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MARCH 2014
Founder & Editor in Chief Janine Garner | janine@littleblackdressgroup.com.au Contributing Editors Melissa Browne Nikki Fogden-Moore Kate Stone Chris Allen Guest Writers Karen Gately Michelle Donohoe Courtney Browne Angela Lockwood Renata Cooper ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES ads@glossmagazine.com.au EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES editorial@glossmagazine.com.au Published By: LBDG littleblackdressgroup.com.au MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES AND FEEDBACK www.littleblackdressgroup.com.au info@glossmagazine.com.au Š LBDG 2014 All material is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. 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.
A Message From Me Welcome to the latest edition of GLOSS - celebrating International Women’s Day and the month of March with some incredible articles. I would also like to welcome Chris Allen to our regular contributors list. You may remember Chris wrote an article in our special September men’s issue about his childhood heroines and how they shaped his view of strong women - this article received so much feedback that we thought we would ask Chris to contribute regularly. And thankfully for us Chris agreed! With a frantic book tour and film project on the horizon, it is fabulous to welcome Chris to GLOSS. I love the iconic Apple ad “Here’s To The Crazy Ones”. Created by Steve Jobs, it celebrates daring, and ability, and those who shine in spite of often very trying circumstances. But with apologies to the late great Mr Jobs, what I would like to celebrate is the Brave Ones – and they aren’t necessarily well known people, or those in the public eye. They are simply people I know. So here’s to the wonderful, courageous people that I see as brave – with my thanks, and admiration. Here’s to the brave ones who juggle insane loads – and even if they drop a ball, laugh it off (or shed a tear, then laugh) – and then keep going. The ones who challenge the norm. The ones who support each other 150%. All the time. The ones who are willing to give of their knowledge with no expectation of anything in return. Those who are strong through revealing their fears and vulnerability. The ones who follow their dreams, and encourage others to follow theirs. Those who pick themselves up when it seems everything is stacked against them. The ones who take a chance, who give up the comfortable, who chase what they want, who want to create – who want to make a mark. Those who work tirelessly in the background. Who organise parties. Who do the kids’ taxi runs. Who I can ring in a panic when I have forgotten pick ups/lunches/pretty much anything because I have too much going on in my head. Those who don’t judge me and accept me as I am. That is brave indeed! And finally… here’s to those brave, brave ones who love unconditionally. Who are loyal, and steadfast, and understand my journey. Bravery is not an everyday or ordinary quality. It takes a lot of courage to be steadfast, and it takes even more courage to take chances and live your dreams. I am incredibly fortunate in that I have people of bravery around me, and please know that I do not take you for granted, even if sometimes I am busy juggling said balls and realising that I have indeed forgotten a pick up! If you are lucky enough to be surrounded by bravery, make sure you acknowledge it. That in itself takes guts. And makes you one of the brave. See you next month. Continue to... C0nnect ~ 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
A MESSAGE FROM ME
BODY & SOUL
MONEY TALKS
e u s s I h c r a M Contents
05 AMESSAGE FROM ME 08 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS 12 EVENTS CALENDAR 14 WHATS BEEN GOING ON THIS MONTH
16 A VISION FROM WITHIN - KATE
STONE
18 THE COMPLETE 180 - CHRIS ALLEN
20 WOMEN WE ADMIRE 22 CHANGE DAY 2014 - COURTNEY BROWN
26 HOW TO MAKE BIG DECISIONS SIMPLE - ANGELA LOCKWOOD
ARTICLES NEWS & REVIEWS
LOIS LANE LIVES
37 FLEX YOUR MENTAL MUSCLE: 28 MONEY TALKS: WHY THINK WEEK - MELISSA BROWNE
31 HOW YOUR WARDROBE CAN IMPROVE YOUR INCOME - MICHELLE DONOHOE
34 HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS BY REALLY TRYING - RENATA COOPER
WHY EXCERCISE BOOSTS YOUR BRAINPOWER - NIKKI FOGDEN MOORE
41 DIVERSITY: A CRITICAL ENABLER OF SUCCESS - KAREN GATELY
43 NEWS & REVIEWS 45 LOIS LANE LIVES: THE WRITE STUFF - KATE STONE
Contributing Editors
MELISSA BROWNE
NIKKI FODGENMOORE
KATE STONE
CHRIS ALLEN
Melissa Browne is an author, entrepreneur, business owner, and shoe & jumpsuit lover.
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.
Kate Stone is a ghostwriter, columnist and 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.
Chris began his career as a soldier and was commissioned as an officer. He served with the Royal Australian Regiment, qualified as a paratrooper in Australia, England and France, undertook attachments to the Officer Cadet School of New Zealand and the British Parachute Regiment and deployed to South East Asia, Africa and Central America.
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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. Being an accountant, she understands the numbers but as an entrepreneur understands that numbers are only part of the story. She knows what it takes to achieve results that defy the trends and create incredibly robust, successful businesses. She is a tax expert with a particular passion for seeing small business owners develop profitable, successful businesses. A regular contributor to the Sydney Morning Herald, find Melissa on twitter at @ melbrowne_ or visit acctaxadv. com.au
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She uses nature as her playground – and wants all LBDG members to do the same. “Ultimately health, vitality and getting the most out of life do not have to be last on the list. It’s about finding the best information, tools and support that suit your own goals and needs. We are here to inspire, educate and help people stay motivated, with practical tools and information enabling them to make the best decisions for long term health and wellness – My motto: CREATE THE LIFE YOU WANT” The owner of Life’s A Gym, Nikki is a motivational speaker, trainer and all round powerhouse who will help you to bring your body and soul together. Connect with her on twitter @nfogdenmoore or visit www.thevitalitycoach.com.au
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Find her in one of her various guises on Twitter at http:// twitter.com/@oskythespy, read her own writing at http:// whatkatedidnext.com.au or e-mail her at kate@webwitch. com.au if you are looking for someone to time share your brain with.
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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. After being headhunted to oversee an unprecedented security upgrade of the Sydney Opera House, he later held the position of Sheriff of New South Wales, one of Australia’s most historic appointments, from 2008 until 2012. Chris’s first novel in the Intrepid series, Defender, was self- published before being rereleased by Momentum Books with his second novel, Hunter, released at the end of 2012. Both novels rocketed to the top of the charts on iTunes and Amazon and there is a US film / TV franchise based on his novels in development. His third title in the series, Avenger will be published in 2014. Chris lives in Sydney with his wife Sarah and their two small boys, Morgan and Rhett. http://intrepidallen.com
Guest Writers
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RENATA COOPER
ANGELA LOCKWOOD
COURTNEY BROWN
Renata Cooper is a multi-faceted businesswoman, entrepreneur and angel investor. She is the founder and CEO of Forming Circles, one of Australia’s leading a social and ethical investment companies that has invested in over 100 local and national businesses, individuals and organisations since its inception in 2011. Through her angel investment portfolio, she is also the Director of iVvy, an online event management and registration software that works with Flight Centre, Westpac, Queensland Government, BMW and other leading brands.
For over 10 years Angela has been building businesses and advising organisations on how to move from being stuck in overwhelm to generating momentum through making better choices.
With over eight years experience in management including healthcare and regulatory services and more than two years within commercial banking, Courtney’s intrinsic motivation is to influence change within the health landscape. Health is navigating new challenges and seeing mounting pressures on already strained systems.
Renata is a passionate advocate for women in business, literacy and youth empowerment. In her role, Renata pioneers change in Australia through community engagement; education, mentorship and grants for small businesses (especially women entrepreneurs). One of her key accomplishments was the launch of Written Portraits, an annual national creative writing competition for high school students that reached thousands of students across Australia. Her business model is founded using tools of the 21st Century such as social media, crowd-funding campaigns and innovative thinking and the more traditional method of driving positive word-of-mouth through impactful actions. She is also an accomplished artist, living in Sydney with her husband and two children. www.formingcircles.com.au
With a background as a Director of an award winning specialist health centre, and CEO of not for profit Kidsafe NT Angela advises on how to simplify work practices and the decision making process to shift organisations. www.angelalockwood.com.au
Previously, as a national manager (QIP Consulting) contributing to a number of projects, Courtney gains satisfaction from delivering realistic solutions.
Guest Writers
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KAREN GATELY Karen Gately is a passionate optimist with unwavering belief in the power of the human spirit. A highly regarded thought leader in the fields of human performance and leadership, Karen brings a fresh perspective to what it takes to lead people and teams to reach the peaks of their potential. Over the span of her corporate career Karen has worked in HR, client service, strategy, planning and quality management leadership roles. In 2006, after eight years as head of human resources for The Vanguard Group in the Asia Pacific, Karen established Ryan Gately an HR consultancy focused on enabling organisations to thrive through people. Karen is the author of two books. The Corporate Dojo: driving extraordinary results through spirited people and The People Manager’s Toolkit: a practical guide to getting the best from people. At the heart of both is this message: great results happen when talented people invest energy and behave successfully. Karen believes nurturing the human spirit to optimise business performance is not only commercially smart but also the right thing to do. Karen calls on every leader to realise the opportunity they have to achieve the best possible outcomes for their organisation and while doing so positively impact the health and happiness. http://www.karengately.com.au/
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MICHELLE DONOHOE “I’m keen to connect with women who, like me, are doing it for themselves. LBDG provides that opportunity as well as engagement with Janine and the benefits of one-to-one power sessions.” Michelle is the founder of fashion label Donohoe Sharman that specialises in elegant designer wear for professional women. The label has been developed in parallel with Michelle’s corporate career over the past 20 years. During that career in IT management and consulting Michelle became increasingly disconcerted with the fashion choices available to professional women. So she developed her own label to address the gap. Donohoe Sharman has now launched its online store and Michelle is keen to reach out to women to help them understand and embrace the transformational power of fashion. As she sees it, fashion has the potential to add self-confidence and authority to a woman’s presentation and that can enhance career prospects. Michelle and her partner husband Greg Sharman are based in the Southern Highlands of NSW where she is determined to pursue a life balance that gives equal focus to work and family. http://www.donohoesharman.com.au/
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A Vision from Within Kate Stone
There are many words that leap to mind when it comes to Di Williams. Risk taker. Game changer. Visionary. But for me personally, the biggest one has to be ‘brave’. With no formal business experience whatsoever (and I have used the word ‘formal’ for a reason – more on this), in 1989 Diana Williams started Fernwood Fitness Studios – the first women’s only health club in Australia. 25 years later, with over 70 gyms across the country, this Telstra Businesswoman of the Year and former stay at home mum tells me all about her reasons ‘why’ – and what challenges keep driving her forwards. Congratulations on the 25th Anniversary! What prompted you to take that enormous leap of faith and start Fernwood? I guess when I started Fernwood, I really had a belief that this was what women wanted; gyms as they were – they really weren’t an environment that women enjoyed; they were dirty, they smelled bad, there was nothing female friendly about them. They really just catered to body builders. On that point though, what WAS female friendly was the weight training, and women did want that – just in a different setting. I hadn’t actually thought about it as a business as much as I identified it as a need for women. Did you have a formal business background prior to Fernwood’s inception? Absolutely none! It was very much learn as I went! I suppose though, I have always had a commercial outlook on things – most mums do. I was very much a stay at home mum, and I was proud to be, but then my two children got to the teenage point, and I realised what I had to offer an enterprise. At their heart, most business decisions are common sense decisions. I found I learned from my mistakes and moved on. Never the same mistake twice I may add!
Women as business owners are very much on the rise in Australia, yet in terms of funding, are still on the back foot. How would you encourage potential entrepreneurs to make a successful start? Interestingly enough, I have recently joined Scale Investors, a seeding company – or angel investors – for women by women, inspired by Golden Seeds in the USA. Thankfully, compared to when I started out, there are now a lot more female bankers, a lot more women in the financial industry generally. I experienced a lot of closed doors, which I only overcame as I became cash flow positive and the business grew organically. In terms of encouragement, it really is a matter of following your dreams and making sure you are prepared to work incredibly hard in pursuit of those dreams. Look to women-only investor groups. This issue of GLOSS is all about ‘thinking big’, which is something you sum up! Who encouraged you to ‘think big’, and did you have anyone telling you ‘no’? If so, how did you handle that negativity? Nobody really openly encouraged me – I am a big thinker, and it was really all down to keeping that momentum going myself. Lots of people were naysayers, and said ‘it won’t last’ – but I just kept thinking, expanding, wanting things to be more fantastic – realising what was happening going on in my head. You must visualise what you want to happen. It has to come from within. 2014 for us is all about bravery. As a female CEO, who owns a company designed for the needs of women, you are very much a brave and game changing individual. What qualities do you think are necessary to be able to disrupt traditional business models? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Self confidence The ability to put away self doubts Having a feasible plan Not letting fears rule you Taking one step at a time Creating gradually and not being daunted by the big picture
Any business heroes? Gail Kelly for sure. But in general, women who have young children, who maintain a happy family and happy partner – who manage to do it all. It’s a huge job. What are you doing to celebrate this year? I am enjoying the growth, and taking the time to look back and see how far we’ve come. We tend to look forward as women and see how far we have to go - not look back and see how far we have come. For me, that has to be one of the most poignant statements from a successful woman I have ever heard. We do tend to focus on the journey ahead, rather than allowing ourselves to see just what we have already achieved. For Di Williams, that is a business empire that spans the country; and two now grown up children who had a full time mum. That, I am sure, she would view as a pretty massive achievement.
The Complete 180 Chris Allen There’s been a series of incredibly cool photos doing the rounds online this week featuring 31 year old Sean Connery and 26 year old Ursula Andress, shot between takes during the filming of the very first James Bond film, Dr No. The pictures provide a ‘time and place’ snapshot of a barely known young Scottish actor clearly out to impress a stunningly beautiful, completely unknown Swiss actress, both totally at ease with each other while utterly oblivious to the international mega-stardom that was just weeks away. Considering where that film took ultimately Connery and Ursula’s now iconic white bikini scene, what is so remarkable about the photos is the innocence of Connery’s adolescent displays of physical prowess while the clearly impressed Andress looks on. It suggests a time when life was much more simple. Men were men. Women were women. Men wore the pants. Women hung around looking beautiful in bikinis and all it took to impress them were a few handstands. Good times. I’ve been a mad Bond fan for many years now and I’ve always
proudly qualified that distinction by saying ‘… Fleming’s Bond, the Bond of the novels, first - movies second’. And, loving the novels as I did, and still do, it was inevitable that they would eventually influence my own modest offerings as a thriller writer many years later. However, when I compare the views of my 15 year old self (the one who thought, I’m going to write books like that one day) with those of my (almost) 50 year old self, I’m very relieved to say that I’ve matured - significantly so, particularly with regard to my views on how women were presented back in Ian Fleming’s day. So what exactly have we done over the past half century to further the cause of women in the modern action thriller? What have we done to present women in a way that reflects our aspirations for equality and respect? I’ve always held the view that progressing equality for women is something that will only ever be achieved by men and women working together in true partnership. There can’t be any reticence and there can’t be any begrudging acquiescence either. It’s not about women pleading with men,
saying ‘Come on, it’s our turn now you bastards.’ No, it’s about all of us saying ‘Hang on, it’s 2014 and we still haven’t got it right yet!’ It’s been 120 years since women over 21 were able to vote in this country. In that time we’ve had only one female Prime Minister, one female Governor General and, in the current government, just one female in the Cabinet. What does that say about us and our commitment to evolving? What’s taking us so long? It is inconceivable that success will be achieved in isolation. I mean, how can we possibly achieve equality if only half of the equation is working towards that objective? So, as a man I looked for inspiration among my brothers, home grown champions of change, and in this particular case, thriller scribes who not only respect women and value the right of every woman to be heard as an equal, but have whole heartedly embraced the opportunity to present women, front and centre as their principal protagonists. I’m talking about Tony Park, Greg Barron and Nathan Farrugia. All three of these great Australian writers have shifted the focus on women in fiction out of the bikini and into the line of fire. Tony’s Sonja Kurtz (The Delta), Greg’s Marika Hartmann (Savage Tide), and Nathan’s Sophia (The Chimera Vector) are contemporary heroes in every way, capturing all of the power, sophistication, physical and moral toughness and smarts of the modern woman. Women shouldn’t need to ask for permission – Sonja, Marika and Sophia certainly don’t - and men shouldn’t consider themselves the final approvers. Success comes by standing side by side with gender a non-issue. What we need is collaborative communication, a shared vision of the endgame and, above all else, mutual respect. Team work, what a concept! That’s what I like so much about what these writers have done. They’ve embraced the position of women as equal in every way and have created female characters that don’t need to be considered the rival of any man. They just are who they are – strong, resourceful, intelligent and, most importantly, still women. So, that’s it girls. Take a leaf out of the books of Park, Barron and Farrugia and go and kick some arse. On second thoughts, go easy on us. Remember, without you guys we’d still be living in trees. Seriously.
Women we admire
Cate Blanchett Opra hW infre y
Pink
treep S l y r Me
JK Rowling
Lisa Messenger
Abigail Disney
eachley Layne B Mayer a s s i r a M
Sam M ostyn
dberg n a S l y Sher
ry Avril Hen
Lehmah Gbowee
Who would YOU like to see featured here? Email Lisa at support@littleblackdressgroup.com.au with your suggestions.
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Elizabeth Broderick
Change Day 2014 Courtney Brown
I caught myself this week, worrying about what I cannot influence and getting stressed about those things in my world that I cannot control. It really made me stop and think, “don’t sweat the small stuff”. With televised coverage of bikie wars, king hits, conflict in Syria it sometimes makes you wonder how our small contributions can really create meaningful change. Well each of us can make a difference and you can start in the month of March. My small contribution is testimony to the fact that large change can be created when like-minded individuals co-create a concept and step into action. I am sure most of you are familiar and may have even participated in the earth hour initiative which was conceptualised in 2004 with the first Earth hour commencing in 2007. The earth hour initiative now sees over 7001 cities and towns in 163 countries across all seven continents influence hundreds of millions of individuals to step into action by switching off their lights for one hour, on one day every year.
Change day 2014 (6th March) is gaining momentum and attracting interest from people all around the world. Right now in Australia this concept is being mobilised to support quality improvements for change to the health and wellbeing of individuals and workplaces throughout Australia. Set to be the biggest grassroots quality improvement campaign ever held in Australia, its success rests with participation of people just like you. “I’m pledging to make yoga more accessible to people with a disability, the elderly and those in remote areas who don’t usually get the opportunity to choose having a yoga practice as part of their lives.” Yoga Instructor “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” Margaret Mead
The genesis of Change Day came from the National Health Service (NHS) Change Day 2013 held in England. The NHS event started with a single tweet shared between a group of young improvement leaders in the summer of 2012. They began talking about how they could improve their health service and make patient care even better. Before long this developed into a shared vision about bringing together staff across the NHS and its supporters to produce positive change and improvement.
We know that frontline staff, when provided with enough freedom, confidence and encouragement, can be capable of incredible things – improving care, reducing costs and designing solutions to our big challenges. Change Day is an opportunity for individuals and teams to put forward their ideas for making a difference.
“I’m pledging to improve the early recognition and detection of deteriorating patients, resulting in the reduction of cardiac arrests and hospital mortality” Health Researcher
We can all have an immediate impact on the health and well being of others. You don’t have to be a clinician or a health leader. Just last week a homeless woman living in her car in Queensland pledged to reach out to others through her Twitter account. We think if she can pledge we all can.
This led to the very first NHS Change Day held on 6th March 2013. The initial goal was to mobilise 65,000 people – 1,000 for each year since the NHS was established. “I am pledging to introduce myself by my full name and position within the hospital and encouraging the other doctors and nurses within my unit to do the same” Doctor working in a large public hospital They exceeded their wildest hopes and generated 189,000 online pledges of action and subsequent actions for change. Put simply: it was a phenomenal success. “I pledge to act as a role model for my colleagues in everything I do on change day and pledge to try to keep it going for as long as I’m able to work as a nurse!” This year Australia will join England, the Netherlands, Sweden, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Canada as we form a global campaign for change. “I pledge to ask my colleagues ‘are you ok?’ and take time to listen to the answer.” Paediatric Registrar in ICU Our goal in Australia in 2014 is to mobilise 50,000 people to participate in Change Day by making online pledges of action (agreeing to do one thing differently to improve the health and wellbeing of others) and committing to make a positive difference.
“I’m pledging to be more compassionate to colleagues and clients”
“I pledge to encourage others in my community to ride for health” Making a pledge is your way of letting everyone know about the action you will take to contribute to this social movement. There are so many things you can pledge to do, every day we are surprised by the creativity of people who want to change the world. “I’m pledging to stand up every 45 minutes and do something active” Being the very best version of yourself and creating great outcomes is free – simply visit www.changeday.com.au and make your pledge then tell others about it and encourage them to do the same. Follow us on Twitter @ChangeDayAus or Facebook: ChangeDayAus “ I pledge to talk to my kids about how important it is not to bully others”
Here’s what we are asking you to do, 4 easy steps to be the change you want to see in the world. 1. Visit our website www.changeday.com.au and make a pledge (you can make a group pledge). 2. Let your colleagues and friends know about your pledge by sending them a link to the website and encouraging them to join in. 3. Go on our mailing list so we can keep in touch and let you know how Change Day is growing, then you can send our emails onto others. 4. Join us every Friday in February by posting the changeday.com.au URL on your LinkedIn page This valuable initiative is supported by my organisation, The AGPAL group of companies (a quality and safety accreditation and certification body) and all of our staff have committed to generate pledges as well as raise awareness for Change Day. Through all of our extended networks we are aiming to exceed the 50,000 individual pledge target. With your participation (no matter how great or small) we will be able to create great change to the lives of those around us.
How to Make Big Decisions Simple Angela Lockwood “ Balance is not better time management, but better boundary management. Balance means making choices and enjoying those choices.” Betsy Jacobson We are a complicated bunch us women. I can understand why men find us so confusing. I sometimes find us confusing. We want progress but we want time out. We want space, but we want connection. We want career, and we want family. We want health, but we won’t make time. We want wealth, but we want to shop. We want friendship, but we are too busy to call. We want life to be simple, but we make it so complex. Fascinating aren’t we? How complicated we really are shone through when I was working with an Executive Coaching client. Tamara walked in to our session in a lather of sweat as though she just finished a workout. She was in a position at work that she had dreamt of and at an age most were realising they should get a ‘decent job’. To others she was living the dream, but to her she was drowning, drowning with such elegance she could have been on a synchronized swimming team. To others she appeared in control, she played netball with her friends, was on the innovation committee at work, was studying for her Masters in
Community Development and was well respected by her team. To others she led a balanced life, but to her she was screaming for help. It was when she was driving to work that morning she realised she hadn’t enjoyed playing netball all season, she hadn’t attended the social committee meeting for 4 months, her friends no longer asked her for Friday drinks, she would take work home and worked until she fell asleep and then woke at 5.30am to the sound of her alarm, exhausted. Tamara recalled while staring at the car ahead of her it was like life stood still and she was stuck in a whirlwind. She realised, things needed to change. Trying to be everything to everyone was no longer working for her. This was her moment of choice. If Tamara’s story sounds familiar, it is because her story is not unique. With 55% of people not fulfilled at work, reported Depression rates higher than ever and according to NHRMC approximately 60% of Australians are now classified as overweight or obese, it seems the seeking balance conversation is not working. Although Tamara’s story is common the ending isn’t. Tamara did one thing that would separate her from many others; she looked at what she learnt in ‘her moment’ and did something about it. She didn’t get stuck in overwhelm, she didn’t
let procrastination win, she decided enough was enough, made the choice to change and stepped up. Life is pretty simple, we need food, water, shelter, and air to breathe. If that is all we need to survive then why does life seem so complicated? Our constant search for balance in our lives is leaving us feeling more frantic, more busy, and more out of control than ever. Busy is not making us any happier or fulfilled. So if balance isn’t working and busy isn’t working what is the answer? Taking control of our choices. In the 21st Century one thing we do not lack is choice. We have shops that only stock door handles, acres of land with cars, department stores with every type of clothing one could imagine, and if you can’t find what you are looking for jump online and you can be assured someone will have it somewhere. Pizza topping combinations, cocktails at the bar, colours to paint your toenails, options and choices everywhere. Knowing how to make a choice and being OK that the choice you have made is what often stops people from moving forward in life. In fact too much choice can paralyze people into inaction for fear of not making the right choice, the perfect choice, the best choice. I know I suffer this when out dining. The stress of looking at a menu at a restaurant and trying to make the perfect choice for fear the wrong decision might ruin the night. Come on ladies, I know I am not alone here! Anyone? Writing goals, new year resolutions, bucket lists, strategic plans, missions statements, workplace management plans, these are all great to do to create a path, a framework for us to take action within. But without action these are useless. What is needed is a whole hearted commitment to implementation. A list is easy to write, a plan is easy to pull together. What is hard is getting up every morning and making the decision that today will be the day we go to the gym, speak up in the meeting, play with our kids, get the report finished, catch up with a friend, say I love you to our partner. When we are feeling overwhelmed, stuck, frantic, or just plain busy, speaking about simplifying our lives can feel annoying. We all know we need less complication, to be more present and to plan our time better. We all know this stuff. So why is it so hard? Isn’t the whole point of simplifying life not having to do more? It is because simplifying takes time and energy, two things we never seem to have enough of. So I have made it simple for you. Here are 6 steps to choosing to live the life you want 1. Stop and take a breath- Get perspective. 2. Step back and review what’s going on- Be honest and specific. 3. Choose your attitude- Get excited about what’s next. 4. Plan what’s next- Prioritise what’s important. 5. Stick with it- Put priorities into action. 6. Step up- Focus on getting results that matter. Back yourself and go for it. When life seems too busy, too overwhelming, too out of control, the great news is there is we are just about to hit a break-through. When a forehead hits the table, eyes stare into space, a head is thrown back in despair, that is your moment. Your moment to stop the chaos and get back to what is important to you. Your moment to gain perspective, your moment to find simplicity, however that looks for you. It is your life. You choose.
Money Talks: Why Think Week Melissa Browne In January after three weeks of muchneeded holidays, I took an extra week away from work for what I called Think Week. This wasn’t an excuse to take another week off but a deliberate strategy to spend meaningful time reading business books, watching clips I’d flagged to eventually watch, to dream, think and write about what my business might become in 2014 and beyond.
One of the themes that continued to surface for me throughout 2013 and surfaced again during my Think Week is Why. Traditionally we’re told to ask Who. Who is your customer, where do they live, what do they look like, how much do they earn, what do they spend and how do they spend it. It’s an exercise in geography and demographics and generally leaves you with a basic understanding of who a typical or even a preferred customer is.
This is a tool employed by successful entrepreneurs such as Bill Gates, which allows the business owner/s to stop, think, dream, read and strategize. I know that I’m so busy during my average week that I don’t give myself time to stop, read, think and allow great ideas (and not so great ideas) to form. Think Week is now a critical part of my year and one which allows my business to remain innovative and exciting.
Or if not Who, we ask What. What do you do, what is your job, what is your role, what does your company do, what do you want? Instead the question that more and more researchers, authors and analysts are suggesting that we ask is not Who or What but Why. Why are consumers shopping, what is driving them online or to stores, why do they spend what and how they do and why are
they loyal or disloyal to stores or products? Or even to direct the why in a different way. Why as a business are we doing what we do? Is it because it’s the best way, is it because it’s what our customer wants or is it because we’ve always done things that way. I think Why is a much better question. It allows you to find new growth opportunities and potentially to find new clusters of consumers that you hadn’t thought of before as well as new ways of engaging with these consumers. It allows you to identify the profit pools within these groups and make sure you are talking their language and meeting their demands. It also allows you to find new ways of doing things within your business by questioning why you do what you do. Let me explain the difference between a Who and a Why with a simple retail example. If someone was to analyse my spending habits both offline and online they would come up with essentially the same who when it came to age, the amount I spend, where I live, my potential income and my fashion choices. However if they analysed my Why there would be two very different answers. My Why for online shopping is budget: plain and simple. It is all about finding sites that give me great information to buy designer clothing as cheaply as possible. End of story. My Why for retail bricks and mortar store shopping is the opposite. It is to find stores that will help me look fashionable, interesting and different from the crowd. So I seek out stores that have interesting, well-made clothing made from great fabrics that won’t be seen on everyone in the street but most importantly who have in-store help that is second to none. That’s because I almost always shop by myself & I value a stylist’s opinion. I’ll almost always buy more in-store if the store employs well-trained, talented stylists. Always. That’s because while I read Vogue, I’m not a stylist in the same way that you can read an accounting text book each month but not be an accountant. Sure you might have a greater degree of knowledge than the average person but you still value a second opinion from a well-trained expert.
Why bother with Why? Because it allows you to identify new ways of talking with your customers and potentially new profit pools that your competitors aren’t talking to yet. Years ago the pet-food industry was all about the size and breed of the dog until a US company decided to focus on the Why and identified that consumers could be identified by the relationship they have with their dog. Once they identified the most profitable relationship it meant they could change their offering, change how they talked to that group and lead the market. That dog food company still leads the market in dog food offering because they have stayed ahead of the competition by continuing to ask why. I think What and Who is easier. And safer. Why is confronting, Why makes you question what you’re doing and if you continue to ask Why it prevents you from looking to the easy answer. But I also believe a business owners willingness to ask Why is the difference between a good difference and a great business. Why not take the time this year to ask a different type of question? This year why not change how you are looking at what you do and who you are servicing and instead ask Why. Oh and if you love the idea of a Think Week then simply book it in your diary and do it. The only problem you’ll have is stopping the flow of ideas once the tap starts.
How your Wardrobe can Improve your Income Michelle Donohoe
They say ‘first impressions count’ and we all know how much better we dress for that important job interview. But what happens to our dress sense after we get the job and does that impact on our promotion and earnings potential? According to Forbes Magazine (David Williams, Entrepreneurs, 8/9/13) “Respect, confidence and self-empowerment can all start with your diligence to apparel. Make sure to look your best every day. Prepare yourself as if you were planning to interview for your next big promotion. Dress in the way that is comfortable to you and in a stylistic manner that makes you feel fresh, professional, and well put together. If needed, spend an evening on a handful of ensembles that you can use as your go-to’s. That effort will save you time and frustration when you’re rushing out the door for an a.m. meeting.” Now I know careers are not built on how we dress, but it is a significant part of our professional ‘brand’ and provides very strong cues to our values, commitments, self-respect and also the respect we have for the work environment. You will be surprised how a change in your professional attire immediately alters people’s perceptions of you. The change does not need to be expensive, just a little more considered, especially with how your clothing ‘fits’.
According to Forbes Magazine, “regardless of your body type, style preferences, or budget focus, the key to dressing successfully is to focus on fit. It’s the surest way to project the confidence that is linked in studies to boosting performance in a variety of tasks. In summary, when you “dress up” a level at work, your boss or supervisor and your co-workers will assume you are going to or coming from something better. You project confidence and competency, which is exactly what you want to portray when you sit down for your annual review.” But is there any evidence that dressing for success will actually increase your potential for career advancement and higher earning potential? Harvard Business Review (February 9, 2011) research demonstrates how dressing professionally can advance careers: ‘Women, in particular, believed that dressing the part was a vital factor in attaining success: 53% of them felt aspiring female execs needed to toe a very conservative line, avoiding flashy make-up, plunging necklines, too-short or tootight skirts, and long fingernails. ‘Indeed, half the women surveyed and 37% of the men considered appearance and ‘executive presence’ to be intrinsically linked; they understood that if you don’t look the part of a leader, you’re not likely to be given the role. Far from imagining that appearance is a personal matter, they perceived that looking well-turned-out engenders self confidence, a trait they considered the bedrock of authentic leaders. The research also revealed, however, that it is one thing to grasp the importance of looking professional, and quite another to interpret the ever-shifting notions that define a professional appearance. Women, certainly, struggle more than men to achieve the look of leadership, a factor that contributes to their overall stall in middle and upper-middle management. On the one hand, they’re told to conform; on the other, they’re advised to stand out. They’re told to downplay their sexuality, but warned against coming off as too mannish and threatening. They know they will be judged on their appearance, perhaps unreasonably so.” So women especially face challenges when
‘developing their professional wardrobe and executive presence’. Here are my tips for sharpening up your professional look: • Do an audit of your professional wardrobe and keep anything that fits well to your current body shape. Garments that don’t fit now should be sold on eBay or given away to worthy charities; • Arrange your remaining garments into ensemble outfits with a focus on your ‘go-to’ styles that you feel good in; • Prepare your preferred outfit the night before – is it pressed and clean and ready to go? This takes the stress out of your morning routine and also means you wake up feeling positive and confident. • Also prepare your accessories the night before – stockings to match your outfit (try the very sheer Denier, a little more expensive but worth it for their quality), jewellery (a few well chosen pieces is all you need) and shoes (clean and well presented). • The key to smart professional outfits is ‘simple and sharp’. A clean crisp white blouse is the epitome of this and you should maximise your use of these types of garments within your professional wardrobe. • Be tough on your wardrobe and don’t settle for those once favourite pieces that are now ill-fitting or worn. Your professional wardrobe is an investment in your career development and deserves close management. • Last but not least; like what you see in the mirror every morning. Is this you at your best? Do you feel confident and professional? Have you dressed for your next career level and do you look confident, competent and successful? If so, go forth and conquer your world…! As the motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar says - “You cannot climb the ladder of success dressed in the costume of failure”.
Clothing by
http://www.donohoesharman.com.au/
How to Succeed in Business by Really Trying Renata Cooper Women have come a long way from fighting for the right to vote at the turn of the century to shaping the economy and the country. From mining, banking and politics to small businesses and enterprises, women have established themselves as change agents and influencers. International Women’s Day on 8th March is always a timely occasion to recognise how far we have come and the journey ahead. The positive impact of women in business has been gaining momentum the last few years, largely owing to innovative technologies that give women the flexibility to juggle multiple roles across geographies. Women entrepreneurs have used technology to be disruptive, innovative and explore their true potential. Shoes of Prey founder Jodie Fox, events management software company iVvy’s founder Lauren Hall and MamaBake founder Michelle Shearer are just a few examples of ingenious thinking shaping not only national economy, but also making an impact globally.
Globally, women have been forecast to add $6 trillion in additional earned income over the next five years according to the Boston Consulting Group. However, the 2013 BRW Young Rich featuring 100 names only had seven women who made the $18 million cut-off (and this was including James Packer’s estranged wife who was on the list on the basis of her likely divorce settlement). The growth in support networks such as venture capital firm Scale Investors, mentoring organisations such as Springboard Enterprises and angel investors like me, are all hoping to change this trend by helping women entrepreneurs increase share of national and global capital. When I came to Australia as a Slovakian refugee years ago with only $20 on me, I realised that my future would not be shaped by luck, chance or heritage, but by sheer hard work and determination. Today, I run an organisation that has invested in over 100 Australian, owns its own national creative
writing competition and invested in an innovative company pushing the boundaries of innovation. All the advice I’ve received and observed over the years distils down to a few key points. They are: • Innovate, innovate, innovate: Look for opportunities to do something different and better than others. Unchartered waters are usually terrifying, but you’ll never realise the potential unless you try. Women tend to be risk averse, so it is very important to tell ourselves that it is ok to do something no one else has and push the boundaries. • Accept risk: For women, who are risk averse in nature, this is a significant step forward. Acceptance only comes with understanding the challenges. This in turn helps you develop strategies that can overcome these challenges and risks. The acceptance of risk therefore goes beyond just acknowledging a challenge – it helps build your business confidence. • Work backwards: I talk about vision a lot, mostly because I’ve met so many women entrepreneurs who don’t know where they see themselves in five years time. Set your vision – it can be highly aspirational or something small – make sure it works for you and work backwards by detailing what you need to do to realise that vision. Want that dream client? Put together a list of what will impress that client and then execute those activities. Be sure to revisit this vision once every six months to see how you are tracking. • Growth or exit strategy: Your business will differ according to whether you plan to grow it by way of market expansion, headcount, revenue, acquisition, customer base, etc., and be around to manage / enjoy the fruits of your labour or if you are planning to sell it in a few years. Have a good think about this even before you start so you can strategise and recruit the right talent to support your goals. • Networking is your goldmine: One of the key reasons Australia is conducive to women entrepreneurs is because of the support networks in the country. Make use
of them. In addition to meeting like-minded people, lead generation and building your profile, networking is goldmine in learning what has worked for others so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. • Be profitable: I’ve met so many women who are passionate about what they do but undercut costs or put profits on the backburner. A successful and sustainable business is one where the entrepreneur understands cash flow and utilises profits to grow. It is ok to get help by way of loans and other cash injections, but do so only when you have a good revenue base. • Find start-up funding: I would have never achieved Forming Circles’ current growth without the start-up funds. I believe we would have a very different company. Also, falling hard and getting back up is much easier when you have funding. You just try a different angle. A quote that has always stood out to me that I wanted to share with you readers is from Madam C. J. Walker, America’s first female entrepreneur millionaire “There is no royal flower-strewn path to success. And if there is, I have not found it, for if I have accomplished anything in life it is because I have been willing to work hard”.
MOBILE MARKETING STRATEGY & IMPLEMENTATION
Did you know 28% of all web traffic now comes from mobile?
Flex Your Mental Muscle: Why Exercise Boosts Your Brainpower Nikki Fogden-Moore
Are you heading into March a little dazed and confused by all the things to achieve, goals and lists? Ever feel a little overwhelmed and lacking clarity in decisions for home and business? Well - have no fear! Since this is the career issue I’ve put together 5 exercises that will restore your mental clarity and flex your brainpower for an uber successful month.
I have written and also presented a lot lately about the power of mindset to achieving your health & fitness goals and that your sense of self belief needs to be aligned with what you truly want to achieve. That being said there is a chicken and egg situation. The more we treat our bodies with respect, the better we feel, the more we make the right choices, the better we look and perform.
In one of my latest articles I share how exercise is important in boosting brainpower, de-cluttering your mind and assisting with a healthy mind to achieve your goals and operate at peak performance.
So whilst you are getting your mindset mojo happening, make a few moments in your day to work on your body and cardio system - providing the optimal chance for you to look, feel and be your personal best.
Whether that’s being super mum or a super entrepreneur, or super athlete - exercise plays a key role in providing our bodies with the fresh oxygen and physical functions that aid optimal health.
Part 2 of your 12 Week Vitality Challenge is to look at incorporating these 3 key pillars in each week (and ideally every day):
Healthy Mind = Healthy Body. There is no doubt about that.
Clear your head with some good old fashioned fresh air. Step outside, talk a walk in the morning or during your break and exercise as much as you can
1. Fresh Air
outdoors. Being in nature has an incredible way to calibrate and put things into perspective. We are often our most creative when we reduce the clutter around us and free up mental space to allow fresh thoughts and ideas. 2. Fresh Food Your mental wellbeing is definitely connected to what you eat and drink. If you haven’t already it’s time to ditch those artificial sweeteners, fizzy drinks, too much coffee, crisps and ready made snacks that are just empty calories. There is nothing good about drinking a substance that dissolves coins (no need to mention what that “substance” may be - it’s starts with c and ends with e)… - Opt for natural omegas and brain power foods such as nuts, seeds, non farmed salmon, oily fish, avocado’s and green teas. - Replace junk food and high sugary fixes with a healthy stack of snacks you have on hand - each week pre pack for your desk or handbag/gym bag something like the following - Nuts/seeds mix - Protein bar without artificial colourings and preservatives (Body For Women just came out with a new range of low GI protein bars without artificial sweeteners and I’m a little partial to the coconut one) - A shaker with some natural protein powder - you can add chilled water to it later - Fresh fruit and crunchy vegie sticks - Natural nut butter you can leave in the fridge at work - Home made bliss balls (see my recipe here) - Plenty of filtered water - Order a green smoothie instead of a coffee if you’re out or make one at home and jam pack it with chia seeds for omega’s See one of my favourite Bliss Ball recipes below as a healthy, tasty snack. 3. A Fresh Perspective Why not try something new to get your brain power working - just like our muscles we need to keep our brain on it’s toes. Sitting in front of the TV, an Ipad or computer screen is not overly stimulating and can lead to all sorts of issues with headaches, posture, eye problems (we don’t blink as much when we stare at a screen so our eyes get dry and sensitive) and lack of focus. Ditch the keyboard and pick up a pen and paper to plan out your fitness for the week - slap it on a sticky note to your fridge and refer to it every day before you head off. Try The Wake Up Workout as well. There’s an ebook online and I’m giving every GLOSS reader a copy for FREE just sign up with the link below. JUST CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Lastly nothing beats a little bit of balance and meditation. If you are tired, rest, relax and eat healthy. Listen to your body this year and start creating change by approaching your training with a fresh perspective. Meditation comes in many forms - it can be sitting somewhere with a great view or just as simple as closing your eyes in a quiet place to resettle your thoughts. Find what works for you and practise small amounts of mindful time daily. On my blog you can hop onto the FITNESS section and choose from a variety of exercises and workouts to kick start your day. Also scroll down as well for simple, healthy and tasty recipes to have you feeling fighting fit. Remember our lives are a direct result of how we live our days. Be healthy, make positive choices and watch yourself excel in all areas of life. Until next month - health & happiness Nikki x SPECIAL OFFER Nikki as a current special offer on her 4 Week Vitality Program for just $37.00 - tried, tested and created for busy people! This is the way really start achieving your health and fitness goals. Hop over to her blog the vitalitycoach.com.au or get started right away CLICK HERE
NIKKI’S QUICK BLISS BALL RECIPE Ingredients: 1 cup Pitted dates | 1/4 cup almonds | 1 cup walnuts |5 pitted prunes | 2 scoops GF BSc natural protein powder (or equivalent) | chopped up protein bar (I used the new GF coconut one from Body For Women) | shredded coconut | 2 tablespoons chia seeds | lime zest. It’s a good idea to soak the nuts and dates overnight to make them easier to blend – or even 15minutes if you can. 2. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Add a touch of filtered water and some squeezed lime juice until you get the consistency right. It should be sticky and not too dry making it easy to roll into a ball. 3. Scoop a tablespoon out at a time, roll into a ball then roll in either sesame seeds or shredded coconut. Place in fridge or freezer. ENJOY!!!
Let your Light Shine Be a Source of Strength & Courage Radiate Love.
Diversity - A Critical Enabler of Success Karen Gately
Over the last decade countries around the world, including Australia, have unquestionably made progress toward achieving greater gender balance in the workplace. While progress has been far slower than many would like, some evidence of change can be observed in education, government and business. Despite the victories won however, the battle is far from over; it remains true that women struggle to access the basic right to equal pay or advance their careers as far as men. Of particular concern is the reality that woman remain more likely to spend their later years living in poverty. The fight of women to strengthen their position in the world of business is far from the only diversity challenge. Its common to hear young people bemoan the lack of opportunities available to them and our youth unemployment rates validate that perspective. At the other end of the spectrum older workers are equally battling to win employment opportunities as many employers overlook the value their hard earned skills and experience can offer. People from culturally diverse backgrounds also face the prejudice of narrow-minded people who fail to recognise the talents they offer. It’s reasonable to think that any fair-minded society would be committed to providing
equal opportunity and benefit regardless of gender, age or race. It’s not too much to ask that personal attributes, irrelevant to someone’s capacity to deliver in a role, never play a part in deciding the opportunities or rewards received, and yet they do. The fact is far too many decisions continue to be made for reasons entirely unrelated to work performance. Achieving equality matters well beyond ‘fairness’ or ‘doing the right thing’. Beyond morale drivers for change, the impact of diversity on the bottom line performance of any business and prosperity of any nation provide compelling reason for change. According to the Australian Government Workplace Gender Equality agency “research suggests that organisations that respect and value the diversity brought by both women and men are better able to attract and retain high performers and improve operational performance”. Statistics pointing to the impacts of diversity on the bottom line performance of an organisation is now freely available. While fairness continues to be a valid platform from which to argue for greater diversity, a compelling story to tell is that of what is
possible, the heights that can be achieved when diverse groups of people come together. Perhaps the argument should shift somewhat to one centered on the lost opportunity inherent in ‘sameness’. Over the years I have been fortunate to work with highly successful organisations, those who lead their industry often into unchartered territory. At the heart of their success is typically a powerful leadership team who bring diverse backgrounds, philosophies, perspectives and ideas. When these groups of people engage in healthy, robust debate their ability to innovate, to challenge the status quo, to grow and involve is inspiring. To push the boundaries of conventional thinking further perhaps its also time to reflect more closely on what ancient wisdom can teach us about the power of diversity and need for balance. As I share in my first book The Corporate Dojo, “the power of the integration of opposites is a philosophy reflected in the ancient wisdom of cultures from around the globe.” For example, the ‘Middle Way’, a Zen Buddhist philosophy, describes the realization of being free of the onesidedness of perspective that takes the extremes of any polarity as objective reality. Throughout his writings, Carl Jung draws our attention to opposing pairs and then points to the archetype that integrates them. International Women’s Day is a critically important opportunity to educate people further about why we need more women not only in Boardrooms, but also in leadership roles at all levels of business and in Government. As we reflect on the need for greater fairness and diversity for women I hope people will come to also understand the power and importance of diversity more broadly. I believe it is incumbent upon us all to take ownership of the issue. Only when this begins to happen will we start to see substantial change. The next time you are contemplating the right person for a role in your organisation, reflect carefully on the limiting beliefs and unconscious biases you may hold. Searching for greater insight to this important issue I came across a useful guide from US based consulting firm Cook Ross titled ‘Proven Strategies for Addressing Unconscious Bias in the Workplace’. Advice offered by Cook Ross and other commentators in this field can be summarized into these seven key points: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Recognize we all have the potential to be biased Understand that being aware of our own biases is the first step to being able to mitigate their influence Take responsibility for the influence of our own biases Review every aspect of the employment life cycle for hidden bias – screening resumes, interviews, onboarding, performance appraisal, identifying high performers, promotion and termination. Leverage anonymous surveys to understand what issues of hidden bias and unfairness might exist. Survey current and exiting staff Provide training that includes examples of hidden bias and forms of unfairness Provide third-party support in addressing issues of concern
News & Reviews
Featured This Month BOOK: THE ONE THING – Gary Keller In this book Gary Keller shares “The Surprisingly Simply Truth Behind Extraordinary Results”. Learn why trying to do everything doesn’t usually bring success, how to determine your one big thing and how to be more productive with your time.
http://www.amazon.com/The-ONE-Thing-Surprisingly-Extraordinary/dp/1885167776
BLOGS: Marie was recently interviewed by Oprah as a thought leader for the next generation. Her mission is to help you realise your greatest potential and use your unique talents to change the world. She reaches over 250,000 readers in 191 countries worldwide and leads dynamic training programs that teach individuals to succeed in business and life. She’s the creator of the award-winning show MarieTV and has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, Fast Company, Glamour Magazine, Self Magazine, Forbes.com and The New York Times among others.
http://www.marieforleo.com/
WEBSITE: A Mighty Girl Along with inspirational and informative Facebook posts and a cracker of a blog, A Mighty Girl provides books, puzzles, games and clothing for girls who want to be - well, mighty! This is a great site for teachers, parents and anyone who has a stake in raising amazing young women.
http://amightygirl.com
Lois Lane Lives: The Write Stuff Kate Stone
Ever since I can remember, I have been nose deep in books, and making up stories. My most memorable statement as a very precocious six year old was ‘I’d rather read than eat thank you Mummy’ when called (several exasperated times) to the dinner table. The written word is like a drug to me. It provides clarity and comfort when times are tough, and it allows me to settle the hamster wheel that is my brain down to a dull roar rather than a bewildering g-force driven insanity. I have never really thought about how fortunate I am to be able to write my feelings down, or in fact to write full stop. It’s just something that happens without process. Thankfully, my parents both nurtured and encouraged me in my love for books and blathering on – and if it meant dinner got a bit cold while I finished ‘just one more page’, then the world wouldn’t end – after all, I was the one who had to eat it (and my Mum’s cooking was not all that crash hot warm, let alone cold... sorry Mum, but you know it’s true!) If only all little girls around the planet were to have the opportunities I have been given.
This is not only heartbreaking. It’s wrong. We live in an age of wonders. I can have an article around the world in the blink of an eye – and yet there are 600 million women and girls out there who cannot read or write. They are being held back by poverty, by religion, by circumstance. They are being held back by ignorance and superstition. And in some cases, they are being held back by fear. My heroes are those women who make it through the barrier of background to put words on a page and bring their stories to life. Women who refuse to sit back and be told ‘no, this is not for you. You are not good enough. You are not allowed to have this.’ They rise above and ultimately not only triumph over oppression, but also give back in an indefinable way to those younger than themselves. Because they give hope. Once upon a time, I hoped to be a fighter pilot. An actress. A spy. A super hero. A racing car driver. I am all of those things – because I am a writer. And I know how immensely privileged I am to be sitting here now writing this piece. I hope that in March, as a woman of worth, and to celebrate International Women’s Day, and World Book Day (hooray!) you embrace the written word. And perhaps take the time to read about someone who inspired you... Once upon a time.
Of the 774 million adults (15 years and over) worldwide who are deemed to be illiterate, 493 million – or two-thirds – of them are women. Children? 123 million cannot read or write – and 76 million are girls. Even though the overall global illiteracy rate is shrinking, the rate of female illiteracy has stayed steady at 63 – 64%.
*STATISTICS FROM: http://www.uis.unesco.org/literacy/Pages/ data-release-map-2013.aspx (UNESCO AUGUST 2013)
April is all about Think Big. We can all have Big Dreams and Thinking Big helps these dreams come true! Some fantastic articles from a wide range of contributors to kick start your heart (and brain) and get you thinking. We look forward to seeing you soon.
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CONNECTION. COLLABORATION. NETWEAVING. BUSINESS BUILDING.A VOICE. A VISION. A COMMUNITY. CHANGEMAKERS. GENEROUS. THOUGHTLEADERS. HONEST. AUTHENTIC. SUCCESSFUL. UNIQUE. ENTREPRENEURS. PROFESSIONALS. FEARLESS. OUTSPOKEN.
LBDG is about community. It’s about business leaders and entrepreneurs collaborating. It’s about creating sustainable, leverageable and successful businesses. 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
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