Month: March 2023

By Clare McDonald

Originally published by Computer Weekly

Most people feel they lack the necessary qualifications to pursue science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers, according to research by IBM.

The worldwide study found 61% of the 14,000 people asked said they don’t have the appropriate academic degree for a STEM job, and 60% believe gaining the digital skills for a STEM job would cost a lot.

Continue reading here.

TORONTO, March 3, 2023 /3BL Media/ – GoDaddy released data from a new survey exploring the opportunities and challenges associated with women entrepreneurship in Canada. The data, which arrives in the lead up to International Women’s Day and builds on a previous GoDaddy survey from 2021, shows that 80 per cent of Canadian women see more opportunity than ever in starting their own business despite battling burnout and a challenging economic climate.

The Unstoppable Women study from GoDaddy found that most Canadian women started or intend to start their small business in pursuit of financial opportunities and lifestyle flexibility—this is a shift from 2021, when a GoDaddy study found the majority of millennial women cited passion as the driving force behind their small business dreams.

Amid ongoing cost-of-living challenges, close to half (49%) of women looking to start a small business or side hustle say increased financial opportunities are the top motivator, over flexibility or autonomy.

However, the survey also sheds light on perceived barriers for women looking to start their own business, with time commitments and set up costs ranking top of the list. Household commitments also remain an important factor—one in three Canadian women say they are a primary caregiver with children under 18, and an overwhelming majority (81%) state they are chiefly responsible for household duties, regardless of caregiving obligations.

Underlining these barriers is the need for mental health support. More than three-quarters (78%) of Canadian women surveyed say they have experienced burnout at some point in their careers. At the same time, women entrepreneurs say that confidence and adaptability have been critical to their business success—underpinning the importance of support systems that help women entrepreneurs feel confident in their business journeys, and tools that empower them to adapt to headwinds.

Canadian Women are Unstoppable: Meet Sadaf Rahimi, Charcuterie Vancouver

As part of its Unstoppable Women campaign in honour of International Women’s Day, GoDaddy is sharing stories from unstoppable Canadian women entrepreneurs to celebrate their accomplishments and inspire more women to follow their small business dreams.

Sadaf Rahimi, owner of Charcuterie Vancouver, founded her business in late 2019. As the pandemic halted events in 2020, Sadaf had to quickly rethink her business plans, which centered on event catering, and instead offered smaller, individual charcuterie boxes through her business website to stay afloat.

Like many Canadian women, starting her own business was a pathway to greater financial stability. For Sadaf, it was also about giving back to her family, whose journey from Afghanistan she says has been a powerful motivator for her business success.

“Seeing my parents go through the struggles they went through to give us a better life here in Canada has motivated me to do everything I possibly can to succeed in life and give back to my mom because she has sacrificed everything for us,’’ Sadaf said. 

Women business owners are optimistic, excited for growth in 2023

Despite persistent obstacles, Canadian women entrepreneurs remain undeniably optimistic—only 16 per cent report that pandemic-related impacts remain their biggest business concern, and a combined 70 per cent report excitement for their growth in 2023 whether through growing their brand (30%), growing their skills (21%), or expanding their business offerings (19%). Women who have yet to start their business are also giving careful thought to the resources and tools they’ll need to succeed, with 91 per cent of women planning to start a business saying they will build a website for their new venture.

Sadaf recalls her website built with the GoDaddy Website Builder was her first purchase when she launched her business in 2019.

“It has been the biggest reason for our growth and success,’’ Sadaf said of her website, which allows her customers to seamlessly purchase everything from individual boxes to gift packs and tables for corporate events. “I truly believe every business owner needs a website at the start of their entrepreneurship journey to not only look more professional to their clients but to make their own lives easier. GoDaddy has many templates which are very user-friendly and anyone can build their own website.”

“Canadian women are unstoppable, and we’re honoured any time we can be a part of helping entrepreneurs take that first step—such as naming their idea through a domain purchase, or building their website,” said Young Lee, Canada Market Lead for GoDaddy. “At GoDaddy, we provide the tools and resources entrepreneurs need to feel confident at every stage of their small business journey. We believe that with the right tools and support, anyone can grow, create and manage their business online.”

Canadian women may be overestimating start-up costs by more than 50 per cent

While women looking to start their own business cited start-up costs as a major barrier, the Unstoppable Women survey found they tended to overestimate start-up costs by an average of 56 per cent or more—in fact, more than two-thirds of women business owners surveyed said it cost them less than $1,000 to launch their business, with 15 per cent saying they had no start-up costs at all.

Sadaf encourages other aspiring women entrepreneurs to share her optimism and remember that no matter the scale of what you want to achieve or how hard it seems, don’t give up.

“If I, a young Afghan-Canadian immigrant could grow my small charcuterie plates to a seven-figure business, you can too. Believe in yourself and don’t worry about people’s opinions. Just do it.”

To celebrate and honour unstoppable women entrepreneurs, GoDaddy is highlighting women customers who own businesses on its social channels throughout the month of March. To learn more about how GoDaddy supports everyday entrepreneurs, visit godaddy.ca.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a professional website, attract customers, sell their products and services, and accept payments online and in-person. GoDaddy’s easy-to-use tools help microbusiness owners manage everything in one place and its expert guides are available to provide assistance 24/7. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

About the GoDaddy Survey

Research methodology: Antenna, an independent consumer research agency on behalf of GoDaddy, conducted an online survey of n=1009 women business leaders in Canada. The survey was conducted between 23/12/22 – 09/01/23. The survey data collection was national and respondents were sourced using an accredited online research access panel. Data was weighted for representation against country census data.

In this episode of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s Drivers of Change podcast, host Lee Green speaks to Liam Salter, CEO and Co-Founder of RESET Carbon. They discuss the role of science-based targets and LCAs, explore some of the criticisms and look at what needs to happen for real progress to be seen in the fashion, textile, apparel and footwear sectors.

 

Listen to the podcast, titled Effective Carbon Emission Targets & the Road to Reduction on the SAC website.

To learn more about RESET Carbon, visit their website. To get the latest on our Decarbonization Program, check out this page.

March 3, 2023 /3BL Media/ – T. Rowe Price was named in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers 2023 list, the UK’s leading ranking of employers from public, private and third sectors on how inclusive their workplaces are and their demonstrated efforts to support LGBTQ+ staff and customers. In its first year of inclusion on the Workplace Equality Index 2023, the investment management firm was listed among a number of construction, legal, health, finance and education firms who made the annual index. Stonewall is Europe’s largest charity for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer rights.

“We are honored to be named in Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list. As we are committed to sustaining and enhancing our inclusive culture for our associates, this recognition affirms our DEI work and our belief that our diverse global workforce is one of our most valuable assets,” said Raymone Jackson, head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

T. Rowe Price has implemented a three-year, intentional, global DEI strategy designed to expand and strengthen its diverse workforce and sustain an inclusive work environment to provide the best service to its global client base. This strategy is informed by an internal self-ID campaign that provides the firm valuable data on the representation of diverse communities within its workforce. Through its global associate-led PRIDE @ T. Rowe Price business resource group, the firm ensures that LGBTQ+ associates and allies are comfortable bringing their best selves to work every day. This group also supports associate recruitment and engagement efforts and promotes education and awareness initiatives.

In addition to Stonewall, strategic partnerships with organisations such as LGBT Great, PowerToFly, myGwork and Lesbians Who Tech help T. Rowe Price make a positive impact while recruiting diverse talent, engaging associates, creating an inclusive environment and communicating the firm’s commitment and progress.

Nancy Kelley, CEO of Stonewall, said, “It’s been fantastic to see all of the work put in by T. Rowe Price over the past year to create a workplace where LGBTQ+ staff feel free to thrive as themselves. For many of us, the majority of our time is spent at work, so if we have to hide who we are it can take an enormous personal toll and hold us back from fulfilling our true potential. Creating environments where we can all feel comfortable makes our workplaces a safer, better and friendlier place for everyone and helps staff be proud of who they are.”

The Top 100 Employers list is compiled through submissions to a free, voluntary benchmarking tool, the Workplace Equality Index. All submissions are then marked against thorough and standardized criteria and the Top 100 Employers are picked out by Stonewall for their excellent work in creating inclusive workplaces for their LGBTQ+ staff.

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ABOUT T. ROWE PRICE

Founded in 1937, Baltimore-based T. Rowe Price (troweprice.com) is a global investment management organization with USD $1.35 trillion in assets under management as of 31 January 2022. The organization provides a broad array of mutual funds, subadvisory services and separate account management for individual and institutional investors, retirement plans and financial intermediaries. The company also offers a variety of sophisticated investment planning and guidance tools. T. Rowe Price’s disciplined, risk-aware investment approach focuses on diversification, style consistency and fundamental research. T. Rowe Price helps clients invest with confidence and can be found on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. 

ABOUT STONEWALL 

Stonewall is the UK’s leading charity for lesbian, gay, bi and trans equality, working to create a world where every lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer person is free to be themselves–wherever they are. It was founded in 1989 by a small group of people who wanted to break down barriers to equality. Stonewall continues to campaign on LGBT Equality, as well as work with employers and schools to create environments which allow LGBTQ+ people to thrive.

To get involved, visit us at stonewall.org.uk. | Registered charity number 1101255

LOS ANGELES, March 3, 2023 /3BL Media/ — PNC Bank has joined the Angel City Football Club (ACFC) family as a founding partner and The Official Women’s Business Champion.

Consistent with ACFC’s sponsorship model and its equity, essentials and education pillars and PNC Bank’s commitment to moving all forward financially, PNC and ACFC will work together to advance programs and initiatives that engage, support and inspire women financial decision makers, with an emphasis on those who own and lead businesses in Greater Los Angeles.

This includes:

Reallocation of 10% of the bank’s sponsorship investment will go into a fund established with ACFC to provide grants to support retired National Women’s Soccer League players who aspire to build and/or grow social enterprises and businesses. These efforts will further the work of the Player 22 Fund previously created by ACFC.Financial education, resources and workshops for Angel City players and staff provided through PNC’s Corporate & Institutional Banking’s Organizational Financial Wellness Program;A variety of forums and programs designed to address opportunities and challenges facing women who own, operate or lead businesses, including a virtual forum in March and throughout the year. More details are forthcoming.

“As a national main street bank, PNC is dedicated to meeting the needs of our clients, while supporting the communities in which we work and live,” said Todd Wilson, PNC regional president for Greater Los Angeles. “As we continue to expand our presence here in Greater Los Angeles and across California, we are focused locally on bringing to life PNC’s longstanding commitment to supporting women financial decision makers.”

PNC Bank’s commitment to women is being carried out through the ongoing work of dozens of PNC-Certified Women’s Business Advocates (WBAs) across the Greater Los Angeles market. PNC’s local WBAs are part of the bank’s coast-to-coast network of more than 4,700 colleagues who are dedicated to supporting the financial success of women, including those who own and/or lead businesses.

These and other longstanding efforts are reflected in PNC’s initiative Project 257®: Accelerating Women’s Financial Equality. Launched in 2021, Project 257 is focused on helping to close the 257-year economic gender gap identified in the World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Gender Gap Report. The report found that at the current pace of progress, it will take another 257 years for women to catch up with men from an economic perspective.

ACFC and PNC Bank will highlight the impact of this work during a home match this season presented by PNC.

“PNC Bank’s dedication to support women financial decision makers and to helping close the economic gender gap is completely aligned with Angel City’s desire to close the pay gap for women’s soccer,” said Angel City FC President and Co-Founder Julie Uhrman. “From day one, ACFC has supported women-owned businesses through our impact and partnership. We can’t wait to collaborate with PNC Bank and drive toward pay equity together.”

Wilson added, “We’re thrilled to align with an organization that supports women’s sports and women financial decision makers in multiple ways, including through Player 22. Together, PNC and Angel City can make a positive impact throughout Greater Los Angeles.”

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PNC Bank 
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

 

About Angel City Football Club 
Angel City Football Club (ACFC), a member of the National Women’s Soccer League, is about to kick off its second season at BMO Stadium in downtown Los Angeles. The team is founded by Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman, technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman, media and gaming entrepreneur Julie Uhrman, and venture capitalist, 776 founder and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. Freya Coombe leads the team as the first-ever head coach and Olympian Angela Hucles Mangano serves as the team’s General Manager.

Learn more about ACFC at www.angelcity.com and follow the team on social media @weareangelcity. Season tickets for the 2023 season are on sale now in limited quantities. Fans are encouraged to purchase sooner rather than later https://angelcity.com/tickets.

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MEDIA CONTACTS: 
ANGEL CITY 
ACFC PR Team 
media@angelcity.com

PNC BANK 
Patrice Smith 
patrice.smith@pnc.com 
(858) 947-4536