CXO Outlook – June 2022 – Global Edition – 10 Most Inspiring Business Women - 2022 by Connecta Innovation

GLOBAL EDITION

JUNE 2022

INSIGHTS. IDEAS. INSPIRATIONS

BUSINESS WOMEN Alicia Rios Wilks, Radical Freedom Coach & Transformational Therapist Grace Staten, VP of Marketing, Coastal Wealth Lauren Parrella, Owner, Realty Executives First Class Melissa Smith, Founder & CEO, Association of Virtual Assistants Susan Semmelmann, Owner, Susan Semmelmann Interiors

KAREN MANGIA Vice President, Customer & M a r ke t I n s i g h t s , S a l e s f o r c e

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

K12 Digest Sept-Oct 2020

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CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

June 2022

Vol - 3 Issue - 7

Most Inspiring Business Women 2022 (Global Edition) Head of Advisory Board

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Managing Editor

International Representation

Dr. Manoj Varghese, Ph.D Sarath Shyam

Consultant Editors

Dr. Johny Andrews Andrew Scott Joseph Alex

Naomi Wilson Stanly Lui Emma James

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Art & Design Charlie Jameson

Sales & Marketing

Jennifer Anderson Rachel Roy

Monica Davis Anna Elza

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Businesswomen: The Real Life Superheroes

limbing the career ladder has always been an arduous task in woman’s life compared to men. Although it is estimated that half of the world’s workforce are women, they face a glass ceiling when they start moving to the top. Apparently, only about 27 percent of women are in management and leadership positions. Even fewer hold top-tier, C-suite level jobs. Call ourselves people living in modern society, but we cannot deny that the world still has an unconscious bias about female employees. Despite the struggles, passionate and talented women are now reaching leadership roles they always deserved. With an increasing number of multi-national corporations appointing female CEOs, the trend toward women in leadership positions seems to be on the rise. In fact, more women are running Fortune 500 businesses today than at any point in the 63-year history of the Fortune 500. Not just in the industry, but in many parts of the world, women hold more public administration positions than men. For instance, women account for over 50% of workers in the public sector in Eastern and Southeastern Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America.

Interestingly, women-led companies tend to show better stock prices than those led by men. To celebrate the success of women leaders in business all over the world, we have come up with a special issue that features ‘10 Most Inspiring Business Women - 2022.’ These reallife superheroes have scored higher than men on most key leadership qualities, including resilience and results-driven attitudes. On the cover, we feature Karen Mangia (Vice President, Customer & Market Insights, Salesforce), a self-built leader with a seat at the decisionmaking table focusing on devising personal and professional success strategies. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

C O V E R S T O RY

KAREN MANGIA

C O N T E N T S

Alicia Rios Wilks, Grace Staten, Radical Freedom Coach & Vice President - Marketing, Transformational Coastal Wealth Therapist TRANSFORMING THE ENABLING WOMEN’S HIGHEST DREAMS INTO REALITY ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT

Alicia Rios Wilks, Radical Freedom Coach & Transformational Therapist TRANSFORMING THE HIGHEST DREAMS INTO REALITY

Lauren Parrella Broker / Owner / Salesperson Realty Executives First Class A SEASONED REALTOR®, HELPING PEOPLE FIND THEIR DREAM HOMES

Susan Semmelmann Owner, Susan Semmelmann Interiors CONNECTING PASSION FOR DESIGNING HOMES WITH PURPOSE OF GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Melissa Smith Founder & CEO, Association of Virtual Assistants DELIVERING A HIGH STANDARD OF EXCELLENCE

C O N T E N T S

Empowering Women to Lead with Confidence in Business & Life

Ms. Colleen Callander, CEO, Founder of Callander & Co and Mentor Me Women, and Author of 'Leader By Design'

Emotional Connection The Most Important Selling Point for Brands in 2022

Gayatri Jhaveri Patel, Co-Founder, The G-Story

LEADER'S INSIGHTS How Women Are Taking Pace Over The Global Marlet

Sonal Jindal, Founder & Promoter, MEDUSA EXIM

Role of Technology in Connecting the Students with the Right Tutor

Minal Anand, Co-Founder & CEO, GuruQ

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

C O N T E N T S

EXPERT OPINION

Guide to Doing Business in a Dubai Free Zone

Anisha Sagar, Head of Marketing, Meydan Free Zone, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

What are the Ways to Simplify Legal Barriers for Smooth Business Functioning?

Garima Mitra, Co-Founder, The Treelife Consultancy

How Personalisation is Creating a New Identity in the Gifting Industry

Sonarika Mahajan, Founder, Humanitive

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CXO OUTLOOK Higher Education Digest January 2021 June 2022

IN MY VIEW

EMOTIONAL CONNECTION -

THE MOST IMPORTANT SELLING POINT FOR BRANDS IN 2022 Gayatri Jhaveri Patel, Co-Founder, The G-Story

motional connection is extremely crucial in today's fast-paced and digitally-driven society. As the internet continuously rewards us with ease and rapid satisfaction, the human touch is becoming increasingly uncommon. Brands can no longer afford to be faceless in today's world. They need to be more approachable and connect with their audience on a far deeper level. It is important for a brand to express it’s story and what sets it apart across all communication channels while also offering consumers reasons why they should buy a product or service. This is what will eventually enhance your brand’s visibility, profit, and overall impact. Your brand is your opportunity to tell your consumers a narrative and your strategy should direct how and what you communicate with them. It’s important to humanize your brand. This will help you stand out and rise above the clutter. But why is it vital for your brand? Because emotions are continuously altering our perceptions of what is

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

going on around us. Being regarded in a certain manner and creating a recall value with your consumers are fundamental elements of every marketing strategy and emotional marketing helps you do just that. Here are some reasons I think emotional connection adds more value to a brand. Connect with your audience Audiences want a personal touch. They want to feel valued. You need to understand your target audience and identify ways to entice them through your overall strategy. This will not only help with customer retention but also attract new ones. Be Authentic Consumers expect brands to be authentic and inclusive to be able to relate to them. Millennials and the Gen Z audience want brands to care about more than simply numbers. If they don't see that in a brand, they will turn to another one that does. Brands need to keep this in mind and in turn be honest in their

You need to understand your target audience and identify ways to entice them through your overall strategy

Gayatri Jhaveri Patel is the Co-Founder of The G Story, a Mumbai-based creative and technology-based, fully service digital agency that provides end-to-end solutions, specialising in product photography, inventory of props, and product styling. Gayatri has pursued Bachelor's of Marketing from the University of California, Berkeley in the year 2013. She has also done a Diploma in Design and Visual Communications from B.D. Somani Institute of Art & Fashion Technology. Prior to starting the agency, Gayatri worked as a Creative Designer in many of the top global companies across the world.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Today's consumers are more mindful about what a brand stands for, their impact on society and the overall experience they offer

branding and messaging. This allows them to establish long-term relationships with their audience. Build Trust When a consumer purchases from your brand, they are putting their confidence in you. They develop a long-term connection with brands that tell an honest story. Today's consumers are more mindful about what a brand stands for, their impact on society and the overall experience they offer. When a brand identifies these factors, it can help with building trust. Create a strong first impression Put in effort to ensure first time visitors to your website or social media have a pleasant experience. To do so, put out engaging content that tells a story about your brand in order to entice them. Your digital presence plays a huge role in building your brand and gaining long-term consumers. All in all… As a brand, if you’re looking to create a long term relationship with your audience, focus on communicating your story in the most relatable way to make an impactful connection. Be authentic. Make your consumer feel valued. Show them what sets you apart.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

COVER STORY

KAREN MANGIA

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

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or most people, a successful career can be measured by the positive impact and energy created around the workplace and people. It is imperative that strong leadership is displayed to enhance team and individual achievements and effective organizational performance. And it is believed that diversity within the administration and workforce encourages new and different perspectives in the organization that inspires innovation, boosts creativity, and enhances productivity. This finally translates to better decision-making resulting in greater success for the organization. This diversity can be introduced through the permeation of women within the corporate environment, a gradual incline we have witnessed over the years. One such self-built leader with a seat at the decisionmaking table is Karen Mangia, Vice President, Customer & Market Insights, Salesforce. Her work at Salesforce primarily focuses on devising personal and professional success strategies. She engages with key customer accounts and collaborates to develop innovative strategies that address their critical business challenges. Karen helps translate feedback into actions to increase customer retention, growth, and satisfaction. “Each day, I am fortunate enough to spend time with individuals and organizations all over the globe who are changing the world, innovating in unlikely ways, reworking work, and redefining success. When I have the opportunity to use my platform to showcase their ingenuity and innovation, I feel excited. Sharing thought leadership is core to my role,” opines Karen. Karen considers maintaining meaningful relationships with colleagues and customers one of the biggest challenges faced in her role. Salesforce now has over 74,000 employees globally, with customers growing exponentially. She adds, “Relationships are critically important, and the more we grow, the more we must be purposeful about knowing who we serve, why we serve, and the greatest good that could come of that service.” Before Salesforce, Karen held various leadership roles in sales and customer experience at Cisco. She regards one of her most rewarding experiences till today as leading the transformation. She recounts, “We changed how we listened to our customers - from providing research results to offering our customer listening skills as a service to the organization. ” Karen and her team at Cisco also lead the company through a growth journey to invest more time and money in diverse-owned and operated businesses. Additionally, Karen commenced her career at AT&T, first in project management and then in a variety of sales roles. “Customer engagement and advocacy (giving people a

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

EACH DAY, I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO SPEND TIME WITH INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS ALL OVER THE GLOBE WHO ARE CHANGING THE WORLD, INNOVATING IN UNLIKELY WAYS, REWORKING WORK, AND REDEFINING SUCCESS

platform and helping to amplify their voices) have been constants throughout my career,” says Karen. Making a Difference She has not limited herself to just these roles but instead expanded her reach and knowledge further, having authored four books; Success with Less: Releasing Obligations & Discovering Joy (Marie St. Press, 2016), Listen Up! How to Tune in To Customers, And Turn Down the Noise (Wiley, 2020), Working from Home: Making the New Normal Work for You (Wiley, 2020), and the Wall Street Journal Best Seller, Success from Anywhere: Your

Personal Guide to Creating the Future of Work from the Inside Out (Wiley, November 2021). “I’ve been fortunate to write four books, hundreds of articles and blogs, and deliver a myriad of keynotes and workshops. Giving others a platform to share their voices inspires me. I also serve on our company’s Racial Equality & Justice Taskforce, Purchasing Subcommittee, which is the most meaningful work I’m fortunate to do,” says Karen. Getting Inspired! For as long as Karen can remember, she has loved stories, from reading them to writing them to discovering them.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

SUCCESS IS PERSONAL, AND WHEN YOU DISCOVER AND DEFINE WHAT SUCCESS MEANS TO YOU, THEN YOU CAN INVITE SUCCESS TO SHOW UP MOMENT BY MOMENT

She identifies stories as her true North Star, personally and professionally. She attributes part of her decision to pursue writing to her college professor, Bob Papper. He was known to be notoriously exacting. Karen would attend his telecommunications news classes and worked as a research assistant for him. Her job was to administer the annual survey he sent to members of the Radio & Television News Directors’ Association (RTNDA). This would require calling non-respondents to administer surveys over the phone. She would then correlate responses, analyze trends and search for the storyline. “That’s not news,” she can hear him barking in his gruff voice even now. “The first three letters in news are new. And what you’re telling me isn’t new.” Then he would slam the metal desk drawer that contained his shelf-stable stash of Dinty Moore microwave meals. That was his not-so-subtle way of telling me to get back to work,” remembers Karen. Professor Papper authored six articles each year based on his and Karen’s findings for the RTNDA magazine. Together, they co-authored an article about trends in television internships. That was Karen’s first professional publication. They submitted version 67, which she holds dear to her heart and still has a copy of that magazine. She fondly recollects, “I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve captured and shared since then. I can tell you that if you open the kitchen cabinet next to my refrigerator today, you’ll discover a blue mug with faded yellow stars. Professor Papper presented me with the mug after we shared our research findings with a live audience. He saved the speech. His coaching was his caring. The mug merely commemorated his caring.” Achieving Milestones All in all, Karen pens down three of her key milestones, the first one being her first job with AT&T, which shaped her career and gave her a lifetime of good friends. “I’m fortunate that the first opportunity at AT&T resulted in creating some of the best friends of my adult life. My colleagues were kind, caring, considerate, helpful, and fun. That can be rare in Corporate America,” elucidates Karen. She can pin down her second milestone as the personal ordeal she overcame at 33. Karen faced an undiagnosed illness that prevailed despite referring to a team of five doctors. Despite diet and exercise, she gained weight, lost color in her skin, her eyes changed color, and her energy drained away. Karen continued working through the confusion and ended

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

RELATIONSHIPS ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, AND THE MORE WE GROW, THE MORE WE MUST BE PURPOSEFUL ABOUT KNOWING WHO WE SERVE, WHY WE SERVE, AND THE GREATEST GOOD THAT COULD COME OF THAT SERVICE

up sacrificing her health, relationships, and herself in the bargain. In her last-ditch attempt to find answers, Karen visited an unorthodox doctor who helped her face the crossroads she was at in life, identify the childhood reason for her poor health, and ultimately turn her life around. “The key to my success wasn’t tied to my determination, ambition, or relationships. I needed to simplify and adopt a powerful new formula for creating a life without regrets. In my first book, I have detailed the three-step formula that transformed my life, my relationships, and my health, along with thousands of readers. I am living proof you can move from burnout to breakthrough,” advises Karen. And to anyone seeking advice and guidance to achieving success, she adds, “Success is personal, and when you discover and define what success means to you, then you can invite success to show up moment by moment. I’ve discovered that when I’m clear about what success means to me, I’m free of the influence of others’ expectations. When you accept and approve of yourself, others will too. Or maybe not, and you’ll still be OK either way.”

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Her third most outstanding achievement is publishing her three books during a global pandemic. She reveals, “When I was grounded from global travel, I leveraged the opportunity to share thought leadership in new ways. Blogs and books gave me purpose and an opportunity to be of service during a time of significant global disruption and transition.” She attributes her focus, a sense of purpose, and relentless time management to generous people that helped her achieve this particular milestone. The Road Ahead Moving higher along her growth trajectory, Karen is currently excited about her new show, 'Success from Anywhere.' The premise is, what would happen if one could change the game of life together? The series shares strategies to unlock success from unlikely sources of inspiration. Karen signs off with a snippet of her near future, “Also, I’m conducting an ongoing series of one-onone interviews about how employers and employees are reworking work together.”

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CXO OUTLOOK istockphoto.com/DanielBendjy June 2022

CXO IN FOCUS

Empowering Women to Lead with Confidence in Business & Life Ms. Colleen Callander, CEO, Founder of Callander & Co and Mentor Me Women, and Author of 'Leader By Design'

Ms. Colleen Callander is an award-winning CEO, Founder of Callander & Co and 'Mentor Me Women, Author 'Leader By Design', Business & Leadership Coach and Keynote Speaker. Colleen encourages women globally to have the confidence to believe in themselves, their ability, share their voice and break through glass ceilings. She also encourages organizations and leaders, both men and women to strive for a ‘new era’ of leadership: one where they lead with kindness, trust, self-awareness, authenticity, and one that puts people at the heart of everything they do, and one that embraces more women at the helm. Colleen is a highly respected influential leader with a wealth of knowledge and a proven trackrecord in building brands and is now sharing not only the past 13 years’ experience as a CEO but also the past 30 years of her fashion retail career and leadership knowledge. In May 2021, Colleen launched her book 'LEADER BY DESIGN' which has been met with rave reviews and immense success, including being nominated as a finalist in the 2021 Australian Business Book Awards. In conversation with CXO Outlook, Ms. Collen Callander shares her professional journey, her experiences about mentoring women, the entire creative process that went into writing her book, 'LEADER BY DESIGN', and a lot more. Here are the interview excerpts.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Please share the story behind incepting Mentor Me Women, its vision and mission. Callander & Co has had success beyond what I thought possible and has grown significantly over the past 2 years. My purpose has always been to impact, influence and inspire the people around me, particularly women, so they can grow and thrive in all areas of their lives including their careers and show up as the best version of themselves each day. Now in this next chapter of my life my purpose is the same. The most exciting thing is that I am doing it broader, deeper and on a much larger scale than ever before. Whether that’s through my Mentor Me Women Program, through my book, masterclasses, podcasts, coaching, or keynote speaking, my purpose is to inspire and empower others to lead with confidence in business and in life. Mentor Me Women is the platform through which I mentor groups of women of all generations and from different walks of life. Executives, mums, start-up executives, students, young women starting out in their careers, senior leaders, CEOs’ and teachers... I have worked with all these women and more! Mentor Me Women is a 4-week program (4 X 1-hour sessions each week) which inspires and empowers women to lead with confidence in their own lives – whether that be in boardrooms, organizations, communities or even at home. As a mentor, I guide, support, and challenge women to step outside their comfort zones, build on their leadership abilities, set boundaries and goals, and create simple tools and actionable plans that allow them to navigate through life and leadership challenges. What has been the most fulfilling experience of mentoring women of our generation? There is not one moment that stands out above the rest. Every day, I get to inspire and empower women to believe in themselves and become the leader in the own lives. Now more than ever, it’s crucial for women to lead with purpose and support each other. Together, we can create change, bring about equality and help women flourish in all aspects of their lives—not just in their careers. As human beings, we’re inspired by other people’s stories of adversity, accomplishment, fear, and failure. It is through these stories that we connect, learn, and grow, which is why I am now sharing my story in the hope that I inspire others. Lifting women up, giving them a voice, building confidence, and encouraging each other to live with purpose, and reach our full potential is the way we will drive meaningful and lasting

My purpose has always been to impact, influence and inspire the people around me, particularly women, so they can grow and thrive in all areas of their lives including their careers and show up as the best version of themselves each day

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

change. I am always inspired by women supporting women, and it is what I have always tried to do—not only as a CEO, but also in my everyday life. We cannot change the past, but we can impact the future through the next generation of women.

What kind of changes have you observed in your mentees? One of the biggest changes I see in my mentees is the power of building real confidence and self- belief. Believing in yourself means having faith in your own abilities, trusting that you can do anything you put your mind to. It means that when you face challenges, hit road bumps, fall over and have self-doubt, you will have the confidence to get back up and try again. It is not opportunities, intelligence or resources that allow you to chase your goals and dreams, it’s the belief in yourself that will give you the power to take that first step. We all suffer from self-doubt and confidence issues, a lack of self-belief and ‘imposter syndrome’ at different points in our lives either in our personal lives, career, appearance, or the way we see ourselves compared to others. Some of us suffer a lot and some suffer a little, but lack of confidence shows up in even the most seemingly confident people. The great news is that confidence is a skill not a trait. It is like a muscle and the more you use it the stronger it gets. There are so many things we can do to build our confidence and one of the biggest ones is to change the stories we tell ourselves. We all have an inner critic that is highly judgmental and can leave us feeling miserable and stuck. It can even sabotage our success. Our inner critic can say things like: You’re going to fail, you’re under prepared, you don’t fit in, you need more skills or you’re not good enough. I share in my Mentor Me Women program how to interrupt that story from taking control by creating a much more empowering story that allows you to feel confident to take actions. When we change our story – we change our life! You have dedicated your professional life towards empowering and inspiring women to lead in the corporate space. Who is your personal role model and how did she inspire you? I am always inspired by women supporting women and throughout my entire career, I have tried to be a positive role model and career mentor for those around me – particularly women. The next generation of young women must have strong role models to look up to: women who are supportive, nurturing, changemakers, and women who show us that it is possible to break through glass ceilings in our careers and everyday lives. Having positive, fierce,

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

intelligent, kind women making change in the world sends a message of empowerment, paving the way for the next generation to believe their opportunities are limitless in both their careers and life. A role model and career mentor can come from anywhere: it may be someone you work with, perhaps someone who is retired and has a wealth of knowledge or someone who has forged forward in her own career. She might be a teacher, a community leader, a coach, or maybe even your mum. She could be world-famous, or someone who lives in your neighborhood. She is a woman who you admire, someone you want to emulate and someone you

There are so many things we can do to build our confidence and one of the biggest ones is to change the stories we tell ourselves

believe makes a difference – whether that’s in the little things she does in her everyday life or on a larger public scale. Growing up as a young girl in the ‘80s, my role models included Princess Diana, for her strength and kindness; Brooke Shields, for her grace and beauty; and Madonna, because she was bold and fearless. At that time, I didn’t describe them as role models; in fact, I probably didn’t even know what role models were. I just knew I admired these women and was inspired by their actions, what they stood for and how they behaved.

Later in life, I realized that my role models were close to home: my parents. All my life, they have both been a constant source of inspiration, advice, and guidance. They showed me that hard work is the key to success, that it is important to live according to your values and that anything is possible if you believe in yourself. What has been one of the biggest challenges you have faced and how did you overcome it? As women and especially mothers, we often put others before ourselves. It can be subconscious – a natural inclination. For me, this took its toll and came at a great cost. That moment came for me in 2007. I was the acting General Manager at Sportsgirl; my usual role was Head of Retail Operations, but I was covering for a maternity leave and to say I was ‘busy’ was an understatement. With three children – Macey was just two, Trent was nine and Jake was 10 – an average day was barely contained chaos. As my role evolved, so too did my busy lifestyle. It involved everything from raising small children, managing the day to day running of a house, interstate travel, to having days packed with meetings appointments and leadership decisions. I describe myself during this period as a Formula 1 race car – one that had not refueled, been in for a service, changed its tyres, or pulled in for a pitstop in a very long time. I knew no boundaries and said ‘yes’ to everything, no matter how full my plate. I wanted to be the perfect wife, mother, friend, sister, and daughter. I put everyone else’s needs before my own – and before my health. Until I couldn’t do it any longer. I was only 36 years old, but I was utterly burnt out. I hadn’t lost my passion – far from it. I absolutely loved my job and was so proud of what I’d been able to achieve in my career. I just didn’t have anything left in the tank. That train to burnout town stops at no stations, and I had arrived! Looking back on this time in my life, I now know that burnout was a gift. It forced me to take time out and live my life differently. For the first time in a long time, I pulled in for a pitstop and a well overdue service. I refueled, changed the tyres, and had the best lesson in self-care ever. What I’ve come to learn in the years since, is that my problem is a very common one among women. The thing about burnout is it doesn’t just affect us; it affects everyone around us. We are tired, cranky, emotional, and sometimes even irrational. Our family, friends, and teams around us don’t get the best version of us when we are in this state. I am sure there are many of you reading along who have experienced burnout or are on that burnout train right now. I wish I knew then what I know now; I wish I’d known the signs that very quickly creep up on you when you’re on that bullet train to burnout town.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Signs of burnout show up in many different ways and we need to recognize these warning bells before we get to a point where burnout takes over. Chronic exhaustion, concentration and memory problems, brain fog, constant fatigue, irritability and lack of patience, lack of energy, sleep disorders or insomnia. Today, I share my burnout experience with women because I’m passionate about helping others recognize the signs of burnout before they reach the same dire point I did. I want to empower women to be comfortable with putting themselves first, and to live a life of self-care and self-love, because when we do this, we have so much more to give others. Burnout happens because you’re overwhelmed and exhausted – which is a byproduct of an over-packed schedule and always putting others before self. Burnout taught me that I can only be good to others when I am first good to myself, whether that’s in my role as a mum, leader, friend, or partner. It’s time for all women to embrace self-care and live a life of fulfilment, passion, and purpose without burnout!

this is to conduct pay equity audits. This would highlight discrepancies between pay rates and ensure all employees of equal experience and in similar roles are paid the same— no matter their gender or race. We can also improve gender equality in the workplace by creating mentoring networks. Mentoring in the workplace can prove invaluable in helping women progress in their careers. Companies understand that they need to hire a diverse workforce but understanding simply isn’t enough. For change to happen, you need to diversify the people doing the interviews. Ensuring interviewers are diverse reduces the tendency to hire the same kinds of people repeatedly. Always remember, cultural fit is about shared values, not about being visually similar to each other. Gender equality in the workplace also widens considerably after women have children – an issue which can be tackled by shared parental leave policies and enabling working parents to share childcare more equally. There are so many things we can be doing to improve gender equality and it all start with opening the conversation.

I don’t believe we are born leaders: we all have the ability to become Leaders By Design in all areas of our lives

According to you, how can gender equality be improved in the world of business? Despite efforts to improve gender equality in the workplace, women still earn considerably less than their male colleagues and remain under-represented at senior level. There are so many things we can be doing to improve gender equality and removing the gender pay gap is one of them. The gender pay gap measures the difference in average earnings between male and female employees. Currently, the gender pay gap according to WGEA in Australia is 13.8% and while this has improved over the years more work is needed, particularly as women are still less likely to negotiate their salary. Before change can happen, there needs to be an increase in awareness. One simple way companies can do

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Coming to your book, were there any instances or simply passion that made you write ‘Leader By Design’? Can you please share the entire process that went behind writing this book in short? After 30 years in fashion retail, and 13 years at the helm of two iconic fashion brands, it was time for me to write the next chapter of my life – which included the introduction of my business Callander & Co. My purpose is to inspire and empower, particularly women, to lead with confidence in business and in life. Through all my different platforms including my book – LEADER BY DESIGN, I want to support women build real confidence, to speak up in meetings, start that side hustle, put their hand up for that promotion, ask for that pay rise,

take control of their own lives, leave toxic relationships, and demand a seat at the table and even create their own table. I don’t believe we are born leaders: we all have the ability to become Leaders By Design in all areas of our lives. You can become the leader you want to be, the leader you wanted to have, and a leader people choose to follow. In my book Leader By Design, I share my story of finishing school at 16 to building my career from the ground up to becoming one of Australia’s inspiring female CEO’s. My story underpins my message that anything is possible if you are passionate, work hard and believe in yourself. Leader By Design is part autobiography where I share my life journey including how my upbringing shaped the women and leader I am today. No matter where you are on your life or leadership journey, I encourage women to find their voice, live with purpose, lead in their own lives, change the rules, live with real confidence, and find their superpower.

Leader By Design also inspires leaders, both men and women to embrace a new era of leadership. One where we lead with kindness, compassion, collaboration, trust, and authenticity, and one that puts people at the heart of everything we do. It is packed with tips, advice, insights, and guidance relevant to all generation and all ages - whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, an entrepreneur, a volunteer, a teacher, a coach, a student, or working part-time. Regardless of where you are on your leadership or life journey, Leader By Design will inspire and empower you to believe in the power within, reach your full potential and create the life you deserve. 'LEADER BY DESIGN' was an absolute joy to write and it is an even greater joy to share. It has been met with rave reviews and immense success, including being nominated as a finalist in the 2021 Australian Business Book Awards.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

What was the best review/comment you received from the readers? I had a wonderful mother reach out to me to share her daughter’s journey with my book. Lee shared with me that her daughter Angela had really struggled at school and didn’t enjoy reading at all. Angela was now in the third year of her first job and was doing well but was struggling with leading people as this was all new to her. Lee purchased my book ‘Leader By Design’ for her daughter in the hope that it would help build her confidence and build on her leadership skills. Weeks later, Lee sent me an email to say thank you. Lee shared that Angela had not picked up a book since leaving school and now she hadn’t put mine down. Lee shared that Angela would finish dinner and excuse herself immediately from the table so she could go to her room and continue reading. Angela also shared with her mother that she had used some of the simple tips and techniques I share in my book at one of her team meetings and was thrilled with the response from the team. Lee said my book was not only helping her build her confidence and become a better leader, but every time Angela spoke about my book her face lit up. Lee went on to write that seeing your children happy and thriving is one of the greatest achievements in the life of a parent, and thanked me for having such a positive impact on Angela. Getting the email from Lee confirms exactly why I wrote my book. For Lee, seeing her daughter happy and thriving was such a gift, and for me being able to influence, inspire and impact one beautiful human at a time is the gift I receive in return.

What does literary success mean to you? Success means different things to different people. For some people success is money, for some it’s freedom, for some it’s winning a gold medal or climbing Mt Everest, and for others it’s power. For me, success is about leaving this planet better than I found it. For me, success is about changing the rules, closing the gender pay gap, increasing the number of women in leadership and CEO positions and embracing inclusivity and diversity in all areas of our lives. Success is creating a platform for women to share their voice; it’s about being a circuit breaker for change and paving the way for the next generation of female leaders. Success for me also starts at home. Bringing 3 beautiful humans into this world means I get to help them shape their values, find their purpose, and grow and evolve into wonderful caring and compassionate human beings so that they too can make a positive impact on those around them through their passions.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Today, I live by an 80/20 rule for many things in my life. This means that 80 per cent of my life needs to be in balance and 20 per cent can be out of balance or even a bit chaotic

You are donning multiple hats— CEO, published author, keynote speaker, and business and leadership coach and excelling in all of them. How do you juggle these roles and yet strike a balance between work-life? I am not a huge fan of the term ‘work-life balance’; I much prefer to think about it as having a ‘life in balance’. Why do we have to put life into two boxes – one being work and the other being life? That’s not how it works as life doesn’t fit into neat little boxes; they need to co-exist in balance. After facing burnout in 2007, I needed to make some significant changes in my life to create a ‘life in balance’. Today, I live by an 80/20 rule for many things in my life. This means that 80 per cent of my life needs to be in balance and 20 per cent can be out of balance or even a bit chaotic. I love the 80 per cent balance because it brings calmness, control, routine, and happiness to my life; however, on the flip side, I also like the chaotic 20 per cent – it makes me more resilient, strong, bring new thinking, and gratitude. When my life isn’t in 80/20, I know that means I’m not working very smartly. As the level of chaos creeps up, I start to feel out of balance, out of control, overwhelmed and stressed. This is when I know I need to take actions. I need to change, add or delete something in my life to get back to my happy 80/20 place. What piece of advice would you give to aspiring writers of today? Go for it! Everyone has a story and yours is worth sharing.

Please share your future plans with us. Can we expect another book soon? I am so excited about 2022!!! As Callander & Co continues to go from strength to strength, that means I get more and more opportunities to share my message and impact the people around me. As a former CEO of two of Australia's iconic fashion brands, I am proud to be a female leader who has led with purpose, stayed true to my values, inspired and empowered people to believe in themselves and created a culture that allowed people to truly shine…and this next chapter of my life my purpose hasn’t changed. I want to continue to empower women to step up, share their voice, live with purpose, find their superpower, be fearless and become the leaders they have always wanted to be in business and in life. I want them to have the confidence to put their hand up for that promotion, walk into the boardroom and leave self- doubt at the door, build boundaries that support a ‘life in balance’ and take control of their lives. I also want to inspire organisations to embrace a new era of leadership – one based on kindness, compassion, collaboration, trust, and authenticity, and one that encourages more women to take the helm. Whether that be through my ‘Mentor Me Women’ program, Leadership and Business Coaching, Keynote Speaking or my book ‘Leader By Design’- Be empowered to lead with confidence in business and in life, I am determined to change the rules. I ask myself every day, “Am I being a person who inspires, influences, and impacts other people’s lives in a positive way?”

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Alicia Rios Wilks

Casey Meinster

Radical Freedom Coach & Transformational Therapist

Founder, PickUp USA Fitness

Website: https://www.self-freedom.com/

Website: https://www.pickupusafitness.com/

Headquarters: Paignton, England

Headquarters: Missouri, USA

About the Company:

Radical Freedom helps people to release emotional blocks and live in Radical Freedom as the fullest expression of their true selves.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

About the Company:

PickUp USA Fitness is the first and only basketball-focused fitness club concept operating in the US.

Grace Staten

Janda Campos

VP of Marketing, Coastal Wealth

Senior Director Group Sustainability, Grundfos

Website: https://mycoastalwealth.com/

Website: https://www.grundfos.com/

Headquarters: Florida, USA

Headquarters: Bjerringbro, Denmark

About the Company:

Coastal Wealth is a single-source wealth management firm for successful executives, affluent individuals, business owners, medical doctors, and those in the Marine industry.

About the Company:

One of the world’s leading water technology companies, Grundfos is committed to pioneering solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges and improving the quality of life for people.

Karen Mangia

Kate Bradley Chernis

Vice President, Customer & Market Insights, Salesforce

Founder & CEO, Lately

Website: https://www.salesforce.com/

Website: https://www.lately.ai/

Headquarters: California, USA

Headquarters: New York, USA

About the Company:

Salesforce provides customer relationship management software and applications focused on sales, customer service, marketing automation, analytics, and application development.

About the Company:

Lately helps humans write better marketing content in collaboration with artificial intelligence and software automation.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Lauren Parrella

Melissa Smith

Owner, Realty Executives First Class

Founder & CEO, Association of Virtual Assistants

Website: https://www.realtyexecutives.com/

Website: https://associationofvas.com/

Headquarters: Arizona, USA

Headquarters: Athens, Georgia

About the Company:

Realty Executives is one of the largest and most established real estate systems, with over 8,000 agents working across the globe.

The mission of the Association of Virtual Assistants is to be the most trusted source of information in the virtual assistants industry.

Rhonda Swan

Susan Semmelmann

CEO and Founder, Unstoppable Branding Agency

Owner, Susan Semmelmann Interiors

Website: https://www.unstoppablebrandingagency.com/

Website: https://www.semmelmanninteriors.com/

Headquarters: California, USA

Headquarters: Texas, USA

About the Company:

Unstoppable Branding Agency offers complete brand solutions for CEOs, Consultants, Speakers, Authors, and Brick & Mortar Businesses.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

About the Company:

By combining innovative creativity with classic design traditions, Susan Semmelmann Interiors creates spaces that are as beautiful as they are livable.

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CXO OUTLOOK Higher Education Digest November June 2020 2022

ALICIA RIOS WILKS RADICAL FREEDOM COACH & TRANSFORMATIONAL THERAPIST

Transforming the Highest Dreams into Reality

licia Rios Wilks is an award-winning thought leader, scientist of international repute, a licensed RTT therapist and certified Magnetic Mind Coach. A few years back, she was led on the path towards establishing her company, Radical Freedom, after personally feeling powerless, unsatisfied, and limited in life. “I created the Radical Freedom Movement to inspire as many people as possible to 'unlimit' their life, live their fullest expression, and share their unique genius with the world,” says Alicia. Past Experiences Leading Towards a New Beginning As a student, Alicia was brilliant in school and was driven by the purpose of proving herself and emerging as the best. In university, she studied science and received a First-Class

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Honours degree in Biology with Professional Placement from the University of Bath. Alicia conducted biomedical research for a year at the Garvan Institute in Australia. As a result of her pioneering research, Alicia co-authored an article which was published in a high-impact factor journal, ‘The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.’ “Until now, mostly every decision I made was based on how other people would perceive me, so I chased after achieving things that would "impress" others. I didn’t realise it then, but by exploring that path, driven by the validation of others, I was demonstrating to myself that I can’t just follow other people's idea of what my path in life should be,” shares Alicia. This was a true revelation for Alicia. It gave her the courage to decline the opportunity to pursue PhD and the determination to begin her life afresh.

I created the Radical Freedom Movement to inspire as many people as possible to 'unlimit' their life, live their fullest expression, and share their unique genius with the world

Alicia Rios Wilks Radical Freedom Coach & Transformational Therapist

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Today, as the Radical Freedom Coach & Transformational Therapist, Alicia is helping others uncover their most authentic desires in life so that they actually know what will bring them the most joy, fun, passion, purpose, and fulfilment in life. She considers this one of the most significant milestones of her life.

Alicia has pioneered the ground-breaking Rapid Consciousness Transformation Method (RCTM)™ designed for the most powerful and rapid transformation humanly possible

Cherishing the End Results Instead of Worrying over the Roadblocks Sharing her personal set of challenges of being an entrepreneur, Alicia says, “Running your own business brings challenges that don't exist when you're employed. It's no longer purely about how amazing you are at your job. It's about how well you can market yourself, attract

clients or customers, manage money, take care of the legal side, and so on.” An entrepreneur has to play multiple roles at once while building a business from the ground up. Instead of being stressed over her venture, Alicia stays connected to the end result of her mission—to move all people toward Radical Freedom. She further explains, “I am building this business, sharing my message, and leading this movement because I love what I'm creating. This feels like my truth and purpose, and I found it only because I followed my heart and pursued what I truly love to do.” Helping Clients Live an Unlimited Life through RCTM Rapid Consciousness Transformation Method (RCTM)™ is a truly unlimited approach, accessing all aspects of mind and body, making it the most comprehensive and practical approach ever seen. This method is so powerful that it can heal, remove limits, and recode all 3 levels of consciousness for total transformation. RCTM is unique because it connects people with their unique genius and aligns their everyday experience and expression of self with their true, full, original being. Alicia has pioneered this ground-breaking RCTM designed for the most powerful and rapid transformation humanly possible. “As a Radical Freedom Coach, I create spaces for people to let go of their past, step into their power, and harness 100% of their consciousness to create their dream life,” shares Alicia. Moreover, she also feels that every individual possesses unique creative genius and an intrinsic connection to higher wisdom and intelligence. But due to the constraints in human perception, people are unable to unveil their qualities and reach their full potential. Alicia’s sciencebacked methods help clients ‘unlimit’ themselves and create their dream lives. A Typical Day in the Life of a Leader “Every day, the greatest choice I make is to live in Radical Freedom and have fun with it. It brings a feeling of joy and love and flows into each day,” passionately adds Alicia. In the morning, Alicia uses a power ritual, the same one she gives to her clients—to ground herself in her power, shift into the experience of life that she chooses to have, and create momentum and inspiration. She also follows an evening ritual to bring celebration and gratitude into her daily life. Her day at work consists of conducting one-on-one sessions with clients, leading group coaching sessions and webinars, creating new meditations and transformational

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

experiences, writing motivational content for social media, and fulfilling other business duties. She also takes time to maintain her physical health in the form of a workout, swimming, surfing, dancing, or simply movement with music. Likewise, before the start of each week, Alicia plans her schedule in a way that has equal room for clients, personal creativity, and things that bring her joy. Therefore, the flexibility in her schedule does not make her routine boring or monotonous. Inspiring Message from a Leader Alicia opines that the structures of being a leader in this world are based on masculine principles and traits. On top of it, society has created a certain image and list of expectations that the female leaders must abide by and fulfil. “For me to be in my fullest expression, as a young woman, I must centre myself in the freedom to be me and express myself that way, without restrictions, rather than altering myself to be what other people expect as a leader and founder of a business,” reveals Alicia. Therefore, Alicia recommends any individual who wishes to achieve big goals in life just go for it. She adds, “I want to encourage people to choose their goals based on what feels true to them, what they want in their hearts, and what they would simply love to do.” Instead of justifying and explaining personal goals and choices to others and society, one must find the true source of its origin. If an individual is passionate and driven by the goal which he or she believes in, then the sky is the limit for them.

An Exciting Future Ahead Through the Radical Freedom Movement, Alicia is walking in sync with her vision in which every person is the fullest expression of their true self, connected to their unique genius, and living a life they love. That's a world full of love, peace and harmony with all life. In the coming days, Alicia wishes to spread this message of the Radical Freedom Movement, where people are given the opportunity to embark on a transformational journey that frees themselves and unleashes their full potential. She will also lead private and group coaching and guide private clients through RCTM™ sessions. In addition, Alicia is planning to expand an App-based platform for making Radical Freedom’s tools and material easily accessible to clients across the world.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

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Higher Education Digest October 2020

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

EXPERT OPINION

Guide to Doing Business in a Dubai Free Zone Anisha Sagar, Head of Marketing, Meydan Free Zone, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

T Sagar has an MBA in Strategic Marketing and Project Management, as well as over 15 years of marketing experience. She is responsible for all aspects of Meydan Free Zone’s marketing efforts, including customer research, strategy, e-commerce and customer communications. Sagar brings a wealth of experience to Meydan Free Zone having worked across Corporate-Services, FMCG, Healthcare, Banking and Insurance sectors. Prior to joining Meydan Free Zone, she led a 40-strong team in the role of General Manager of Revenue and Marketing at Business Incorporation Zone – a role that saw her take the lead with significantly raising the company’s brand recognition and developing its lead generation marketing program, innovation, brand management, advertising, market research and customer marketing.

he United Arab Emirate’s free zones are one of the nation’s biggest economic success stories. Encouraging enormous amounts of entrepreneurialism and exciting opportunities, free zones have supercharged the UAE’s business environment since the first free zones opened here in the 1980s. According to an article on Arab News, there were over 60,000 free zone businesses registered in the UAE in 2021 – a 4.4% increase on the year before. This shows just how popular Dubai free zones are. So, if you’re thinking of starting a company in a Dubai free zone in 2022, read our blog to understand the key information you need to know about these entities. ● Mainland vs free zone: what's the difference? ● Can free zone companies do business in the mainland? ● Advantages of doing business in a Dubai free zone ● What is the difference between a free zone and an LLC in Dubai? ● Can a free zone company sell in the UAE? ● How much does it cost to open a free zone company in Dubai? Mainland vs free zone: what's the difference? Most businesses in Dubai choose to either base themselves on the mainland or in a free zone. So, what is the difference between these two options? ● Dubai mainland business A mainland company in Dubai is essentially an onshore company that has received its licence from the Department of Economic Development (DED). All Dubai mainland businesses are allowed to trade anywhere in the United Arab Emirates as well as internationally, and they face no restrictions on their trade. You must also pay a 5% customs duty on imported goods. ● Dubai free zone businesses In Dubai, there are several well-respected free zones which are designated areas where businesses can avail themselves of specific advantages. These include a 0% tax on income, 0% customs duty, and 100% foreign ownership, without the requirement to find a local partner. Free zone businesses are allowed to trade with other companies in their own free zone and internationally, but they are not permitted to trade directly with customers in Dubai and the UAE mainland. Can free zone companies do business in the mainland? Yes, some select free zone companies can do business in Dubai mainland, but they will require necessary approvals

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

from the free zone. Companies can obtain a no objection certificate (NOC) for certain business activities that allows them to open an office anywhere in Dubai mainland. To ensure their chosen business activity can avail this benefit, they should contact their respective free zone. That being said, many free zones do not permit direct business in mainland Dubai. They are only permitted to trade internationally, or with other companies based in the same free zone. Non-compliance can lead to fines of as much as AED 100,000. However, there are a number of ways that free zone companies can trade with the mainland if they decide they would like to. These include: ● Find a mainland logistics partner who can move goods within the UAE for you. ● Free zone-based e-commerce companies can use a courier or delivery partner for delivering goods in the UAE. ● You can also set up a branch of your business on the mainland, through which you can trade with companies in Dubai (it must have the same name and activities as your free zone company). If you are based in a free zone and would like to trade with the mainland you will need to approach the Dubai DED, submit your application form, and pay fees. Your business manager at the free zone you have set up with will advise you on the best way for your company to trade with mainland Dubai. Advantages of doing business in a Dubai free zone Starting a business in a Dubai free zone brings multiple advantages. These include: ● 0% income tax Being based in a Dubai free zone allows you to enjoy a number of tax benefits, which means you keep more of your profits. Business owners can enjoy 0% income tax rate and no customs taxes, excluding import products sold to the mainland. However, VAT is also applicable for business owners in a non-gated free zone. ● 100% foreign ownership Unlike mainland businesses in Dubai, free zones permit 100% foreign ownership – which can be more attractive for companies owned by foreigners. ● Specialist support for your business Free zones in Dubai are designed to be attractive for entrepreneurs, providing numerous perks and support as you get your company up and running.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

In Dubai, there are several well-respected free zones which are designated areas where businesses can avail themselves of specific advantages

What is the difference between a free zone and an LLC in Dubai? An LLC operates in the UAE mainland and its structure is similar to a corporation. Businesses can conduct any business activity permitted by the DED and enjoy complete protection from liability. On the other hand, a free zone is a special economic area in the UAE that is governed by its respective authority. Generally speaking, a free zone license does not require approval from external authorities. Other benefits include 100% foreign ownership, flexidesk and a specific number of visa packages. Can a free zone company sell in the UAE? Yes, a free zone company can sell directly in the UAE, provided they are not selling any physical goods. For example, a service-based company can sell its services directly in the UAE. However, a free zone company cannot work with government entities – without exception. A free zone company is not able to sell goods in the UAE directly either, though this is more of a grey area and there are several ways to get around this. You can begin trading with the mainland while still operating from a free zone by: ● Seeking out a mainland logistics partner to distribute goods for you in the UAE ● If you are running an e-commerce business, working with a courier or delivery partner who can deliver parcels for you ● Another option involves setting up a branch office on the mainland.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

GRACE STATEN VICE PRESIDENT - MARKETING, COASTAL WEALTH

Enabling Women’s Economic Empowerment

n today's modern era, the pool of leadership opportunities and career advancements for the female workforce within the financial services domain is relatively shallow. In an industry dominated by men for decades, females have, then and even now, had to work almost twice as hard to try to eliminate the gender gap and level the field. Grace Staten is among the top female leadership ranks and making considerable headway in this sector. As Vice President, she heads the marketing department at Coastal Wealth. Grace commenced her journey as a financial professional's assistant and diligently worked her way up the corporate ladder. Having just a minuscule portion of female role models in this industry, she is driven by her desire to change this scenario by volunteering to mentor young women and girls. Her passion for helping and teaching are some of her strong

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

suits aiding her during this endeavor. Believing to have matured into a self-aware, hardworking, and compassionate woman, she reveals, "I have intentionally made myself uncomfortable professionally by taking leadership positions in every organization in which I am a member. I have learned from my mistakes and look at them as opportunities rather than failures. I now share these lessons and teach what I know with my team and with those I mentor. Because of my own struggles, I firmly believe in diversity and inclusion in the workplace and assist with recruiting and promoting women and minorities." Company Offerings Coastal Wealth is one of the leading general agencies of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), which has increased production, revenue,

We value our people for who they are, how they think, and what they bring to the table. This makes us stronger, more cohesive, and innovative.

Grace Staten Vice President - Marketing, Coastal Wealth

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

and financial professionals consistently. Coastal Wealth is committed to helping its clients secure their futures and protect those they love. The company was established to be the most innovative, collaborative, and trusted financial solutions firm in the nation. Coastal Wealth's mission is to navigate opportunities and redefine what is possible. "At Coastal Wealth, our financial professionals are champions of the idea that we are better through the support of one another. We value our people for who they are, how they think, and what they bring to the table. This makes us stronger, innovative, and more cohesive," elucidates Grace.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Generating Productivity As the leader of the marketing department, Grace and her team help the firm and its external presence as well as the producers’ marketing efforts within the firm. She has encountered and overcome several challenges that most leaders of today face: guiding change within the team, inspiring others, and setting achievable goals. She has never met a challenge that she has not conquered. "I have been able to discover the interests of our members and capitalize on their strengths to increase their potential. Setting goals and regular reviews have provided the required feedback and direction to meet their objectives,”

and zeal to efficiently and seamlessly manages the multitude of organizational responsibilities and her team.

Coastal Wealth, with Grace, created a new kind of culture by implementing the Coastal Community Calendar with virtual social events so that all of the members and their families could participate.

reveals Grace on her examination of how she nurtures and leads the workforce. Her typical working days include several virtual meetings with financial professionals, outside vendors, and her in-house team. She oversees and manages all that goes on in the department and focuses on the execution, communication, and accountability of her team. Grace adds, "Understanding my responsibilities, deadlines, and the overall picture helps me drive revenue, become a champion of the financial professionals' marketing needs, and even a chief storyteller as a way of nurturing the creative side of Coastal Wealth." Grace leverages her in-depth expertise

Gaining Well-Deserved Recognition Throughout her career, Grace has been recognized as one of the influential female leaders in every aspect and has received several accolades for the same. She was elected as a Woman of Influence in the northeast area of Florida. In conjunction with this, she is the incoming national President-Elect of the Accounting and Financial Women's Alliance and sits on the Board of Directors for the Gateway Council of Girl Scouts. Furthermore, she holds a leadership position with the local chapter of the American Business Women's Association. "Each of these titles has allowed me to identify how far I have come and where I would like to go. In the overall picture, my goal is to support and mentor women to build confidence in themselves and overcome self-doubt in pursuing their dreams. Successfully Taking on a Pandemic Despite encountering a broad spectrum of challenges, Grace has emerged victorious. One such challenge was when the Coronavirus pandemic struck. While steering the ship along its chartered course, Coastal Wealth used the pandemic as an opportunity for a change instead of viewing it as just a crisis. Prior to the pandemic, her organization and its employees are used to working a 9 to 5 shift while juggling a work-life balance. As Coastal Wealth shifted to embracing the work from home concept, this newfound flexibility and freedom led to an upswing in productivity. The Marketing Team is spread throughout Florida, so meeting virtually was already a standard. Coastal Wealth, with Grace, created a new kind of culture by implementing the Coastal Community Calendar with virtual social events so that all of the members and their families could participate. Grace says, "Our stellar IT department ensured all members were equipped with the right computers and tools to succeed. We use new programs and technology to foster growth in today's highly competitive world and teach to think like innovators with systems and processes. We carefully balance what has made us successful in the past while investing in our future." Now, as the world attempts to achieve some sort of normalcy in all aspects of their lives, Coastal Wealth and Grace have also embraced the post-pandemic world. The company now offers additional extras such as flextime in the workweek, individuals are permitted to work at times convenient to their schedules with a 4-day work week and unlimited PTO. Grace signs off, “We have found this has made the workforce appreciative and able to work during the times they would have otherwise been commuting to the office.”

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

LEADER’S INSIGHTS

HOW WOMEN ARE TAKING PACE OVER THE GLOBAL MARLET Sonal Jindal, Founder & Promoter, MEDUSA EXIM

Delhi-based entrepreneur Sonal Jindal, who successfully executed and organized over 20 lifestyle exhibitions under her event management company MEDUSA, has diversified into global trade with her latest venture MEDUSA EXIM. Through her business venture Sonal Jindal, Founder & Promoter of MEDUSA EXIM, has created a strong vendor network with all the reputed exporters of India from the aforementioned segments. She is a signatory of women empowerment principles with UN Women and UN Global Impact. Being an international trade expert, she hopes to bring business into the country by increasing the number of export goods to boost the local economy.

cKinsey Global Institute said in one of its reports, “Both advanced and developing countries stand to gain if women participate in the labor force at the same rate as men, work the same number of hours as men, and are employed at the same levels as men across sectors.” Despite the truth staring us in the face, the world still seems to be unaware of the benefits of women chasing their entrepreneurial dreams and taking the world forward with them. No wonder then that L’Oreal launching a $26 million initiative to support female-led start-ups across the beauty industry is still making news in the world.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

L’Oreal’s Bold Female Founders campaign, established with the initial capital fund sum of $26.6 million, will put investment opportunities right at the doorstep of women entrepreneurs and help them find their niche in any of the sectors like brand management, beauty tech, biotech and green science. However, the campaign reflects a troubling thought – that women entrepreneurs still need a helping hand to go forward despite the fact that they aren’t any lesser than their male counterparts. It seems that businesswomen have many miles to go before they can claim to be in the same league as businessmen. Nicolas Hieronimus, L’Oreal’s

IT SEEMS THAT BUSINESSWOMEN HAVE MANY MILES TO GO BEFORE THEY CAN CLAIM TO BE IN THE SAME LEAGUE AS BUSINESSMEN

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

THE SOCIETY NEEDS TO COME TOGETHER AS ONE AND PUSH FOR ENHANCING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE THAT IS A POTENTIAL MEANS TO ACHIEVING SOCIAL JUSTICE AND REDUCING POVERTY

CEO, has claimed that “venture funding of women entrepreneurship….remains at an unbelievably low level.” The words ring true when it is seen that start-ups led by women end up attracting less funding even though female entrepreneurs continue to outperform their male counterparts consistently. There are several examples in the business world that substantiate what experts have to say about the space occupied by women in the global market. For instance, Carol Craig, Founder-CEO of Sidus Space became the first woman Founder-CEO to take a space company public. Incidentally, Craig was also the first woman aviator in her squadron serving as an active-duty P-3C Orion Naval Flight Officer. There are many incentives to helping women come up the priority ladder in the entrepreneurship struggle. Quoting McKinsey Global Institute, “There is a greater chance for a country to gain economically if women participate in the labor force at the same rate as men. If women get to work even with partial parity in the world of business, countries would see their GDP increase considerably, bringing in a better rate of progress.” In case of India alone, the GDP growth by 2025 would be $3.3 Trillion if the workforce shows gender parity, claims McKinsey. The global GDP growth rate would be a whopping $484 Billion in case of an ideal workforce balance. This is not to say that women aren’t coming on top in the world of entrepreneurship. There are numerous

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examples where female entrepreneurs have forced the world to sit up and take notice. Women in corporate space have exhibited brilliant managerial skills and business acumen, irrespective of the fact whether they come from business background or not. In fact, women bosses are visible seen as doing their best to promote young women to launch themselves in business. But, it isn’t a job alone just for women. The society needs to come together as one and push for enhancing women’s participation in business development because that is a potential means to achieving social justice and reducing poverty. It is a proven fact that the more the women take part in economic growth of their country, the better it is for overall family health and child development. Despite that women still face many barriers in contributing to the economic development. There are a number of legal, structural and cultural obstacles that still persist in the path of women looking to contribute more to economies. Now coming to how the world of business can be turned into a level playing field for women seeking to take pace in the global market, experts have identified four areas where the world can do better to allow women to take center stage in the world of business. It is suggested that in order to achieve gender equality in business, we need to work more on women’s education, their inclusion into financial and digital growth, providing them legal protection, and making the society more supportive for them.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

LAUREN PARRELLA BROKER / OWNER / SALESPERSON REALTY EXECUTIVES FIRST CLASS

A Seasoned REALTOR , Helping People Find Their Dream Homes ®

hat do you call an individual who is a gogetter, a team-motivator, a risk-taker, and has a benevolent streak? You guessed the correct answer—a leader! Lauren Parrella, Owner of Realty Executives First Class, ticks all the right boxes of a leader and is so much more. Lauren had a leadership bug since childhood. She excelled at both sports and academia. In high school, Lauren was a softball pitcher and thrived when in control. Her job was to keep her teammates in high spirits, cheer them on, pick them up after a foul play, and genuinely help them stay motivated, positive, and focused. She was often designated to lead group projects and school activities. In return, her peers respected and valued her

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

judgment. Later, Lauren brought her leadership attributes into adulthood and her career. A Career Calling in Real Estate After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in the field of Law and Society, Lauren began her career as a dispatcher for the Upper Saddle River Police Department. Simultaneously, she also worked as a part-time realestate agent and started pursuing her Master’s in Human Services Counseling with a concentration in Life Coaching from Liberty University. For five years, she continued to work at the police department and later tried her hand as a medical sales representative. In 2018, Lauren began working as a full-time REALTOR® with

You cannot look at people as paychecks. If that is what you do, this job is not for you. You have to genuinely want to help others, make them happy, and get them in their dream home. You have to live and breathe it

Lauren Parrella Broker / Owner / Salesperson Realty Executives First Class

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

My agents and admin are why Realty Executives First Class is what it is today

Realty Executives Exceptional in Wayne. “After 5 years of working in this space, I wanted to do something bigger and pass along my knowledge and experience to others,” adds Lauren. As a result, she took a broker’s class and earned her license. This class inspired and motivated her so much that she set out to open her own office. In March of 2019, Lauren met with a Franchise owner and shared her mission and vision behind opening an office. He asked her to come back with more trained agents. Two years later, amid the pandemic, Lauren opened her doors as the Broker/Owner of Realty Executives First Class. “I used all of my personal savings and opened an office that would change the way agents did business,” adds Lauren. As a brokerage owner, she went from training 9 agents to 21 agents in just 12 months. For a dreamer like her, failure was never an option. Lauren says that if you put your mind to it, amazing things can happen. Having ownership of a leading real estate brokerage company is proof of that. A First Class Family Affair “When I opened my office in Montville, NJ, I wanted to have a group of individual agents who unconditionally support each other, help each other out, never fight or cause drama, and are honestly and truly friends,” reveals Lauren. Setting this as the benchmark, each and every

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individual of the company has nothing but love and respect for each other. If one of them is down, the other picks up the slack. Lauren’s family is also involved in her dream project. Her mother is her executive assistant, while her sister and father are now licensed agents. Lauren says, “My agents and admin are why Realty Executives First Class is what it is today.” Therefore, Lauren gives entire credit to her family of agents and admin who show absolute loyalty and trust towards her goals and vision. She also applauds her clients who endorse her skills as a REALTOR®. Client Satisfaction is the Number One Goal Since the beginning, Lauren’s top priority has been and continues to be her clients. She says, “You cannot look at people as paychecks. If that is what you do, this job is not for you. You have to genuinely want to help others, make them happy, and get them in their dream home. You have to live and breathe it!” And what’s more impressive is clients’ vouching for Lauren’s honesty, loyalty, and responsiveness towards her work. Clients do not hesitate to consult her for buying or selling their properties through social media and referrals. Brielle Felten highly recommended Lauren and said, “Lauren exceeded any and all expectations we had of her.

She answered every question my husband and I had and was involved enough to make sure we were comfortable every step of the way. We sold our home and purchased a new home simultaneously with Lauren, and she made the process so incredibly smooth and seamless!” Another client, J. Rahey, thanked Lauren for making his homebuying process enjoyable and hassle-free. The Powerhouse Woman Leader Becoming an owner of a real estate brokerage agency at a young age was not a cakewalk for Lauren. From time to time, she had to deal with male attorneys, inspectors, and lenders but her previous experience in a male-dominated, Police Department came in handy. As a young leader, she learned to depend on herself, not take no for an answer, and prove her worth. “I think I have built a name for myself while gaining the respect from others not only as a female but as a young female. Today, I surround myself with positive, uplifting ladies and am a huge advocate for lifting other women up,” assets Lauren. Tackling Hurdles like a Pro Lauren didn’t find working with clients or training new agents difficult. Instead, her biggest hurdle as a new brokerage

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owner was running the entire business from the ground up. Lauren explains, “I had no idea what I was doing when it came to bookkeeping, paying bills, doing taxes, issuing 1099, etc.” It was overwhelming, and she had no idea where to start. But today, the situation has become a lot easier and smoother. She still continues to learn, grow, and upgrade her business knowledge. Another thing Lauren finds challenging is striking a balance between keeping her agents really happy and also making sure her business is profiting. “I am learning where I can give and where I need to reign it back,” she further elaborates. A Future Filled with Promise Since its establishment, her office has more than doubled in revenue and sales. A large office inspiring bright ideas and stirring senses became the need of the hour. In March 2022, Lauren signed a lease for a vast office space that she calls her forever home. “Coming from a small room

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

in a basement office space to expanding to one of the best shopping centers in town is something I am really proud of,” excitedly shares Lauren. Furthermore, as a part of Realty Executives First Class, Lauren aims to target the New York real estate market. She is also looking forward to expansion as many agents are showing interest in becoming a part of her family cum team. For this move, she is already one step ahead and has sketched brand new listing presentations, buyer consultations, cheat sheets, sample forms, new business cards, etc. This year, Lauren will also be launching her one-stop-shop app for agents, covering the entire process of running a business from start to finish. On a personal front, Lauren will finish writing her book. This book will guide real estate beginners with lessons, insights, exercises, and a chance to communicate with Lauren herself. It will give them a comprehensive understanding of the industry, its challenges, and the steps to take after becoming a licensed REALTOR®.

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LEADER’S INSIGHTS

ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN CONNECTING THE STUDENTS WITH THE RIGHT TUTOR Minal Anand, Co-Founder & CEO, GuruQ Minal Anand is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at GuruQ, a unique and

integrated digital tutoring platform that promises to bring high quality standards and new age methodologies to the way education is imparted in India. A graduate in Business Administration from the School of Management at Boston University, Minal had worked at companies like Franklin Templeton, Citigroup to gain relevant experience in business planning, fund raising, enterprise design and structuring, and talent management.

inding the right tutor can be a challenging experience for students and parents. When you’re on the lookout for the best tutor to help you master subjects, an array of options is available. One needs to consider the experience, budget, style of teaching and convenience. With multitude options available, we’ll tell you how you can use technology in finding the right tutor to advance your studies. Additionally, we’ll also tell you how to vet your choices and finalize the best one. How can we use technology to find the right tutor? 1. Before selecting a restaurant, we look at the ratings and reviews. Similarly, before selecting a tutor, you can look at how the tutor has been rated. You can also read the reviews people have written for him or her.

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2. Every learning platform has a variety of filters that allows you to select the mode (online or offline), location, subject expertise. Using these filters helps you arrive at the top choices. 3. You can also look up some demonstration videos uploaded by the tutor. This will allow you to gauge the style of teaching, the level of communication skills. 4. You can request a demonstration class. Most applications these days allow you to schedule a few classes at absolutely no cost. Availing these classes helps you figure if the tutor suits your needs. How can you decide who is the perfect tutor? ● Subject Matter Expertise This is the first and foremost consideration is whether the tutor has expertise in the subject area you want help with.

NOT ALL OF US LEARN THE SAME WAY. A TUTOR NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND YOUR LEARNING STYLE AND ALIGN THEIR TEACHING STYLE TO SUIT YOURS

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

This bears extreme importance when we’re looking at advance studies. A general English tutor may be able to help younger students with general grammar and literature, but if you need help with Shakespeare, you may need a subject-specific tutor. ● Teaching Experience Understanding whether the tutor has relevant experience or not in the desired subject area allows you to figure if

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

he is a perfect fit. It is ideal to look for a tutor who uses active teaching methodology. This means that the tutor is involved with your studies and can offer relevant feedback. The tutor should be able to adapt lesson plans suited to your skillset and address the areas you need help with. Tutors who ask follow-up questions, learn how you or your student found a specific answer, and tailor lessons to you or your child will be more effective than ones who simply list information and move on.

● Learning style Learning is not the one size fits all. None of us learn the same way. Some of us grasps concepts better by looking at visuals, while the others are good at auditory cues or written explanations. Not all of us learn the same way. A tutor needs to be able to understand your learning style and align their teaching style to suit yours. Younger students tend to learn better with friendly and approachable tutors. The ones in higher grades may prefer tutors that are wellversed with concepts. ● Passion & Enthusiasm You need to find a tutor who’s genuinely interested in the subject and not just trying to make some extra cash. Look for tutors who are passionate about their subject.

NOT ALL OF US LEARN THE SAME WAY. SOME OF US GRASP CONCEPTS BETTER WHEN THEY’RE ACCOMPANIED BY VISUALS, WHILE OTHERS PREFER AUDITORY CUES OR WRITTEN EXPLANATIONS

Many online tutoring platforms screen tutors or require them to submit a video of themselves teaching a subject they are passionate about. However, you choose to hire a tutor, make sure they’re interested in the subjects they're tutoring. ● Affordability Finally, it is important to find a tutor who you can afford. In the budget you have one should be able to justify the job well. Screening through online platforms, you will be able to decide which tutor is affordable. We hope we’ve been able to guide you well on how to pick the correct tutor. Once you’ve decided where you’re going to hire a tutor, it’s time to think about how to select

the perfect one. Here are a few things to keep in mind when vetting a tutor. Subject Matter Expertise In terms of hiring a tutor, the first thing to consider is whether the tutor has expertise in the subject area you need help with. This becomes more important with advanced subjects. For example, a general math tutor may be able to help younger students with pre-calculus and basic geometry, but you may need a more intensive or subjectspecific tutor for higher-level courses such as statistics. Teaching Experience Check to see if the tutor has tutoring or teaching experience in your desired subject area — the more, the better. You should also look for a tutor who uses active teaching. This means the tutor is involved in your or your child’s studies and provides feedback. The tutor should adapt lesson plans suited to your skillset and address the areas you need the most help with. Tutors who ask follow-up questions, learn how you or your student found a specific answer, and tailor lessons to you or your child will be more effective than ones who simply list information and move on. Learning Style Not all of us learn the same way. Some of us grasp concepts better when they’re accompanied by visuals, while others prefer auditory cues or written explanations. Find your or your child’s learning style, and find a tutor who can adapt to it. If you’re a visual learner, make sure your tutor is comfortable using drawings, diagrams, or other visual aids. It’s also useful to consider what you or your child needs at different grade levels. Younger students tend to work better with friendly, kind, and approachable tutors. These tutors will be well-versed in using props such as blocks or math counters to help reinforce certain subjects. Young students may also need more help to stay focused than high school students. Keep your child’s learning needs in mind when looking for the right tutor. Interest and Passion As you find a tutor, look for someone who’s genuinely interested in the subject, not just trying to make a little extra cash. Look for tutors who are passionate about teaching and their subjects. To evaluate this, set up an interview with a tutor to get a feel for their excitement for teaching. Many online tutoring platforms screen tutors or require them to submit a video of themselves teaching a subject they are passionate about. However you choose to hire a tutor, make sure they’re interested in the subjects they're tutoring.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

MELISSA SMITH FOUNDER & CEO, ASSOCIATION OF VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS

Delivering a High Standard of Excellence

n the third decade of the 21st century, we are faced with the technological revolution. What used to be an in-office job or a job that required a single set of skills has become murky waters. Today, with the help of the internet, everything seems possible. Working from home was only for those who couldn’t go out to work or for specific companies that allowed it. Though one is equipped in one field, it doesn’t stop them from picking up skills through online courses. The narrative has changed. Many companies have opted to allow employees to work from home. Many companies have encouraged employees to pick up new skills and even pay for their classes online.

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Melissa Smith, the founder and CEO of the Association of Virtual Assistants (AVA), understands this vision for the future. Initially, Melissa didn’t start her business to form an association nor did she know all the possibilities in store for her. She simply wanted more freedom and flexibility that could come from being a virtual assistant. Along the way Melissa realised that many people do not know how to work effectively with a virtual assistant, let alone be an effective virtual assistant while maintaining freedom and flexibility. She made it her mission to educate clients and VAs alike. As a young girl, Melissa always knew she wanted to be an administrative assistant like her mother. While

My mission is to ensure anyone who wants to hire the right VA has the opportunity to do so whether they choose to work with me or not

Melissa Smith Founder & CEO, Association of Virtual Assistants

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

attending school to be an administrative professional she knew for sure it was her calling. Melissa didn’t excel in school, but always excelled at being an assistant. Her industry, continuously evolving, ushered in the era of virtual assistants and Melissa quickly embraced it. However, many people didn’t understand what virtual assistants do and how working with one was possible. In 2016, Melissa went on to write an excellent book about it, where she shares her expertise in matching clients to the right virtual assistant. “After my first book was released, my business catapulted, and then another interesting thing happened, virtual assistants started reaching out to me. I had no idea a VA would read a book intended for the client, but they did, and they loved it,” shares Melissa. She started writing blogs and worked on a second book for VAs, then coaching and consulting as well. “My mission is to ensure anyone who wants to hire the right VA has the opportunity to do so whether they choose to work with me or not. This includes the VA understanding who their ideal client is and how to attract them,” she adds.

The Exemplar of Leadership “I didn’t set out to be a leader. However, I’ve always been very intentional about my work and whom I would consider working for. Working with great leaders was definitely a contributing factor. It was also more motivating to seek guidance from people you respect versus trying not to be like a leader you don’t look up to,” Melissa says. As she entered the workforce, she consumed information in a way that her peers were not used to, finding it as an opportunity to learn more and not as a way of being tasked more. She thought of every boss as a mentor and a resource to learn from. This approach has become a part of her virtual assistant business. “Each time I learned something, found a gap, or saw an opportunity to share, I made a note of it. I had no intention of becoming an educator, but it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to me either. Most of my career was spent in higher education. Now here I am, with my book in colleges, I am now teaching and educating others as my great passion,” Melissa explains. Today, as the founder and CEO of such an established organisation, Melissa feels that the challenge is always meeting people where they are. There is so much educating to be done, but the person has to be ready to receive. To do this, she stays involved and spends a lot of time listening, and created an advisory board for the AVA to be another set of eyes and ears. To be able to gain more perspective. It took Melissa years to finally consider herself a leader but not for the reasons many define leadership. She defines leadership as creating more

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leaders, great leaders. Leaders who may surpass her in business. “I saw this modelled in business and in sports. I think about Jack Welch, Dorie Clark, Dale Carnegie, and Dan Gable. What these individuals accomplished was great, but when you think about how they were able to force multiply their ability to lead, that becomes an even greater legacy which lives on,” she informs. The number of VAs she has coached and the number of clients she matched with great success is what inspires others to

Leadership isn’t about me; it's always about the person I’m leading

join the AVA. She shares, “Leadership isn’t about me; it's always about the person I’m leading.” Melissa started out in a role that matched clients to the right VA based on communication strategy and ideal client fit. As she gained years of experience, she understood the dynamics, perfected it and went on to write an interactive book about the detailed process. “My successful match rate of 98% is not an accident. I put as much into my VA searches as some might into an executive search because

I have selected to work in high quality, not quantity. The turnaround time of my searches reflects the high level of service to meet the client’s needs,” Melissa explains. At AVA, making a difference in the lives of others is what it’s all about. Following and staying in touch with virtual assistants helps the AVA understand their needs. Each time they reach a new milestone, the AVA celebrates with them. Other significant milestones that AVA recognises are when their work has been identified, be it through a feature in the list of business owners/ entrepreneurs, Melissa receiving the Top Virtual Assistant Consultant of the Year award, or having Melissa’s books chosen to be a part of a college curriculum. As a business owner, she learned early on that recognition is essential and keeps burnout at bay. Maintaining a Sterling Work Ethic Melissa believes that job satisfaction is very important. “I don’t have a typical day as much as a typical week. Putting too much emphasis on a single day of the week can actually backfire. I see this all the time with my clients. Whenever I schedule anything, I look at my entire week. I

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intentionally create a life and do work that I don’t need a vacation from,” she explains. Keeping adequate free space on her calendar allows her to reset throughout the day if needed, giving room for opportunities and things to look forward to on one’s calendar. Being a minimalist at heart, Melissa loves simplicity. “Anytime I can eliminate the need to make a decision that consumes energy but isn’t important, I’ve done myself a great favour. Unplugging from work is easy for me… now. I used to put so many more demands on myself. I’ve adopted the mindset that less is not only more, but it’s also better,” she says. Instead of merely scheduling appointments, Melissa truly thinks about how to schedule for success – this includes unplugging. Putting activities on her calendar naturally allows her time to unplug. When there is a lot to do, with a time of introspection, Melissa finds a way to get work done efficiently, taking lesser resources and time and getting it done to perfection. The PVA, Melissa’s matchmaking company, sets itself apart from other companies with the level of service they provide, under the guidance of Melissa. “Since the beginning, I knew I wanted to focus on quality and stay clear of high volume. There is nothing wrong with a high volume business. It’s not what I’m attracted to, nor does it fit my lifestyle and business goals. I serve clients who not only appreciate a high level of care and service but are willing to pay for it. You can’t expect the Ritz services at Holiday Inn prices,” she explains.

Sharing Knowledge Having written two books on Virtual Assistants, Melissa shares that it was a challenging process. Though research came quickly to Melissa, she was terrified of the release and readers' reaction. She had been writing articles and blogs on the topic for months, turning every client conversation into a study, searching for common questions, themes, doubts, and concerns. Eventually, all this information became an article or blog and finally, it was compiled for her first book, ‘Hire the Right Virtual Assistant’. “Writing was so easy back then. I actually miss that time in my business. Now that my business has grown and expanded, I don’t write every day. On the plus side, I’m no longer terrified to share what I write. Nor do I flee the country when a new book is released,” Melissa reminisces. Soon enough, the book became popular among aspiring VAs, who reached out to her to thank her for her book. They were using it as a study guide with their clients. “Most of the books on hiring a VA are written by people who have never been a VA. It’s all business and no art. Certainly,

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Currently, Melissa is working on updating Become A Successful Virtual Assistant and creating some online courses to take soft skills and make them into power skills 69

they are not resonating with VAs. Being a voice for the virtual assistant industry as an assistant myself is an incredible honour,” Melissa shares. After releasing ‘Become A Successful Virtual Assistant’, Melissa was pleasantly surprised by how current VAs were levelling up their businesses. She intentionally wrote it for the new VA and was thrilled that VAs have been able to apply the business principles at every stage of their career. “The response of both have been great, and both were bestsellers. I still get messages and emails from readers, and I cherish each one,” she adds. A Woman in Business Being compared to men who were dominant in business, especially in the VA field and had far-reaching reputations that surpassed Melissa’s own was and is real. “It’s also severely frustrating knowing how much more experience and knowledge I have in this area compared to them.

However, I never focused on that because I didn’t want to lead from a place of frustration or anger. I have put the blinders on more than once, and it served me well,” she shares. To young women, she says, “Just remember you are always leading, and someone is always watching – even if you don’t know it.” Currently, Melissa is working on updating Become A Successful Virtual Assistant and creating some online courses to take soft skills and make them into power skills. “I’ve been asked to do on-demand online courses for years but had no interest in them. My coaching is extremely bespoke, and I don’t enjoy online courses myself. I wouldn’t sell anyone anything I wouldn’t or haven’t bought. These will be different from what’s out there because the focus isn’t on me. The focus will be on the student. The world doesn’t need another version of me. The world needs the best version of every unique person, and that’s what I’ll be teaching,” Melissa shares.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

EXPERT OPINION

What are the Ways to Simplify Legal Barriers for Smooth Business Functioning? Garima Mitra, Co-Founder, The Treelife Consultancy

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

M At Treelife, Garima balances the twin responsibilities of and leading the legal and compliance teams. She advises start-ups and investors irrespective of their scale on matters like corporate equity structuring, data protection issues, fundraising and employment issues. She has been a critical part of the journey of startups like CleverTap and WhiteHat Jr. An avid mooter in her student career at HNLU, Raipur, she continues to speak on multiple forums like NASSCOM, UN women and also has a Tedx Talk on how ‘knowing the law changed her life’.

ajority of entrepreneurs are wary of legal issues. Instead of looking at law as a facilitator of business, it is perceived as a hurdle. The fear of unknown, always poses a challenge. India, a coveted investment jurisdiction, is also notorious for its archaic system in place for management of businesses. While, several efforts are continuously made to digitise and automate processes, operational hurdles are a part and parcel of running a business. Proactive and vigilant checkpoints on the legal front ensure that your business run’s smoothly. Enumerated below are a few speed bumps that entrepreneurs face at every phase of your business: Phase I: Ideation An idea is only as good as its execution. Once the validation of an idea is completed, turning the same into a business requires the entrepreneur to choose the form of a legal entity to be incorporated. This choice is the most important one and shall be given due consideration. The decision has to be largely based on long-term vision and objective of the business. For eg: If the objective for a business is to raise funds by way of an equity participation then it shall be wise for business to form a private limited company as opposed to an LLP or other form of entity, as the case maybe. Phase II: Launch of Business Once the entity is formed, it is time to launch the business. This requires consideration on dual legal areas: 1. Intellectual Property: Entrepreneurs struggle to understand and decide on registration of their intellectual property. This often leads to infringement issues which in the longer run cost more than the actual application of the registration of the IP. 2. Permits/ Licenses if required: Every business requires permits and licenses that are a prerequisite for their functioning. One of the major barriers to business is the lack of information on the same. India has numerous laws intersecting with each other and the archival process leaves a lot to be desired. This turns out to be a major challenge to starting up a business. Phase III: Running Your Business This is the most important phase for a business. The legal challenges at this phase are the highest. This phase is when most entrepreneurs feel the need to have contracts in place. The types and content of the contracts is dependent on the type of business. But there are certain essential contracts that are common to all businesses. The essential contracts to be in place for a business are enumerated below:

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1.Employment Agreements 2.Leave and License Agreements 3.Non-Disclosure Agreements 4.Vendor Agreements 5.Service Agreements 6.Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy (for the website or app as the case may be) (Note: The above list is only illustrative and not exhaustive. The same shall be required to changed based on the nature and requirement of a particular business)

Business at various phases, poses different kinds of challenges. Legal measures in India are more reactive than proactive. The basic idea for simplifying legal barriers for smooth business functioning is a mind-set shift for legal measures. While entrepreneurs often run for legal help and expertise when things have gone worse instead of investing in avoiding any trouble. Across time, what works to combat a legal challenge varies from one business to another. But there are a few exercises that help in avoiding legal hassles. 1. Have contracts in place Crystallising commercial arrangements in black and white promotes transparency and trust. Therefore making it imperative to enter into contracts for all business arrangements. 2. Clarity of thought and transaction Objective of the business transaction should be determined clearly in every arrangement. This promotes clarity in the contracts and avoids ambiguity in understanding.

The basic idea for simplifying legal barriers for smooth business functioning is a mind-set shift for legal measures

Phase IV: Fundraising When an entrepreneur looks at expanding their business, fundraising comes into the picture one way or the other. There are multiple mediums to raise funds. Out of the variety of the options available for entrepreneurs for fundraising, popular ones include debt funding on one hand and equity funding on the other. The various challenges that an entrepreneur faces in this phase include: 1. Structuring the fund raising exercise; 2. Documentation for fund raising 3. Compliance

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3. Short form documents as opposed to out-dated long form documents Indian contracts are often lengthy and pose as a challenge to entrepreneurs. Objective drafting of contracts, enables contracts that are crisp and to the point. This in turn helps in avoiding disputes because of no ambiguity on important issues. 4. Mathematical representations for complex commercial matters One of the easiest ways to avoid ambiguity and reduce disputes in businesses is to use mathematical representations or examples in documentation. This completely eliminates any element of subjectivity and empowers parties to make business decisions with clarity. 5. Use of technology Infusion of technology in day-to-day business in any area leads to amazing results. Similarly, to combat various legal barriers, businesses can always opt for technology. Automated updates, contract-drafting tools, alternate means of dispute resolutions through technology and many other similar platforms. With wide exposure and access to technology and the Internet, businesses instead of being wary of the law, should look at it as an enabler of businesses and a mechanism to reduce the risk involved in conducting a business. While legal barriers may be prevalent, the way to combat these, starts with a mind-set shift primarily-from fearing the law, to using the law as an instrument of defence, one has to pave the way, slowly but steadily.

Higher Education Digest July 2020

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SUSAN SEMMELMANN OWNER, SUSAN SEMMELMANN INTERIORS

Connecting Passion for Designing Homes with Purpose of Giving Back to the Community

usan Semmelmann is an award-winning philanthropist, modern-day entrepreneur, innovative designer, doting wife, and mother of three wonderful children. What do you call someone who dons multiple hats and excels in all roles with a bright smile and a deep-rooted desire to give back to the community? An inspirational leader indeed! The Owner of Susan Semmelmann Interiors is a testament to this persona. Susan has been involved in the construction and design world for the last 25 years and believes ‘The spirit of living is in the giving’. Along with her husband, Susan owned a

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

construction company for many years. Her foray into solo entrepreneurship resulted from her desire to create beauty for others and give back to her community. Susan is gifted with a creative eye, a knack for attention to detail, bold design vision, and a passion for giving. It's the perfect recipe for her wildly successful, heart-centered, people-first design business. Taking Lessons from Hardships Just over ten years ago, Susan’s husband developed a very rare and life-threatening form of bone cancer. “During that time, every day I woke up, and he was still here was a gift,” says Susan. How difficult it must have

It’s our mission to create beautiful spaces where life happens, and we make sure the uniqueness of each client is evident in their finished product

Susan Semmelmann Owner, Susan Semmelmann Interiors

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

At Susan Semmelmann Interiors, each meeting with the client is approached with open hearts and open minds, ready to hear the overall vision for the finished product and join in that vision to bring it to reality

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

been for her to see him fight for life while all she could do was wait and pray. Thankfully, he beat the odds and is still by Susan’s side, healthy and well. Looking back at that challenging phase of her life, Susan says, “It developed my grit and determination and filled my heart with pure gratitude for the supportive community that rallied around us, and strengthened my purpose to give back.” This is what planted the seeds and laid the foundation for everything Susan Semmelmann Interiors stands for today. About Susan Semmelmann Interiors Established in 2019, Susan Semmelmann Interiors is a fullservice design firm covering every aspect of construction and design, from renovating an existing home to walking its clients through a new build from the ground up with its construction detailing services. “It’s our mission to create beautiful spaces where life happens, and we make sure the uniqueness of each client is evident in their finished product,” says Susan. Susan Semmelmann Interiors provides many levels of custom consultation and design options and hundreds of top-quality vendor lines offering art, décor, and furnishings. It is also backed by an expert team of designers who bring

a design vision from CAD into reality in a blink of an eye. In the coming days, Susan and her team are ready to open the doors of their Fort Worth Design Studio, enabling them to share their resources and expertise with the public and other designers. Innovation & Cutting-edge Designs are the Calling Cards “We bring our skills and creativity to the table to collaborate with our clients and bring their home dreams to life,” reveals Susan. At Susan Semmelmann Interiors, each meeting with the client is approached with open hearts and open minds, ready to hear the overall vision for the finished product and join in that vision to bring it to reality. Moreover, the brand’s in-house manufacturing services and custom designs allow its team to think out-of-the-box and develop innovative ideas. “When we say that “Our style is your style,” we mean that we will never try to fit a client’s style into a box; we want to dream alongside every client to create a signature look and feel wholly unique to each home,” explains Susan. Recently, Susan and her team completed an industrial-style project with a stunning copper range hood sketched on a napkin and brought to life. This is how Susan Semmelmann Interiors became successful

quickly due to its top-notch services, luxury designs, and ‘Our style is your style’ approach. A People-First Company based on Faith, Family, & Friendship The team at Susan Semmelmann Interiors is like a close-knit family. They always look out for each other’s best interests. They are passionate and driven like their leader, Susan. For them, no task is beneath or above them. Susan considers this mindset of building trust and camaraderie within the team as a reflection of how they

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

78 engage with clients and the community. Moreover, the team is rightly aligned to the company’s goal; to make each client know they are the most valuable part of the process. Like her team, Susan’s clients also become a part of her family. “We are being trusted with their hearts’ desire for their homes, and it’s an honour to be part of that process, and we don’t take it lightly. We simply partner with each client by bringing our resources, expertise, energy, and excitement to the table to build something beautiful!” passionately shares Susan. Susan Semmelmann Interiors is therefore 100% invested in making its clients’ dreams a reality. Good Work Speaks for Itself Over the years, Susan has created a mark for herself and her business in the construction and design world through sheer hard work and passion for giving back to society. To name a few of the notable achievements; Philanthropist of the Year, Best of Design, Best of Houzz, Best Luxury Interior Design Firm in Texas, Most Influential People in Fort Worth, Entrepreneur of Excellence Award, Most Innovative Interior Design Firm, and 10 Most Powerful Leaders Revamping the Future. She also has the honour of being a five-time Fort Worth Dream Home designer.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

When asked about her career achievements to date, Susan reveals, “My work, and my team’s work, speaks for itself through awards acknowledging our professional and philanthropic pursuits.”

As the proud Owner of Susan Semmelmann Interiors, Susan wishes her company to grow well other than just making profits; it should also play a pivotal role in servicing its clients and giving back to its community

A Day in the Life of a Multitalented Leader “My days consist of early mornings taking care of the details of running my business, and the rest of the day is spent out in the field with my team and our clients,” happily adds Susan. You can often spot her in conversation with her team or discuss ideas or work updates with her clients on project sites. Irrespective of her title, Susan doesn’t own a fancy office or a desk at work. There is also never a dull moment or monotonous schedule at work that gets her stressed or tired. Her passion for bringing her client’s dreams and visions to life motivates and inspires her every day. Susan’s day ends by spending quality time with her family and friends. A Message for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Initially, when Susan started her business, she experienced a steep learning curve related to the ins and outs of running a business. She took a giant leap of faith and dove into the challenging waters of entrepreneurship. Although she and her husband have owned business throughout their marriage, Susan’s focus and passion for her namesake firm have been the driving force behind her willingness to put in the hard work and learn as she goes – even if the road gets bumpy sometimes. Therefore, Susan wants others to realize their own calling, discover their dreams, and work hard towards achieving them through her journey. On a Life’s Mission to Give Back “In my mind, the more successful the company is, the more we can give back – it’s that simple,” says Susan. As the proud Owner of Susan Semmelmann Interiors, Susan wants her company to experience healthy growth while maintaining the highest integrity, remaining client-focused, and keeping a heart for philanthropy at its center. She believes that if the focus stays on maintaining a strong foundation, the rest will take care of itself. One of her personal goals as a leader is to set an example for others, go the extra mile for every project, and never rest on her laurels. “Helping people brings fresh air to my lungs. It’s the life force and the joy in my world,” asserts Susan. She is an active part of numerous charitable organizations, such as A Wish with Wings, Raquel’s Wings for Life, etc. and wishes to contribute more in the future. “Life isn’t about what you get, it’s about what you give, and I want to give what I have to you,” earnestly concludes Susan.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

EXPERT OPINION

How Personalisation is Creating a New Identity in the Gifting Industry Sonarika Mahajan, Founder, Humanitive

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

T Sonarika Mahajan is the founder of Humanitive, a luxurious gifting brand which effectively merges gift giving and donations together in a very transparent, impactful and artful way. Ms. Sonarika has pursued her Bachelor's of Arts on the subject of Marketing and Advertising from Lancaster University, UK in the year of 2010. Once she was done with that, she also pursued her Diploma in Animation, Film Making, Interactive Technology, Graphics and Special Effects. She also holds a Master's Degree in Entertainment Business Management from Vancouver Film School. Ms. Sonarika has been the Managing Director of Appolo Cranes Pvt. Ltd for 6+ years.

hink about the last time you had to buy a present for a loved one. Was the intention to find the most expensive article or one with the most meaning? If you picked the latter, you probably handpicked a gift that conveyed immense gratitude, love, and thoughtfulness – strengthening the bond you share with this individual. But why are personalized gifts trumping conventional ones? Contrary to common belief, Milos Djordjevic, a digital media strategist, claims that chocolates and flowers are the least wanted gifts among women. Instead, folks are opting for unique gifts, portray effort, and make a difference. These include personalized letters, engraved items, or donation kits. Personalized gifts speak directly to the recipient's heart. The personalized gift ideas help express the gesture of love, gratitude and appreciation in a unique way that shows the recipient that they are loved and accepted for who they are. It is the idea that matters when it comes to gifting. The personalized gifts show the recipient that the sender was thinking about them. They show that not only did the giver choose the best gift but also put a lot of thought and went the extra mile to personalize it. That makes the gift even more unique and precious. The personalized gifting industry has boomed in the past few years and will continue to do so in the upcoming years to thrive. According to Statista (a German company that provides market and consumer information), the market size will reach $34.3 billion by 2026. Moreover, BusinessWorld, claims that the personalized gifting industry in India has witnessed massive growth over the past decade. Given that fifty-eight per cent of people are more likely to tell others about receiving a personalized gift (Vistaprint), the rapid growth of the industry bears no shock. Personalization has also made its mark within the corporate world. Companies are now switching to personalized gifts to build brand and employee recognition. Additionally, Ecommerce has contributed to the ease of personalization. Due to the obvious expanding popularity of internet purchasing, consumers may now quickly search and purchase giftable items. Online shopping, for example, used to be confined to photo frames, mugs, and pillows, but it is now expanding to include personalised lamps, plants, tiles, calendars, tote bags, scrolls, jewels, and other items. With growing internet

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

Affluent lifestyles and ambitious shopping requirements have recently resulted in a significant shift in consumer purchasing behaviour

penetration, a huge assortment of personalised presents with innovative design, material, and technology is expected. Gifting has a seasonal component as well. The rise in income has caused a shift in consumer purchasing behaviour. Affluent lifestyles and ambitious shopping requirements have recently resulted in a significant shift in consumer purchasing behaviour. Individuals are moving away from traditional gifting alternatives and toward one-of-a-kind personalised gifting concepts that serve as a symbol or gesture of a personal connection between the gift receiver and the giver. India has experienced a surge in online purchases for more than a decade. Digitization, greater internet

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022

penetration, and efficient and well-functioning logistics all contribute to the growth of India's e-commerce business. Clients are becoming more open to new opportunities online, and clients from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are contributing to the market's overall growth. Customers receive good value from e-commerce in a timely and efficient manner at the lowest feasible price. India's personalised giving industry has a bright future and is growing since India is one of the top emerging nations contributing to the global gifting market's expansion. The advent of new technology and enhanced and secure payment mechanisms has also supported the market's rapid rise.

CXO OUTLOOK June 2022