C-cubed is the monthly e-update highlighting the competence, connections and community
at the heart of Catalyst Europe AG and the global Catalyst network

Welcome

When a year comes to an end, it is often a time for reflection, a time to reevaluate key learning points as well as goals for the coming year. At Catalyst Europe, we look back proudly at 2007 and what our research and work in the diversity field have revealed.

As our presence in Europe continues to expand, we recognize the importance of understanding regional and cultural differences with regard to diversity and inclusion. While diversity is a topic affecting businesses across the board, by no means do we assume that one-size-fits-all when it comes to the approach. Over the past year, Catalyst Europe has had the privilege to strategically advise companies and government ministries in more than 13 European countries and help focus on the individual challenges at hand.

At Catalyst Europe, we look forward to building on the terrific momentum of 2007, as well as new opportunities in 2008. We wish you and your families a happy holiday season and a joyful start to the new year.

Best wishes,
The Catalyst Europe AG Team

This month's headlines:

Breaking news: 2007 Catalyst Census report now available (go to story)

European launch of new research at international congress (go to story)

Following Norway’s D&I example (go to story)

Unless otherwise specified, please contact the Catalyst Europe team at europeinfo@catalyst.org for more information or follow-up on any of the stories featured below.

News


	*Competence - new studies, learning and expertise*

		Catalyst Census report: Despite positive changes, news disappointing


			Amid great expectations, Catalyst released its 2007 Catalyst Census of Women Board Directors and Women Corporate Officers and Top Earners of the Fortune 500 on 10 December. The research was designed to establish accurate statistics of women in leadership roles and detail the percentage of women as board directors, corporate officers and top earners. The most recent Census shows that while the greater percentage of powerful board committee chair positions increased in 2007 from 2006, the number of senior leadership positions held by women remained flat.

		Diversity Forum opens up dialogue to combat gender stereotypes


			Catalyst Europe was proud to share its most recent research at the Ernst & Young LLP Inter Professional Services Diversity Forum on 26 November in London. During the open forum, the discussion focused on the impact of gender stereotyping, particularly on talent definition and leadership. While it was acknowledged that gender stereotyping will not disappear, participants identified a combination of institutional and interpersonal strategies that have been effective in combating this challenge.

		Catalyst Europe kicks off first BYOB event with record numbers


			At the largest-attended 2007 event of the Zurich Professional Women�s Group, Catalyst Europe launched its Bring Your Own Boss series on 20 November. Eleanor Tabi Haller-Jorden, General Manager of Catalyst Europe AG, led a lively discussion with members and guests about work, gender stereotyping and leadership styles. The dialogue was based on Catalyst�s in-depth Double-Bind Dilemma for Women in Leadership: Damned if You Do, Doomed if You Don�t study about gender stereotyping in the workplace. If you are interested in hosting or sponsoring a future BYOB event, contact us.

		Catalyst Europe Advisory Board announces new chairperson


			We are honored that Davida Johnson, Global Business Vice President of Dow Europe GmbH, will be the new chairperson of the Catalyst Europe Advisory Board. As chairperson, Davida will share her business acumen and partner together with Catalyst Europe to shape the board�s agenda and co-facilitate advisory board meetings. The Advisory Board furthers Catalyst�s mission � to build inclusive environments and expand opportunities for women at work � with a focus on Europe.

		Media Corner: Articles across the globe


			The NRC Handelsblad, a daily newspaper in the Netherlands, recently interviewed Catalyst Europe on the findings of its Bottom Line: Corporate Performance and Women�s Representation on Boards report. The article focused on putting more women into top jobs and questioned if a quota similar to that in Norway could be applied in the Netherlands. On 25 November, the Mittelland Zeitung Sonntag, a Swiss newspaper, featured an interview with Hans W. Jablonski, President of the International Society for Diversity Management, in which he discussed The Bottom Line: Corporate Performance and Women�s Representation on Boards. In the article, titled �More Women, More Ideas,� he shared his thoughts about the findings in the study and commented that more women in top management mean more ideas. And more ideas lead to more innovation, which is reflected in the company�s financial results.

Opportunities


	*Connections - coming together to put knowledge to work*

		Conference: European launch of Catalyst research at congress (Madrid)


			Seats are still available for the first Fundación Alares International Congress on 20-21 February in Madrid. Catalyst Europe's General Manager Eleanor Tabi Haller-Jorden will be a keynote speaker and will present for the first time in Europe its Bottom Line: Corporate Performance and Women�s Representation on Boards report. The congress will focus on topics such as new strategic positioning, diversity, talent retention and trends. To register for this event, please click here.

		Women’s network to focus on advancement of women in leadership roles


			Catalyst Europe is delighted to �virtually� present its latest research at the Alcoa Women�s Network on 18 December. The event will focus on developing women leaders within Alcoa. Catalyst Europe's virtual presentation�will�center on making the European business case for diversity and inclusion.

		New sponsors of C-cubed e-newsletter


			Catalyst Europe is pleased to announce that Shell International B.V. and General Motors Europe AG will be co-sponsors of the C-cubed e-newsletter starting in April 2008. For more information about other sponsorship opportunities, please contact us.

		Global Membership: Diversity and inclusion on a global scale


			HSBC Holdings PLC, American Express and UTC are three Catalyst members which have opted for the Catalyst Global Membership package. For more information about the numerous benefits of global membership, please contact us.

Thought-Starters


	*Community - the bridge to new thinking and greater Catalyst network*

		Notes from a Catalyst Thought Leader: Following Norway’s example


			�When looking at D&I in Europe, it�s really a question of pressure; particularly where and how the pressure is being applied. For example, in Norway, there are legal requirements for both the public and private sectors to have 40% of women on boards. In Switzerland, however, the pressure is felt mainly in the public sector, with statutes in some political parties ensuring a minimum proportion of both genders is always on board. This is not the case in the private sector. The pressure is simply not there. Currently, the highest positions for women in Switzerland are often held by non-Swiss women. Are we able to follow the same model from Norway and apply it to Switzerland? I’m not so sure we are ready. Many changes may have to take place, particularly in the education system, as well as normalizing daycare. While 70% of all mothers do work outside of the home, what we really need are more flexible models for women (and men as well) to guide them on their career paths. We also need to rethink part-time work as the solution, and aim for half of the population to make a career. In the coming years, I believe there will be a shortage of talent, and this will offer an amazing opportunity for women in Switzerland.” About Katharina Amacker: Prior to becoming Head of Diversity & Inclusion for Novartis Pharma AG in Switzerland in 2003, Katharina worked as a pharmacist for 13 years in the production and development department of Novartis. We congratulate Katharina on her recent election into the Swiss Parliament, in which she will be a member of the�Foreign Commission. Her personal key topics are: safe and qualified workplaces, investments in science and technology, a solid health care system, social security and equal opportunities for women and men.

Catalyst Europe AG is the European headquarters of Catalyst, the leading membership research
and advisory organization working globally with businesses and the professions to build inclusive environments and expand opportunities for women and business.

For more information, please visit www.catalyst.org

Welcome

Catalyst Census report: Despite positive changes, news disappointing

Diversity Forum opens up dialogue to combat gender stereotypes

Catalyst Europe kicks off first BYOB event with record numbers

Catalyst Europe Advisory Board announces new chairperson

Media Corner: Articles across the globe

Conference: European launch of Catalyst research at congress (Madrid)

Women’s network to focus on advancement of women in leadership roles

New sponsors of C-cubed e-newsletter

Global Membership: Diversity and inclusion on a global scale

Notes from a Catalyst Thought Leader: Following Norway’s example