Global Briefing: Jan. 28, 2002

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Women Are Winning

If there were ever a signal that women are ascending in corporate America, it came this month when Patricia Russo, above, left the heir apparent's office at Kodak to return to troubled Lucent Technologies as its CEO and rescuer in chief. Surveys show that more women are reaching the top rungs of the executive ladder than ever before: the number of FORTUNE 500 companies with female board members has jumped 25.8% since 1993. Sure, a few CEOs have had a hard time lately. But, ironically, that's just another sign of progress. As Julie Weeks, research director at the Washington-based Center for Women's Business Research, points out, "We've reached a level where a Jill Barad (ex of Mattel) or a Carly Fiorina (Hewlett-Packard's embattled CEO) can be in the position to have trouble." New York City research group Catalyst notes that six FORTUNE 500 companies have women CEOs, up from a steady two or three over the past decade. Still, that's just 1.2% of the total. "Is this good news about the glass ceiling?" asks Sheila Wellington, president of Catalyst. "Yes, it is. But does it mean there are chunks of glass lying around executive suites across the nation? Not at all."

CLIMBING THE LADDER 1997 2002

Women-owned U.S. firms, in millions 5.4 6.2 Employees at women-owned firms, in millions 7.1 9.2 Sales, in trillions of dollars $0.8 $1.1

PARK IT NOW

The clock is ticking, your flight leaves in 40 minutes for that planning meeting in Washington, and you're still circling the airport parking lot in search of that ever-elusive space. Smart Park aims to put that nightmare to rest. Distributed by Signal-Park USA of Tempe, Ariz., the new system tells frantic business travelers exactly where the spots are. Electronic signs announce the available spaces in each row. As you're driving by, just watch for the brightly lighted LED--a green arrow if the spot is vacant, a red X if not. The secret is a sensor that detects occupancy. Used in parking lots from Barcelona to Seoul, Smart Park is now a welcome addition to lots at Baltimore-Washington International and Jacksonville International airports. Watch for more.

BUSINESS NOVEL CONSULTANT TO THE MOB

Jonah Eastman, a Washington pollster, was a top Republican image meister in his better days. But his reputation is down, and he's just about out when he is summoned by a Philadelphia Mafia don who makes him an offer he can't refuse: Improve my image. The mobster, Mario Vanni, wants enough legitimacy to win a big casino license. Conflicted, Eastman obliges, and Money Wanders (St. Martin's) becomes a riotous parody of Internet players, journalists, politicians and pollsters alike. Eastman finds himself surrounded by Atlantic City wise guys, including some who regard the "Ivory League" graduate as a threat to their turf. As he fends them off, Eastman engineers a campaign of phony Internet postings, staged videos and even a U.S. Senate appearance. This is author Eric Dezenhall's debut novel, and the former Reagan White House staffer and co-founder of a crisis-management firm knows his stuff. His superb eye and ear at times call to mind such masters of the journalistic novel as Tom Wolfe. This is one for the carry-on bag. --By Andrea Sachs

GO FOR THE GOLD