Research Services
Aurora periodically undertakes various research briefs. Some of Aurora's research projects undertaken to date are below.

Research: The Where Women Want to Work TOP 50
When: October 2006
Partner: The Times Newspaper
Participants: Organisations employing 1,000+ staff in the UK

Abstract: The Where Women Want to Work TOP 50 is not about organisations for women or jobs for the girls. Nor is the rise of women about the fall of men. The TOP 50 provides insightful information about 50 of the UK’s largest and most progressive employers. Women can now research and compare organisations based on their own needs and interests before choosing where to work. Men often apply for careers based first on salary, second on the job, and third on the organisation. But women tend to look at the organisation and what's on offer first, job second, salary third. This is why Aurora successfully launched the highly successful TOP 50. Congratulations to the organisations that made it into the 2006 Top 50. The standard was very high, the initiatives were very successful and, best of all, there is real hope that organisations are getting better at recruiting, retaining and developing female talent.

Research: The DNA of women leaders
When: April 2005
Partner: Caliper (US)
Participants: Senior women business leaders in the UK and US

Abstract: The DNA of Women Leaders study was undertaken to identify whether women leaders possess common qualities that distinguish them and to determine whether these competencies differ between women leaders in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Key findings:
1. UK and US women leaders share similarly strong traits
2. Women leaders are highly persuasive
3. Women leaders feel the sting of rejection but rapidly learn from adversity and develop an "I'll show you" attitude
4. Women leaders have an inclusive team-oriented style of
problem solving and decision making
5. Women leaders more likely to ignore rules and take risks

Overall, the data revealed that women leaders are assertive, highly urgent, persuasive, collaborative, intelligent risk-takers.

Research: Women-owned Business Focus Consultation Report
When: May 2004
Partner: DTI Small Business Service
Participants: Aurora Business Women's Network

Abstract: Aurora was commissioned by the UK's Department of Trade and Industry's Small Business Service to identify the true barriers to women starting and growing a business in Britain and to deliver recommendations to Government regarding targeted high-impact support services and resources that will address the identified barriers.

Key findings: Women entrepreneur Top 10 needs:
1. Knowledge about revenue models and finance [100%]
2. Women-owned business networks and online/offline businesswomen communities [100%]
3. Successful women business-owner role models [100%]
4. Women-owned business incubator, community and related support services [94%]
5. Business knowledge (starting, running, growing, managing, compliance, etc) [92%]
6. Business growth and exit strategy knowledge [92%]
7. Supported loans (subsidised, structured, loan guaranteed, etc) [84%]
8. Online platform for bidding for government tenders [76%]
9. Industry standard comparative data (benchmarking data) [72%]
10.Technology knowledge and training [68%].

Research: BT/Aurora women entrepreneurs & ICT research
When: January 2004
Partner: BT
Participants: Over 2,000 women entrepreneurs

Abstract: Women business owners participated in an online survey researching their knowledge, usage and attitudes towards computers and technology.
Key findings: female entrepreneurs are a tech savvy bunch
66% own a portable data device
99% know exactly what broadband is and what it can bring to their business
28% of women in business use friends, family and other women for their technology and telecoms advice
for IT and ICT advice, women business owners use consultants 17%, the internet 17%, and Business Link 8%
87% of women surveyed said broadband is and would be vital to their business growth.

Research: BBC's Eve magazine/Aurora ‘What women want’ research
When: December 2003
Partner: BBC Worldwide's Eve Magazine
Participants: Over 500 professional women

Abstract: Women were surveyed by interview, focus group and questionnaire about what they want in terms of work, life, business, finance, relationships, health and much more.

Key findings: HSBC hosted an event for Aurora and the BBC Worldwide's Eve Magazine to release these findings to over 100 women.
women in the 21st Century are complex and inundated with choice
empowerment: across the board, persistence and education are important for most women work/life balance: much more than a mantra, a reason for change
community: fragmented family means more reliance on friends and creating new communities of like-minded women.

Research: 2003 Female FTSE Index supported by Aurora (for the second year)
When: November 2003
Researcher: Cranfield school of Management, UK
Participants: FTSE 100 companies
Download: Click here to download the full report

Abstract: For the first time, 2 companies, AstraZeneca and Marks & Spencer, have 4 female directors, and women comprise a third of their boards. 7 companies (J Sainsbury, Shell, BAA, Prudential, Aviva, Legal & General, HSBC) have 3 women, and 13 companies have 2 women on their boards. We are starting to see women as a normal part of board membership in these progressive companies.

Key findings:
1. In the UK, only 9% of FTSE 100 board members are women, and only 4% of those are in executive roles.
2. Only one woman has made it to CEO and only one woman chairs a FTSE 100 board
3. Women directors are significantly more likely than men to have a title, with 31% of women holding a title compared to only 20% of men.
4. There are only four women from ethnic minorities in the list of directors
Click here to download report summary.

Research: 2002 Female FTSE Index supported by Aurora
When: November 2002
Researcher: Cranfield school of Management, UK
Participants: FTSE 100 companies

Abstract: This report presents the detailed findings and analysis of the 2002 survey of FTSE 100 companies and their women directors. It also includes an overview of the remaining barriers to women’s careers as they move from middle to senior management and leadership.

Key findings:
1. 88 of the UK’s top 100 companies still have no women executive directors
17 companies have two or more female directors, compared to 15 in 2001, 12 in 2000 and 13 in 1999
2. Marks and Spencer comes in 1st place for the second year running with a 27% female board - 2 female executive directors and a female NED
3. There is still a very long way to go. There are still 39 top companies with no women directors.
Click here to visit report summary.

Abstract: The Aurora Women's Network, (formerly `Busygirl Network') was featured as a European best-practice example for women's networking (p. 26) in this useful research identifying issues and barriers relative to women's advancement and business leadership.

Key findings:
Click here to visit the Catalyst website.

Abstract: This was an Aurora (formerly Busygirl) & Korn Ferry / Future Step research study into women’s views on corporate life and entrepreneurial ventures. Across the findings, women heavily sought recognition, reward and re-invention. The research indicated that women enjoy calling the shots in business. Women who take the leap from corporate life to start a business venture say they’re extremely satisfied.

Key findings:
1. 99% of women entrepreneurs cite being able to fulfill their personal vision as extremely rewarding while for men it’s a combination of time for family, recognition for accomplishments, taking risks without repercussions, and not needing to fit in .
2. However 85% men and 88% women cite the `lack of a benefits package’ as a less satisfying aspect of leaving corporate life to start their own business
3. The further top reasons both men and women entrepreneurs leave corporate life is to take risks with new ideas and test personal limits, and to have more strategic input into decisions.
4. Men state money as the second most popular reason to change jobs, along with opportunities for strategic input, whereas women rank it fifth, behind risk, recognition and spending more time with the family.

Abstract: The report explores the views of senior women in dotcom companies across Europe on the key issues they face in business management, financial management and business models. When asked, dotcom executive women identify recruitment as one of the key challenges they face to achieving business success, with customer retention and profitability following hot on its heels. Of less concern was the lack of professional advice on their business model.

Key findings:
1. One in three respondents were the CEO.
2. Most dotcom women agreed that working in an internet start-up has been a major step up the career ladder for them.
3. Over 60% had never worked at board management level previously.
4. Most women-managed dotcoms tend to be funded from personal investment .

Abstract: The Aurora Women's Network is always researching the business development needs of women entrepreneurs. We are also benchmarking and correlating business growth and turnover with business maturity. This research project provided valuable comparative data for women business owners. Our entrepreneurial members wanted to know how their businesses are performing in comparison to their colleagues.

Key Findings:
1. 90% of women-owned businesses are in the service industry; the remaining 10% in saleable products and commodities.
2. Over 50% of women-owned businesses have only 1 employee, usually themselves.
3. Over 50% of women-owned businesses operate from home
4. The most common barriers for women’s businesses are lack of resources, finance, business knowledge and access to business.

To find out more about Aurora's research services, please contact us or call +44 (0) 845 260 7777 or email sales @ auroravoice.com.

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