Women Matter

A study showing companies that perform best have women most strongly represented in leadership

McKinsey has released a new study, “Women Matter,” developed under the leadership of Sandrine Devillard, (co-leader of McKinsey Women in Europe/Middle East/Africa), Georges Desvaux, and Pascal Baumgarten. This study was conducted as part of the McKinsey contribution to our worldwide partnership with the Women's Forum for the Economy & Society.

Aiming at assessing the impact of gender diversity on company performance, “Women Matter” demonstrates that the companies where women are most strongly represented at board or top-management levels are also the companies that perform best, both on organizational and financial measures. The team unveiled its findings during the Women's Forum for the Economy & Society held in Deauville, France in October 2007. Sandrine presented the study to over 500 clients, top executives, politicians and journalists, and nearly 1,400 print copies were distributed. Within a few short days, their work had been reported positively in the Financial Times, Les Echos, and Le Figaro, as well as on several radio stations.

This new McKinsey study demonstrates that the companies where women are most strongly represented in leadership are also the companies that perform best.

Read the report (PDF—1.1MB)