Overview
For many years, IBM has been recognized as a leader and innovator of programs and policies that reflect the changing needs of women in business. Because IBM believes that women play a significant role in the ongoing success of the IBM company, it is not difficult to understand why there is genuine interest in playing both a direct and indirect role in the future successes of all business women as they participate and help shape the global marketplace.
IBM takes an active role in working with women business leaders and their respective associations worldwide to increase the access, education, and adoption of technology for business growth and innovation as well as for personal development.
The growth of women owned businesses
Quick facts: Did you know.....?
- Nearly half (48%) of all privately-held U.S. firms are 50% or more women-owned for a total of 10.6 million firms.
- Women-owned firms in the U.S. employ 19.1 million people and generate nearly $2.5 trillion in sales. One in 7 U.S. employees work in a woman-owned business.
- Fifteen percent (15%) of women-owned businesses in the U.S. with revenues of $1 million or more characterize their primary market as international. More than two-thirds of these women (69%) are involved in international contracts and almost half of them (49%) export directly.
- One third of the new businesses in the European Union are started by women.1
Women's business associations
