Gloss july 2014

business | money | life | change | reviews | you

JULY 2014

Founder & Editor in Chief JANINE GARNER | janine@littleblackdressgroup.com.au Managing Editor KATE STONE | kate@littleblackdressgroup.com.au Contributing Editors Melissa Browne, Nikki Fogden-Moore, Chris Allen Featured This Month Lauren Hall, Sam Fieliciano, Fiona Craig, Katherine Gonzalez-Cork, Angela Priestley, Jo Muirhead, Lili Scout ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES ads@glossmagazine.com.au EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES editorial@glossmagazine.com.au DESIGNER Melissa Aroutunian | aroutunianm@gmail.com Published By: LBDG | littleblackdressgroup.com.au MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES AND FEEDBACK www.littleblackdressgroup.com.au info@glossmagazine.com.au

Š LBDG 2014 All content in this newsletter is protected under Australian and International copyright laws. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of LBDG is strictly forbidden.

The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information in this online magazine at time of going to press, and we accept no responsibility for omissions or errors. All rights reserved.

#LBDG #bebrave #netweave #collaborate

The Layne Beachley Aim for the Stars Foundation invites you to

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Tracey Spicer as MC. Exclusive and Unique Auction Items.

Sydney’s Finest Party Band ‘The Shuers’ perform live.

Meet our inspiring 2014 scholarship recipients.

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A Message From Me

Hi there This July, it’s all about those people who are changing the game. From Lauren Hall, CEO of iVvy - which in itself as a concept is a gamechanger - to Lili Scout, who at an incredibly young age is already an app designer. Women and girls like this are not only an inspiration, they are trailblazers, and any support LBDG can give them in their journey is a given.

I am also getting more and more excited as my own part in the game comes to fruition, with my book in the hands of the publishers. For anyone out there who has relinquished their ‘baby’ to outside forces, I feel for you - I had no idea how hard it would be!

One of those people is of course the multi-talented Angela Priestley, Founding Editor of Women’s Agenda and now author in her own right of the wonderful Women Who Seize the Moment: 11 Lessons From Those Who Create Their Own Success. Like all of our contributors, Angela is someone who lives life to the full; and again, like all of our amazing people this month (male and female), changes the status quo on a daily basis.

I hope you enjoy this issue. I know I did.

Continue to Connect~Inspire~Succeed

If you would like to write for GLOSS, or are interested in advertising with us, please contact us via editorial@glossmagazine.com.au

FEATURES

AMESSAGE FROM ME IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE EVENTS CALENDAR ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS (THE DIFFERENCE A MENTOR MAKES) FIONA CRAIG DON’T SPEND YOUR TWENTIES OR ANY DECADE ‘WAITING’ ANGELA PRIESTLEY

A MESSAGE FROM ME

CONTENTS BODY & SOUL

July Issue IN CONVERSATION WITH VICKI STIRLING WONDER WOMAN - CHRIS ALLEN THE FRUIT OF THE VINE - KATE STONE

MONEY TALKS

SUPER SECRETS... - YAMINI NAIDU MELISSA BROWNE - BE EXTRAORDINARY

IN CONVERSATION WITH KATHERINE-GONZALEZ CORK LBDS OUT & ABOUT I AM A LIAR & A FRAUD & IT’S TIME YOU KNEW - JO MUIRHEAD SCOUT’S HONOUR - KATE STONE

ARTICLES

TOP TIPS - SAM FIELICIANO

SCOUT’S HONOUR

NEWS & REVIEWS

NEWS & REVIEWS

FEATURES

YOGA FOR NON-YOGIS: A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO YOGA NIKKI FODGEN-MOORE

LOIS LANE LIVES: THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMAN

Your Editorial Team

JANINE GARNER Founder & Editor in Chief “Togetherness – or collaboration – requires a plus and an equal sign. Togetherness can, and does, create the momentum of greatness.”

Janine Garner is a business woman, entrepreneur and socialpreneur who is passionate about the return to open and transparent corporate relationships and the power of Founder and CEO of LBDGroup From ME to WE: Why commercial collaboration will future proof business, leaders and personal success is being released in the second half of 2014. committed to supporting women and children at the grassroots of Australia with a focus on education and employment.

KATE STONE Managing Editor “A heart that loves is always young. And quite possibly perennially stuck in the 70s, but that’s a personal choice.”

Managing Editor Kate Stone is a ghostwriter, columnist, copy writer and editor who has a passion for all things social media and graphic design. If she isn’t living in someone else’s head, she is online or onscreen, or often both together. She is determined to bring her love of the written word, presented as beautifully as possible, to people whether they like it or not.

She is the sole (at present) outpost of LBDGroup in WA, but is working very hard on changing this, and is proof positive that the power of a collaborative community is alive and well.

Find her in one of her various guises on Twitter at @oskythespy, read her own writing at What Kate Did Next or e-mail her at kate@typecast.com.au if you are looking for someone to time share your brain with.

In This Month’s Issue MELISSA BROWNE Contributing Editor Melissa Browne is an author, entrepreneur, business owner, and shoe & jumpsuit lover.

She has two successful, award-winning businesses - Accounting and Taxation Advantage & Business Advantage Coaching and is the author of the recently published to rave reviews business book, More Money for Shoes. She has also just branched out into a new venture with Rod Soper, thinkers.inq about this incredibly innovative model for early childhood education. melbrowne_ or visit acctaxadv.com.au

@

NIKKI FOGDEN-MOORE Contributing Editor Nikki Fogden-Moore is all about practicing what she preaches – and what she preaches is balance. Balance between work, home and maintaining your personal best.

The owner of Life’s A Gym, Nikki is a motivational speaker, trainer and all round powerhouse who will help bring your body and soul together.

Connect with her on twitter @nfogdenmoore or visit www.thevitalitycoach.com.au

CHRIS ALLEN Contributing Editor serving with the Royal Australian Regiment.He was engaged in humanitarian aid work for CARE International during the 1999 East Timor emergency and in the wake of September 11, 2001 became involved in Australian government protective security.

Chris oversaw an unprecedented security upgrade of the Sydney Opera House, and later held

Defender, was self- published before being re-released by Momentum Books with his second novel, Hunter, released at the end of 2012. Both novels rocketed to the series, Avenger, will be published this year. www.intrepidallen.com

In This Month’s Issue LAUREN HALL

LILI SCOUT

A passionate entrepreneur with more than 20 years’ business management experience at Executive and Board level across the Events, Retail (FMCG), Advertising and core technology industries in South Africa and Australia. Coupled with her programming, accounting and marketing background, Lauren has focused on driving the growth of technology-based companies with international market opportunities, now contributing advice and direction as the CEO of iVvy.

Lili Scout is the brains behind the brand new app ideallynow, which allows anyone with a vision to Visit ideallynow on Facebook at ideallynow, and Lili at LinkedIn.

JO MUIRHEAD

FIONA CRAIG

Jo is a speaker and business coach for the health and wellness industry. As the owner and principal rehabilitation consultant at Purple Co (www. purposeforpeople.com.au), Jo understands the challenges and obstacles faced by health and

Fiona is fuelled by a corporate background in recruitment and as a lawyer, she brings a holistic approach to helping individuals identify their strengths and skills and matches them with a vision that enables them to create a career and life in which they thrive

hand. www.jomuirhead.com

ANGELA PRIESTLEY

YAMINI NAIDU

Angela Priestley is the founding editor of Women’s Agenda. Her Women Who Seize the Moment: 11 Lessons From Those Who Create Their Own Success is available in all good bookstores and at Booktopia.

Yamini was seasoned business communicator and a global thought leader in business storytelling with over 20 years experience in both the corporate world and in her own business.

She has co – authored three books; Hooked: How leaders connect, engage and inspire through storytelling, Triple your presentation success and Eliminate Death by PowerPoint.

www.janecurrypublishing.com.

www.yamininaidu.com.au

KATHERINE GONZALEZ-CORK

SAM FIELICIANO

Recently nominated for Telstra Businesswoman of the Year, Katherine is the General Manager of Clifton’s Queensland, and the Director at Executive Women Brisbane.

Sam started Events Boutique.

She has spent 15-years working for the best. Working for leading venues such as Doltone House, Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre and Argyle Events.

www.cliftons.com

www.eventsboutique.com.au

Events JULY - SEPTEMBER 2014

JULY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 COCKTAIL CONVERSATIONS - BRISBANE 16 17 EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES SYDNEY 18 19

20 21 22 23 EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES SYDNEY 24 EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES MELBOURNE 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

Calendar AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

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MOST BARRIERS TO YOUR SUCCESS ARE MAN-MADE. AND MOST OFTEN, YOU’RE THE MAN WHO MADE THEM. - FRANK TYGER

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you will have seen the plethora of articles, blog posts and commentary on the importance of having a mentor in your career.

On The Shoulders of Giants (The Difference A Mentor Makes)

Fiona Craig

It seems something truly ancient, is new again.

In You I Trust In Homer’s ‘Odyssey’, Odysseus had to leave he needed someone trustworthy to look after his son, Telenachus and prepare him to be king.

He entrusted that to his closest friend, Mentor.

The origin, and foundation, therefore of a mentor relationship is one that is fundamentally founded on trust.

The Rise of The Modern Day Mentor Google. Wikipedia. Linkedin. Facebook. Twitter.

In theory, we can access all of the information we might ever need, any time we like, via the internet. We live in the age of constant and endless information.

And yet there is only so much you can do with an article, or a tweet, or a post (even this one).

In an age where we are virtually hardwired to be digitally connected every moment of every day, we crave one simple thing possibly more than anything: human experience.

And that’s one of the reasons why mentoring is enjoying a revival in popularity – because it is ultimately the sharing and passing on of human experience, and, hopefully – wisdom.

What’s in a Name?

Ultimately, in the context of your career, a someone who has walked the path before you, and can share their experiences, good and bad, and insights into their successes, and, importantly, their failures – all with the experience to help you progress in your own career.

It might be your boss. It could be a former colleague. It could be someone senior in your industry that you don’t work with.

It could also be someone you are matched with through a formal program such as the Mentoring Programs run by The Law Society of New South Wales.

Does it really work?

The old chestnut you get out as much as put in is never more true than in relation to mentoring.

Follow the suggestions below under “Making mentoring work” and you can expect to gain some if •

Learn new skills.

• • •

Develop your professional extended network.

•

Develop your relationship building and communication skills.

•

Gather new resources such as books, articles, training etc that mentors have found helpful.

•

Be challenged on your ideas in a safe and supportive environment.

• “Please…will you be my friend?”

Here are a few options: • You can choose someone you respect, and trust, and ask them if you can meet on a regular basis to share career questions and experiences.

•

You can be chosen. Sheryl Sandberg in Lean In shares her belief that a mentor should actually choose you ie it should be a natural, more organic process than asking or being appointed a mentor. I see the merit in that, but in an industry such as law where there are sometimes my view is you shouldn’t necessarily wait to be “chosen”.

•

You can participate in a formal mentoring program either through work, a commercial provider or an association.

Making mentoring work One of the elements of any successful relationship is the setting and managing of expectations, and open lines of communication.

1. When you work with your mentor, make sure you have clear goals and a vision of what you want to achieve from the process.

2.

3.

issues, but not personal issues. necessarily the best use of time for either of you.

4. If you commit to doing something between sessions, DO IT. Nothing ruins a relationship more quickly than unmet promises.

5. Be respectful of the time your mentor takes to help you. Always show up to your meetings on time, and eager and willing to learn and grow.

6. Reciprocate. You’d be amazed at how much help you can provide in return. It might be an introduction to a contact, or help with technology or something else that you are really good at. Never assume that just because a mentor is more senior that they have nothing to learn from you.

What now?

Take time to identify potential mentors within your own network – internally and externally to your workplace.

Pay it forward No matter what stage you are at in your career, you have knowledge, skills, experience and wisdom to share with others.

Mentoring is something that all of us can do on an informal basis.

I encourage you to be the person who others in the team see as trustworthy, generous with time and knowledge, and wise. mentee.

mentor, will be equally as great as those of being the

Just before my thirtieth birthday, I frantically wrote a very ambitious ‘to do list’.

Don’t Spend Your Twenties, Or Any Decade, ‘Waiting’

Thirty had always seemed to me to be the you had achieved all the things you thought as a teenager you would achieve, meaning you could enter the fourth decade of your life riding the coattails of your own success.

My plan was that with three months to go starting on all those things I’d been meaning to achieve in my twenties.

The list was long and overly optimistic for even the most productive of women. It got me thinking: What had I been waiting for before did it take the deadline of a birthday to start And, more importantly, why did I believe I needed to have achieved all those things

Angela Priestley A little over a year ago, I set out on a mission women about their careers.

What I wanted to know was what separates those who are ambitious and achieve remarkable things, from those who’re simply ambitious -- but never get around to achieving the success they want.

I found a number of things - 11 things, all expressed as ‘lessons’ in my book, Women Who Seize the Moment - but underpinning all of it I discovered that it comes down to either waiting or not waiting. If these women wanted something, they put themselves on course for permission, the right amount of experience, or to turn a particular age before getting started on the success they desired. They simply got on with it.

There are many forms of waiting. It’s not simply a matter of being unambiguous, lazy,

It’s more a matter of this self-limiting belief that the things we want will eventually happen. If I keep working hard, I’ll get the promotion. If I get the right education, I’ll enter the industry I want.

If I wait around expecting to randomly meet the right people, they’ll hand me the opportunities I

If I wait, the great career I always planned to have will simply arrive for me. this book, I found that they don’t wait - or they at least got to a point where they stopped waiting.

They made the most of the opportunities and chance encounters that came their way. They took control of the turning points that - whether intentional or not - ultimately helped shape their into opportunity. They backed themselves before waiting on others to tell them how brilliant expecting, or relying, on anyone else to help solve their ‘career problems’.

get on with creating the career and success you want.

‘Women Who Seize The Moment: 11 Lessons From Those Who Create Their Own Success’ is available from Booktopia and all good bookstores.

“IN CONVERSATION WITH...” featuring women in business – empowered and successful women who are an inspiration of others. Women who are following their own dreams and individual versions of success.

The full interview and transcript is available FREE for Platinum, Diamond and Black LBDGroup Members

VICKI STIRLING Vicki Stirling is the Founder and Director of Sunrise Junction - a Brand and Business Development Consultancy specialising in the fashion & lifestyle industry.

Her personal mission is to equip this amazing industry with World Class business knowledge - knowledge that will make businesses faster, smarter and better prepared for the future.

Vicki’s experience leading business units in apparel labels such as Nike, M&S and Bonds Her mantra is that brands need to evolve and grow, always remaining relevant to a constantly changing market.

Contact Details: vicki@sunrisejunction.com.au

Wonder Woman

There are occasions in our lives when we have the good fortune of meeting people who are every day, without attention, accolade or reward.

Sadly, those occasions are all too rare but when they do happen it is quite simply a privilege.

When I deployed to East Timor in late 1999 on a humanitarian mission for CARE Australia, I met an incredibly humble, quietly spoken, hardChris Allen working, ridiculously smart Canadian nutrition specialist who had devoted her life to changing the lives of others. So, when I learned that this issue of GLOSS was to be all about ‘Game changers’, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to introduce you to a great friend of mine and realtime game changer, and there’s no better way for you to get to know her better than in her own words.

So, ladies and gentlemen, please meet Allison CA: Hi Allison, tell us all about yourself.

AT: Well, I am a wife, a mother of three, a blogger, health and lifestyle coach, health enthusiast and a lover of travel. I’m from a small town called Regina in Saskatchewan, Canada where I was born and raised. I have a Bachelor and Masters of Science in Nutrition, an MBA coaching. I currently live in South Lebanon with my husband, family and two cats!

I grew up in Canada and lived a very conventional upbringing. My parents were homebodies and our holidays included camping and the odd visit to California to visit my mother’s family.

My boyfriend, at the time, was travelling and he’d send me letters describing the most amazing places. I remember one photo from Morocco where he had a Monkey on his head. This sparked my intrigue and I just wanted to travel to see what he was seeing.

At that time, I was in Uni studying to be a Pharmacist. I was also studying Spanish as my elective. With the desire to travel and broaden my language skills, Spain was in my dream and way out of my price range. But then, one day I saw a sign on a wall at university that said “study and learn Spanish in Antigua, campus travel center!

I spent my summer in Guatemala and it changed my life. When I returned home I changed my study from pharmacy to nutrition.

I wanted to change the world through education and access to food and water. That summer had opened my eyes to a way of living that was diametrically opposite to anything I’d seen before. Cook once, eat twice or thrice, no refrigeration, little to no meat, beans galore, and stomach bugs from drinking dirty water and from eating vegetables washed in dirty water.

After graduation I moved on to grad school where my study took me to Indonesia to explore the cultural determinates of food choice and other behaviors in pregnant and lactating women. My research found that culture had a larger impact on food choice than health representatives. Amazingly, when food and medicines were given many women chose not to take them because of their values and belief systems.

From grad school, I landed a job with CARE Canada in East Kalimantan. Massive forest program to provide food and micronutrient supplementation to malnourished children.

I was responsible for coordinating a survey of the nutritional status of children, liaising with the local government to provide aid and to follow the children post intervention to measure the impact of the program.

From there, I went on to work in East Timor, West Timor and Afghanistan carrying out nutrition assessments and implementing vulnerable feeding programs. I met my now husband, Vic, during this time and in the

interests of protecting our relationship, I moved from working directly with vulnerable populations into providing logistic support for the UN Peacekeeping Operations in East Timor.

Over the next 12 years I managed UN service and support contracts for food, fuel, water and support supplies in various countries.

I’ve worked in many parts of the world from Sudan, Italy, Eqypt, New York, and most recently to Lebanon where we currently live.

I’ve had amazing experiences.

CA: So, Lebanon. Why Lebanon?

Sudan where my husband and I both worked with the UN. The kids and I were in Khartoum and he was in Darfur. When we came to Lebanon it was to try to bring the family back together, which was not possible in Sudan.

It took a few months, but in May of 2007 we the time our eldest was 4.

CA: Clearly you’ve followed a less than ordinary way of life and have pursued what many would consider to be a highly stressful and dangerous career path. Is it sustainable?

AT: I guess it’s been an unusual life, but it’s a

life has been a dream come true. Sure, there has been stress. The kids and I have been closed, but dealing with car bombs, rocket launches and a strong military presence have become constants within our way of life.

I don’t consider it dangerous, yes there are risks but risks are a part of life. In my mind, we’re not special, all people have the right to live a life of freedom, be that access to a safe food and water supply or safety to send kids We’re lucky. As foreigners, if things get too hot we have an exit strategy. So, no I don’t feel it’s too dangerous.

yes, if you don’t have kids or you’re willing

CA: So, what’s next?

once they hit a certain age. When the kids

AT: When the kids were younger they were

incredible life experience. However, as they’ve aged education becomes more important and it’s about making sure they have growth opportunities to become the best people they

CA: What is one event that changed the way you look at life?

kids are aware of the subtleties of life like - why the shutters at the school are being closed, or why they’re not allowed to go out at recess, or why the roadblocks and security checks are backed up. This awareness is a stress for them. They’ve had a wonderful life. Their time in East Timor, Sudan and Lebanon has been very positive, but the time comes in life when change is required. It’s time to leave the happy

AT: After two years in Lebanon we welcomed a new baby to our family. Life was good, we were together, we were doing meaningful work, and life was sailing along. Until, it wasn’t.

occurs in response to mourning the loss of a loved one or celebrating joyous events - like Germany winning their world cup game last night .

determine their own paths.

Almost 5 months after our daughter, Kateryna, joined our family she left us to be carried in our

We’re moving on, though we’re not sure to where. Canada or Australia are on the cards.

I’ve retired from the UN now and have come full path. I’d gone from looking to expand my circle in my career back to my nutrition roots career to honing in on what was most important and health coaching. I’ve lived life to the fullest. to me – my family. Strangely, prior to Kat’s I’ve soared at the top of my game (UN Career), death I was happy but had never given enough climbed out from the depths of loss and grief, attention to what was truly important to me. and created a happy and healthy life for my After her death, it was front and center in my family and myself. mind. Losing a child to a heart problem made me extra motivated to provide an environment As we transition our lives and my career, to where the kids could thrive and have the have more time with the kids, and give them best health possible. Spending time with my new opportunities, I remain true to my values children and family and providing healthy of wanting to help others have access to food nutritious meals suddenly became my focus. and knowledge. In doing so my blog ‘Up Your Plus, I was facing my own set of health issues related to stress and grief. overcoming life’s challenges and this, combined with my coaching and guidance, helps my clients to live energized lives where they are healthy and happy and free of lifestyle related disease.

Like to know more: Visit Allison care of her website: Or, contact her direct via:

The Fruit of The Vine

Kate Stone

passion for what she does, and above all, for the people she does it with, is not only inspiring, it’s catching. topics prior to this interview. Lauren I knew a little more about than her company, partly due to the amazing Renata Cooper, who is now a non-executive Director with iVvy (which should tell you something about the direction the company is headed in).

Lauren has an incredibly strong Events Management, accounting and marketing background, both here in Australia and in her country of origin, South Africa (although she is now a proud Aussie). She has also been savvy enough to surround herself with a team of amazing ideas people and big thinkers, including her business partner and the company’s CTO and Co-Founder, James Greig. He is, says Lauren ‘the yin to my yang – there is no way this business would exist without him in it’. so much more. Registration. Ticketing. Accommodation and travel. Payments. Namebadges.

Designing your event website… you name it, iVvy can do it. It is an extraordinary platform in anyone’s terms.For any business wanting to organise a function, a meeting, a conference, it takes months of donkeywork out of the process, not to mention cost.

The Bookings Widget Launch And then, in June this year, iVvy launched its revolutionary Booking Widget – allowing existing websites to get customers to book in real time – rooms, menus, function spaces. They have revolutionised the event and venue booking process. In fact, as GLOSS was published this week, themselves... as well as have a pretty amazing night! It was a chance for Lauren, James and their team to relax and see what their incredibly hard work had brought them. Because Lauren Hall is a driven woman.

Lauren and her team. I emphasise the latter, because at every opportunity, this is exactly what she emphasises. Her team.

She says: ‘Connections are important. Relationships are important. Trust is important. I call it collaborative innovation — you can have great ideas, but without getting people together who think bigger than you, without participation of the whole group to ensure delivery of a vision — there is nothing. Because it’s all about the team. Teamwork. Team thinking. Team participation. That’s how you’ll have success.’

She is quick to credit her team, particularly James, with keeping her focused and calm enough to see the big picture of what iVvy is from what we shared during the interview (and this is something I feel very strongly about), this is a woman who not only works incredibly hard and has a very clear vision of what she wants to achieve, but also encourages others in their own journeys. inspiration, but after an hour talking to her, I wanted to work for, with and near her.

‘When I was very young, I asked my father for $10. It isn’t an exaggeration to say he laid down the law to me! He told me that money doesn’t grow on trees and that if I wanted money, I had to both provide a very good reason for why I wanted it, and also earn it. I never asked him for another cent’. Lauren worked three jobs from that point on to eventually fund her university education and start to build up her own companies.

She was nine years old.

She clearly wants to succeed not just for her own sake, but primarily for that of her family.

Every sentence, when it is not peppered with talk about the direction iVvy is headed in (which is to the top), is about her children. It is clear that she drives herself for their sake.

This is something that she recognises could be detrimental, as she sometimes drives herself

too hard.

‘I do push myself too hard sometimes... I have to balance my health extremely carefully. I don’t realise how hard I have been working until I look up and realise that it’s been 48 hours non-stop! This is where my family is so important. But it’s because of them that I drive Lauren’s work ethic is undeniable. She is a visionary, and the team at iVvy are visionaries too. She has done what true gamechangers do; realised her strengths, and then collaborated in the areas where she needs experts. She is an alpha who is unafraid to work with other alphas, a rarity in business terms, and a gamechanger in itself.

This is what Renata Cooper saw when she looked at Lauren’s plans for iVvy, and why the company has come so far in just 5 short years.

They have an exclusive deal with the Mantra Group of resorts, and it’s not hard to see why.

Everything about them is sleek, professional and it simply works.

There is no doubt that iVvy is only going to go from strength to strength, and with it will be its co-founders. Lauren Hall has had a very hard journey personally to get to where she is. That is her story to tell, when and if she wants to. But the story of her professional success from this point onwards will be one that will be resonating worldwide. iVvy is a brilliant platform – and that’s from a geekgirl standpoint, as well as a business standpoint.

I wish I’d thought of it.

To see the amazing things that the iVvy platform can do, and to meet some of the team, go to iVvy - and take a virtual tour.

IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW SLOWLY YOU GO AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT STOP. - CONFUCIUS

behaviour & mindsets.

Secrets Of The Of The World’s Epic

between achieving results or falling short, persuading clients or losing them, and winning that pitch or not. Even in our determine our own wellbeing and happiness.

N to your personal and professional success.

Yamini Naidu Know what you can’t Every year Time magazine publishes a list .

Beyoncé is on the 2014 cover as the most out world tours and shocking the music world by releasing a secret album via social media.

Interestingly, last year Beyoncé tried to pull

person on the planet.

Context is king One of the most successful businesses on the planet sells plastic containers via home parties. Around the world a seconds. Buying a plastic container in the context of a home party and seeing it as part of a complete family lifestyle creates powerful contextual triggers that

You may not always be able to control the context when you have sales meetings in

rain of life.

But you can do what thought leader Peter Cook suggests: be clean with setting up the context. to use the meeting to sell something. Epic context and say “I would love to meet with you to discuss X which I think would add Y value to your business. How are you placed next week

Good versus evil Google, the world-famous search engine, has as its ethos ‘Do no evil’. It is a The Wolf of Wall Street depicts stockbroker Jordan Belfort (the wolf) ordering his salespeople to “Get on the phone and don’t hang up until the customer buys or dies.” It’s

your context.

Give before you take In his seminal book, Psychology of Persuasion, Professor Robert Cialdini outlines the law of reciprocity: if you give people something, they feel compelled to return the favour.

the right reason. The best make people’s lives better. Truly epic

What can you give your clients of value right

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a music star, an innovation guru or a salesperson. Epic

made this generosity mindset both easy and possible. People love a quality free e-book, a report on industry trends, a preview chapter from your next book, or a short video sharing fresh insights. In order to trigger the power of reciprocity, you have to give high-value, quality content that is relevant and timely for your audience, without expecting anything in return.

and they generally improve people’s lives in the process of reaching their

Don’t run in the rain Samurais in Japan operate from a deep place of calm, even when it’s raining.

Instead of dodging and ducking under eaves like everyone else and messing with umbrellas, they choose to calmly stride through the rain. The rain is a metaphor for life with all its busyness, meetings,

from a place of deep calm, striding through the

secrets to do the same.

Yamini Naidu inspires leaders to unleash their potential, using the power of thought leader and works with leaders, sales teams and entrepreneurs to deliver business results. She recently featured in the highly respected Boss magazine where she is credited with doubling the revenue of her clients.

Business Basics: Be Extraordinary Melissa Browne

When Janine mentioned that this month’s edition of GLOSS was about Gamechangers I instantly thought about my chapter on being extraordinary in my book, More Money for Shoes.

That’s because being a gamechanger in your industry generally means you are trying to be extraordinary, and that’s often something that sits uncomfortably for many people.

Personally, unless I can have a real shot at changing the game in an industry, I’m not really interested in being involved. It’s what gets me up in the morning and is what I’m trying to do at A+TA and also in my new business, Thinkers.

I hope you’ll be challenged and inspired to be a gamechanger and to be extraordinary in whatever it is that you’re doing.

On my second wedding anniversary I organised a romantic weekend in Sydney at the Observatory Hotel with dinner at Galileo restaurant. All very swish. So of course, as I love dressing up, I thought it was a fantastic excuse to buy a red, corseted Alex Perry number. Very glamorous. Also a little bit over the top - but that has never really bothered me before, so why start now!.

Until the week before the anniversary that is when I tried on the dress to make sure it worked. We girls have a lot to organise- the dress, the shoes, the bag, the jewellery, the hair.

As you’d expect I rarely wing it and love a try-on before the big day.

That’s when I realised my dress was extraordinary.

Now I knew this prior to trying it on. I mean it was a red, satin, corseted Alex Perry number with three layers on the skirt (did I miss that pop down to the shops in. But standing in my wardrobe, in my dress, I knew it would be extraordinary. I’m talking about the dress, not me. Trust me, this dress was that good.

I would take it with me as a back-up. Just in case I couldn’t face the ‘extraordinary’ dress. exhausted at this point but what is ridiculous is to buy the most fabulous dress and then not want to wear it What occurred to me through that experience, is that my internal struggle that weekend is one that many business owners go through every day. Not to choose between dresses but to choose between being safe or being extraordinary. You might think that’s a crazy thing to say. Of course business owners would want I think we’re taught to cut tall poppies down - to stay Being extraordinary means putting yourself out there, taking a risk, having the spotlight shine on you and what you’re doing. It might mean having to look at areas of your business that you’re not comfortable with like budgets or business plans, branding or systems. Or telling people what you want to do and being held accountable. Or maybe taking a risk and having a go at something you’ve been telling yourself you’ll never understand, like the numbers. Or not being afraid to say that you want to be successful.

In the end I wore my ridiculously fantastic dress.

My husband was pleasantly surprised (but also a little shocked) when he saw me. But trust me, he’ll remember that dress.

Life is too short to play it safe. You owe it to yourself, as well as your team, your customers and your suppliers, to have an extraordinary business. Decide today to have a real go. To embrace the possibility that hiding within you is an extraordinary business owner. That your business has the potential to be an incredible success, if only you’ll allow yourself to know that it’s OK to chase that.

In short, decide to be extraordinary.

In Conversation with Katherine Gonzalez-Cork 1.

Tell us a little about your business and what you do

I’m the General Manager for Cliftons Qld and the Director of Executive Women meeting rooms for conferences and seminar facilities. women in Brisbane who come together on a quarterly basis to support, inspire, connect and share ideas with each other.

2.

What’s the bravest decision you have had to make in your business?

Challenging the status quo on a regular basis requires me to be brave each day. My job as General Manager comes with constant challenges and tough decisions daily but I must say one of the bravest decisions I’ve made over the last couple of years is starting Executive Women Brisbane. I had to put myself out there when I went ahead than a fun lunch with about 8-10 ladies. Over 40 ladies attended the lunch and it became clear that it was so much more and I found by being brave and putting myself out there to a group of women whom most I never met before ended up being one of my greatest successes and also my true passion. The group now proudly boasts over 60 fabulously impressive members and a lot of business deals change hands within this exclusive group of executive ladies

3.

What’s your vision for your business?

My business vision has always been to work with purpose and to lead and inspire others. exemplary customer service while fostering a strong company and social culture.

4.

First thing you do in the morning?

As a fulltime working mother of 2 young kids (and usually up before they rise for school) the so blessed with my life. I wake up with his feeling each and every morning and this helps me tackle whatever the new day brings.

5.

Most inspiring quote?

This was a quote that Denzel Washington’s mother used to say to him.

“Do what you’ve got to do, so you can do what you want to do”

6.

Top 3 tips for women in business?

1. Help don’t hinder each other.

2. Lead by example

7.

What would you tell your 21 year old self now if you could?

To embrace and love who you are – inside and out. Believe you have the power to change your destination and approach ‘what’s around the corner’ with excitement, no fear and a full heart.

Contact Details: Web address: www.cliftons.com Email address: katherine.gonzalez-cork@cliftons.com Phone: 0404 470 649

LBDs OUT AND ABOUT

A truly inspiring day - Janine Garner and Carolyn Dean took their children to Warwick Farm to meet the community that we are supporting via our very own First Seeds Fund. They heard the books and clothes. An incredible and humbling

A fabulous night at The Grand Hotel Richmond for cocktail conversations - champagne, great ideas and of course chatter!

Amazing women all thank you for being a part of the journey.

Big thanks to Debbie O’Connor from White River Design for sharing her knowledge and insight on branding at the Sydney and Melbourne Think Tanks.

In Melbourne for a marketing meeting with my book publisher, Wiley. Exciting times. “From Me To We” on bookshelves soon.

“We live in a culture that breeds fear and drives us to play safe, avoid change and settle for less than we want... @LBDGroup

Congratulations to LBD Brisbane member Lisa Cornish from In Control Fitness for this amazing coverage on

We want to know what you’re up to! - Simply email Lisa on support@ littleblackdressgroup.com.au with details & photos & we will do the rest.

I am not supposed to be a business owner. attack, I made the decision that I would never EVER

I Am A Liar & A Fraud & It’s Time You Knew Jo Muirhead

family where I believed that we lived on the edge of

I watched as Mum and Dad worked late into the night.

The pressure of money impacted everything we did as a family. There was underlying fear that there was never enough money. If we just worked harder and longer then somehow by magic the money would come and everything would then be OK. As a teenager and into my adult years I learned that small business was hard. It was always hard. Dad was always at work and, Mum went and got another job. We were told it was because the business couldn’t support both their wages.

In reality, we were really well cared for. We didn’t want for anything except a father who could remember our names when he got home from work. I vowed I was NEVER going to be self employed. It was too hard, too painful. I was going to be “normal” and have a steady job, a career and a family that was wonderfully loved and nurtured. There would never be any money problems in a stable career based job.

I completed a degree in health science majoring in rehabilitation counselling. I became an exceptional rehabilitation counsellor. I specialise in helping people return to work following injury illness and trauma. I was and am very good at this. However what may be interesting for you to know is that this excellence took a tremendous toll on me.

Because being an exceptional clinician meant that I would: Burn Out So I did what so many other exceptional clinicians do when burning out, I became a manager and Burnt Out. Then I did what most burned out clinicians who have stepped into management do – I Managed and did more clinical work – and I burnt out Others did this too it’s a myth of being an allied health professional.I was also convinced that in order to be a successful business woman you needed to be ruthless and hard. You had to treat people really poorly – because that was what I had been exposed to.

Sometime in the mid 2000’s I found myself leaving one management- cum- clinical job feeling used, abused and like there was something wrong with me. I self funded a 6 week “break” where I started to volunteer

because you can’t burn out when you are professional people and I missed the buzz of achievement. I knew I was a good clinician and I knew I was a good manager of people but there was something wrong with my ability to do both.

I was then head-hunted for another role, with a bigger company – one that sounded so aligned to what I thought I was supposed to want.

I found myself in a job, where I achieved dramatic results. Here again, there were more sticks than carrots and I was soon working longer and longer sleeping less and less. I spent most Saturdays in bed because I was so tired, which is pretty poor because I was a single parent with joint custody. My son was learning that work made mummy sick! Again I felt used and abused by the directors. One of the directors was ruthless and highly volatile. I thought it was my job to simply “manage” her.

manner. I realised I had become the ruthless, hard, volatile business woman and a workplace bully. It was awful – AND I quit. I am incredibly embarrassed by my behaviour during this time. I have never been so untrue to my values nor acted in a way that was so not me. I would welcome the opportunity to apologise to the people I was working with at that time for the way I spoke to and treated them.

I took myself out of the paid workforce and happy. I started consulting because I needed the cash. I was doing everything I knew to avoid consulting as a Rehabilitation Counsellor. I was approached for some pretty darn awesome roles. However, I had been so burned that I Because every business I had worked for was run by female aggressors who would eat their young.

Imagine my surprise when 6 weeks into consulting I had more work than I knew what to specifying the type of work I was interested in was busy. Then I had a talk to my mum. She was pretty awesome. She helped me to see I could actually build a business doing the work I loved the way I loved to do it.

Purple Co was born– the Purpose For People Company. I was self employed and I chose what work I did. I chose who I worked with and who I brought into my company. Within 12 months I had pretty much stopped all subcontracting and was receiving work directly from referral sources that made others in the industry envious. I had broken the mould. I had done what the experts said could not be done.

every year for the past 5 years. NICE work for something that couldn’t be done. I now have a team of 10 and am replicating what I know and love being able to impact more people than I ever could on my own.

In 2011 I was asked to mentor a couple of people starting their own allied health practices. This was so much fun! They too have built incredible businesses and I am honoured to have been a part of their journey. I started to see how to help health professionals build successful sustainable private practices.IImagine a health care industry where professionals are not burnt resources to actually care for people! That’s what I want to create. So when you need an OT, speechie, psychologist, PT, exercise physiologist, physiotherapist or massage therapist, they actually give a damn and are so secure in who they are they can deliver the treatment and therapy you need. BRING that on!

So, to recap I was never supposed to be selfemployed. And, I was certainly never supposed to be a successful businesswoman. I am, and I love it and I’m teaching others how! And together we are changing lives and while we are at it, we will start a health care revolution!

Scout’s Honour Kate Stone

When I was about to turn twelve years years old I was living through one of the most momentous environmental decisions in Australia’s history; the Franklin Dam dispute. politicos, Peter Garrett and various pundits.

Yet all I wanted was for them all to go away and leave our sleepy little town alone. The situation was frightening and overwhelming, and took me out of my safe little world of books and dreams.

That was me at twelve years old. I was still ready to believe in unicorns, even if I wasn’t willing to admit it.

Meet Lili Scout, also twelve years old. This incredible young woman has not only found the unicorn, but is savvy enough to use it as her avatar on social media. Her budding tech consultancy, ideallynow pages of Facebook and grab you right where it hurts – in the heart. Because Lili is a

gamechanger, and she knows exactly where she is headed. To the top. And she is going to take every other kid out there who has a dream (and loves unicorns) with her.

Recently the Sunshine Coast (which is starting to be known as the ‘Silicon Coast’) held a Start Up Weekend for budding entrepreneurs. Out of 40 participants who pitched their ideas, Lili’s was voted second best, and featured in The World On ABC as part of a story on tech start-ups being run from home. you want your twelve years old to even have teen ‘friendly’ apps out there, is it actually with large amounts of high-octane petrol being poured on your beloved spawn’s

question and no to the latter. If you have a desire to see your children stretch their minds and become mini-moguls, I suggest you back the groundswell to get this app in the app store. In a nutshell, what ideallynow does is allow anyone – of ANY age (but obviously as it’s designed by a young person, it will be marketed to young people) – to pitch their ideas via video, online, in 60 seconds everyone has the attention span of gnats, which is why it has the potential to be huge.

And it’s been developed by a twelve year old with a brain the size of a planet. With a dozen adults I know.

Lili is being mentored by LBDG member (and frequent GLOSS contributor) Kelly Slessor, CEO of BanterMob, the mobile app development company. I can say from personal experience that Kelly also has a brain the size of a planet, and the chances are that with the two of them working together, the galaxy may well implode. I can also safely say that with Kelly on her side,

Lili’s chances of success are dramatically increased, as Kelly’s know-how and expertise, as well as her instincts for gaps in the market, and the fact that she is just a genuinely good person, give her advantages that people three times her age don’t have.

I think what has impressed me the most with Lili’s vision is that in many ways, it is others - and yes, the emphasis again is on young others - achieving their dreams.

Because her app is not about herself. It is not a game, or a toy, or for personal gain (although I hope she makes a motzah from it). It’s designed purely so that anyone who has a vision can succinctly spell it out, online, in one minute.

How many people go into a project thinking I’m intending to use it, so thank you Lili, from the bottom of my heart. There will probably be unicorns involved.

And a LOT of makeup... because for me, twelve was a long time ago.

Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart.

Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.

Carl Jung

LBDG’s First Seeds Fund brings together its members and friends to support the lives of women and children with a focus on education and employment. We are currently funding an educational scholarship and programmes supporting Year 6 to Year 12 children in the disadvantaged NSW community of Warwick Farm.

“The power of the First Seeds Fund comes not in the strength of the individual but through collaboration, the creation of a singular strong voice and a strategic approach to philanthropy,” says Janine Garner, founder of the First Seeds Fund. “Together we can all become architects of change.”

The Sydney Community Foundation is the Trustee for the First Seeds Fund. As Trustee, the Sydney Community on grants made after considering the recommendation/s of the First Seeds Fund advisory committee. The First Seeds Fund is a sub-fund of the Sydney Women’s Fund which is part of the Sydney Community Foundation.

To make a donation to the First Seeds Fund please click here.

tips to consider when choosing the right venue and how to negotiate with the venues. Samantha has worked in the them being on the venue side, so she has some great tips!

Once you’ve decided to hold an event, ask yourself these questions, this will help with the steps needed to select the researching your venue options.

Top Tips Advice from Sam Fieliciano – Founder and Director of Events Boutique, a FREE personalised venue and accommodation finding agency for corporate events.

01

Location, location, Location Find a venue that is easy to get to for your attendees. You may like the venue to be close to where you live or work, however is this the best option for all attending. Your venue location will play a huge part in people deciding to attend or not.

02

Event time and date What time of day or night will be most suitable for guests to attend your event. This is not about you, it’s about the best time for all guests to achieve maximum attendance for your event. When checking dates, ensure you are not clashing with any major events that may impact your attendance such as school holidays, public holidays, major sporting events, competitor’s events, industry tradeshows or conferences.

05

Use the expert services available Use a personalised venue finding agency like Events Boutique or, online venue listing websites, tourism bureaus etc. Save yourself the time and find the best possible venues available with some expert help!

06

Yes you can negotiate with a venue - Ask the venue if they have a day of the week that would have a cheaper price, or time of year.

- If flexible, and before even choosing a date, you speak with the venue to find out when is the most affordable time.

- Short lead event enquiries are something the venues want to fill up their last available spaces and dates. This may not be an option if you are wanting a particular date and don’t have much flexibility.

- Another great question to ask is if you were to change your timings at all would there be any reductions on price. The venue is likely to be charging you for breakfast and lunch in the space, as you are stopping them selling Know how to cater to your target audience the space for a lunch event. You may reduce the venue Consider average income of the attendees, what hire substantially if you were to do a 8am – 10am for are their likes and dislikes, and what they may example. Asking the questions and working with the be accustomed to. Your menu selection should venue for your best price is key. also be made with guests in mind. For example, if there is a totally male audience the menu selection may differ from that for a total female audience; a standup cocktail style event will require easy finger food versus a sit down dinner.

03 04

Venue reputation and ambience It’s very important to choose a venue that reflects your message, your values and brand. You also need to choose a venue that will inspire your attendees, make them feel comfortable and happy, make them feel looked after.

07

Venue choice I do believe at the end of the day, the venue can be the major draw card and it sets a tone for the level of what the event will provide for the attendees. It sets the expectations and, if you are using a brand new venue, this can be a good draw card. Ask yourself, is this venue going to help me get the numbers I am looking for, does it excite me and does it compliment the content of the Conference or the reason for the event?

Yoga For Non-Yogis: A Beginners Guide To Yoga

It’s no surprise that I am not the most ‘bendy’ person in a yoga class. After years of running, cycling, weights, functional around - I didn’t truly make enough time to stretch. I started to slowly work on my poses per week, practicing those, gaining This weekly practise of small sessions has created lasting results by just a few minutes a day.

The key to looking and feeling your personal best is to have a true balance condition. Your body needs to be as

Nikki Fogden-Moore

together to work on all these areas within a weekly program creates unbelievable feel – but long term health and disease prevention.

If you feel that you’d like to do yoga, but are perhaps intimidated by some of the moves you see posted on social media and Instagram, or that it’s about chanting and wheatgrass – then let me assure you there are all types of yoga and classes that can be found to try and see what suits you and your needs. Not to mention some very lovely souls you will meet along the way.

Yoga is a journey; it’s a personal one and not about comparing your milestones to anyone other than yourself. For lives – yoga and it’s practice can provide movements of calm in the storm. Here’s my 101 guide to getting started and focus on 1 pose per week

5 Top Tips:

How To:

1. Practice what you learn in the class, or with your yoga instructor, in between – to focus on one or two poses or breathing techniques that can form a part of your week.

2. Even 5 minutes of concentrated breathing can clear your mind and help you connect with your intuition or balance out energy levels Commit to mastering 1 pose per week rather than rushing through a sequence 4. Take your time 5. Understand where the pose takes you anatomically - what muscles do you feel are resisting the most - listen and go deeper into that stretch. Don’t force a pose but breathe into it and connect with what your body is telling you.

Start with your feet together in mountain pose – with arms by your sides – then take a strong wide step out to the side - adjust your feet to step as wide as you can

To help share the journey of yoga 101 I will run

Raise your hands to should width - stretch from

5 favourite poses.

your hips forward so you are straight and strong.

These poses are beginner versions so the see, however I really wanted to provide this to encourage you to try yoga and go for technique in stages.

Three things I have learnt: 1. Trust your body – adjust and readjust as you work through a pose. Don’t rush.

2. Use your gluteus – all day every day! Switch those babies on when you are walking, working, talking, what ever it takes. It seems we have forgotten to engage our biggest muscle Breathe – the importance of quality breath cannot be underestimated. Really concentrate on breathing into your lungs, breath through your nose as much as your can and heal your mind and your body through breath if you are feeling stressed.

Turn your left foot inward and your right foot to 90 degrees, bending the right knee to 90 degrees.

You may have to gently adjust your feet to ensure your knee is not over your toe and your thigh is parallel to the ground. Take your time.

1. Triangle Pose Trikonasana Builds strength and balance, creates space and stretching in your lower back - it is a wonderful pose to strengthen, lengthen and balance.

Works: Knees Hamstrings, lower back and great for achy feet even – overall balancing and rejuvenating pose

(Use a mirror if you can to check both heels are in line (or take a quick look as I do in the video to check).

Sink your hips towards the ground take a deep breath in, suck in your belly, lengthen your arms and reach down with the right hand - elbow resting gently on the knee and left arm extended Reach, look up towards the top arm, keeping your hips forward and gently supporting the right knee back.

Evenly distribute your weight between the back and front legs. Ground your feet ensuring even Breathe, stretch and exhale. Remember this pose is about balance so keep checking that every part of your body is in line and strong, don’t let your hips roll forward or your arms sag.

Think strong and long.

Raise your right arm straight, with palm facing

When you are ready, inhale and bring your arms back into one line, lifting your upper body into the centre and then feet facing forward – BEND your knees before your step up to avoid jarring as you come back to mountain pose.

Note your bottom hand does not need to touch the ground. It is more important to have the full length of both arms outstretched and your hips in the correct position. Use a block or yoga prop to help if you need it.

2. Bow Pose Dhanurasana

Keeping your hips forward, pull your left leg back straight behind you – pulling with your left hand and contracting gluteus and hamstrings to create an extension.

Overall fantastic for legs. A standing pose, this is great for balance as well as lower back area. Opening out the front of the body as you stretch.

Works: Hip Flexors, thighs, gluteus and abdominal area How To: Stand in mountain pose with your feet together – looking forward with shoulders, hips and feet in one line. Transfer weight to your right leg and straighten this by pulling your kneecap up and contracting quads and hamstrings. All Take your left arm out 90 degrees with palm up. Then lift your left leg and grab this behind with thumbs on the outside of your heel and all sure your knees are together.

Avoid twisting your hips to create the extension develop the pose the more you practice. Extend as far as you can without compromising the hips.

Once you have kicked back and have your foot coming behind your head then slowly start to drop your body weight forward.

Right arm stays extended with palm forward at all times, chin close to your arm.

Advancing this move you have a bow like posture created with your upper body parallel to the

help bring your knee and left leg up near your right hip in a kind of triangle position.

your head.

Beginner is version shown. Also shown is the advanced version in a thumbnail on the video.

Bring your left hand into your chest; bringing your shoulders back and hips square to the front.

3. Tree Pose Vrksasana Mindfulness, centering, rebalancing, high and leg strength, opening Works: Legs, hips, pelvis, torso, mind How To: This is one pose that should be practiced according to your own level – not necessarily what you see others doing. We show the beginner pose that really works your inner thigh muscles and helps compression in the lower abdominal region as well.

Start with your feet together and toes in line.

Transfer your weight to your right leg and pull the kneecap up, tightening your quads, gluteus and entire leg - keeping it as straight and as centered as possible. Suck your belly in, shoulders back but relaxed and eyes forward.

If you foot can stay locked in this position near your pelvis then you can release your right hand and bring this up to the left palm centered in your chest. If not, keep holding the foot with the right hand and the left hand up is across your chest and centered.

Hold this pose all the time focusing on your belly, your spine being long, your standing leg strong, your hips in line and shoulders back.

Avoid rolling the shoulders forward by pulling the shoulder blades together. Breathe gently and with purpose. Calibrate here. Soften your face; your eyes and your thoughts should be about breath and balancing this with your body and mind.

When ready, gently release the left foot to come to the ground and move your hips and legs to release the pose. Then close your standing postures with Namaste - hands in front of you, palms together.

Practice yoga, or mindful stretching and breathing, as part healthy living. You will be so surprised and how your body will reward you for the care and attention that even the most basic instructor and enjoy the process. You do not to kick in Next month I will focus on 2 more fantastic poses ideal for us busy people and one challenge

With your right hand reach down and grab your foot from underneath – use your left hand to

Nikki x

News & Reviews

Featured This Month BOOK: UNDERSTANDING Y #andYyoushould

In Understanding Y, Charlie, together with renowned experts, provides an insider’s view of the digitally native, optimistic and innovative psyche of Gen Y. The book features 15 leading intergenerational commentators who reveal the secrets of how to engage, attract and communicate with Gen Y. unique insight into the ‘enigma’ that is Gen Y, while authors David Burstein and Ryan Heath examine the Millennial response to politics and globalisation.

BLOG: DECODING THE NEW ECONOMY Paul Wallbank is a writer for Smart Company and tech expert. He blogs about a wide range of tech trends, including disruptive new technologies, and interviews business leaders. Ultimately, Wallbank examines “trends, technologies and people that are shaping the 21st century”.

WEBSITE: THE BUSINESS SPECTATOR It may seem like a bewildering whirl, but the Business Spectator is an even better source of business (and regular news) than afr.com.au to my reckoning. It’s clear, easy to navigate and it is incredibly up to date. Worth bookmarking for your daily dose of the markets.

Lois Lane Lives: The League of Extraordinary Gentle Men

I recently had the great good fortune to become engaged to an amazing man. He is, much like the fabulous Chris Allen who writes for us here at GLOSS, in the old-fashioned sense of the word, a gentle man. I separate those two words on purpose, because I don’t mean someone who opens doors for women and pulls out chairs when they sit down (although they are both capable of this kind of chivalry, and yes, it is chivalry, not sexism); I mean they are gentle men.

They are men who support, strengthen and simply believe in the equality of women. They see women as the other half of the equation; that the relationship between males and females doesn’t need to be a battle, or a constant war as to who is right, or wrong, or

Kate Stone

to the crunch. They are often seen as having no position, when in fact they have one of the strongest positions of all. They are marginalised and made to feel inadequate. They are seen as not part of the feminist movement.

This, to me, is very unfair.

Because they are the men who are willing to engage and be a part of the conversation, even when they are faced with – let’s be honest – some fairly hefty opposition from women who perhaps don’t recognise that the only way forward is together, not apart. They are the ones who are willing to keep persevering even when they are being told that they are not needed to shatter that glass ceiling.

As far as I am concerned, a well-placed pair of R M Williams Cuban heels can strike a fairly big crack alongside my Jimmy Choos any day.

Anyone who knows me will understand that my being worn, not the gender of the person wearing them (nor their sexual orientation for that matter).

I feel we should be celebrating our extraordinary gentle men. There are so many of them.

We only have to look to Lieutenant General David Morrison, AO, Chief Of Army, who was personally invited by the UK’s Foreign Secretary, William Hague, to share the stage with Angelina Jolie at The Global Summit To End Sexual Violence. Strange to think of a military Maybe.

international scale, nobody questions that he is on the side of the angels.

So let’s start celebrating the ‘ordinary’ gentle men who also support the punching through of that layer of safety glass on a daily basis.

Because they are good guys.

I should know.

CONNECTION. COLLABORATION. NETWEAVING. BUSINESS BUILDING. A VOICE. A VISION. A COMMUNITY. CHANGEMAKERS. GENEROUS. THOUGHTLEADERS. HONEST. AUTHENTIC. SUCCESSFUL. UNIQUE.ENTREPRENEURS. PROFESSIONALS. FEARLESS. OUTSPOKEN.

“We Don’t Network, We Netweave”™ LBDG is about community.

It’s about business leaders and entrepreneurs collaborating.

It’s about creating sustainable, leverageable and successful businesses.

It’s about netweaving connections, knowledge and insight for results.

JOIN US Members of the LBDGroup are cross functional and cross industry. Lawyers, bankers, marketing and PR professionals, media, mining, construction, designers, jewellery, fashion, philanthropists, non-for-profit, human resources, fitness, health and well-being, property, sales, speakers and authors to name but a few. And with a fabulous mix of corporates to own business it is the quality of conversations that we have that make us so different.

JOIN US We offer three levels of membership for women that are committed to building their businesses, to fast track their growth and to ensure that they are surrounding themselves with the best in the businesses.

BLACK, DIAMOND and PLATINUM membership levels are designed to offer increasing one to one mentoring and group mentoring and business education and training. Depending on where you are in your journey there is a membership level that’s right for you “Janine has an enviable drive and motivation that is not only infectious but so supportive & constructive. It is so very refreshing and admirable to see someone turn their passion in to reality and back it up with such determination to bring like-minded, talented & intelligent women together.”

Prue Thomas Group Marketing Director- Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge & Glue Store - Australia

“Janine Garner is an inspiring visionary who brings together like-minded people to pursue and attain professional goals. Janine is a confident and warm person, and her skill of collaboration is impressive. The Little Black Dress Group is a brilliant source of knowledge and expression for business women and Janine is the keystone to its success.”

Kath Creel Marketing Director at Impact AV Australia

JOIN US