ORLANDO, FLA. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
The workplace always has been “different for women and it is still different for women,” she said. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
But Fiorina’s story of climbing the corporate ladder from working as a temporary secretary after dropping out of law school to being selected for one of the top roles in corporate America was one not of woe, but of risk taking and trailblazing. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
“I would not take on as my problem what other people thought I could do, would do and should do,” Fiorina said. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Fiorina’s keynote speech to the 3,000 attendees of WFF’s annual conference was a highlight of the four-day event held at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center. Many attendees said they were impressed with Fiorina’s views on today’s business world—which she said “will be defined by brain power.” —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
The companies, and the countries, that tap into the brainpower of each person, whether male, female or minority, will be the winners in the 21st century, said Fiorina, who is rumored to be considering a run for public office. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
“It is not just about equality or doing the right thing,” she said. “It is about winning, about competing.” —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Fiorina described today’s world as one with “very complex problems,” but also one of “amazing potential,” especially as technology has created a more level playing field in business and in politics. Still, companies need to devise a way to develop a true meritocracy, so that everyone is involved. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
“The data proves it; women make a big difference,” she said. “If you want to solve any problem in the world, women have to be involved.” —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Fiorina also discussed her 2002 decision as head of HP to merge with Compaq, one of the largest and most controversial corporate transactions at the time, and how important it was for her to have a diverse group of executives surrounding her to facilitate negotiations. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
“When everyone around you looks alike, thinks alike and acts alike, you will miss something big,” she said. “A sound decision-making process is defined by the moves of a diverse group.” —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Fiorina resigned from HP in 2005 amid strained relations with the company’s board. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Fiorina continued to discuss negotiating tactics, especially for women who tend to traverse the workplace differently than men, at a smaller breakout session for the WFF’s executive track participants. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Led by Victoria Husted Medvec, a professor of management and organization and the executive director for the Center for Executive Women at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, the session aimed to help female executives foster better negotiating tactics, not just for the companies they work for, but also for themselves. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
“Interestingly, women negotiate very well at work for their companies but don’t ask for what they need for themselves,” Medvec said. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
She urged women to be upfront about their needs in the workplace, whether related to pay and promotions or to goal fulfilling needs, like support staff, travel funding or other corporate resources. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Research has shown, Medvec said, that women feel the workplace is nonnegotiable, assume they will be given what they need “when they deserve it.” They also do not establish aggressive goals, and do not want to damage relationships, she added. Therefore, they don’t push for what is needed. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Strategies to negotiate effectively, Medvec said, include beginning the negotiating process at the right time; making the first offer; leaving room to concede to certain items; and making multiple equivalent offers so that the other party feels as though they have a choice. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
“The right time to negotiate is not after accepting the job,” she said, “but before taking on the role.” —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Fiorina said during the discussion that negotiations center on the needs of both parties and should be seen less like a competition and more like an opportunity to solve a problem. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
“You need to know exactly what the other party is trying to accomplish,” she said. “What are their concerns? Ask a lot of questions and listen.” —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Attendees asked both Medvec and Fiorina whether women should change the way they negotiate and attempt to mimic men. —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Special Report WFF leadership conference urges industry women to be bold —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
Fiorina replied that in her experience a woman acting in a direct way sometimes “puts many people in an uncomfortable position. It is just different than men acting that way.” —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”
She added: “One of the most effective moves in anything you do is to be who you are. It does not pay to act like someone else.” —Carly Fiorina, the former chairwoman and chief executive at technology giant Hewlett-Packard Co., told attendees at this year’s Women’s Foodservice Forum that she typically is referred to as “one of two ‘B-words’: bimbo and that other word.”