"Too few women want to be leaders - regardless of industry"
Sybille Erdmann is a co-founder and managing director of the Biel-based agency Erdmannpeisker. She is the seventh leader to share her insights with us on the status of women in the Swiss advertising industry.
Werbewoche: Why aren't there more women in the executive ranks of the communications industry?
Sybille Erdmann: That doesn't sound nice, but it's my personal opinion: It's because too few women want to be in management. And that's true regardless of the industry.
How many women work in your agency and how many men?
8:5.
Does your agency have equal pay?
Absolutely, for 19 years.
Suppose your agency introduces a women's quota. What do you think of that?
I think the women's quota is absolute nonsense.
What would have to change to make it easier for women to reconcile family and career?
First, the attitude of women would have to change. More committed women in politics and business would ensure that, on the one hand, affordable childcare is implemented and show that management responsibility is also possible with part-time work.
If you were a man - would you be in a different position today?
No.
What can men do better - in relation to your professional environment?
Inflate.
What can women do better?
Don't take yourself so seriously, but put the matter in the foreground.
Why are there more advertisers of the year than advertisers of the year?
Because, unfortunately, there are even fewer women and those that do exist do not push themselves to the fore.
Which professional colleague has impressed you the most in her career so far?
None.
Have you - in relation to your professional career - ever had negative experiences that you would not have had as a man?
No.
What advice do you have for young women who want to enter this industry and reach your position in the medium to long term?
Step on the gas. Be interested, listen, learn, educate, deal with, bite through, try out.
Do you recommend that young women enter your industry?
Absolutely. The industry is so diverse, interesting and undefined. There are jobs today that didn't exist five years ago, and so it will continue.
What do you think of the gender discussion in your industry in general?
Everyone should live as they want. That's what makes people interesting.
Published so far:
This article is from the "Women's Issue" of the Advertising Week (8/2018, May 4, 2018).
Editors: Ann-Kathrin Kübler, Thomas Häusermann
