Accenture conducted its global research study, “Defining Success” for release on International Women’s Day to gain insight into behaviors and attitudes regarding women’s careers. The research:

o Seeks to better understand how professionals define success – in their careers and personal lives

o Explores career satisfaction, work-life balance and workplace priorities – Examines how technology influences work-life balance

Accenture conducted an online survey of 4,100 business executives from medium to large organizations across 33 countries:

o Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States

o A minimum of 100 respondents participated from each country, excluding Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden where the combined number totaled 200

o The survey was conducted in November 2012; the margin of error is +/-2 percent

This is what caught my eye:

According to respondents, their desire to balance a successful career with a full life outside work influences job choice, and tops money in defining success for them.

o 70 percent of both women and men believe they can have a successful career as well as a full life outside work

o 50 percent also said they cannot “have it all at the same time”

o More than half (52 percent) say they have turned down a job due to concerns about its impact on work-life balance

o Work-life balance tops respondents’ definitions of career success, ahead of money, recognition and autonomy (cited by 56 percent, 46 percent, 42 percent and 42 percent, respectively)

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To read or download and then read the complete report, please click here.