The competition to attract changing customer bases is fierce. As the percentage of women in the total U.S. workforce continues to escalate, females have also made gains in disposable income. Gen Z is just now entering the workforce with different needs. Millennials are maturing, beginning families and moving into positions of authority. Each of these segments holds new marketing challenges.

At a time when the labor market is tight, more women are now graduating from college, well positioning them to capitalize on employment opportunities. Job growth opportunities and company culture are not only important to Millennials and Gen Z, but to women as well. The approach to job seeking has significantly changed in the past 10 years as women, Gen Z, and Millennials are taking a more idealistic approach and considering intangibles such as how companies treat their employees, the environment, and social responsibility before they apply for a job.

The personal, emotional struggle of a member of the executive team is a topic that in most boardrooms is not acknowledged, addressed, or open for discussion. It's one of those proverbial elephants in the room that must remain hidden.

It is an understatement to say we're in a tight labor market.  As the economy continues to expand, the labor market will tighten further, and it won't just be getting harder in the hunt for hourly folk, but at all levels reaching even into the C-suite.  Restaurants, hospitality, and retail organizations will be devoting an ever-increasing amount of capital and energy to attract the best people at all levels in a market where the candidates are in the driver's seat.