The Business Case for Companies to License Women's Leadership Development Programs
Whether in pursuit of profit or driven by a broader mission, when companies make decisions about initiatives to invest in, they have to make it make sense. There are criteria they use to determine this. These criteria act as a litmus test for any undertaking, and any initiative must invariably satisfy one or more of these core principles:
Increase revenue
Increase productivity
Increase (or maintain) public relations
Decrease or eliminate cost
Increase (or maintain) employee engagement
Increase (or retain) customers
Let’s review the state of women’s leadership.
Women earn:
60% of undergraduate degrees
60% of all master’s degrees.
47% of all law degrees
48% of all medical degrees.
44% of master’s degrees in business and management; 37% of MBAs.
Women are 47% of the U.S. labor force; 59% of the college-educated. Women are 52% of all professional-level jobs and still lag behind in leadership positions.
And in the nonprofit sector, women make up 75% of workers but hold far less than 75% of leadership positions according to the American Association of University Women.
Additionally, women make up 56% of chief executives at nonprofits with annual budgets of less than $1M, but make up 22% of chief executives at organizations with annual budgets of at least $50M.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there are 1.8 million fewer women in the workforce since February 2020, as reported by SHRM. And women cite the following reasons for their departure:
They feel overworked and underpaid.
They are tired of being passed over for promotions.
They want to work for a company that prioritizes DEI.
They want more flexible work.
They want to go where they are celebrated.
Investing in women's leadership programs can play a crucial role in reversing this trend.
Licensing training programs centered on women's leadership development positions organizations to confront these challenges head-on, fostering an environment where women not only persist but flourish.
With all of this in mind, let’s look at why licensing women’s leadership programs is good for business:
Increase Revenue
A study by the Association for Talent Development found that companies that allocate a minimum of $1,500 per employee annually to development initiatives report a remarkable 24% increase in profitability. Women's leadership programs contribute to a diverse and inclusive leadership pipeline. By fostering an environment where women thrive and as women rise to leadership positions, their unique perspectives invigorate innovation and strategic decision-making, ultimately driving revenue growth.
Increase Productivity
Inclusive leadership styles, championed by women, ignite collaboration, open dialogue, and efficient teamwork—the foundational elements of heightened productivity. Women’s leadership programs fine-tune essential skills like strategic thinking, decision-making, and effective communication. These refined capabilities resonate across teams and departments, streamlining processes and accelerating project timelines – as women take ownership of their work and lean into their autonomy to make decisions that yield results.
Increase or Maintain Public Relations
Organizations prioritizing women’s leadership development project a profound commitment to gender diversity and equal opportunity—a message that extends far beyond corporate walls. Such initiatives elevate a company's public image, fostering goodwill and positioning the organization as a one that supports social justice. Additionally, establishing a women’s leadership development program is an asset to recruit and retain women talent and demonstrate a responsibility to a larger conversation which allows the organization to be innovative while positioning itself for thought leadership.
Decrease or Eliminate Cost
According to the LinkedIn Workforce Learning Report, 94% of employees are more likely to remain with a company that invests in their career development. Women's leadership programs provide opportunities for skill-building, mentorship, and networking, enhancing employee satisfaction and commitment to the organization.
Employee Benefit News reveals losing an employee amounts to 33% of their annual salary. By investing in women's leadership programs, companies can reduce turnover rates and the associated costs, leading to increased financial stability.
Increase or Maintain Employee Engagement
Organizations that invest in women's leadership development demonstrate a commitment to employee growth and advancement. This dedication boosts overall employee morale and engagement, leading to a more motivated and productive workforce. When women see their paths to leadership roles supported, they are more likely to remain engaged and committed. Such initiatives communicate a dedication to personal and professional growth, kindling a sense of purpose.
Increase or Retain Consumers
By investing in women's leadership development, organizations ensure that their leadership reflects the diversity of their customers, fostering deeper connections and stronger consumer loyalty. A diverse leadership team can speak authentically to customers which makes marketing, advertising and public relations much more effective.
Overall Advantages of Licensing Women’s Leadership Development Program
Licensing programs offers additional benefits what speaks directly to companies two most important assets– time and money – such as:
Access to Expertise
Licensing leadership development training provides organizations with access to the expertise of seasoned professionals and industry leaders. By partnering with reputable training providers, businesses can tap into a wealth of knowledge, research, and best practices that have been refined over years of experience. This access ensures that employees receive training that is up-to-date, relevant, and aligned with the latest trends in leadership.
Time and Cost Efficiency
Creating a comprehensive leadership development program from scratch can be time-consuming and costly. Licensing pre-existing training materials significantly reduces the time and resources required to design, develop, and implement effective training. Organizations can leverage ready-made content that is tailored to their needs, saving both time and money.
Customization and Flexibility
Licensing leadership development training doesn't mean sacrificing customization. Reputable training providers often offer flexibility to tailor the content to the organization's unique culture, goals, and challenges. This allows businesses to align the training with their specific leadership development objectives while still benefiting from established frameworks.
Consistency in Quality
Maintaining consistent quality across leadership development programs is crucial for fostering a culture of growth and development. Licensing training ensures that every participant receives the same high-quality learning experience, regardless of location or department. This consistency enhances the overall impact of the training and reinforces key leadership principles throughout the organization.
Focus on Core Competencies
Organizations often have specialized core competencies that differentiate them in the market. Licensing leadership development training enables businesses to focus on their core strengths while relying on experts to deliver training in areas where their expertise may be limited. This approach ensures that leadership training remains effective without diverting resources from the organization's core mission.
Scalability
As businesses grow and expand, the need for leadership development becomes even more critical. Licensing training programs allows organizations to easily scale their leadership initiatives to accommodate a larger workforce, new branches, or remote teams. The consistent quality and customizable nature of licensed training materials make scalability seamless.
Immediate Implementation
Licensing pre-existing training materials eliminates the wait time associated with program design and development. Organizations can swiftly launch training programs and start reaping the benefits sooner.
When considering licensing women’s leadership development programs, organizations must examine the benefit to the organization, the benefit to women and the benefit to a greater narrative.
In adopting licensed women's leadership development programs, organizations don't merely respond to challenges —they shake up the status quo – and commit to changing course from what was to what is and what can be.
Ultimately, this is the journey of thought leadership for the organization and the women and it must be intentional to pass the litmus test and smell test alike.