‘Negotiating plays a crucial role in gaining control, particularly in senior executive position’
On September 21st, Karin Raguin, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at LVMH China, shared her personal experiences and stressed the importance of women being effective negotiators, especially in the realms of salary and career advancement. She advocated for an inclusive and thoughtful approach to negotiations and provided tips to help people create a step-by-step plan.
Event Takeaways
1. Empowering Women to Negotiate
Karin pointed out that women are actually pretty good negotiators, but they tend to negotiate less often when it comes to their salaries and career progress. It can be intimidating to ask for what you deserve. Karin emphasized that everyone should take the time to prepare for negotiations. She also mentioned that the differences in negotiation styles are more individual-based than gender-based. Understanding the system within which you’re negotiating is essential.
2. The Gender Pay Gap
Karin highlighted the issue of the gender pay gap, which is currently at 23%. This gap exists in every country, to varying degrees. She explained that it stems from three main factors: the nature of the job (with many female-dominated roles being paid less), unconscious gender bias, and salary evolution tied to career development. Negotiating plays a crucial role in gaining control, particularly in senior executive positions.
3. Impostor Syndrome and Gender Lenses
Karin emphasized that simply telling women to be assertive and ask for what they deserve isn’t enough. There are societal expectations and biases that affect women’s willingness to negotiate for higher salaries or promotions. Women often feel excluded from power and education in this regard. Negotiation is about finding solutions that work for both parties.
4. Direction of Curriculum and Negotiation Skills
When it comes to negotiations, it’s important to be aware of who you’re negotiating with and who holds decision-making power regarding your career and salary. Preparation is key; taking the time to think and practice is essential. Karin advised presenting a single number rather than a range when discussing your salary. It’s also okay to pause and review the offer. Negotiating for your scope, learning opportunities, and working conditions is vital. Negotiation isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process, but it’s particularly crucial at the start of a new job. Karin stressed that addressing questions, sticking to your goals, being adaptable in your communication, and being unafraid to negotiate can lead to successful outcomes in most cases.
Speaker Spotlight
Karin RAGUIN
SVP Human Resources, LVMH China
Co-Author of “Reveal the negociator inside you” (2021)
Co-Chair of Les Negociatrices (Female Negociator Association)
Karin started her career in Paris as a social worker and a social entrepreneur, dedicated to providing economic opportunities to underrepresented communities, in particular people with disabilities. She has been a Women rights advocate for 25 years, from her master thesis on salary & gender gap in 1996 to introducing the Equal Pay campaign in France 10 years ago. She is the Co-Chair of Les Negociatrices, an international non profit organization which empowers women in their personal and professional lives, through free master classes in negociation; Karin co-authored the book “Reveal the negociator inside you” in 2021.
She joined LVMH in 2007 in Paris, and throughout her time in the Group, which included a four-year tenure in NYC, she contributed much to Talent Management initiatives and Leadership programs, with responsibility for corporate social impact. In 2022, Karin took the helm of the Group HR function in China leading all activities across the employee journey, including employer branding, learning, career development and communities.
