Self-Employed Are a Major But Underappreciated Force

A new study from Massachusetts makes an important point about the 21st century American economy: the self-employed are a major but underappreciated economic force. While most people recognize that self-employment is growing, they don’t know that many measures of state or local employment don’t count sole proprietors. Instead, they simply track those workers who are paid as employees.

The report, by Salem State College’s Laurence Goss, details the numbers for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Within the state, there were more than 472,000 sole proprietors in 2004. This total accounts for 17% of Massachusetts’ total employment.

The report concludes that policymakers need to better understand the importance of this sector of the economy. They should also take steps to provide better support and encouragement to sole proprietors and other micro-business owners.

Data and analysis on sole proprietors in Massachusetts are available from the Enterprise Center at Salem State College. The Sole Proprietor Research Information Pack can be accessed here.

[Forgot to mention ... please let me know what you think of our new look, thanks!]

Women in Business Newsletter

Women in Business Newsletter published by IFC -- designed to keep global women entrepreneurs in touch with key events, relevant research and, most importantly, each other.

This month's spotlight: Fatima Wali, Nigerian Entrepreneur.

Glass Ceiling Is Due To Intelligence, Not Discrimination?

You have got to read this to believe it! Here's the lead:

A recent study proves it is "very likely" that the reason women have difficulty rising to the top in their careers is because they are less intelligent than men (by 4 -- 3.63 to be exact -- IQ points), according to controversial University of Western Ontario psychologist J. Philippe Rushton.

To fully understand and appreciate the source of the material, read on:

The professor -- criticized for claiming whites are intellectually superior to blacks, and that higher AIDS rates in Africa are due to a more insatiable sexual appetite in the black community -- believes the "glass ceiling" phenomenon is probably due to innate ability rather than discrimination.

Read more here: Men smarter than women, prof claims and Sex differences in general mental ability.

By the way, when I watched Professor Rushton on CNBC moments ago, he was sweating terribly on his upper lip.

Babson Blogging Live At ...

9th Annual Women's Leadership Conference
Accomplishment for Women.
Advantage for Organizations.

Friday, September 15, 2006
Babson College

Presented by the Center for Women’s Leadership
in association with the Babson Association of Women MBAs

Featuring Keynote Speakers:Carly Fiorina (shown above)
Former CEO
Hewlett-Packard (1999-2005)
+
Addie Swartz
Principal Creator and CEO
B*Tween Productions

Catch the LIVE blogging here.

[Talk about escape ... ]

Corporate America Without Dunn on HP's Board

I don't know if you have been tracking the Hewlett-Parkard debacle. I have -- every last little word because I wanted to see how the poor little powerful rich boy -- Tom Perkins -- got his ball (no pun intended) taken away during a board game and got very, very mad. In reaction, he quit the HP board (fully not expecting the board to accept his resignation). But he didn't stop short there. He went after Dunn on all legal fronts to take her down from the position of nonexecutive board Chairman of HP. And take her down he did. She will step down effective January, 2007 although she will remain an HP director.

In case you are not up to speed, Dunn led an investigation (see below) that led to the possible illegal procurement of phone records for board members and several journalists. Tom Perkins did not like the process. It's no wonder. His records were accessed.

Despite what appears to be a sneaky method to access those records, what we cannot overlook here is the fact that Dunn achieved results: She found the leaker. As the following article states, "Meanwhile director George Keyworth, who acknowledged that he was the source of news leaks that started the scandal last year, resigned from HP's board." I might add that George Keyworth is a very good friend of Tom Perkins.

And here's what Dunn said yesterday about her actions ... "These leaks had the potential to affect not only the stock price of HP but also that of other publicly traded companies."

If Dunn had to lose her chairwomanship on the HP board to find the leaker -- so be it. I just don't understand why it seems to always be a woman who steps up to the plate, faces reality and ends up paying a pretty severe price for watching out for the good of company shareholders. Need I bring up Enron?

Read more here >> HP After Dunn

Backstories:

MSNBC

The Smoking Gun

CNET

USATODAY.com

Leadership and Women Entrepreneurs

What does it take to be a leader? Six questions are addressed in this interview with Sheila Murray Bethel, author of four books, including the best-selling "Making a Difference: 12 Qualities That Make You a Leader."

Here's a glimpse at the first question and answer:

Q: When you were a child, what did you dream of becoming?

A: There wasn't a specific thing I wanted to do when I was a child but be very independent ... because that's what my mother always encouraged me to do.

Read the entire interview >> here.

Tips for Women Seeking To Start a Business

How do you begin? Find out >> here.

Small Business, Big Opportunities

Women-owned businesses continue to grow at an amazing rate. According to the Center for Women's Business Research, the estimated growth rate in the number of women-owned firms was nearly twice that of all firms (17 percent vs. 9 percent). Nearly half of all privately held U.S. firms are women-owned. That means 10.6 million firms are at least half owned by women. These firms employ 19.1 million people and generate nearly $2.5 trillion in sales.

So what does this mean for women entrepreneurs, especially when it comes to using technology to grow a business?

Read more >>here.

Happy Labor Day

Labor Day is a celebration and a tribute to the contributions of workers who have made our country stronger. That's us. Enjoy.

P.S. This photo is taken a block from where I live.

Escape From Corporate World!

International entrepreneurship at its finest!

I just love this site and plan to order a couple of global handicrafts as holiday gifts for people this year. Check it out.

PEOPLink