This is how Judith Williams thinks about today's image of women
Judith Williams is patron of UdZ 2019
© AmazonWhen it comes to successful female entrepreneurs, her name inevitably falls: Judith Williams. The strong business woman has not only built her own cosmetics empire, but also celebrates success as an investor. What sounds like a storybook career, but was a stony path full of challenges, failed attempts? but also with lots of fighting spirit and optimism. As the patron of this year's funding program "Women Entrepreneurs of the Future", the Zweifachmama wants to encourage women to pursue their dreams and not be beaten by anyone? neither from society nor from male colleagues, and least of all from oneself.
Germany is at the bottom of the league when it comes to women and leadership positions. Is that due to the women themselves?
The basic problem is that many people in Germany still have an outdated picture of a wife and mother. A woman no longer has to choose between family and career. It's both. I therefore think it wrong to reproach a mother if she does not stay at home with her child but wants to return to her job. Conversely, of course, the same applies. We have so many highly educated and highly motivated, wonderful women who can advance our economy, but you have to leave them. Only one point: there is still barely adequate childcare. Especially women in management positions have to be flexible and be able to pick up their child after 6 pm. Our child care comes from the time when mothers have worked at most half day and then pick up their child on time. This model prevents many women from taking on responsibility in the job and progressing on the career ladder.
How do you manage to encourage women, despite all the difficulties, to take the step into entrepreneurship?
We have to create more role models! We need to find more women who go forward and speak openly, perhaps not always doing everything right, but at least dare to move. Many also think that the first business idea has to be fruitful right away? not! Sometimes it's the eightieth idea that works, that's just how it works. That's why we have to encourage women to develop and not get into a drawer. That is the responsibility of society as a whole, which we all bear together.
What could be an increased women's power for economic development in the digital industry?
If we stop negating the word career for women, it will also put pressure on men. And together we can achieve much more in the digital industry. Women who have ideas and potential need to be heard. Otherwise, Germany will not only lag behind women in leadership positions, but also in terms of the overall digital transformation.
Career and child: Judith Williams manages the balancing act
© AmazonYou also had to find other channels for your company at some point. What was your most important learning in digitization?
Think outside the box! You have to move out of your comfort zone and allow completely new ways as a businesswoman. You have to stay incredibly flexible from the head? and that's exactly what women can do. But the most important thing is to recognize the needs of the customers and ask themselves how they can be satisfied well and quickly. In our company, we try out wild concepts? Of course something can go wrong. but if only one thing works, then you have already gone along with the change.
Which tips do you want to pass on in the context of "Entrepreneurs of the Future" are you particularly close to the heart?
We need a broad, forward-looking and creative thinking during this time. Freedom? for employers and employees? Personally, I always feel that this is my greatest motivation. In addition, together with Amazon and the other initiators of "Women Entrepreneurs of the Future", I would like to encourage them to move forward. We are all in the same boat of digitization? There are no stupid questions that can be asked. Only: One must also dare and must not be afraid to leave their own comfort zone.
With the joint initiative "Women Entrepreneurs of the Future", the Association of German Businesswomen, Global Digital Women, ChroniquesDuVasteMonde Academy and Amazon are promoting for the second time owners and managers of companies that are expanding their stationary business by launching their online business or their existing online business Want to expand the presence. At the core of the program is the individual accompaniment of all participants by expert coaches? all experienced company founders, e-commerce experts, Amazon retailers or bloggers. More information about the program can be found under: www.unternehmerinnenderzukunft.de
