Powerful Women Magazine Waterloo-Wellington Edition
Ignite Your Passion for Success
Spring 2010
Women United for Best Seller
Believe in Yourself Page 12
Passions, Dreams & Milestones
Page 4
Coming in First in the Talent Race Page 15
Page 22
2 Powerful Women Spring 2010
Powerful Women Powerful Women Ignite Your Passion for Success
Powerful Women is born No, that’s not a gra mmatical error. This Spring sees the launch of Powerful Women, a magazine aimed at business women, female entrepreneurs and any woman in pursuit of her drea ms. Inspired by the fabulous women of the POWE networking organization, Powerful Women’s goal is to support female entrepreneurs in Waterloo, Wellington and beyond, by providing a mediu m in which they can promote their businesses; a mediu m in which they can share their knowledge and expertise, and one in which women who have already faced, challenged and overcome obstacles on their journey to success can inspire others considering a new career or starting a business. I believe we all have the power within us to achieve our goals if we have the passion to succeed. Powerful Women’s ultimate goal is to ignite your passion for success. For several years, I have had the drea m of publishing a magazine, but never found the right genre or felt that the timing was right. Until now. F inally, I have realized my own drea m and, so, Powerful Women is born. I a m excited to introduce the first issue and hope that through this magazine, many more drea ms will be realized. Since this is the first issue and my goal was to have it published within 10 weeks, the underlying themes of the magazine are “firsts” and “goal setting”. Thanks to the contributors who, with fairly short notice, were able to provide some interesting, informative and inspirational articles on these themes. I a m pleased to have been able to include Waterloo’s Mayor Brenda Halloran on the cover of this first issue, and would like to thank her for being part of this exciting new venture. The theme for the Su mmer issue will be “multi-tasking” and I look forward to sharing more informative articles and inspirational stories to ignite your passion for success. Karen Karen Coleman Publisher
Spring 2010
Contents What’s Inside Passions, Dreams & Milestones . . . . . . . 4 The Power of Your Dreams . . . . . . . . . . 5 Communicating Your Brand . . . . . . . . . 6 The Art of Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Making a Great First Impression . . . . . . 9 Successful Marketing in the 21st Century . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Believe in Yourself & Take the Risk . . . . 12 Staying on Track with Goal Setting . . . 13 Record Management Made Easy. . . . . 14 Coming in First in the Talent Race . . . . 15 Planning & Preparation are Key . . . . . 16 Make Time to De-clutter. . . . . . . . . . . 17 Women in Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Women United for Best Seller . . . . . . . 22
Regular Colu mns Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Computing for the Geekaphobe . . . . . 11 Recipes for Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Trials & Tribulations: Beating the Odds 19 To advertise or contribute an article in the next issue of Powerful Women call 519-267-5050 or email submissions@powerfulwomen.ca Designed and published by Karen Coleman, Kaz Design Works www.kazdesignworks.ca Publisher’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the individual writers. If you have any concerns about any of the content, please write to the publisher at publisher@powerfulwomen.ca
Available online at www.powerfulwomen.ca SSpring i 2010 Powerful Women 3
Passions, Dreams & Milestones
all part of our journey By Kristel Manes, Guelph-Wellington Business Enterprise Centre
The creation of this new publication and to be given the opportunity to write my first article had me thinking of all the “firsts” we experience in our lifetimes.
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e all have special memories of our first kiss, first love, first job, first child, first home, first grandchild and can all remember the feelings and emotion triggered inside us upon reflection of these significant events in our lives. With each momentous milestone, it brought us new courage, new experience and new wisdom to bring to our catchall and dared us to then look beyond the current existence and look for more new “firsts” to replace those euphoric recollections. As a young woman at the beginning of my career, I imagined great potential and possibilities for myself. I entered the world of fashion with starry eyes and a belief that a sense of style was the only thing that mattered. I worked hard to climb the corporate ladder, regaling in first sales, first promotion, first bonus and the first managerial position. After ten years in the industry, I eagerly entertained the idea of purchasing my first business. The acquisition of a quaint coffee shop saw this born and bred city girl move to a small rural town. Imagine if you will, this would be fashionista, having to learn the art of cooking donuts in grease at 3am in order to have stock fresh for the 5am crowd, no less. Somewhat humbling but probably the most rewarding experience as I was accepted into this
4 Powerful Women Spring 2010
community with open arms and began a new lifetime of “firsts” including marriage and children. Later on, another exciting first included the purchase of a hardware store and a move to another small town. A couple of years later inadvertently led me to the Guelph-Wellington Business Enterprise Centre. Joining the centre as a small business advisor gave me the opportunity to help other small business owners begin their journey of “firsts”. Upon reflection of all the various positions I have held and the different businesses I have owned, it has occurred to me that I have always been a “jack of all trades, master of none”. In recognizing this trait, it has allowed me many varied opportunities of “firsts” and has brought great experience, skill and wisdom to my life. I also acknowledge that all these “firsts”, both triumphant and sometimes disappointing, are an integral part of the journey. We should all be looking forward to the rest of 2010 and beyond in anticipation of more of the “firsts” that await us. Reflecting, acknowledging and integrating both past and future “firsts” will empower us all to reach our own personal passions, dreams and milestones that we dared to dream about in the first place.
The Power Power of Your Drea ms...
Eagle Vision
Where do you get your inspiration?
By Alison Normore,
Ph.D.,
Wings of Light Consulting
t was early spring; I was driving along a winding road between remote towns in Northern Ontario. The air was fresh; the sky clear blue; each bend revealed a pond or brook; green spruce covered the hills in every direction. The landscape reminded me of my island home and I soaked up the colours, the spaciousness, welcoming the change of pace and scenery. My downtown Toronto office seemed far away.
I
On the nearly empty road my thoughts drifted to a dream during undergraduate days where my future self was travelling with briefcase in hand to a job as a program evaluator. Now a few years later, I was doing just that and reflected on the role and power of that dream image. This started me wondering with the thought “If I could do anything…” and, before I could compose an answer, “I’d be in business for myself” It was like a fastball zipped into home plate while the batter’s attention is momentarily diverted. The idea hung there and I wondered where it came from; it was not something I’d considered before. Driving along, with only trees and sky and winding road for company, I waited for other answers to arrive, like what kind of business. But nothing else came. A symbolic event occurred along the same stretch of road that has remained etched in my memory. From out of nowhere a bald
eagle swooped in front of my car, only feet away – a blurred expanse of wide feathered wings. One moment it was there, the next moment flown away with only my pounding heart to prove I hadn’t imagined it. It took less than a year to create a private practice providing therapy for children and families. This work fit me like a glove and I loved the freedom of being my own boss. Shortly afterwards, I delved into my life long passion of holistic and energy medicine. This business continues to expand in ways I could not have even imagined back in school. I believe we dream our world into being. The eagle reminds us that life is a journey of discovery you take one step at a time. Sometimes your possible future appears drawn on broad canvas; sometimes it’s a tiny window that opens. It’s true, the seed of inspiration can come when you least expect it. But real mastery is allowing it to take root and grow.
519-836-9425 • alison@alisonnormore.com
Align with your highest potential in this unique landscape where the boundaries between Earth, Sky and Human disappear. Join Alison for a week long retreat, or combine the workshop and tour for a richer Newfoundland experience.
N E W F O U N D L A N D S ACR E D E A R T H TO U R S A N D WO R K S H O P S – S E P T E M B E R 2010 w w w.alis o n n o r m o re.co m Spring 2010 Powerful Women 5
Communicating Y our Brand
Hand out your
verbal business card with confidence Roblynn Hunnisett Touchstone Event Management
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When new entrepreneurs hear the words, “you must create an elevator speech”, their first reaction is fear. It is basic marketing we are all told by marketing experts. Words are very important, so the perception we receive from words is important.
hat if we call it Verbal Business Card? How about Sellar Speech? Would you understand what they mean? Would you know the purpose of having both? They are both part of your image, your brand. So, how do you create both of these very important marketing tools? And how do we make them memorable? First impressions are critical in business and it is important that you communicate quickly, clearly, and precisely what you do and how your product or service might benefit the listener. When your message is well constructed, it is also easier to communicate and usually results in more confidence in the delivery by the speaker. In short, a verbal business card would be used at networking events, possibly following on different marketing pieces as an introductory paragraph. The Sellar Speech is short, clear and gives the message, when you are in the air-
port and someone stops and asked you what you do. You say it never happens, believe me it does happen on a regular basis to me. Always keep your brand strong which means YOU! Always carry your marketing tools with you, especially your business card. Here are a few tips to help you communicate your brand at a first meeting: • Use verbs, action words hold another person’s attention longer • Be prepared at all times • Summarize in a few short sentences: who you are, what the name of the company is and what you do • Describe the benefits your product or service provides • Be confident in your delivery • If time and interest allows, create a “Call for Action” • When creating a Sellar speech use only seven words. A verbal business card and Sellar Speech are part of your creative marketing plan. Be your best cheerleader and build them both with strength. Make your brand strong!
6 Powerful Women Spring 2010
The Art of Networking
Your role as connector So you have started up your own business and you sit by the phone and wait for the calls to come flooding in.
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ased on your in-depth market research you know that what you offer is unique and in demand and so you wait. Since people don’t know you exist it is hard for them to discover the terrific product or service that will help them with their lives. One of the best ways to get your name out there is through networking. Networking can be done practically anywhere and it is based on making conversation with people and discovering who they are and what they do and in turn they find out about you and your business. The most common places to network are through organized functions that business associations put together. The primary concept to keep in mind when networking is that you’re not trying to “sell” to the person. It should be a casual conversation where you listen to the person you’re speaking with and find out if they are in need of some assistance. As an example, if you find this individual is looking for a printer and you know a great one, you refer them to your printer. You act as a connector. The person in front of you will be thrilled to get a referral and your printer will be equally happy if they get another client. On the other hand you might find that what you have to offer would be of value
Tanya Riemann Otter Ideas www.otterideas.com
to them and in this case you can tell them how you can help. For those of you who are new to this scene it can be a bit intimidating. However, it is a good idea to challenge yourself to go to these kinds of events. It’s a great way to get to know people and businesses within your community. It helps provide exposure to your business and can strengthen your understanding of your business and how it can serve others. There is much to know about the art of networking. However, this should give you an idea of why you would want to consider it and how it should be approached. So sign up for an event and start netrkingg for business. working
Spring 2010 Powerful Women 7
Calendar of Events Make Networking Events Part of Your Regular Agenda Women’s Networking Groups Cambridge Women In Networking
Guelph Women In Networking
Monthly Lunchtime Networking The third Thursday of each month 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. King’s Buffet Hespeler Rd., Cambridge. For more info & to register call 519-242-7629
Monthly Evening Networking The first Tuesday of each month 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Guelph Country Club Woodlawn Rd., Guelph. For more info & to register visit www.gwin.ca
Kitchener-Waterloo Power of Women Exchange
Stratford Power of Women Exchange
Monthly Lunchtime Networking The first Tuesday of each month 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Royal Canadian Legion Polish Br. 601 Wellington St. N., Kitchener For more info & to register visit www.powe.ca
Monthly Lunchtime Networking The third Wednesday of each month 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Stratford Rotary Complex 353 McCarthy Rd., Stratford For more info & to register visit www.powe.ca
Chamber & Business Centre Networking Cambridge Chamber of Commerce BA5
Guelph Chamber of Commerce BA5
Monthly Evening Networking Mondays from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. March 22nd, April 19th May 17th, June 21st For more info & to register visit www.cambridgechamber.com
Monthly Evening Networking Tuesdays from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. March 23, April 27th May 25th, June 29th For more info & to register visit www.guelphchamber.com
K-W Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Series
Guelph-Wellington Business Enterprise Centre Wake-Up Call
Monthly Morning Networking Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. March 11th, April 22nd, May 27th For more info & to register visit www.greaterkwchamber.com
Monthly Morning Networking The third Tuesday of each month 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. For more info & to register visit www.guelphbusiness.com
8P Powerful f l Women W Spring 2010
Making a Great F irst Impression
Your Image... 12 feet x 12 inches x 12 words When you walk into a room, this is what it’s all about. Whether it’s a business meeting or networking event, you want to make a great first impression. Feeling confident and comfortable with your image will enable you to do just that. So ask yourself... Do you like the way you wear your hair or make-up? Are you comfortable in the suit or dress you chose to wear for the occasion? Do your feet hurt because your shoes are brand new?
H
ow you feel about your appearance will be reflected in your overall image during a first meeting. So making sure you feel confident in your appearance is key to a successful first impression. Boost your confidence by scheduling regular appointments with your hairstylist for haircuts, colour, or highlights. Ask them to recommend a hair style that you can easily maintain and use the products they recommend to keep your hair in tiptop condition between visits. A make-up lesson will help you become familiar with current trends and techniques. Many salons have trained makeup artists available for make-up applications or lessons to promote professional make-up lines they carry and retail. But what if you don’t have a regular hairstylist or salon to go to? Ask for a referral from a friend or co-worker whose hair or make-up you admire. Referrals are often a great way to find the right person for you. Another alternative is the internet which has become the most popular resource for finding what you need. More and more salons, who want to
reach out to potential new guests, as well as communicate with their current clients, use social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, or salon web sites to provide the most up-to-date information and testimonials of their work. Often salons have downloadable coupons for you to save on products and services too. Many now have reward programs to reward their guests for retail purchases and referrals. This will reduce your costs and keep you coming back as well as referring your family and friends. Once you are wearing the right makeup and hairstyle, the rest should simply fall into place. A business casual look is often acceptable for early morning or luncheon meetings. Never wear shoes that are brand new or not suitable for the season. Knowing you look and feel great about your appearance, you will confidently shake hands and make your introduction (usually around 12 words). And with a confident image, you will definitely make a great first impression whether you are 12 feet or 12 inches away! By Paula Snow-Keough, The Cutting Room Salon and Day Spa
Mondays & Tuesdays
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519 741-0527
New extended hours | Walk-ins Welcome
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www.tcrsalonandspa.com Spring 2010 Powerful Women 9
Successful Marketing in the 21st Century
Road Trip 5 Ti Tips ffor S Social i l Media Newbies Harp Arora Principal Brand Consultant Sedona Communications
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Remember when you first learned how to drive? The excitement, the anxiety, the expectation? Ju mping behind the wheel of social media can be just as great an adventure.
ith these 5 tips, you won’t need to white-knuckle it on the road to social media success. 1. Pick a destination. There’s nothing more fun than a road trip. But for it to be successful you need to know where you’re going. So figure out your objectives for social media, e.g. find new clients? Joint venture opportunities? Professional development? P.S. make sure you bring a map in case you get sidetracked. 2. Get comfy cozy. Before you start the car, get comfortable in your surroundings. Pick just two or three social media sites to start, and spend some time learning how to use the site, what other people are posting, and what the “style” is. For example, Facebook is casual, friendly and fun while LinkedIn is professional, formal and business-like.
3. Rev your engine. Ready? Fill out a profile that tells others a little about you and that shows some personality. You are on “social” media, after all. And definitely post a picture of yourself. No picture or profile screams “Don’t talk to me” or “I’m a spammer”. 4. Put it in gear, baby! It’s time to engage. Nervous? Don’t sweat it. See what others are posting and simply comment or answer a question they’ve asked. Once you’re comfortable and ready to post, go for it. Post or comment on an article, a thought, an idea, a question, a picture, a video – the most important thing is to engage in a two-way dialogue. 5. Stick your head out the window and enjoy the scenery. Remember, you’re on a road trip. Have some fun, already!
Helping entrepreneurs build brands that get noticed. Branding • Social Media • Marketing www.SedonaCommunications.com 519-747-5793 10 Powerful Women Spring 2010
Computing for the Geekaphobe
First Windows operating system to make the grade Windows 7 has to be the best operating system yet from Microsoft. We all loved XP, for many years; it was every (wo)man’s business tool of choice. We managed to hang in there for three service packs, and a gazillion updates over the years, waiting for the perfect replacement.
V
ista was meant to be just that, full of visuals that oddly resembled Mac. The backlash was unpredictable – the business community disliked it, and so did the technicians. Vista was too big, and too bossy for most of us to appreciate the complexities from within. Vista launched at the end of January, 2007 – and crashed almost immediately. Windows 7 launched in October of 2009, and immediately people were dumping Vista – not XP. Sales of Windows 7 are up 82% compared with those for Vista during the same post-launch time period. Perhaps this is because Vista was marketed too strongly, and everyone was in a happy place with XP. We could also surmise that users were anxious to replace Vista. Whatever the reason, you will be pleasantly surprised with how easy Windows 7 is to use. The first operating system to make the grade, Windows 7 is perfect for business. It’s fast, clean and can be personalized to the way that you work.
Rhonda Cozzarin HelpMePC
10 highlights of Windows 7 1.
Personalize your desktop in a new and exciting way. 2. Preview open documents and programs in the task bar. 3. View frequently used items in a jump list. 4. Pin frequently used programs to the task bar or start menu 5. Pin frequently used documents to an applications jump list 6. Customize your system tray 7. Do searches from the start menu 8. Tweak User Account controls to reduce the number of security certificates 9. Quickly locate Windows Updates in the Control Panel 10. A revised look to Paint that mimics the Office 2007 Ribbon
Su er from geekaphobia? We have your an dote!
Computer training & support without the geek-speak. 519-500-6163
www.helpmepc.ca
support@helpmepc.ca Spring 2010 Powerful Women 11
Profile: Mayor Brenda Halloran
Believe in Yourself & Take the Risk By Arlene Mahood, Campus Director, triOS College
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ith a large set of transferable skills, supportive housing. Her joy and delight help from her friends, she launched is clear when she describes the housing a campaign as the inproject she initiated – p experienced underdog the t windows are about to and won by an astoundbe b installed, and they’ve ing majority. Although raised almost all of the r many pointed to her lack funds they need. She f of political experience, looks for every opporl her campaign strategy tunity to make improvet focused on reaching as ments for the homeless, m many people as she could seniors, students and her s in their homes and busicommunity. c nesses. While going door Mayor Halloran beto door, she explained lieves in a collaboral that she would always tive leadership style. t strive to work for the inShe S takes time to listen terests of the people of to t all sides, looks at the Waterloo and would help big b picture, and decides, Photo courtesy of them fight for their rights. with the help of council, City of Waterloo. Brenda’s strong moral how best to represent all fibre, values and ethics citizens. “I firmly bealong with her willingness to “roll up my lieve that democracy is about the voice of shirt sleeves and dig in” attitude helped the people and making that voice heard.” her win by an overwhelming majority. She has a gift for seeing the big picture Many people would think they had and how the pieces fit together. Then she reached the pinnacle of their career with says, “Let’s do it!” such an achievement, but Mayor Halloran I asked Brenda what advice she would felt it was another venture in a life filled give women considering a change of cawith new challenges. She has surpassed reer path or starting a business. every goal she set for herself when she “Believe in yourself! It’s okay to take took office and has set many new ones. the risk because the best person you have When she sees a need in the community, to fall back on is yourself,” she replied. she works to meet it. She also offered other tips: Don’t be Brenda champions the homeless and > 12 Powerful Women Spring 2010
Profile: Mayor Brenda Halloran afraid to reach out and ask for help, or to offer help. Know that you can do whatever you set your mind to do. Mayor Halloran has never let anyone or anything distract her from what she wants to do. Brenda plans to spend the next year looking for opportunities to expand Waterloo’s profile and continuing her active political agenda of bringing social and environmental change to this city she loves so passionately. She is very proud of what she’s done, and her record of accomplishments speaks for itself. In the words of her favourite quote by
Winston Churchill, “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” Brenda Halloran certainly gives her calling as Mayor of Waterloo her all. Arlene Mahood is a writer and Campus Director of the triOS College Kitchener Campus. triOS College helps adults make their career change dreams a reality. Her campus offers 25 adult education programs in the areas of business, legal, health care and technology, including two new programs: Addiction Work and Video Game Development and Design.
Staying on Track with Goal Setting By Sarah Yetkiner, Careers Services Consultant, triOS College, Kitchener
G
oal setting is something that many people find intimidating and yet it is a simple and effective way to define and achieve your dreams. Often, year after year of failed New Year’s resolutions leave us feeling that we don’t have the willpower to achieve what we set out to. In reality though, resolutions are nothing more than an intention to act whereas goals are intentions with an action plan and a specific end point in mind. As a business woman, you’ll constantly need to set goals. Following these five strategies will help you stay on track. 1. Start with the big picture: Goals are dreams with a deadline so dream as big as you want to. Think about what it is you want to achieve in all areas of your life; financial, family, career etc. 2. Know your motivation: People want things for different reasons. For one person “save $1,000 by December” could be the spending money for Christmas gifts while for someone else it could be the security of building an emergency fund. Knowing why you are working towards your goal will help you stay motivated and on track when the going is tough.
3. Set S.M.A.R.T. goals: To be most effective your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time Specific. “Book five client meetings” is a great goal but attaching a realistic time frame, for example “book five client meetings this month” or “book five client meetings per week” sets clear expectations for when the goal should be achieved. 4. Write your goals down: Writing goals down is crucial to success. Writing things down is a subconscious commitment to action so make sure that you put your goals on paper and then place them somewhere you will see them every day to keep yourself motivated and on track. 5. Attach an action plan: Some goals can be completed with just one step; others need a series of actions to be realized. Make time to attach a clear action plan to your goals and celebrate your successes every step of the way. Effective goal setting can help increase productivity, raise your level of achievement and allow you to balance your life more easily, reducing stress and increasing happiness. Give it a try this month and see how much you can achieve! Spring 2010 Powerful Women 13
Record Ma nage ment Made Easy
Establish good habits and be persistent
Irene Pawlik, Investors Group
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“I know it’s here somewhere.” “I’ ll have to get back to you about that.” “Where’s that............? ” Sound fa miliar? If so, chaos has crept into your small business and if not kept in check will spread like a virus.
isorganization and confusion are irritating, but they’re also just plain bad for business. Think of it as a formula: increasing chaos equals decreasing profits. For purposes of income tax, many books of accounts, records, and source documents have to be retained for a minimum of six years after the end of the last tax year to which they relate. In the case of records regarding capital purchases, they should normally be kept until six years after the end of the tax year in which the capital property was sold.
Get sufficient documentation for all business expenses. a) Always get a receipt b) Label your receipts c) File your receipts 4. Get a separate bank account for your business – and use it. 5. Keep a mileage log of your business travel. 6. Keep all your business records for a particular tax year together and in one place. 7. Schedule the scut work. 8. Make business planning a priority. Here’s what you can do to make These eight things you can do to make record management easy: your record management easy aren’t dif1. Establish office management rou- ficult. Like a lot of the administrative busitines and stick to them. ness related to running a business, they 2. Keep your business and personal ex- just require establishing good habits and persistence. But if you apply these rules of penses separate. good record PAWLIK B.Sc, B.Ed, B.Comm, management You and your business deserve IRENE CDFA now and folexpert attention. Consultant irene.pawlik@investorsgroup.com low through, Successful business owners like you have distinct you’ll see a (519) 624-9348 ext. 264 needs. As a financial professional running my own practice, I work in your independent world every day huge differand understand your situation. ence next Call to us today to find out how The Plan™ can help tax time and you prepare for the future. your accounting will be easier all ™ Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. Investors Group Financial Services Inc. MP1368 (10/2007) year long. 14 Powerful Women Spring 2010
3.
Coming in First in the Talent Race Talent is the life blood of a successful business. Knowing who has the best talent is one thing, but for your business to compete you not only need to find it, you need to be able to capture it and keep it.
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omen are outpacing men in the race to the finish at Canada’s universities. In 2007 148,000 women graduated from four year programs, compared to 95,000 men. Soon seven out of ten graduates will be women. How does business react to, and take advantage of, the dramatically changing labour pool coming from our universities? Pay equity is the perfect tool to enable businesses to take advantage of the best talent that is available, and pay equity is now the law for businesses with more than 10 employees. Pay equity is an objective way for valuing jobs within an organization. It takes the guesswork out of where people fall in your company’s pay scale. Just like you need to follow health and safety guidelines under provincial law, you now
need to demonstrate you have a means to evaluate your staff equitably. Four main groups for evaluation are Skill, Effort, Responsibility and Working Conditions. These groups are further divided into 11 sub-factors, to which you can apply different weightings. These weightings are used to determine a point scale for each worker, so that the value of each position in the company can be calculated. (Visit www.payequity. gov.on.ca/peo/english/pubs/tools_formula_mini1.html for formula.) The old saying “The best man for the job is a woman” is becoming more applicable all the time. Businesses that compete best for the attraction of women to their workforce will come out ahead in the race for talent. And talent is the lifeblood of a successful business.
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Spring 2010 Powerful Women 15
Planning and preparation are key Julie Wilson Sales Rep, Ely Matlow Real Estate Brokerage Ltd
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If you are a business woman caring for an aging parent while running your own company, burn-out can come quickly without planning and preparation.
s Baby Boomers age, it has become common for adults in a certain age range to be in a situation where they are caring for at least one elderly parent and also raising children, working and taking care of other responsibilities. A special term has been created to describe this segment of our population – the sandwich generation. Sandwichers, as the term implies, are right between adolescent children and aging parents and tend to lead hectic, busy lives trying to care for everyone. For example, a typical 30-something woman might have the following responsibilities in a given day: busy career, caring for children, picking up and dropping off kids, preparing dinner, meeting clients, performing presentations and networking, helping ailing parents with their needs and maintenance of two homes and housework, just to mention a few. It comes as no surprise that those per-
16 Powerful Women Spring 2010
forming all of these tasks tend to get burnt-out quickly. Although no one wants to put their parent in a nursing home, there are occasions when getting extra help is necessary. If the parent requires frequent medical care, is bedridden or needs medication during times when the caregiver cannot provide care, then a senior facility may be the best option. There are also options for hiring in a nurse or senior caregiver to come into the parent’s home a few hours each day. This can be a great help to the professional, entrepreneur or executive woman in removing some of the stress. Planning and preparation are key. When the family home becomes too much to manage or no longer safe, the process will be smooth and as stress free as possible with careful planning. Hiring professionals specializing in seniors on the move will ensure that you are prepared for that inevitable day.
Are you a business woman who’s found the first quarter of this new year and new decade already busier than expected? Have you already given up on your New Y ear’s resolutions? If getting rid of clutter in 2010 is on your list, read on.
Make Time to
D
break a big dream down into small projects.
id you know that 80% of clutter in most homes (and offices) is a result of disorganization – not lack of space? Have you spent a whole day or weekend attempting to sort through your clutter and ended up with a worse mess? There are many reasons for clutter. Procrastination, perfectionism, traumatic events, indecision and illness are just a few. Does your hectic schedule often leave you feeling like there’s not enough hours in the day? It’s easy for things to get out of control when our lives are so busy. Why does this happen? It happens because we have become a society that likes to accumulate stuff. Why is there such a high value placed on having so many possessions? This compulsion to accumulate causes clutter. How do you deal with that clutter?
Make a Plan The first step is to set aside some time to think about what you want to organize. Grab a pen and some paper. Did you know that if you write down your goals, you are more likely to achieve them? Dream big – even if you think it’s unattainable. It’s amazing what you can accomplish when you
De-clutter Cathy Mendler, A New Leaf
Create a Master List Go through your house and think about one room at a time. If you take a picture of the room, you’ll look at it more objectively. Determine what function each room has to fulfill. Create a different zone for each activity if the room has to perform multiple functions. Your master list should contain all of the projects that you want to complete with a realistic estimate of the time you think each project will take. The next step is to prioritize your list and determine which room you will work on first.
Schedule You may not be able to complete a room all at once. If necessary, divide it into sections, and work on one section at a time. If you only have one hour, pick a project from your list that you can complete in that time period.
Spring 2010 Powerful Women 17
R e ci pe s fo r Su cce ss
by Erika Holenski, KW Health Connection
Refuelling for your day ahead During sleep the body is actively repairing its cells and eliminating its waste. Upon waking it needs to be refuelled and provided with nutrients in order to work. Eating breakfast provides your body with the nutrients it needs to perform your daily functions.
E
ating breakfast everyday will increase your energy, mental capacity and overall productivity! If you do not eat breakfast because you feel ill or are absolutely not hungry, start your day with a glass of warm water (before your coffee or tea) and after a few days your appetite will return. Here are seven of my favourite breakfasts to help you refuel all week long:
1. 2 Eggs with a slice of toast and piece of fruit. Eggs can be poached, scrambled, fried (in a little bit of canola oil) or boiled. To poach an egg fill pan 3/4 full of water and bring to a bubble. Crack egg gently into water. Cook until desired yolk consistency. 2. Cup of yogurt (at least 2% fat), handful of your favourite nuts and seeds (I prefer sunflower seeds, cashews and almond slices), piece of fruit. 3. On the go shake: 1-2 scoops protein powder (without artificial sweeteners) or 2 tbsp. silken tofu, 1 1/2 cup milk (rice, almond, soy, cow),
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1/2 banana, 1/3 cup frozen berries, 1/2 avocado. Blend all ingredients together. 4. Amaranth porridge: 1 cup of amaranth, 3 cups of water, handful of almond slices, 1/2 cup apple or pear slices, 1/2 cup milk. In a saucepan combine water, amaranth, pear/apple slices and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10-15mins. Top with seeds/nuts and milk. A variation is to use quick oats instead of amaranth; however amaranth contains more protein than oats. 5. Buckwheat pancakes: 1 cup buckwheat flour, 2 eggs, 1 cup milk (or milk substitute), 1 tsp. baking powder, 1/4 tsp. baking soda. To taste add cinnamon, nutmeg, apples, berries, bananas, chocolate chips. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Spoon desired amount into a hot and lightly greased frying pan. Flip when bubbles appear in the centre of the pancake and cook the other side. Add maple syrup or jam. 6. Muffins: 1 cup wheat bran, 1/2 cup oat bran, 1 cup milk (or milk alternative), 1 egg lightly beaten, 3/4 cup unsweetened apple sauce, 1/4 cup molasses, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 3/4 tsp. sea salt, 1 1/2 cup blueberries. Preheat oven to 350F. Mix wheat bran, oat bran, egg, milk, apple sauce together until wet. Add the remaining ingredients. Bake for 20-25 mins. Enjoy with almond butter or tahini. 7.Turkey sausage (nitrite free) with a side of toast with humus, tomato and avocado with a dash of sea salt and pepper.
A few tips for the surprising morning Keep 1-2 hard boiled eggs in the fridge in case you need to grab on the go. Make extra on your day(s) off and keep for a quick reheat in the morning; double batch the porridge cereal and keep the second batch in the fridge; make 1 or 2 batches of pancakes and muffins, and freeze a batch for another week.
Trials & Tribulations: Beating the Odds
My Marmoirs The True Story of a Head on a Stick A Y ear-Long Journey to Beat Breast Cancer. A modified excerpt from the Prologue (In the beginning…) and Chapter 1/F inding the Lu mp (I did not see that coming).*
I
never ever answer my phone. Ask anyone who knows me. Never. My friends already have their voice mail messages composed in their heads while my phone is ringing. I love people; I just can’t talk to them on the phone. I’ve often wondered what it is about ut the phone ringing that at makes my heart race ce and my upper lip pererspire. Well, on April 28, 2005, I got my answer. er. Or a damn good theory, ry, at least. I was thirty-two years ears old, seven months pregregnant with my second ond child, and my daughter, hter, Bryn, was two and a half years old. My husband band loved me and I adored him. We had recently bought our first house; a beautiful house in a great neighbourhood. We even had a cozy little fenced backyard full of lovely plants, flowers, and enough room for our kids to run around. I taught French as a Second Language at an elementary school. I had a close group of friends. Life was good. Really, really good. And then I answered my stinking phone. “Marcie? It’s Dr. MacGillivray calling. Who’s there with you right now?”
Marcie Nolan after completing the 2008 Halifax Weekend to End Breast Cancer
Have you ever been really scared? So scared you couldn’t speak? Have you ever felt so terrified that it seemed as though there was a lump in your throat? A big one? Me too, only it started in my right breast. The lump, I mean. Months later, as I listened to my doctor lat tell me news that would change tel my life forever, that lump moved m into my throat. in Here’s a lovely image for you: me, in the shower, in all my m five-months-pregnant glory. As I absentmindedly soaped uup my armpit (there’s another, even better, image for you), I distinctly remember the feeling of terror. The feeling of a large, hard lump in my right breast. Not the kind of lump you’d have to fish around for. Not the kind that you feel and say to yourself, “Hmm, that’s odd. It’s probably nothing”. It was the kind of lump that sends a chill down your spine because suddenly you know. You may not even know yet what it is that you know, but you are certain of something. At that moment in time, I pushed my gut feeling deep, deep down and began reasoning with myself. It’s amazing what we’re willing to believe, even from ourContinued on page 21 > Spring 2010 Powerful Women 19
Women in Leadership
Take Ownership & Find Your Voice By Gloria Taylor and Deborah Cardiff, CT Consulting
As women, we start careers in business and other professions with high levels of intelligence, education and commitment. Y et comparatively few of us reach the top echelons in our respective fields.
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recent McKinsey report, The McKin- inform responses and reactions. Learning sey Leadership Project, interviewed to hold these three aspects of congruent successful women around the world to relating is vital to successful leadership. understand the discrepancy. Their find“Motherhood and management drains ings reveal a leadership model best suited energy in a particularly challenging way” to women that comprises broad and in- not only for women who have children terrelated dimensions including meaning, at home, but for women who are responmanaging energy, connecting ssible for co-ordinating care for and engaging. McKinsey calls their aging parents or for other th this model Centered Leaderffamily members. ship. “As the name implies it’s The challenges can be intense about having a well of physiwhen everyone is healthy, but w cal, intellectual, emotional and what if a sibling is diagnosed w spiritual strength that drives with cancer or a mother in law w personal achievement and in iis slowly disappearing through turn inspires others to follow.” the maze of Alzheimer’s. th McKinsey’s Centered Lead“If work-life balance is a Gloria Taylor ership mirrors what the Satir myth, the only hope women m CT Consulting Model calls congruent leadhhave is to balance our energy ership where SELF, OTHER flow. This means basing our and CONTEXT are equally valued and priorities on the activities that energize acknowledged. Using a congruent model us both at work and at home and actively is a way to remain centred. managing our resources to avoid dipping The SELF is who we are, how we feel, into reserves.” how we judge ourselves, what expectaMcKinsey’s report suggests talented tions we hold. Minimizing the self is an women thrive when meaning and coninvitation to reduced energy, illness and necting are implicit parts of our experiunder appreciation by others. ence. “Meaning is the motivation that The OTHER requires equal attention moves us. It enables us to discover what in any relationship. Good listening and interests us and to push ourselves to the observation skills help to keep others in limit. It makes the heart beat faster, proequal relationship. vides energy, and inspires passion.” The CONTEXT is the ever-shifting Is meaning important for leaders? milieu in which relationships develop and “Studies have shown that among pro-
20 Powerful Women Spring 2010
fessionals, it translates into greater job then that as women we are uniquely posatisfaction, higher productivity, lower sitioned for a centred or congruent model turnover, and increased loyalty.” When of leadership. The women interviewed by McKinsey we are in leadership positions we can begin to serve a vision infused with a said they needed to create their own luck. To engage with opportunities larger purpose. Our work can n by taking ownership of them, shift naturally from produccthe first step is to find their ing results to encouraging thee own voice. growth of others who producee The women who wanted to results. grow as leaders also had to Successful leaders can bee take ownership of their profesdescribed as having a style that at sional development. This type looks like a web of inclusion in n of engagement is also about which we do not see ourselvess risk taking, finding the courage at the top of a hierarchy but in n the centre of a web of connecc- Deborah Cardiff and confidence to dive in. As women we are all tions. CT Consulting uniquely positioned to create Our leadership is characterrized more by facilitation, directing infor- a new model of leadership in our world mation and transmitting data outwards, and our organizations. We can commit to than by competitiveness. Our authority in the continual development of awareness. the web can be just as powerful as in a hi- We have the capacity to choose to give ourselves to something larger than ourerarchy but manifests in different ways. In fact the hierarchical model of lead- selves. In the process just maybe the old ership is becoming outdated. It seems models and hierarchies will shift.
My Marmoirs: The True Story of a Head on a Stick Continued from page 19
selves, when we really want to. That day, I called my family doctor, met with him and he quickly opted to send me for a series of tests, including a breast ultrasound (since a mammogram was out of the question for a pregnant woman), a needle biopsy, and a core biopsy. Driving home from that first doctor’s appointment, I remember thinking to myself how much better I felt. I had been proactive, had gone to see my doctor right away, and we were taking action. Much better than assuming it was nothing (even though it was definitely
nothing). It’s nice to be taken seriously. Even though it was nothing (did I mention that already?). So, my denial ran deep. What can I say? “Marcie? It’s Dr. MacGillivray calling. Who’s there with you right now?” I hung up the phone, stunned. My shaking body was reacting to the news that I had breast cancer, but my brain was not. Not yet. I don’t recall most of what that fateful phone conversation entailed, but I do know that, as I held the receiver to my ear, I believed that my life would never be the same. And I was right.
Marcie Nolan is a Writing Consultant for the Centre for Students with Disabilities at the University of Guelph. We continue with Marcie’s story in the next issue of Powerful Women Magazine and learn how she managed to cope with every day challenges in the work place while battling breast cancer. Don’t miss it. Visit www.powerfulwomen.ca to subscribe. SSpring i 2010 P Powerful owerffull Women Women 21
Women United for Best Seller Living the Dream, One Idea at a Time!
Tina Dezsi CEO/Founder, Power of Women Exchange
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Every great big drea m starts with an individual thought, a single idea that can change the world. It all starts with the Power of One, the power in us to drea m a drea m, build a plan and the power we have to achieve it.
or most of my life I have been an entrepreneur screaming to get out, taking some time to realize that I had the power to change any time I found the courage to do so. Then one day, it happened; without boring you with all the sordid details (you’ll have to read the book for that) I walked out of my cushy, well paying job and into the abyss. Well, not really the abyss, more like scariest place I had been to date! I woke up one day, got on a plane and meditated on the beach in the sunny south trying to figure out what to do next. Voila, the idea came to me - start my own business and so I did. Along the way, I have had many firsts as ideas seem to seep into my brain every moment of every day (yes, when I am trying to sleep too). One such idea came out of necessity; The Power of Women Exchange (POWE) was created to help women build relationships to grow our businesses. Some ideas are good, some bad and some stand as a distraction to my focus. Our book, our pride and joy, the Power of Women United was an idea that Lia Bandola and I had together of giving
22 Powerful Women Spring 2010
women a tool to light their path knowing someone else had walked it before. Sounds easy right? Wrong; nothing happens overnight! The Power of Women United book was born after five years and finally finding the right 20 women to join us on this journey. Working hard together we pulled this huge project off with vision, stamina and belief! The process is just like birthing a baby. Birthing a book takes preparation, time to grow and a whole lot of talent to push out that amazing baby that the world will be in awe of! Having our book become a Canadian Best Seller is a joy shared with all the women who read the book. I live my life every day being the change I want to see in the world! True power exists when women unite, collective voices that can move mountains as we surround it with love, understanding and education. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has,” Margaret Mead said.
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Transformational Leadership The health of any organization depends on congruent leadership. CT Consulting challenges leaders to explore their leadership style as well as their level of self mastery. The facilitators motivate the participants to uncover their leadership blind spots and to move to a position of clarity and self mastery.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS: CREATING AUTHENTIC LEADERS Who Should Attend? Women who are leaders or aspire to leadership roles in business, government, NGO’s, health care or education.
Transformational Leadership is Leadership from the Inside Out. We explore enduring principles such as authenticity, courage and purpose. These principles in practice produce tangible, measurable results both within organizations and for the participants’ personal lives. The program assists women to: •
re-discover meaning in their work
•
manage and restore energy levels
•
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•
take ownership for decisions and risk-taking
CT Consulting helps organizations adapt to a rapidly changing environment. We work with corporate leaders, team leaders and their teams, as well as HR departments in business, government agencies and charitable organizations. We believe that people are any organization’s best capital.
Call for information about the upcoming Women in Business Leadership Program or to discuss training or coaching services.
519-884-6059 • www.ctconsulting.ca • info@ctconsulting.ca