International Women's Day 2011

A greeting on the eighth of March.

An observation from a few years of running things here. In a difficult meeting — a contract going wrong, a customs problem, a payment that has not arrived — there is usually one person in the room who has read every document and knows exactly what the position is.

In my experience that person has more often than not been a woman, frequently the most junior person present by title, and the meeting has generally gone well or badly depending on whether anyone asked her.

I have learned to ask early. That is not chivalry, it is self-interest, and I recommend it.

To everyone marking today: a good day, and my thanks.