The technology industry is among those that face challenges in recruitment and retention of female employees. Women comprise only about a quarter of the entire computing workforce, and this can be particularly notable within the engineering teams at many companies. Tech firms are not alone in this gender-ratio imbalance. Many other industries—from energy and mining, to construction and politics—also suffer from having too few women, particularly at the leadership level. Why is it important to get closer to a 50-50 blend of women and men, particularly at the top ranks? One reason is that research has repeatedly shown that having more women leaders creates better business results. Also, Dow Jones research reveals that successful venture-backed companies have twice the number of women in the highest ranks. I address these important issues and offer solutions in my latest column on Inc.com: “Creating a Culture That More Women Want to Join.” In the post, I suggest three starting points from which companies in any industry can begin to build a more female-friendly culture. The needed changes include:

• Monitoring your recruitment policies
• Being sensitive to informal systems and behaviors
• Rethinking corporate benefits and incentives

So if you’re wondering why there aren’t more women in your company or industry, start asking the right questions and make a difference where it counts: at the level of company culture. Read the full post here.