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The bewo project

Conversations with women CEOs in the COVID-19 crisis

Created by BLI Mindset and LF Channel, “the bewo project” aims at spotlighting women and fostering female role models. In its attempt to meet such objective, the initiative has recently released results from its study entitled “Conversations with women CEOs in the COVID-19 crisis”.

The qualitative investigation included the participation of 37 female CEOs and managers from more than 10 different industries and 13 countries. The majority of interviewees agreed that transparency, fluid communication channels, and the ability to manage emotions of all parties involved (employees, clients, suppliers, partners, etc.) have proven essential in handling a crisis caused by the pandemic.

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    The participants

    Director partner of COBERTIS - Spain

    Anna De Quirós

    “We looked everyday at what was happening in Italy because decisions were not being made here nationally”

    “We looked everyday at what was happening in Italy because decisions were not being made here nationally”
    CEO Oxenstierna and Partners - Sweden

    Linna Österman

    “In Sweden, exposure to the virus is greater. It’s a completely different strategy to those of other countries, such as Denmark. Both male and female CEOs in Sweden appreciate the government’s strategy because the economy continues. However, we still depend on the rest of the world. Companies continue working as normal and if you need meetings, they can be held”

    “In Sweden, exposure to the virus is greater. It’s a completely different strategy to those of other countries, such as Denmark. Both male and female CEOs in Sweden appreciate the government’s strategy because the economy continues. However, we still depend on the rest of the world. Companies continue working as normal and if you need meetings, they can be held”.
    Owner Clínica Clariano Dental - Spain

    María Celina Torrado

    “We are not considered essential services but we must attend emergencies to prevent patients from visiting urgent care. These hospitals have collapsed”

    “We are not considered essential services but we must attend emergencies to prevent patients from visiting urgent care. These hospitals have collapsed”
    CEO and Founder CASACOM - Canada

    Marie-Josée Gagnon

    “All the men I talked to said, ‘you have no choice, you have to cut staff’, while women were saying ‘listen to your intuition’.”

    “All the men I talked to said, ‘you have no choice, you have to cut staff’, while women were saying ‘listen to your intuition’.”
    Associate Owner Ancraje - France

    Alejandra Deshayes

    “I am a prudent person and for some, a brake. However, this prudence has allowed us to keep solvency thus far to face this situation”

    “I am a prudent person and for some, a brake. However, this prudence has allowed us to keep solvency thus far to face this situation”
    Director Cavas Agustí Torelló Mata - Spain

    Gemma Torelló

    "If you don’t have a turnover, it is no use going into debt"

    "If you don’t have a turnover, it is no use going into debt"
    Co-founder & CEO Team EQ - Spain

    Francesca Gabetti

    “Do we really want to put a relationship with a supplier at risk because that individual paid 20 days later? We are people talking with other people, not clients speaking with suppliers”

    “Do we really want to put a relationship with a supplier at risk because that individual paid 20 days later? We are people talking with other people, not clients speaking with suppliers”
    Owner Director El Ginjoler - Spain

    Carme Picas

    “I try to be very much in contact with our producers. We speak about them on our social media accounts to help market their surpluses”

    “I try to be very much in contact with our producers. We speak about them on our social media accounts to help market their surpluses”
    Managing Partner Laboratorios Camperchioli - Argentina

    Mariana Camperchioli

    “At this moment, it is up to us to be there. We lose profits but gain trust. It’s about presenting solutions”

    “At this moment, it is up to us to be there. We lose profits but gain trust. It’s about presenting solutions”
    CEO Muy Mucho - Panama

    Alexandra Marcó

    “For me, the priority was to pay employees’ salaries even if they were at home without work. These employees are fundamental in a business. We are all suffering in this crisis and this is not voluntary at all. First is first. As long as it is within reach, we have to pay the salaries of those who have worked and made sacrifices for companies “

    “For me, the priority was to pay employees’ salaries even if they were at home without work. These employees are fundamental in a business. We are all suffering in this crisis and this is not voluntary at all. First is first. As long as it is within reach, we have to pay the salaries of those who have worked and made sacrifices for companies “
    CEO Nannify - Spain

    Claudia de la Riva Valls

    “Our activity was going to stop; it has now changed completely. We offer an online solution adapted to the current moments. We made the decision to pivot strategy, to go online a few days before the issuing of the confinement order”

    “Our activity was going to stop; it has now changed completely. We offer an online solution adapted to the current moments. We made the decision to pivot strategy, to go online a few days before the issuing of the confinement order”
    Managing Director Yucatan, Marketing Digital, Communication - France

    Caroline Prince

    “Last year, we restructured all of our technological infrastructure, adapting it to the cloud. Due to the pension strikes in France at the end of 2019, we were forced to complete a test. Now though, we were prepared”

    “Last year, we restructured all of our technological infrastructure, adapting it to the cloud. Due to the pension strikes in France at the end of 2019, we were forced to complete a test. Now though, we were prepared”
    CEO Cinesi - Spain

    Cinta Viladomat

    “One of the most contemplated aspects of our strategic plan was to set up the possibility of remote working. This particular detail allowed us to be prepared for this situation from the very beginning”

    “One of the most contemplated aspects of our strategic plan was to set up the possibility of remote working. This particular detail allowed us to be prepared for this situation from the very beginning”
    Co-General Director of SUARA Cooperativa - Spain

    Laura Peracuala

    “We inaugurated the Office of Digital Transformation (ODT) 4 years ago and it has been extremely important, allowing us to implement many items quickly”

    “We inaugurated the Office of Digital Transformation (ODT) 4 years ago and it has been extremely important, allowing us to implement many items quickly”
    Owner Handicap - Argentina

    Natalia Tatian

    “We had plans to open online stores by the end of the year. We got a head start on those projects and we are now able to place some products in other platforms. We have been able to train ourselves in eCommerce”

    “We had plans to open online stores by the end of the year. We got a head start on those projects and we are now able to place some products in other platforms. We have been able to train ourselves in eCommerce”
    Associate Director Global Human Consultants - Spain

    Marina Genabat

    “We believe in the ‘Care People Model’, which focuses on exercising leadership that cares for people during decision-making processes, provides guidance and inspires trust among teams based on one’s own humility”

    “We believe in the ‘Care People Model’, which focuses on exercising leadership that cares for people during decision-making processes, provides guidance and inspires trust among teams based on one’s own humility”
    CEO Talent Clue - Spain

    Ana Izquierdo

    "As a leader, you have to pave an exit path but with confidence, presence and the ability to have the conversations that must be held”

    "As a leader, you have to pave an exit path but with confidence, presence and the ability to have the conversations that must be held”
    Managing Director HBI Helga Bailey GmbH - Germany

    Corinna Voss

    “We try to keep team spirit alive with daily video calls, virtual café breaks and slots for a virtual casual drink. It has been working rather well. You do not have the emotional component from teamwork when you’re not seen for weeks”

    “We try to keep team spirit alive with daily video calls, virtual café breaks and slots for a virtual casual drink. It has been working rather well. You do not have the emotional component from teamwork when you’re not seen for weeks”
    Head of operations y Partner KoKoon - France

    Angela Isamat

    “Freelancers who work for us and other companies are in lockdown and without any professional relationship. We have to keep their spirits up. For that reason, we organized two weekly calls with specific topics to help them undergo training and to maintain a strong link with them”

    “Freelancers who work for us and other companies are in lockdown and without any professional relationship. We have to keep their spirits up. For that reason, we organized two weekly calls with specific topics to help them undergo training and to maintain a strong link with them”
    President AF Comunicación - Dominican Republic

    Amelia Reyes

    “There are two fundamental challenges that we are going to face during and after the crisis: one is the challenge of personal and human connection, for which identification with organizations and the employee; the other is that of mental health. Perhaps we have not realized it but indeed, it has already affected us. We are affectionate beings and not being able to touch, hug, kiss or vice versa, prevent others from hugging us...this will make us feel very bad. Moreover, if you have to consider fear and after that, uncertainty”

    “There are two fundamental challenges that we are going to face during and after the crisis: one is the challenge of personal and human connection, for which identification with organizations and the employee; the other is that of mental health. Perhaps we have not realized it but indeed, it has already affected us. We are affectionate beings and not being able to touch, hug, kiss or vice versa, prevent others from hugging us...this will make us feel very bad. Moreover, if you have to consider fear and after that, uncertainty”
    CEO MarketCross - Argentina

    Cristela Reyes

    “From clients’ perspectives, this circumstance forced us to pay more attention to their needs, which extended beyond that stipulated in contracts”

    “From clients’ perspectives, this circumstance forced us to pay more attention to their needs, which extended beyond that stipulated in contracts”
    Partner Fusion Communications - USA

    Annabel Beyra

    "All plans have changed with our current clients; we have been ver flexible to adapt to their new needs. Its a good moment to strengthen ties with current and potential clients"

    "All plans have changed with our current clients; we have been ver flexible to adapt to their new needs. Its a good moment to strengthen ties with current and potential clients"
    Partners Enkarios - Mexico

    Cèlia Piqué

    “We are working to fill in current gaps among our clients, which professionals left behind when they returned to their countries. This also includes closing gaps that clients will have in the future”

    “We are working to fill in current gaps among our clients, which professionals left behind when they returned to their countries. This also includes closing gaps that clients will have in the future”
    General Director PFB Servicios Funerarios - Spain

    Ana M. Gassió

    “We have begun offering free services, considering it a necessity. It is our way of giving back”

    “We have begun offering free services, considering it a necessity. It is our way of giving back”
    CEO Hormimax - Argentina

    Carina Marenetto

    "There is a display of collaboration among the facts”

    "There is a display of collaboration among the facts”
    CO-CEO Granja Aventura Park - Spain

    Naiara Jiménez

    “Here, there’s not a feeling of error. We did not make the mistake. You become resilient and know that we will make it out of this, however that may be. It is difficult to provide a solution to a problem unfamiliar to all. It’s a matter of being patient”

    “Here, there’s not a feeling of error. We did not make the mistake. You become resilient and know that we will make it out of this, however that may be. It is difficult to provide a solution to a problem unfamiliar to all. It’s a matter of being patient”
    CEO Bemobile - Spain

    Adrianna Escrivá Dalfó

    “I spoke with my team. All of us are in this together. We have to come out of this situation stronger. For me, the most important thing is my team”

    “I spoke with my team. All of us are in this together. We have to come out of this situation stronger. For me, the most important thing is my team”
    Senior VP Services Sale Alfa Laval - USA

    Ester Codina

    “What I miss the most is the social component. The energy that you notice in people through screens is good, but it is not the same. I miss being human”

    “What I miss the most is the social component. The energy that you notice in people through screens is good, but it is not the same. I miss being human”
    Manager Grup TG - Spain

    Carme Pros

    "There are aspects that you have well or extremely well under control, and then there are other aspects that must improve. I take note and when it’s possible to make improvements, we’ll do just that”

    "There are aspects that you have well or extremely well under control, and then there are other aspects that must improve. I take note and when it’s possible to make improvements, we’ll do just that”
    Founder & CEO Fregata.AI - Spain

    María Fernanda González

    "Thanks be given to the fact that we, entrepreneurs and innovators, are able to remain steadfast on the warpath, we are the ones who are going to create new products to advance companies”

    "Thanks be given to the fact that we, entrepreneurs and innovators, are able to remain steadfast on the warpath, we are the ones who are going to create new products to advance companies”
    Managing Partner Bliss Integrated - USA

    Elizabeth Sosnow

    "There's going to be significant behavioral changes that will happen that will impact our businesses; if you weren't thinking of a digital marketing point of view, you will have to now. What kind of content will be consumed? What kind of behavior will we have? As a marketer, it will be really important to pay attention to that and evolve your business to meet those new patterns"

    "There's going to be significant behavioral changes that will happen that will impact our businesses; if you weren't thinking of a digital marketing point of view, you will have to now. What kind of content will be consumed? What kind of behavior will we have? As a marketer, it will be really important to pay attention to that and evolve your business to meet those new patterns"
    CO-CEO Kaizo - United Kingdom

    Steph MacLeod

    “For me, this is not a point in time. The economic impact will last for years. How we all will adapt, it is too early to know. This situation will redefine how we live and work from now on. We will see a more tailored approach to individuals, but especially for the youngest people”

    “For me, this is not a point in time. The economic impact will last for years. How we all will adapt, it is too early to know. This situation will redefine how we live and work from now on. We will see a more tailored approach to individuals, but especially for the youngest people”
    CEO Atlas of the Future - Spain

    Silvia Brandi

    “I’m an optimist, naturally, but it seems to me that optimism is now a professional responsibility”

    “I’m an optimist, naturally, but it seems to me that optimism is now a professional responsibility”
    General Director Delta SCCL - Spain

    Gemma García

    “For those in manager roles, making rapid-fire decisions is what most often places pressure on us. No margin for agreement, work, or reflection about all that would have been nice”

    “For those in manager roles, making rapid-fire decisions is what most often places pressure on us. No margin for agreement, work, or reflection about all that would have been nice”
    CEO Farmacia Isern - Spain

    Lourdes Isern

    “We must have female role models. I wish that I had had them when I took charge of the family company”

    “We must have female role models. I wish that I had had them when I took charge of the family company”
    Founder and CEO Grupo Pragma - Italy

    Oriana Cok

    “I fell in love with technology at 12 years old when my grandmother gave me a SPECTRUM. I was one of the few children, and of course, the only girl to have one. This impacted my profession”

    “I fell in love with technology at 12 years old when my grandmother gave me a SPECTRUM. I was one of the few children, and of course, the only girl to have one. This impacted my profession”
    CEO & Co Founder TipScool - Spain

    Esther Cid

    "We were born digital, we can do everything online. We are digital entrepreneurs"

    "We were born digital, we can do everything online. We are digital entrepreneurs"
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