proud and Claudine P. Moore comes foremost on the list. Currently in America and to visit Nigeria soon, Claudine is committed to providing consultancy services to companies, brands, PR, advertising and marketing agencies.

Her expertise in media strategy, media relations, influencer marketing, corporate communications, strategic positioning, and branding is leveraged for both US and global initiatives on behalf of her clients and agencies. Claudine was recently recognised on The US Network Journal’s ‘40 under Forty’ list of honourees for 2011, and was also listed on The UK 2010 PowerList, a list of Britain’s top 100 most influential black people endorsed by the British Prime Minister.

She was the US director, Marketing, Media Relations and Business Development at the prestigious global PR firm, Hill & Knowlton – the first person of African descent to hold a regional position with the firm – and her appointment was featured in the Wall Street Journal as well as a slew of trade publications.

“While at Hill & Knowlton, by God’s grace, the firm’s share of voice within top industry and business media significantly increased and won key strategic public affairs and multicultural accounts for the firm. I was responsible for all business development activities in the US region,” she reveals.

Prior to joining H&K, Claudine worked with WPP sister company G2 as the director of corporate communications for G2 Branding and Design and G2 Promotional Marketing. In addition, she has worked with McCann ‐Erickson (MRM Partners) as the worldwide relations and business development manager.

Claudine’s deep passion is building brands and providing strategic thinking, creative execution and sponsorship activation for brands and companies, such as Nike, L’Oreal (Ralph Lauren Fragrances), Hewlett Packard, AstraZeneca, HSBC, The Plaza Hotel, Bank of America and Coca‐Cola.

“No known brand wants to be at the bottom. Every brand that is known wants to remain at the top, and those that have not made it there yet put in their best to be at the peak of the business. What I do for either ‘party’ is to help build them to their point of satisfaction, by suggesting and giving advice on the way forward,” she affirms.

Then she adds, “Africa is rising and key countries including Nigeria are experiencing economic growth. This is such a golden moment for the continent and investors are eager for opportunities, but African brands and organisations need to raise their global visibility in order for investors to know about the opportunities.”

Previously, Claudine has worked as the events director for iCrossing, an international interactive marketing firm, where she was responsible for planning and executing corporate marketing campaigns and special events. Her wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise in the general and multicultural markets, in combination with her superb reputation in the US, have firmly established her as a sought-after consultant and advisor.

She currently consults for clients that include Sampo Corporation (China) in conjunction with the government of Dominica, Equinox (US), Arik Airlines (Nigeria and US), award ‐winning creative ‐design agency YARD (US), and House of Tara (US and Nigeria).

A native Brit, Claudine has lived in the US for 12 years. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) Degree in Social Science from South Bank University, London, a Diploma in Counseling and Psychotherapy from Regents College, London, and a Master of Arts in Guidance and Communications from Durham University, England.

She has taught Marketing Principles and Practices at Baruch College, New York City, and is frequently requested as a guest speaker in the US, UK and Africa. Her favourite topics include international branding, international corporate communications, global public relations, international public affairs, marketing and entrepreneurship
.