Woman-Led Businesses Lead In Growth Rates

Newswise — A major research study by Babson College and The Commonwealth Institute finds that 55 percent of woman-led businesses in Massachusetts grew by more than five percent in 2005, which more than doubles the state average, and nearly doubles the national growth rate. The Top Woman-Led Businesses in Massachusetts: 2005 Results study found that woman-run businesses are key drivers of Massachusetts's revenue and employment as well as strong sources of philanthropic activity. The companies in the survey that reported revenues generated $10 billion, and together, all the companies that participated in the study employed more than 21,000 people in Massachusetts.

The study also identified the Top 100 Woman-led businesses in Mass. based on 2005 revenues. The top five companies are: Cumberland Farms Inc. in the number one spot; followed by Delta Dental of Mass.; Agar Supply Co., Inc.; Axcelis Technologies; and Garber Travel. The Top 100 list exhibits strong growth from 2004 to 2005, reflecting higher revenues at every decile.

The Top Woman-Led Businesses in Massachusetts: 2005 Results research study was co-developed by The Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College and The Commonwealth Institute. This study, which is being conducted for the fifth time and is a culmination of five years of data, identifies the top 100 woman-led businesses in the state and includes data from 191 woman-led firms. Following are key trends that the study uncovered:

Fifty-five percent of woman-led businesses in Massachusetts haveachieved an annual growth rate greater than five percent in 2005 " approximately double the state and national averages of two percent and 2.6 percent, respectively. Eighty percent of the companies surveyed grew at least one percent.

In contrast to businesses that focus on short-term gains and cost-cutting measures, an overwhelming majority of woman-led businesses surveyed expect to drive profitability through top-line revenue growth. Eighty percent have identified expanding customer relationships as the key priority for driving future growth. This was followed by new products (28 percent), new geographic markets (19 percent) and strategic alliances (18 percent).

Significantly, nearly 98 percent of woman-led businesses regularly contribute to local charitable and nonprofit organizations, and nearly one-third are engaged in philanthropic activity on a monthly basis. The greater percentage of women employees in a firm, the higher the level of philanthropic activity of the company. Women business leaders are building their companies for the long-term instead of looking for quick exit strategies. The women CEOs were in their current position an average of 15 years, and 72 percent of the companies were founded by their current CEOs. Additionally the women CEOs bring professional experience and education to their positions; they have an average of 28 years of work experience, and more CEOs of larger firms have graduate level education.

Debunking the perception that women typically own lifestyle and retail-oriented businesses, woman-led businesses are as diverse as the Massachusetts economy. There is virtually no industry sector in which a woman-led firm cannot be found. Mirroring the state's business environment, the top five sectors for woman-led companies are: professional services; high technology; construction; healthcare, pharmaceuticals and medical products; and travel services.

The costs the CEOs identified as having the most impact on their businesses are: health insurance benefits for employees; information technology and infrastructure; and advertising and marketing. The CEOs are also looking at innovative and cost-effective approaches to grow their businesses, such as guerilla marketing. The costs of living in Massachusetts also were considered as having a significant impact on their businesses.

Although most CEOs are founders and controlling owners of their firms, more than 77 percent use a participatory leadership style, seeking opinions of others in their decision-making.

"The study uncovers valuable business lessons that we can all learn from," said Professor Nan S. Langowitz, Director of the Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College and chief researcher and author of the study. "The women CEOs are committed to building strong and thriving organizations for the long haul; their businesses are major engines of growth for the economy and key sources of philanthropy for the community. The CEOs' focus on top-line growth has made their companies tremendously successful despite the economic environment of the past few years."

"Women CEOs are outstanding role models for business success," said Aileen Gorman, executive director of The Commonwealth Institute. "Their participatory leadership style encourages new ideas and strategic approaches. These CEOs value strong relationships with customers and employees and have made a key commitment to giving back to the community " demonstrating that good business and doing good go hand in hand."

About The Study

This is the fifth study conducted by The Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College and The Commonwealth Institute on woman-led businesses in Massachusetts. Qualified participant companies have a woman chief executive who is the senior executive decision maker of the firm, are headquartered in Massachusetts, and are either independent businesses or legal subsidiaries of larger corporations. Medical, law and banking firms as well as non-profits were not included in the study. The full research report, including the Top 100 list, is available from Babson's Center for Women's Leadership and can be downloaded at http://www.babson.edu/cwl/top100.

About Babson College

http://www3.babson.edu/cwl/ The Center for Women's Leadership at Babson College is the first center dedicated to women in business and entrepreneurship at a leading school of management. Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. was founded in 1919, and is recognized internationally as the leader in entrepreneurial management education. For more information on Babson visit: http://www.babson.edu.

About The Commonwealth Institute

The Commonwealth Institute is a dynamic, non-profit organization founded in 1997 to help women entrepreneurs, CEOs and senior corporate executives build successful businesses. The goal of The Commonwealth Institute is to reach women leaders during the critical stages of their businesses and to provide them with the tools and resources they need for growth. Further information on The Commonwealth Institute can be found at: http://www.commonwealthinstitute.org.