Empowering a Billion Women by 2020 (EBW2020) is my life’s work —focused on getting the tools, technology and resources into the hands of women around the world through the three channels I operate in: business, policy and media.

It’s this vision that inspired me to join Dell in 2011 after seeing Dell’s authentic commitment to women’s success worldwide. It’s also this that brought me to my work with the UN Foundation with a specific focus on women and girls issues worldwide. It is this vision that is taking me into my next chapter as I expand beyond our success at Dell towards this goal.

At the core of EBW2020 is technology: the key enabler, escalator and connector to success via the accessibility to everything it provides. The secret to realizing this goal: getting a smartphone into the hands of every woman. Getting smartphones into the hands of women around the world, we can inspire, educate, connect and empower women as successful leaders and entrepreneurs. Smartphone access, when combined with education around financial literacy and mentoring, is the secret to getting our global economy turned around.

As I march on to see my vision become a reality, I hope you will think about the ways that you, too, can leverage the incredible power of technology to inspire women entrepreneurs along your path to success. Below are ways that you can begin, now both with technology and also in a practical manner.

You can find out and become part of the EBW2020 vision at www.ebw2020.com.

Support Mobile Currency Vehicles

Mobile money is becoming the method of choice for purchasing and payments globally. Africa is leading the way in mobile payments with the launch of programs like M-Pesa. This summer, EBW2020.com will be announcing a partnership with an organization that allows people in developed worlds to load, or “top off,” phones for those in the developing worlds. It’s ideal for families/ diaspora who come to work in the States and send money back to their home countries. Stay tuned at ebw2020.com for more details.

Donate Used Cell Phones

Often, individuals in developing countries are not able to purchase cell phones to be able to even participate in the types of programs mentioned above. Now, there are solutions to be able to get those old phones into the hands of people needing them the most, like medical providers and emergency services. You can leverage places like hopephones.org AND MedicMobile.org to donate your old phones.

Become a Mentor

With the unrivaled connection the internet provides, we have the option to learn and teach with millions at our fingertips. Find a woman entrepreneur— or a group — and set up monthly webinars, hangouts, etc. to open up a global platform for best practice sharing and lessons learned.

Explore Emerging Markets

Some of the cities with the most technology-heavy, entrepreneurial action are outside Silicon Valley and the U.S. altogether. Explore and consider launching your next tech endeavor abroad, including the help of talented local women entrepreneurs. You can find programs to be involved with through places including: The UN Foundation, Springboard Enterprises, The Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network and the Kauffman Foundation.

Spread the Word

Media is a tremendously powerful vehicle that I have used throughout my career. With the plethora of news apps and other sites, there are numerous articles, blogs and videos posted daily highlighted some of the most incredible women entrepreneurs and their businesses. Help be a messenger and change-agent by reposting, sharing and providing them visibility.

Support Women-Owned/-Launched Products and Services

Chances are, a combination of software, apps, hardware and services is our recipe to success in your business. Explore the women-owned/-launched options first and make it a point to always diversify your options to truly support women entrepreneurs.

Open Your Resources Up

During my time at Dell, we saw tremendous success with our programs for entrepreneurs because we had the right resources, as a company, to help entrepreneurs become successful. And in return, entrepreneurs who saw Dell’s authentic desire to help them succeed saw Dell as a trusted partner and developed a long-lasting relationship.

Your company has an arsenal of resources that can propel small businesses. Create a dialog and a win win, focusing on women-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs and see the incredible opportunities it opens up for both.

If you’re inspired to join me on this journey towards a global sustainable future, sign up for updates and stay connected at www.ebw2020.com and I am thrilled to ride in this adventure with you!

Relevant Numbers

“70% of new businesses are started by women. 91% of women say advertisers don’t understand them.”
FORBES

“When women are aware your company supports women owned businesses, 79% would try your products & services. 80% of women solidify their loyalty to brands that support them.”
Trendwatching

“92% of women pass along information they find about deals to others.”
Ogilvy & Mather

“Women are the primary buyers for computers, cars, banking, financial services and a lot of other big-ticket categories.”
Primetime Women

“Over the next decade, women will control two thirds of consumer wealth in the United States and be the beneficiaries of the largest transference of wealth in our country’s history. Estimates range from $12 to $40 trillion.”
Fleshman Hillyard

“In the U.S., women oversee 80% of consumer spending, totaling $3.7 trillion. They control more than $20 trillion or about 70% of global consumer spending.”
JCDecaux MallScape, Market Week & Boston Consulting Group