Off-Ramps and On-Ramps:Keeping Talented Women on the Road to Success

Sylvia Ann Hewlett's latest book, "Off-Ramps and On-Ramps: Keeping Talented Women on the Road to Success" is an inspiring read. In it she documents the successful efforts of the "Hidden Brain Drain Task Force," a group of 34 leading edge global companies including Johnson & Johnson, Lehman Brothers and Time Warner to retain and rehire talented women. If you want to get a fascinating overview of the lay of the land on this topic and be inspired, read her book. The task force came together on six core recommendations for companies who want to make the most of female talent:
1. Establish a Rich Menu of Flexible Work Arrangements. Number one on most women's wish list. "Reduced-hour options, flexible stop and start times, telecommuting, job sharing, and seasonal flexibility" are some examples.
2. Create Arc-of-Career Flexibility. A brand new concept, but one all too real for many of us! Requires a new way of thinking about work, how to design it into more "chunkable" pieces to enable part-time and job share opportunities and a way back in for professional women who have taken time off. Also requires reconnecting to networks and mentors.
3. Reimagine Work Life. Eldercare as much or more an issue for professional women as childcare.
4. Help Women Claim and Sustain Ambition. Women's networks are key and help women stay connected, motivated, and inspired.
5. Harness Altruism. Women's career goals more focused on "working with high-quality colleagues," "deriving meaning and purpose from work" and "giving back to society" than salary level.
6. Reduce Stigma and Stereotypes. Most challenging goal, will only succeed if top management 'walks the talk" at the top.
The rest of the book highlights 18 case studies of companies successfully working to create policies and practices the give meat to these recommendations. You can't help but be impressed and inspired.