Avivah Wittenberg Cox, CEO, 20 First, Focused on Nationality & Generational Balance

Avivah Wittenberg Cox, CEO, 20 First, Focused on Nationality & Generational Balance

Avivah Wittenberg-Cox is a global expert on all things gender balance.

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The two most important factors when it comes to changing the gender equation in society are birth control and education. Although some organizations are embracing these changes in terms of creating a nationality- and generation-balanced environment, others are resisting them.

We are delighted to have Avivah Wittenberg Cox as our guest for today’s episode and have a conversation on this topic in detail. Tune in to listen. 

About Avivah Wittenberg Cox

Avivah is the Chief Executive officer of 20-First, a global consulting firm working with companies interested in capturing the competitive advantage of gender nationality and generational balance. Her name has been included in L Magazine’s list of women leading change in business. She has received a lifetime achievement award for gender balance leadership by PW and Global. She has also authored several books including “Why Women mean Business?”.

Discussion

What is 20-First and what the name implies?

20-First is a consulting company founded 15 years ago by Avivah. The name suggests that they are helping companies move from the 20th century to the 21st century while keeping them “first” and keeping ahead of global trends. The company works towards creating gender balance as the number of women is rising, generational balance as the population is increasing as well as nationality balance with globalization. 

What are some of the key challenges regarding gender equality that need to be addressed?

Avivah tells how there’s no need to question women’s contribution to performance whether it’s economic social or political. It is very evident with over 60% of women graduates all over the world that there is huge talent and opportunity for women. Organizations that are gender-balanced perform better and get perform better. Thus Avivah advises any company that wants to accelerate its growth to become gender-balanced. 

“Products and services being gender bilingual and inclusive across generations”. Elaborate on this.

Being gender bilingual means being aware of the differences between men and women regarding their taste, symptoms, and their preferences while creating products or services in every industry, says Avivah. It’s important to take into consideration both women and men so that it serves them well and equally. 

What’s your perspective on women facing challenges to reenter the workforce after starting a family?

“Once you educate women and open the ability to navigate their lives and work, I don’t think you’ll be going backward anytime soon”

Avivah agrees on the unfair way companies are designed to develop talent based on male careers. the careers of women are in a different shape and in their 30s they have increased pressure and responsibilities. So the companies need to provide flexibility to women at this stage. Avivah also says to the women in their 30s that it’s possible to get back to the workforce after starting a family and also have stellar careers in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. 

Avivah Wittenberg-Cox is a global expert on all things gender balance. She is the CEO of 20-first, a global consulting firm working with companies interested in capturing the competitive advantage of gender, nationality, and generational balance. Her ground-breaking thought leadership is accessible through several seminal books and regular contributions to Harvard Business Review and Forbes. She’s done several TEDx talks, has been recognized by ELLE Magazine as one of the Top 40 Women Leading Change and was recently celebrated by PWN Global with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Gender Balanced Leadership. Her book, Why Women Mean Business, was awarded the MANPOWER Best Book of the Year Prize.