This year’s second annual “Saudi Businesswomen Top 20 Companies” supplement is in your hands today. After almost a decade of resounding success of the Arab News Top 100 business supplement, last year we decided to enter the women’s field as well.
When the first edition came out in 2007, it caused quite a few ripples in the business community. But assembling the list was more problematic than we had anticipated — this was due to the reaction of Saudi businesswomen.
Firstly, only women who owned and managed their companies were eligible for inclusion in the supplement. However, their questions to us were overwhelming. Many women thought we were organizing some sort of competition when we explained that they had to fill out forms and that data had to be entered. But we persevered and published the first-ever “Saudi Businesswomen Top 20 Companies” in 2007. The supplement caught the attention of advertisers in addition to many international observers and journalists who were not aware that successful businesswomen thrive in Saudi society.
But launching the supplement was not easy. The response was initially slow. We had to find independent businesswomen. Then, we needed to find out if these women were really managing their businesses. And, were they really savvy businesswomen? All these questions and others were addressed by Arab News.
After all the attention last year’s publication garnered, we thought this year’s supplement would be easier. But we ran into problems. Ignorance about the supplement still existed in many quarters.
People asked why a “Saudi Businesswomen Top 20 Companies” was being published again this year. Once more, we explained everything in detail. We stressed that, in view of the reforms encouraged by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah further enhancement and empowerment of women in the business field could only be realized through recognition of their efforts, something that our publication would give them. Quite simply, without the participation of these businesswomen, it would be difficult for us to succeed in highlighting their successes.
What was disappointing was that again this year many businesswomen were apprehensive. Despite the fact that they run big businesses, we were surprised that they could not grasp the importance of the list. Many asked the same questions as last year.
To our surprise, some of the ladies who participated last year — and had gained considerable professional attention and free publicity for their businesses — opted not to participate a second time.
Many businesswomen failed to respond, point-blank. Some were plain rude by refusing to acknowledge calls, e-mails or even text messages. This seemed quite strange and unprofessional for individuals who considered themselves to be businesswomen. As businesspeople, they failed to realize that one of the main objectives of the supplement was to professionalize the standards and performances of Saudi businesswomen, setting an example for aspiring Saudi women.
The second main objective of the supplement was to highlight women whose businesses had taken off and who had risen through the ranks. Their decision not to participate deprived their fellow Saudi women the example of their leadership and inspiration.
However, the truly professional Saudi businesswomen — rare as precious gems — understood our goals and the bigger picture, and once again contributed to Arab News.
Therefore, this supplement is dedicated to these professional women who grasped and shared Arab News’ vision to highlight their professional achievements and to motivate aspiring entrants into the business world.
It is our hope that others will follow the examples of these savvy women.
