Success on Our Own Terms: Tales of Extraordinary, Ordinary Business Women

In this clearly written study, O'Brien (The Fast Forward MBA in Business), a former communications consultant, puts a positive spin on the progress women have made in corporate America during the last three decades. According to the author, current research that focuses on ""glass ceilings"" or the small number of female CEOs obscures what women have actually achieved in the workplace. Drawing on 45 interviews she conducted with women holding high-level positions in a variety of industries, including banking, manufacturing, sales and telecommunications, O'Brien convincingly demonstrates that her subjects are satisfied and successful. In their own words, executives describe the positive changes they have made within the corporate world by contributing new ideas from a woman's point of view. As a vice-president at Proctor & Gamble, Carol Tuthill's cross-cultural skills enabled her to restructure the human resources department, while Jean Brennan and Erin Andre's successful managerial job-sharing at Pacific Gas and Electric impressed their clients and managers. An eye-opening look at women in the business world that is also filled with useful pointers. (Mar.)