, The Davos gender quota for their 100 strategic partners generated tremendous global buzz around the state of women in business and leadership today.

Our very own Marijo Bos, miracle worker pur sang, thanks to voting support and comments, made it to the FINAL ROUND in the LinkedIn European Business Awards 2010 as candidate to win in the category “Rising Star of the Year”.

The Rising Star of the Year Award will be awarded to a non-board level individual whose initiative and determination has made an exceptional contribution to the success of their business over the last 12 months. They will also have demonstrated exceptional ability to make a difference when working with clients, suppliers, colleagues and stakeholders.”

If anyone deserves to win, it’s Marijo.

We can make that happen. Our Federation connects 3,500 professional women across Europe, many of whom are linked through Linkedin. We should be able to mobilize enough support to surpass the top of the leader board, the felllow who currently holds 931 votes… right?

Voting is easy, follow this link and click the red box: http://bit.ly/3QUnb7

We all stand to gain. How?
Each winner will receive a free year’s subscription to Cisco’s WebEx. It’s Marijo’s great wish to use WebEx to connect all of our growing networks at EuropeanPWN.

Need we say more? What an opportunity for all involved!
May we count on your support too to get the word out?

Vote for Marijo today, and please spread the word.

Misunderstandings, irritations, feelings of exclusion and a sense of inferiority, are daily challenges for non-native English speakers trying to communicate in the language of global business. What exactly happens and how can global organizations help employees become more effective in this intercultural language and its various communication styles?

Vast amounts of skill, expertise and knowledge remains hidden in organizations because of language and cultural barriers. Native Spanish, German, Dutch, Turkish, Chinese or Bahasa Indonesia speakers all make a daily effort to understand, speak and write English. Native English speakers try to understand the many variants of non-native speakers.

Together we try to get used to each other’s accents and accept the language mistakes inevitably made. We try to figure out what a good translation would be for a particular expression and how the words are to be interpreted and valued in our own language. We get lost in translation.

On many occasions the native English speakers form the majority at international meetings. They patiently watch how non-native speakers demolish their native language and still praise them on their command of English. Are native English speakers aware of the difficulties non-native speakers face and how this affects their feelings and the dynamics of a discussion or debate?

Dutch telecom giant KPN is launching an affirmative action programme for women in top management posts.

In an interview with the Volkskrant, KPN CEO Ad Scheepbouwer notes the number of women among its top management currently accounts for just 17 percent. The figure, he says, is too low and needs to be raised. As prior attempts to do so have produced little improvement, the company has decided that from now on only women will be considered for certain posts. The company still needs to determine the exact number and nature of the functions. KPN is thought to be the first large company to start an affirmative action policy for women. On Monday Parliament is to discuss a proposal by the Labour Party aimed at boosting the number of women in top management to 30 percent.

Source: Radio Netherlands Worldwide

From FT.com:

• FT top 50 women in world business

From Forbes.com:

• The World’s 100 Most Power Women

Increase your visibility on the web.

Whatever the reason for starting a business, there are several important tips that apply to everyone. Unfortunately, some women’s ability to execute the advice may be hampered by an underlying belief.

Many women and men are drawn to starting an enterprise because of the desire for independence and the opportunity to reach big goals. Drivers include entrepreneurial passion, personal reward, a wish to escape dissatisfaction in the workplace or simply to have flexibility and create a good work-life balance.

But does advice for men and women differ in any way?