Source: Microsoft Small Business Center

Nearly 11 million privately held companies are now majority-owned (50% stake or greater) by women, according to the Center for Women Business Research, based in Washington, D.C. That accounts for nearly half (47.7%) of all private companies in the United States. In addition, women-owned companies now generate $2.5 trillion in annual sales and employ 19 million people nationwide.

Female leadership strengths:

• Women tend to be better than men at empowering staff.

• Women encourage openness and are more accessible.

• Women leaders respond more quickly to calls for assistance.

• Women are more tolerant of differences, so they're more skilled at managing diversity.

• Women identify problems more quickly and more accurately.

• Women are better at defining job expectations and providing feedback.

What do you think?

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