HP: Coaching Women

HP has been developing and implementing strategies to be a leader in the advancement of women in the technology business. The programmes seem to be successful, as approximately a third of their global executives are women and they are looking to increase their numbers at all levels of the organisation.
Getting talented women into management is just a first step. HP also offers coaching and support to women ― because access to networks, strong role models and mentors are important factors in career advancement.
In a world where women executives often receive less opportunities for advancement than their male counterparts, HP is seeking to correct this tide. They see that coaching is becoming increasingly critical for advancement.. “In general, men have stronger informal networks and understand the ‘unwritten rules’ of the organisation, so coaching is that much more crucial for women”, according to a senior consultant of the Boston-based consulting firm Novations. HP has a distinct advantage over many organisations in that they can offer women more successful senior women to serve as coaches to other women, than most organisations.
Excerpted from: HP & Paton, N. Management Issues, 2006