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MAY 2014
Founder & Editor in Chief JANINE GARNER | janine@littleblackdressgroup.com.au Contributing Editors Melissa Browne, Nikki Fogden-Moore Kate Stone, Chris Allen, Renata Cooper Featured This Month Dr Lois Frankel, Lizzie Renkert, Rod Soper, Amber Daines, Jo Muirhead, Debb Meyer, Catriona Pollard. 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
A Message From Me Welcome to GLOSS in May. This month is bigger and better than ever, with some amazing guests including Dr Lois Frankel, an internationally recognised expert in the field of leadership development for women, and the author of ‘Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office’. We were also privileged to spend time with the fabulous Lizzie Renkert, who apart from embodying the spirit of reinvention and bravery which is so much of the LBDG ethos, is at the forefront of the Witchery/OCRF White Shirt Campaign for Ovarian Cancer Research. There is so much happening at LBDG, GLOSS and for me personally (more on that next month!), and it’s such a gift to see our members thriving. There are so many stories of success out there – and it’s all down to the attitude of collaboration, trust, and transparent business practices which I see in real life transactions every day. I constantly say ‘we don’t network, we netweave’ – and this isn’t just hype. I see it all around me, from member to member and from state to state. On that note, I hope to see you at Beckie White’s fabulous fundraiser for First Seeds in Melbourne! Thank you Beckie – you are a wonderful inspiration. Finally, of course, this Sunday is Mother’s Day – and whether you are a Mum, or you are lucky enough to have your mum in your life, a Happy Mother’s Day to you. Kate Stone’s column this month to her (albeit imaginary) daughter is a tongue in cheek look at what I think we all want for our girls – the chance to be happy and successful on their own terms. Have a busy, brave May, and don’t forget 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
A MESSAGE FROM ME
BODY & SOUL
MONEY TALKS
May Issue Contents
05 AMESSAGE FROM ME 08 IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE 12 EVENTS CALENDAR 14 DR LOIS FRANKEL JUST WANTS TO SEE YOU BE BRAVE
20 IT’S TIME TO FUTURE-
PROOF AUSTRALIAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP - RENATA COOPER
22 KINDRED SPIRITS: AN
16 BUSINESS BASICS: TAX
INTERVIEW WITH LIZZIE RENKERT
18 WHAT’S BEEN GOING ON THIS
24 WHAT IS YOUR WAKE?
PLANNING - MELISSA BROWNE
MONTH
RELATIONSHIPS ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK - ROD SOPER
NEWS & REVIEWS
ARTICLES DEBB MEYER
31 NO LONGER A SLAVE - WHY
SELLING TIME FOR MONEY WAS NOT SMART FOR ME - JO MUIRHEAD
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WHATEVER YOU DO, PLEASE DON’T CALL ME A MUMPRENEUR AMBER DAINES
38 THE FUTURE OF PR - CATRIONA
POLLARD
LOIS LANE LIVES
28 THE WORK/LIFE BALANCE MYTH -
40 THE FIVE ELEMENTS OF A
WINNING WEEK - NIKKI FOGDENMOORE
42 IN CONVERSATION WITH NINA SLADE
44 A LETTER TO MY 14 YEAR OLD SELF - CHRIS ALLEN
46 TOP SEVEN TIPS - CHRISTINA GUIDOTTI
48 NEWS & REVIEWS 50 LOIS LANE LIVES: FUTURE PERFECT - KATE STONE
In This Month’s Issue
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MELISSA BROWNE Contributing editor, Melissa Browne is an author, entrepreneur, business owner, and shoe & jumpsuit lover. She has two successful, awardwinning 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. A regular contributor to the Sydney Morning Herald, find Melissa on twitter at @melbrowne_ or visit acctaxadv.com.au
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NIKKI FOGDEN-MOORE Contributing editor, Nikki FogdenMoore 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
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KATE STONE Contributing 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. 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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RENATA COOPER
CHRIS ALLEN
DR LOIS FRANKEL
Contributing editor, Renata Cooper is a multi-faceted businesswoman, entrepreneur and angel investor. She is the founder and CEO of Forming Circles, and founder of Written Portraits, an annual national creative writing competition for high school students that reached thousands of students across Australia.
Contributing editor, Chris began his career as a soldier and was commissioned as an officer, 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.
Through her angel investment portfolio, she is the Director of iVvy, an online event management and registration software that works with Flight Centre, Westpac, Queensland Government, BMW and other leading brands.
Chris oversaw an unprecedented security upgrade of the Sydney Opera House, and later held the position of Sheriff of New South Wales.
Dr. Lois P. Frankel, President of Corporate Coaching International, is a bestselling author, executive coach, and an internationally-recognized expert in the field of leadership development for women. She has appeared on Larry King Live, The Tavis Smiley Show, The Today Show, CNBC, and PBS to discuss her New York Times bestselling books, Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office, Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich, and Nice Girls Just Don’t Get It. Her other books include See Jane Lead and Stop Sabotaging Your Career.
www.formingcircles.com.au
Chris’s first novel, Defender, was selfpublished before being re-released by Momentum Books with his second novel, Hunter, released at the end of 2012. Both novels rocketed to the top of the charts and there is a US film / TV franchise in development. His third title in the series, Avenger will be published this year. www.intrepidallen.com
http://www.drloisfrankel.com
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In This Month’s Issue
Lizzie Renkert is currently working as a freelance editor, writer, presenter and MC. She’s a fashion commentator on Channel 9’s Mornings, project manager for the 2014 OCRF White Shirt Campaign, part of the sister duo in new label, We Are Kindred.
Director of Thinkersinq, Rod Soper has more than fifteen years in primary and early education. Rod is passionate about early learning and providing optimum opportunities for pre-schoolers to realise their full potential. Through his work, he aims to build a network of transformational educators and leaders by facilitating pre-schoolers and their families through personal growth, creative, critical and reflective thinking and innovation.
With almost 20 years’ experience in journalism, Lizzie has worked at two of Australia’s most recognised women’s magazines, madison and marie claire. Her particular strength is tapping into the mindset of Australia’s working woman. http://wearekindred.com.au/ http://instagram.com/wearekindred https://www.facebook.com/wearekindreds
The establishment of Thinkersinq is a culmination of Rod’s commitment and vision to foster a community of creative and enquiring minds that can go forward into the world with confidence and openminded curiosity.
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Amber Daines has spent almost 20 years devoted to all things communications including print and TV journalism, public relations and marketing. Launching Bespoke Communications in 2007, Amber combined all her expertise to form a boutique agency servicing the not for profit, corporate, and small business sectors. Amber has contributed to a number of business books and in May 2013 launched her first selfpublished e-book ‘Well Spun: Big PR and Social Media Ideas for Small Business’. www.bespokecomms.com.au https://twitter.com/Ambieu777
rod.soper@gmail.com
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JO MUIRHEAD
DEBB MEYER
CATRIONA POLLARD
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 wellness business owners first hand.
In 2013 Debb was Franchise Council of Australia’s National Franchise Woman of the Year. She has held senior leadership roles with McDonald’s, Foodco and Krispy Kreme, to now; leads global brand, Narellan Pools with her husband Chris.
Catriona Pollard is director of CP Communications, which merges traditional PR tactics with cutting-edge social media strategies that engage consumers as well as business. Every organisation has amazing stories to tell, and we deliver meaningful and long-term results that link your stories and core messaging to what’s happening in the real world, in real time.
She applies the learnings and successes she has had in her own business to that of her clients, showing them that they can effectively market their business, increase their revenue, and enjoy the work they do. For more information visit: www.jomuirhead.com
Debb is a sharp business woman, engaging speaker, exceptional facilitator, writer and passionate advocate for women in leadership but most importantly; a wife to Chris and mother to Xavier, Eliza and Kingston. After the devastating death of her son Xavier, Debb became a voice for thousands of woman who suffer the loss of a child. She is proof a devastating loss in life can be the fuel to truly live life with passion, conviction and happiness. www.narellenpools.com.au
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E: cp@cpcommunications.com.au W: www.cpcommunications.com.au S: www.socialmediasydney.net.au Blog: www.PublicRelationsSydney.com.au T: @catrionapollard and @CPCPR
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all your dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them - Walt Disney
www.littleblackdressgroup.com.au
Events MAY 1
MAY - JULY 2014
2 3 4 5 6 EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES BRISBANE 7 8 EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES SYDNEY ONE ON ONE WITH JANINE (PLATINUM MEMBERS) 9 10 11 12 13 14 EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES SYDNEY BUSINESS PLANNING MASTERCLASS - “SCALE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL” WITH LEONIE MCCARTHY 15 ONE ON ONE WITH JANINE (PLATINUM MEMBERS)
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES MELBOURNE BUSINESS PLANNING MASTERCLASS - “SCALE YOUR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL” WITH LEONIE MCCARTHY 28 29 30 BECKIE WHITE FIRST SEEDS - MELBOURNE 31
Calendar JUNE
JULY
FIRST SEEDS FUNDRAISER MOVIE NIGHT PRIVATE SCREENING, “GRACE OF MONACO” - SYDNEY
FIRST SEEDS FUNDRAISER MOVIE NIGHT PRIVATE SCREENING, “GRACE OF MONACO” - MELBOURNE EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES SYDNEY
THINK TANK “BRAND ARCHETYPES” DEBBIE O’CONNOR BRISBANE COCKTAIL CONVERSATIONS - BRISBANE EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES SYDNEY COCKTAIL CONVERSATIONS - SYDNEY THINK TANK “BRAND ARCHETYPES” DEBBIE O’CONNORSYDNEY
EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES SYDNEY EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES MELBOURNE THINK TANK “BRAND ARCHETYPES” DEBBIE O’CONNOR MELBOURNE COCKTAIL CONVERSATIONS - MELBOURNE
Dr Lois Frankel just wants to see you BE BRAVE
Cassandra Heilbronn
I recently had the good fortune of interviewing Dr Lois Frankel, PhD and author of international best-seller Nice Girls Still Don't Get the Corner Office, which just celebrated its 10th anniversary with a new edition being released. In celebration of Women's History Month, Dr Frankel released a video on her YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/ drloisfrankelphd) titled 'I just wanna see you be brave', aptly scored with Sarah Bareilles hit song "Brave". In continuing with the theme of Being Brave, Dr Frankel shares her thoughts on the importance of being brave and what to do when faced with adverse circumstances in your career or business. Your video features a lot of inspiring women from throughout history, including Australia’s own Nova Peris and Quentin Bryce. What inspired you to make the video? The song inspired me first. As I listened to it I envisioned all of these women from history who have impacted the lives of other women in so many ways either through their work, being role models, or the sacrifices they made. We stand on their shoulders and must be reminded to continue their work. Then when I realised it was Women’s History Month it seemed like the perfect time to recognise the achievements (and in some cases sacrifices) of such diverse women to this upbeat and inspirational song. Why is it important that women, especially successful business women, are reminded of the importance of being brave?
The world isn’t an easy place to live these days. I don’t know that it’s ever been, but I’ve been around for over six decades and it seems to be getting harder, not easier, despite technology and legislation designed to help women. I want women to remember that many of the women portrayed in the video were poor and uneducated yet that didn’t stop them from making a difference. If they could do it, we can do it. Just as these women were brave, so must we be if we want to create change for the next generation. That change can be focused on the social structure, political issues, or ensuring opportunities for women to be financially independent. When a woman entrepreneur is successful it’s her responsibility to take another woman with her. I believe each one must teach one. When she does, she’s not only brave, but she’s helping another woman to be brave as well.
You inspire many women around the world to move forward in their careers and aim for the corner office, but what/who inspires you to be brave? There are three things that inspire me, beginning with the memory of my mother who was one of the bravest women I know. She didn’t have an easy life but she was brave in everything she did and through her example I learned that not only could I be brave too, but that I must be brave. The second is when I think about all of the women who made it possible for me to achieve what I have. Harriet Tubman, Mary Kay Ash, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Golda Meir are a few of my heroes and they inspire me to continue working for change. The third is just knowing how much more work there is to do before there is true equality between men and women. My work will not be done when there are equal numbers of men and women running corporations, sitting on boards, and leading companies. My work will be done when there are more women than men in these positions. Only then will I know we are finally gender-blind. Sarah Bareilles song, says “everyone has been stared down by the enemy”. In your opinion, what is the enemy for women getting that corner office? We are our own enemies. Every time we step back because we’re afraid we’ll be called names when we’re powerful, every time we hesitate to step forward and lead because we think it’s not our place, and every time we give someone else more control over our lives than they deserve – we have given away our power and are our own worst enemies. Before pointing a finger at any one else for what they do to hold us back, fail to recognise us, or treat us less than equal, we must ask ourselves how we collude with them through our silence, inaction, or even passiveaggressive behaviour. I can’t control anyone else (as much as I would sometimes like to!) but I sure can be responsible for my own behaviour. Being called a name isn’t the worst thing in the world. Letting it stop me from achieving my full potential is. If you’re coaching a woman who is facing adverse times, she may have plateaued in her career, been retrenched, business isn’t doing well, or she has lost her business altogether, what would you say and how would you encourage her to start being brave again?
I would ask her if she is living her values. Many times we give in and give up when we’ve run far afield from our values, what’s most important to us. The path ahead seems dismal because it’s not the path we really want. Sometimes it’s even a path someone else has defined for us. We feel lost, unmotivated and unsure of which direction to take. It’s those times when it becomes critical to re-trench, define your personal or professional vision, and develop a step-by-step plan to get it. You may change your vision along the way and decide to go in a different direction, but as Lao-Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step”. Any lasting words on inspiring change and being brave? There’s a sign I’ve had in my office since the day I quit my job in 1987 and started my own business. It reads, “No Guts, No Glory.” It has illuminated the path for me during many dark times. Perhaps the darkest was after September 11th and Americans were in a collective state of shock. The work dried up. The economy took a downturn (as it did 10 years later). There were times when I wasn’t sure how I was going to make payroll, but when I looked at that sign, I knew failure was simply not an option.
Dr Frankel is coming to Australia in August 2014. For speaking and publicity enquiries, email info@drloisfrankel.com. The new edition of Nice Girls Still Don’t Get the Corner Office is available in bookstores and online through Amazon and Kindle.
Business Basics: Tax Planning Melissa Browne • Prepay expenses: Prepay expenses such as rent or insurance for up to twelve months. • Stock on Hand: If you have slow-moving stock then consider writing it off prior to 30th June. For the rest of your stock, you have the choice of valuing it at actual cost, The first four tips are available for small replacement cost or market value so make businesses only (turnover of less than $2 sure you choose whichever will give you the million) while the rest apply to all business lowest price. • Pay super: If you have staff, pay their owners as well as some tips for individual tax returns. superannuation before 30th June to receive a tax deduction this year and make sure you pay super for yourself. Too many business • Buying Assets: If you are a small business, you can write-off in full any asset that owners risk not having enough super upon costs up to $6,500. So if you know you are retirement. My rule of thumb for how much needing to buy equipment or computers super you should be paying for yourself? The amount that would be paid if you were to in the next few months, consider bringing forward the expense before 30th June. go and get a job. So if that income would be • Delay invoicing before 30 June: If you $150,000 then you should be paying at least $13,875 per year. know that a customer pays you promptly and you will receive the money before 30th • Write off Bad Debts: If you know you’re not going to get paid, then write off the debt June then delay invoicing until 1st July. • Incur Expenses: Many small business before 30th June. • Best Structure: Is your business in the most owners think they need to pay for an expense in order to receive a tax deduction tax effective structure? If you are a sole but all you need to do is incur it. So order trader then you have no choice but to pay tax on all the profits of the business whereas any equipment, stationery, materials that this is not the case for other structures such you need and make sure you receive the bill dated on or before 30th June. as partnerships, companies or trusts. The end of the financial year is only a couple of months away and if you’re like me and would rather spend your money on shoes than taxes, then here are my easy tips to save tax and to have more money in your bank account.
• Superannuation cap: Many business owners rely on the sale of their business to fund their retirement and don’t use superannuation effectively. Consider contributing up to the maximum of $25,000 to ensure you have enough funds for retirement and to receive a tax deduction. If you simply can’t tolerate the concept of superannuation, then perhaps consider Self Managed Super. • Logbooks: Make sure your log books are up to date. For motor vehicles this means your log book needs to be less than five years old. • Claim everything you are entitled to: Make sure you know what you can claim. For example if you are on the road for work (or work outside) you can claim sunscreen so if your foundation, lip-balm or moisturiser has an SPF factor then you may be able to claim it. • Credit card/Eftpos your Expenses: If you are an individual taxpayer the ATO now recognises credit card and bank statements as receipts so if you are shocking at keeping receipts then make sure you use credit card or eftpos for your expenses. • Wealth Creation Strategies: Consider property, shares and of course the tax implications of negatively geared shares and property. • Rental property: If you have a rental property and also a mortgage on your home then make sure you are paying interest only on your rental property to maximise your deduction. If you property is less than 40 years old you should also be claiming depreciation on the building and the fixtures. To organise one contact a quantity surveyor (whose cost is also tax deductible). • Capital gains: If you made a capital gain this year on the sale of shares or property and are carrying some poor-performing shares (which many of us are) then consider selling them prior to 30 June so that your capital loss can offset some or all of the capital gain. • Medical Tax Offset: The ATO are phasing out this offset and if you don’t claim it this year you won’t be able to claim it next year. So if you know you haven’t spent the $2,050 threshold and you have medical expenses coming up next year then consider prepaying them or bringing the expense forward so you don’t miss out. • Book-keeping: If you are using a software based book-keeping system or dare I say it, a spreadsheet then make your life easier and checkout the cloud based solutions like Xero. This will save you time, money and help you keep track of where your business is up to. Saving tax is a little like trying to find the perfect pair of jeans - it requires research and a little bit of legwork but if you’re willing to put in the effort you will have a great result. If you don’t then you really can’t complain. My suggestion is to pick one or two things that you can easily do before 30 June and then as a modern-day philosopher once said, just do it. Of course if you need more help make sure you call your accountant.
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It’s Time to Future-proof Australian entrepreneurship The Australian economy is at an interesting period of transition. Announcements of job cuts at Qantas, closure of both Holden and Toyota’s Australian plants, and SPC Ardmona’s call for help have all put serious dents in the validity of our manufacturing (and economic) future.
Renata Cooper
the SME sector in Australia employing 70% of the workforce, it is crucial for the country to sustain and grow the entrepreneurial community. While the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation is alive and well in Australia, some fundamental changes are needed to the system to ensure ideas fuel future growth.
The slow extinction of mining, which has been Innovation vs success: Australian fuelling recent growth, adds another dimension entrepreneurship is ranked high globally with 2011 to the economic outlook. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) placing us second behind the US. However, we rank 20th PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) recently noted in the OECD in terms of patents per capita, which that Australia’s economy is likely to fall out of accounts for less than 0.8 per cent of the world’s the world’s top 20 by 2050. Looking at where patents. Given the low long-term success rates growth will come from in the next 20 years, of most businesses, definite steps need to be Deloitte have predicted gas, agribusiness, taken to foster entrepreneurs and innovation at a tourism, international education and wealth fundamental level. management will step up to fill the gap left behind by mining. Mentorship, increased government involvement, more support from banks and other financial Economists believe that entrepreneurship institutions will all help the long-term and diversified spread of sectors will be key to commercialisation of ideas. While start-ups shaping our financial future. If this is to be the need help in navigating the initial tough years, fact that, and only, 50% nascent firms even small businesses need support that gives them reach operational stage needs to change. With confidence to grow and maintain operations locally.
Perception of failure: According to PwC, “fear of failure” is more common in Australia than in the US. Being risk averse and viewing failure as a bad thing is a trait that sets us apart from entrepreneurs in other developed economies. The discussion of possible failure and steps to address it should be encouraged rather than shunned. Many entrepreneurs cannot make their first idea stick, give up and get back into the workforce as an employee assuming business isn’t for them. Entrepreneurs tend to fail because of lack of proper preparation. Failure needs to be reflected upon so you can get it right the next time. Was the product right for the market? Could it have been priced differently? Were you competitive? How much research did you do? Were your expenses and investment significantly higher than your returns? Not every idea is brilliant and failure can teach us a lot. Reflection on the mistakes of the past gives us the opportunity to learn and get it right the next time Funding: Funding models in Australia need to change on two intrinsic levels: 1) increased awareness of and requests for funding by entrepreneurs at nascent stage and, 2) more funding available at VC stage. Over 70% of nascent firms seek external funding in the initial stages, choosing instead to use their personal savings and credit cards to fund their idea. We need more education on entrepreneurship at a general level (addressed in the next point) so innovators across the board know how to get funding at start-up stage. On the other hand, Australia regularly loses smart innovators and successful businesses to the US (especially tech start-ups) due to lack of a mature venture capital (VC) market. While it is easier to start a business in Australia (compared to many other countries) and the network of angel and VC investors is growing, we still have a long way to go in – especially in supporting businesses that need over $5 million in capital. It is the rare successful global business such as 99designs that has managed to maintain a presence locally whilst sourcing funding from the US. Education: The University of Western Sydney recently started a first-of-its kind program called ‘The Academy’ where students were brought together from different disciplines (medicine, law, arts, etc.) for common academic learning. The program shapes new leaders of tomorrow by teaching them skills that transcend sectors and specific roles. It teaches them to be achievers regardless of changing economic climates. Likewise, a fundamental change is needed in the education system to teach all students about entrepreneurship. Beyond business schools, entrepreneurship has not been promoted well in academic curriculum across all levels from high school to universities. This has to change if we want more innovators to create successful businesses that stay on Australian shores. Entrepreneurship needs to transcend from innovation and starting a business to creating a change in society and remaining relevant not just now, but in the future.
Kindred Spirits: An Interview with Lizzie Renkert I have been a big admirer of Lizzie Renkert for a long time. For those of you who have been living under a rock and had no access to any form of mass communications, Lizzie was unceremoniously made redundant as Editor of Madison in May last year, just weeks before it was announced that the magazine itself was being axed. This was a massive blow to a woman who was – and is – a great journalist and editor, who had earned her position by working her way through the ranks; who had succeeded through merit, and who even now says that being editor of Madison remains her ‘dream job’.
Kate Stone
Lizzie was kind enough not to hang the phone up at this stage (or call the police), and I did actually ask some sensible questions. Kindred soft launched last November, and they have incredible plans for Spring/Summer 2014, with Lizzie selling the collection into stores in the next few weeks, rather than just online. This autumn sees the range double in size. There is no doubt that her time as Madison’s editor means an ability to channel both fashion knowledge and an ability to know ‘who’s who in the zoo’ into the business.
The closure of Madison last year and her ‘out of the blue’ redundancy is still something that she is struggling to come to terms with, and Lizzie says that having her own business to focus on has been incredibly helpful. ‘My dream job – still – was the job at Madison; one of the reasons I took the redundancy so hard, and felt it so deeply, was I am officially in love with a label. I am telling you because I loved it so much. I didn’t love the politics this now, so that you understand what Lizzie – but being with a team, being creative… that was Renkert had to face when we spoke about her just amazing. I had worked so hard for 17 years, new business venture with her sister, Georgie. once I got to the top, I honestly didn’t know where I was upfront and explained to her that I was to look from that. It’s been a hard year.’ honoured to be the muse for their fashion line, We Are Kindred, and I was willing to receive She says that she had never envisaged working each new season line in full to help the design for herself – or, for that matter, working with her process along. sister, with whom she shares a seven-year age I was fortunate enough to talk to Lizzie about her ambitions for her new business ‘baby’, her new (literal) baby, and what she thinks about the world of mass communications – massively exciting, or just a massive mess?
difference. Much like another dynamic and successful sister partnership, Sara and Amy Chamberlain (The Real Estate Stylist), the key to their working together lies in clear delineation of their roles, and making sure they don’t indulge in office politics. ‘If we don’t agree, we let each other know, and it’s over – no politics’ Lizzie says. ‘George is the designer; I am the brand manager. I bring the knowledge of what Australian women like to wear from my time in the magazine industry; I have the marketing and celebrity contacts. In return, I respect her design and manufacturing knowledge.’ She admits that working from home much of the time – and therefore solo – is hard for someone who is by nature gregarious and used to being surrounded by a great team. By the same token, it has meant, from a timing perspective, I am able to be here for my new baby, whilst still working a lot, so it’s really a blessing. But building a brand from scratch, just George and I – from a resourcing perspective, it’s tough!’
I asked her, as someone who is now very involved in the online space from a retail perspective, how far she thought we could go before we reached saturation point in terms of information overload. She was very quick to answer. ‘Honestly, I think we’ve already reached – and passed saturation point. I find logging on really stressful. There is just so much information out there – and a lot of it isn’t curated information – just a giant mess that is so difficult to navigate. No matter what format it’s in, magazine content is curated content; it sifts through the content and helps you edit your life. That’s why there is still a place for print – I love curling up with a magazine or a book. And it’s also why editors are still key.’ Could she find herself doing a ‘Maggie Alderson’ and writing about her time in the industry? She
laughed. ‘No! I think Maggie does a much better job than I ever would… to be honest, I like writing, but I don’t love writing… I am a much better editor than writer. I would rather spot a good writer and nurture them.’ On that point, I asked her whether she felt women in the media – women who write, who want to be journalists, editors – are they actively mentored and sponsored? ‘Look, I think most women support each other, and I think we are getting better at it. In terms of breaking into the industry, it still through work experience mainly – and I definitely used to take the time to talk to interns and uni students. There’s no denying it’s a tough industry to get into, but that goes for both sexes’. An incredible initiative that Lizzie was involved with starting during her time at Madison (then deputy editor), and which she has continued to be a part of in 2014, is the Witchery/OCRF White Shirt Campaign for Ovarian Cancer research. I was thrilled (as a cancer survivor, and carrier of the BRCA1 gene) when she told me that in the last month, they have raised $1,000,000 for the campaign. ‘What worries me is the level of ignorance surrounding ovarian cancer – the number of women who believe that a Pap Smear detects ovarian cancer as well as cervical’ she said. ‘It is a silent killer; 85% of women diagnosed don’t make it past 5 years. Organisations like Witchery are doing incredible work to raise funds AND awareness, and I am passionate about finding a test for early detection’. New business. New baby. New life. For someone whose life structure only a year ago changed incredibly drastically, Lizzie Renkert is someone extraordinary. She doesn’t deny her vulnerabilities, which in itself shows her strength. She is determined and focused on a new path, for herself and her family. If I could pick one word to describe Ms Renkert? I can’t. I need about twenty. One animal? A lioness. And she’s definitely at the head of her pride. If you would like to be a part of the White Shirt Campaign in 2014, click HERE
What is Your Wake? Relationships Always Leave a Mark. Rod Soper
Do you remember that teacher at school who you felt just chewed you up and spat you out? Do you remember that other teacher who was an inspiration, whom you tried your hardest for and succeeded, in leaps and bounds? We all have stories to tell, some incredibly funny now that we look back, and others which are deeply painful. One of the things these experiences have in common is this fact: both kinds of relationship left us with a lasting legacy; we were powerfully influenced by their wake. The wake of these relationships changed us for good. Therefore what kind of wake do you leave? What do you leave behind when you exit a space? The concept of the wake may be familiar when you think of a boat powering through the water. It is the track it leaves behind. When a boat is travelling in a straight and focused direction the wake is clear and straight. This relationship is symbiotic, that is, effective and purposeful for everyone. When a boat is out of control the wake is chaotic. Tornados and bushfires also leave a chaotic wake. Our daily relationships are the same. Do you know what your wake is? Dr. Henry Cloud (2006) outlines two sides of a wake: firstly tasks and secondly relationships.
This dual concept is centered around the notions of, what was accomplished and how were people dealt with. He lays it out this way, “the wake is the results we leave behind. And the wake doesn’t lie and it doesn’t care about excuses. It is what it is. No matter what we try to do to explain why, or to justify what the wake is, it still remains. It is what we leave behind and is our record.” Our wake is a lasting legacy which cannot be hidden, therefore we must know what it is because it matters in every relationship. I was speaking to a retired CEO of a multinational organisation about this idea of what we leave behind. He told me about his merchant navy days and his first day on the bridge on a large container ship. He recalled what the ship’s captain had advised him to remember when checking on whether the ship was on track, “once the coordinates have been put in correctly and the ship has set sail, turn and look behind you. If the wake of the ship is clear and straight then all the applied effort has been worthwhile.” We need to apply this same idea to our professional and personal relationships. We need to look behind us and look at what remains. Do the people you have just interacted with look like they are regrouping after a hurricane or do they look energized and their actions demonstrate purpose and influence?
It is a tough question as it means we have to be • JUSTIFIED RESENTMENTS = zero, nitch, nil. brutally honest with ourselves and sometimes There is never a time when it’s ok to hold on it is not always great news. I remember working to resentment. Anytime we are filled with in an environment where staff members resentment, we’re turning the controls of our cheered when a particular person went home emotional life over to others to manipulate. for the day. The comments highlighted to me There is no wisdom in this action! that this particular staff member simply did not • ACTIVATE the PASSION - don’t die with your check their wake, and the flip side to this could music still in you. The passions that bubble be the wake the cheering staff members may inside us, urging us to take risks and follow our leave in the wake of the behaviours. They left dreams are the intuitive connections to the a path of broken relationships behind every purpose of our hearts. We must remain true interaction. I have also been in the opposite to who we are. We must let it flow out of us environment where a staff member brings and be the change we want to see. people to life, energies them to be great, to be • INVEST in the STRENGTHS of your team. full of life and unlocks their passions. These Rath and Conchie (2008) state that in the experiences are summarised in the notion workplace, when an organisation fails to focus of; ‘you reap what you sow’! Three questions on an individual’s strengths, the odds of an always help me when I am preparing tasks and employee being engaged are a dismal 1 in 11 considering relationships. (9%). However, when an organisation focuses on the strengths of its employees, the odds 1. What am I going to sow into me? soar to almost 3 in 4 (73%). The result of this 2. What am I going to sow into others? is when we focus on and invest in our team’s 3. What am I going to sow into my workplace? strengths, the odds of each person being engaged goes up eightfold (McMolitor 2012). When I am purposeful around these questions What a turn around in one simple step! there is a greater chance that I will reap • UNDERSTAND the NEEDS of your team. greatness and my wake is purposely inspired. Rath and Conchie (2008) also state that there are four basic needs of team members. The question I have for you is, ‘which will These are: trust, compassion, stability and you be’? Will you lead yourself and others hope (McMolitor 2012). As we develop and from good to great or will your interactions demonstrate these characteristics within and behaviours leave them deteriorated and ourselves so we develop them in others. lifeless? The great thing is YOU get to decide • ONTOLOGY matters. Our sense of self and the outcome. You and you alone! who we are is so important. We must know what inspires us and what draws us on. With these thoughts in mind here are some We need to be able to measure our being, ideas to help make some mindful changes becoming and belonging. When these three where they are required. elements are in balance and have traction in our life we will have a new sense of purpose • Have a mind that is OPEN TO and resilience. EVERYTHING and attached to nothing. • Pursue EXCELLENCE. What we pursue will We need to let go of the instinct to be right determine the paths we travel, the people all the time or the desire to win at all costs. we associate with, the character we develop, We need have an open mind which resists and ultimately, what we do or don’t leave these attachments so that we can see what as a result of us being present. The manner, might be possible rather then insist on what method, and motivation behind any pursuit is is currently available. what will determine our wake. This is a great • To SOLVE A PROBLEM, a NEW MINDSET list to get us on track: excellence, elegance, IS REQUIRED. We need to change the way truth, the what if, courage, values, quality we think about challenges and change our relationships, service of others, knowledge relationship with it. If our thoughts are filled and something bigger than yourself. with problems, it is highly likely that we will perpetuate them.
These 8 ideas, when applied deliberately and consistently will have an amazing impact upon your tasks and relationships, and ultimately your wake. In my experience, applying these ideas results in significant growth within me and those around me have found new possibilities in our relationships and in the tasks we turn our hands to collaboratively. It is time to be brave, look over your shoulder and see what you have left behind. If you really want a challenge, ask your co-workers, teammates, families the following question: What wake do I leave in my actions and in our interactions? My encouragement to you is to ask those who care deeply for you first. This way you will learn and grow but remain save and cared for too. Then you can start on the more challenging job – those whom you are challenged by or have strained relationships. This kind of critical reflection is a deeply personal one with the potential of powerful, life changing results. It’s time to check your coordinates and position so that you can move actively and strategically ahead. If you want your ship to be on course to great things then we must look back, check your wake, and actively make the right adjustments so that all future relationships are deliberate, purposeful and effective.
You can never
cross the ocean unless you have the courage to loose sight of the shore. WWW.LITTLEBLACKDRESSGROUP.COM.AU
The Work/ Life Balance Myth Debb Meyer
What is work-life balance? And why, with so much literature available on achieving this balance, does it still elude most of us?
in particular find more challenging - they often put themselves last. Equipped with a full tank, you can always give more. This is why in a partnership of life and business, it is critical to have agreed ways to keep your tanks full.
I believe balance is an elusive target we are all trying to ascertain but most often fail which can create more anxiety and stress. So how do we What works for Chris and I? find contentment? • Making time for fitness, hobbies and For me, the answer is simple. passions such as travelling, golf, skiing and meditation Building a global brand with my husband Chris, • Being allowed time and space to achieve the lines between work and life are blurred; our personal goals and aspirations family is our life and our passion. Intrinsically • No business talk past 8pm and no laptops linked, our business is also our life and our or emails in the bedroom passion. This renders the concept of achieving • Having ‘Me’ days; a day to do whatever we balance obsolete. want, guilt free! • ‘Recharge’ long weekends, dedicated to Work-life balance is about successfully family time integrating the parts of your life, rather than • Regular date nights and kid free weekends balancing them. I keep my eye on the ultimate • Family day Sunday and goal; a loving marriage, a happy and content • If you can, outsource things like cleaning, family and a successful business. How do I ironing and find a fabulous nanny balance this? I don’t. Chris and I work long and hard for big bursts of time, and then take We also set clear methods for how we do regular short breaks and carving out special things at home and in the business. time for both us, and our growing family. Three of the most powerful methods that To achieve success in all the roles you play in work for us are: life; you need to make sure your ‘tank’ is full. This means spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally. This is something working mums
1. Clear roles and responsibilities One of the common mistakes couples make in their relationship, particularly when kids come along, is not being clear about the roles and responsibilities each person has in the relationship, at home and with the kids. Having an organisational chart with roles along with a position description and key performance indicators (KPIs) allows clarity and accountability. This makes it easy to achieve success and can alleviate frustration or lack of performance (yes, I am serious!) 2. Know your ‘hat’ I have many hats I wear as a wife, mother and businesswoman. To help ensure I am on my game and can deliver results, I am always clear about which hat I’m wearing. This is powerful because it helps you prepare for the role in which you are in. For example; if I were going into a board meeting I would be dressing, talking and thinking differently than if I was getting ready for play date with my toddler Eliza. Knowing which hat you are wearing is fabulous for the next tip… 3. Be present Being present to the role we are in is a powerful way to be more productive and fulfilled. For example; when I am at work, I’m present to work, I’m not worrying about our kids and feeling as if I should be with them, I know they’re being well cared for. Equally, when I am with them, I am not distracted by work or emails, I’m present to them. Kids really feel if you are present or not and I believe our children value the occasions when I’m focused on them rather than the times when my mind is elsewhere. Whether you have a business like us or not, teamwork in a marriage is absolutely critical to finding fulfilment and success. Chris and I are a team in every sense of the word; we share the responsibility and load of our business and our family. Having clear roles and responsibilities ensures we know what we have to achieve to fulfil the roles we play. It also gives us the opportunity to give
each other praise and recognition - which we all need! Effective communication and respect for each other is important. Make the time to schedule meetings to talk about the business, your marriage and family. Write an agenda and where possible, don’t do it over the dinner table, it’s too easy to get distracted. The Ultimate Juggle At the moment we’re juggling life together, running the business which is undergoing some significant change and nurturing a newborn and toddler. Kingston born three months ago, has major feeding issues with a dairy intolerance, reflux and colic. Eliza is about to go to kindy and learning how to throw tantrums, so it’s certainly a new challenge we face as a couple and a family! Looking after two kids under two was always going to be an exciting new challenge, and one I was ready to tackle head on. For me personally though, I also felt strongly about having the freedom to be both a mum and a business woman. In essence, keeping one foot in the boardroom and one foot in the nursery. I can only do this with the support of my husband and our amazing and wonderful nanny Leah! Sometimes I have to say no to certain things, which I do find challenging. I am also very passionate about our philanthropic endeavours, and we play an active role in a number of charities; Bears of Hope – dedicated to pregnancy and infant loss support, Sydney’s medical research organisation the Ingham Institute and the First Seeds Fund, of which I am a Board Member. Drop the Guilt One of the biggest challenges facing women in business is the guilt associated with being a working mum - that constant nagging guilt. For many mothers it’s debilitating, causing a variety of issues including anxiety and a lack of fulfilment. Through the devastating death of our son Xavier, I too suffered debilitating guilt. This taught me guilt is a waste of time and energy and a roadblock for happiness and success. Easier said than done right?
For me, it’s about choice. You can choose to feel guilty, or not. My advice? If you know in your heart of hearts you are doing all you can for your family, then what’s there to be guilty about? It might not be what Mary-Jo down the road is doing, but who cares? You are living your life, your way. Comparing yourself to others is fraught with danger. In essence, it takes your eye off the main game of your family and business and fuels discontent. What’s Your Love Language? Lastly I wanted to shine a light on what I think is the most important element to a successful family, career or business - a happy and fulfilled marriage or partnership. It’s fascinating how quickly having kids can really impact your relationship, so it’s critical to make sure you keep nurturing it. In my marriage, Chris and I are rock solid however even at times, I have been caught off guard by how quickly things can get away from you if you are not purposefully working on and nurturing yourself and your marriage. I find this to be more important during difficult and stressful times. I would highly recommend a book that has been credited as saving and enriching thousands of marriages - Gary Chapman’s The 5 Love Languages. Chris and I have found the love languages to be extremely beneficial in helping us to have an even more fulfilling and loving marriage and to keep our ‘love’ tanks full. Do yourself a favour; buy a copy of the book, implement the techniques together with the tips below to give you, your family and your business the best chance of success and fulfillment. Debb’s Five Tips for Fullfillment 1. Focus on your marriage/partnership 2. Keep your ‘tank’ full 3. Drop the guilt 4. Clear roles and responsibilities 5. Be present Good luck!
No Longer a Slave - Why Selling Time for Money was NOT Smart for Me. Jo Muirhead Like many women who start their own business the concept of FREEDOM was very important to me. This word FREEDOM has so many elements to it but when it boils down to the nitty gritty of my definition, it means freedom to choose. That includes financial freedom, freedom to be myself, lifestyle flexibility, and the experience that I am FREE.
busyness that selling time for money creates. I was trapped with a sense that I was working so damned hard for very little return. For me the sense of “burnout” was very close all the time.
If felt trapped as an employee, then in the beginning I felt enslaved by being selfemployed. The freedom and joy I had so I fell into being self-employed. In the beginning strongly desired continued to allude me. it wasn’t the thing I was going to do. You see, For so long I blamed this all on being a I returned to consulting to generate cash Rehabilitation Counsellor. I (wrongly) believed while I worked out what I really wanted to do. that I was not a good enough Rehabilitation It was never going to be the thing I always Counsellor because I couldn’t do the “work” did. However I have now grown a successful without feeling so enslaved. So like so many practice, and by successful I mean – a minimum health professionals (and other types of revenue increase of 30% each year for the past professionals) I thought the answer was to 4 years; grown from being a single practioner to choose a different set of skills and practice having 10 dedicated consultants; being a highly those. That was wrong! It was the business sought after team of consultants who are flown model that was wrong, the selling time for all over the country to do what we do, because money time trap that was so wrong. we are darned good at what we do; and impact the lives of people experiencing injury, illness, Now please hear me, this was my experience and trauma in a very significant and real way. and I know many people who sell their time for money and do this incredibly well. They do The truth of this journey however was I wasn’t this and they love what they do and how they free. I was trapped in my business, trapped in do it. For me I needed to be FREE from feeling the cycle of selling my time for money and the like I MUST sell my time with clients to
be able to get to the FREEDOM I wanted. In truth I wanted to be FREE from the necessity of seeing clients 1:1 and to have the choice of who I saw, who I spent my time with and without feeling like I have to accept every client that came in the door because more clients means more hours to sell which means more money - RIGHT!?!WRONG! In reality, we all have 24 hours in a day. We can’t sell any more than 24 hours when we are selling our time for money (although I do know of some other professions where I am sure they have worked out how you can sell more, but that’s an article for another day). We have 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, for 365 days per year. That’s a total of 8760 hours available to sell in one year. Now if you are selling yourself at $200 per hour that becomes $1 752 000. Yes you did read this right that 1.7 Million dollars. Stop being excited by this. Because no one is going to sell 24 hours 365 days a year, day in and day out. So let’s be more realistic. Let’s say on average we can sell 6 hours in a day, and we work 48 weeks a year and we are now going to give ourselves two days off a week. That’s now 1440 hours we can sell, bringing us to the more realistic target of $288,000. Now this is not money to be sneezed at, but it’s still a BIG limitation. And it’s a far cry from $1.7M isn’t it. This also means you can have only 4 weeks away from work each year, so if you want to have 4 weeks of “holiday” then you are unable to get sick and your children, partners, parents, dogs are also not allowed to get sick and take you away from your selling time. They can be ill when you have “ billed” what you needed to “bill” to keep you on track to meet the financial commitments you have made for yourself because if you take even 1 hour away from the time to be sold then you are going to have to make that up somewhere and with all of the administration, bookkeeping, marketing, networking, and filing that you have to do goodness only knows when you are going to find that extra time to actually make it up – so guess what? You will settle for a pay cut. Now I am acutely aware that for many of us money is not the strongest motivator to be in business, and if that’s the only motivator we have we probably won’t last very long, because it’s an empty result. However if you want to build a business that provides for you and your family then the model of entrapment I have described above probably isn’t the best model for you.
The day I reviewed the numbers in my business and saw in black and white that I no longer HAD to ever see another client again, and my business would still pay my wage and my lifestyle was the day I experienced FREEDOM! Two weeks later I was in Bali for another week. I love my clients, customers and consultants. I serve them with all of my heart, because I have made the informed choice to build a business that supports my desire to experience freedom. And guess what? My clients experience faster, better results; my customers are happier because I am achieving results quickly and my consultants know that I will have the time and energy they need from me to empower them to be the best they can be. I am no longer trapped, or enslaved. I AM FREE!
Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid. Having courage and showing courage means we face our fears. We are able to say, “I have fallen, but I will get up.”
- Maya Angelou WWW.LITTLEBLACKDRESSGROUP.COM.AU
Girls Night Out!
Sydney Wednesday 4th June Arrive: 7:30pm for pre-film, drinks & raffle draws. Screening: 8:15pm Where: Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, 380 Military Road, Cremorne. - Book Now Melbourne Wednesday 11th June Arrive: 6:00pm for pre-film, drinks & raffle draws. Screening: 7:00pm Where: Cinema Como, 630 Chapel Street, South Yarra - Book Now $35 inc GST per person Includes cinema entry & glass of bubbly. All monies go to the First Seeds Fund to support Warwick Farm Community Mapping Project.
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.”
To make a donation to the First Seeds Fund please click here.
Whatever You Do, Please Don’t Call Me a Mumpreneur Amber Daines What’s in a word? “A rose by any other name Mumpreneurship is one of those words that would smell as sweet” or so goes Shakespeare’s have crept into our everyday language since famous quote from ‘Romeo and Juliet’. around 2009. In essence it’s harmless and in some ways a sign of the evolving nature of the Full respect to William Shakespeare but this line Australian and global workforce. made me ponder if this always the case? Would my success as a business owner with seven The Australian Bureau of Statistics show that years under my belt really feel as sweet if I was women make up 33% of small business owners routinely stamped with a modern buzz word or and the number is steadily climbing. This is term such as mumpreneur? I think not. And a being fuelled by the growth of women who quick poll among some fellow business women decide to launch their own business after on Facebook before I penned this article shows having children. In the UK, a 2010 survey by BT me I am not the only one. Business of 1286 mums found that 15% had started their own business and another 10% of Truth be told, I’ve actually not been called a those surveyed were planning to. mumpreneur officially or at least not to my face. I have however rejected a media opportunity My story is a bit different perhaps. I started last year, where I was to be featured alongside my communications agency well before I even a few others so-called mumpreneur which considered having kids. I did it for the sake of intrigued and infuriated me. So this is an old my health. The idea was to just try my hand at battle that I now am tackling publicly. some freelance work over the Christmas period after leaving my last full time job in 2007, Why? Labels can hinder, can limit and can convinced that no regular pay packet was worth stereotype. If I was called “just a mum” or the stress of being bullied and not treated with “David’s wife” 99% of the time when I was respect at my workplace. It was a scary time introduced to new people, I’d be equally and I literally had $1000 in the bank. frustrated. It’s always easier to pigeonhole folks we meet and trying to find our own tribe is part From there Bespoke Communications and parcel of human nature. I get that. But it’s thankfully grew fast, and when I did have a also sometimes damaging to one’s own selfbaby in 2009, it was certainly packed up with a limiting beliefs. clear plan of how I was going to maintain and build a PR business and raise a child with
no family support other than my husband. I worked from home mostly back then so it was manageable despite the erratic work hours around a small baby’s not-so-predictable sleeping schedule.
Being a parent is a gift that was not guaranteed to me. Being a mummy to two frighteningly self-aware, gorgeous boys who are bursting with energy from 5am-7pm is just the best. It has made me live in the moment and appreciate the little things more than any psychologist could. It’s propelled an efficient business owners and me to be a more adaptable, nimble, savvy without a doubt over the past five years. It’s also given rise to a new label at Chez Daines-Ungar the “big boss” (sorry honey). And I am more than ok with that!
For so many other women with a business and a family, the option to start up a business based at home is all about spending more time with their children. Two thirds of the women on SmartCompany’s 2010 list of Australia’s most successful women started their businesses at home, with 80% starting with capital of less than Recently I facilitated a high-level media training $100,000. coaching session with a CEO who had a former career in the military so was familiar with its There are other drivers too. Sadly, so many inherently ‘blokey’ culture and media image corporately-employed women have been issues. One of the examples of powerful disillusioned by the inflexible reality of senior communicators I showed this CEO was the Chief management once they have children but for of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison’s small business this is a win: there are simply June 2013 short but powerful YouTube speech more highly-skilled, business-savvy women in he gave to his peers, which went viral because of the position to start-up a company than ever its cut-through language and unpoetically direct before. message. Women are generally having children later too, The line that really stuck with me was “The with most of us likely to have children between the ages of 30 and 34. By this age, many women standard you walk past is the standard you accept.” How true for so many things we all face daily – have the senior skills, amazing networks of contacts and the life experience required to start not just when it comes to the big ticket matters like sexual harassment. an empire. Woo hoo! In the past 15 years, the barrier to entry for starting a business has also been dramatically lowered by the internet. A (man) or woman with broadband, relevant skills, a modest amount of funding and a good idea can launch a successful business from anywhere, aided by low overheads and agile working patterns if needed. Having a family for many is the watershed moment to launch into a business. Time away from work provides the ideal opportunity to assess whether to return to the workplace or go it alone. But why can’t we just celebrate the business owners as they are, devoid of a cringe-worthy mumpreneuer tag? It is patronising and limiting. It implies businesses for mums equal selling a few trinkets from a car boot every Sunday. I don’t think anyone who knows me thinks running a communications agency is a hobby I slot in around loads of washing and perfecting baked ricotta cheesecake recipes.
This is why I, like so many women managing both self-employment and a family, don’t want to idly be labelled as something we don’t feel reflects the gravity of what we do. We all juggle lots of balls whether parents are working or not, whether we have elderly parents to care for, or a partner who is unemployed or one that has a career that leads them to travel a lot. It’s irrelevant what the juggle involves. What matters is that we make it work for us and lets us make our lives have purpose and passion.
The Future of PR Catriona Pollard The shifting media landscape characterised by media outlets downsizing, closing or transitioning to online operations, prompts new questions around the future of PR as an industry. The growing focus on social and content adds another dimension to the debate. Is social media a boon or a threat to PR professionals? Does the rise of content marketing and branded storytelling play into PR’s hands, or does it take from the industry? My view is the future of PR is an exciting one, with the fast-moving media backdrop setting the stage for PR’s evolution. Here are my predictions for the future of PR. PR will reclaim storytelling While storytelling is the buzz word of the moment, particularly around the growth of content marketing, it has always been at the core of what PR is about. Telling the stories about people and organisations to existing or new audiences is a critical element of PR - and always has been. PR professionals didn’t invent the art of storytelling (oral storytelling traditions are a very human trait, passed down through generations for thousands of years), but they are adept at finding the stories that resonate with others, and then sharing them. The relationships PR people and their clients work so hard to build and foster are built on the foundation of engaging stories. PR will diversify PR as an industry has broadened beyond just media liaison and strategy, resulting in PR people becoming multi-skilled across a range of disciplines. We need to be experts in digital engagement, SEO, website management, email marketing and content development and marketing, as well as expanding media relations to include blogger engagement.
Our future counterparts will embrace even more technology in their roles as storytellers, brand engagement experts and even in the ways they work if they are virtual consultants. Marketing, digital, content marketing and advertising will continue to converge. PR will touch on all disciplines in this evolving collaborative environment as organisations work to increase community engagement and relevance. What others are saying about a brand is more relevant than ever before, because those comments and opinions are made in real time and can span multiple media platforms. Therefore, PR people’s listening skills will be honed even further through monitoring what is being said about a brand online and offline. Social media will no longer be an added extra Social media monitoring and support has already been adopted by the PR industry over the past decade, with many agencies and consultants including it as an add-on to existing PR services. However, social media will be completely integrated into PR’s offering going forward, with many PR campaigns leveraging social media first and traditional media second. As an industry, we have been quick to jump on the opportunities presented by social media. Social media and PR just fit well together. PR people understand how important social media is as a way to communicate directly with our clients’ target audiences, and in many situations these platforms will become the sole way to engage with a niche. Social media has also added another facet to the “relations” side of PR. Instead of broadcasting a message or story to start off the relationship-building process, social media has made it much easier to start and have a conversation around a topic, person or cause, bringing the level of engagement up. The current digital and media landscape will not lead to the demise of PR, but instead presents an opportunity to use new methods and tactics to do what comes very naturally to us - tell stories.
The Five Elements of a Winning Week Nikki Fogden-Moore
CREATE YOUR WEEK TO GET IN SHAPE, BEAT STRESS & BE DECISIVE It’s so crucial to plan your week ahead and design your life as much as you can, before heading into a busy week and work, where responsibilities and other peoples needs take over. If you’re reading Gloss then chances are you’re an innovator, a leader, an entrepreneur or someone that wants to live to their potential. What if you need to start running your health and fitness goals like a business. The fact is - we do. There are 5 key elements to a winning week creating balance, vision, performance, health and wellbeing. We need to run our body like a business, our lives like a project and our vision like any idea we would cultivate in the work environment. Life is about creating what you want and applying steps to achieve your goals in all areas - fun, health, wellbeing, family, friends and career. To be our personal best we must do our personal best. OK, enough with the inspirational statements and general comments - how do you actually make the practical side work? Here are the crucial 5 elements to creating a winning week. I’ve been using these for years in my private coaching with highly driven successful people - now it’s time to
share and bring the basics back. Fitness and Wellbeing Friends Family Admin/Work/Productivity ME Time. By creating the week you want. Things will pop up and you’ll need to have some degree of flexibility but the foundations of your week should be established well before Monday morning. By scheduling wellness and fitness first you ensure you are making it a priority - do not let it be last on your list. Exercise and vitality boosts brainpower, reduces stress and can increase productivity in the workplace in leaps and bounds. This should be part of your strategy for peak performance and work life balance. How to plan it all effectively? Above all, keep it simple. Step 1. MAKE A PLANNING SESSION EVERY SUNDAY This weekly routine will set you up for the week ahead, help you plan with your spouse or family and ensure that all the important elements in life are covered off each week. This is your chance to be in control and define how you want your week to run.
Step 2. WRITE OUT YOUR WEEK
Step 3. MAKING IT LIVE
Use a big sheet of paper or weekly planning overview (Kikki K has some great worksheets for weekly planning) and on the left hand corner bullet point the following 5 elements:
Transfer this to your digital agenda, update your PA, team or any necessary ‘stakeholders’ of time that is not available to be booked. By setting boundaries you are providing people with clear facts and the opportunity to work effectively with you. Leading a team starts with leading yourself. Set a great example. If you’re at home and running a busy household then put your agenda on the fridge so your family can review what you’ve got on and respect the time that has been planned in. If you don’t ask you won’t get. Design your life.
a) Fitness & wellbeing b) Friends - Book at least 1 catch up with someone that you love hanging out with during the week. Better still combine it with something healthy and active or change from just going to the usual place for dinner to discovering new restaurants that are renowned for delicious healthy food and something different. c) Family - Schedule in quality family time, whether it’s a phone call or Skype with loved ones overseas/away from where you live, something fun with your immediate family, something active with your kids. PLAN IT AHEAD OF TIME. Use a moment on Sunday to sit down with your partner or spouse and plan your week together, identify opportunities for shared tasks and time either of you need to do your own thing in terms of fitness or education/ social etc.
Step 4. BE CONSISTENT Do this weekly! Weekly work creates monthly change and helps you fast track your goals. Ultimately you are living your ideal life now by integrating all these 5 elements into your week, rather than waiting for someone else to do it for you. If you don’t apply ideas how will you know if they work or not. Back yourself, get structured and make it happen. DOWNLOAD THE PDF 5 ELEMENTS FOR A WINNING WEEK BY CLICKING ON THE IMAGE BELOW
d) Admin/Work productivity - Aside from day to day meetings and work load think about getting your personal finances, vision board, ideas and weekly planning up to date. Write out the overview for your tasks for the week and set a monday morning or mid week update session with yourself to review things you need to take care of that are about your personal business. Being in control of your life also means planning finances, administration and higher education etc. Don’t leave it to the last minute but schedule at least 14 minutes a week for this. Another 1% of one day well spent. e) ME time - Ah! The one so many people let go of first when the schedule fills up. If you do not value time for yourself how can you expect others to value your time. How about dedicating 14minutes of your day to be on your own, to have some down time, to think , breathe, calibrate, ask yourself some burning questions and let your intuition have time to answer without distraction or interruption. You will be surprised at what can achieve with small incremental moments each day.
Practical and results driven I hope this will help you get fit, be decisive and achieve your goals. Monday will have a whole new feeling than before - it will be about potential and possibility, milestones and mojo! To listen to the 5 Elements Of A Winning Week podcast on iTunes - you can hop onto my blog www.thevitalitycoach.com.au/episode22 Health and Happiness and happing planning! Nikki
In Conversation with Nina Slade 1.
Tell us a little about your business and what you do
MadeCo is a manufacturing business that supplies custom made joinery for domestic houses to the trade. MadeCo’s philosophy is really about helping the cabinetmaker succeed. Lots of our clients are great at designing or putting boxes together but struggle with running a business as at trade school they are not taught about overheads, profit margins, stock control or staff issues. Our aim is to offer them anything from pricing software , managing staff to one on one support when quoting for a big job so when they succeed, we succeed. I started in the business with my husband Gary part time focusing on admin and accounts and now seem to be running the business on a day to day basis in more of a General Manager capacity. I love what I do and we are kicking some amazing goals that I am proud of.
2.
What’s the bravest decision you have had to make in your business?
After 6 years of continuous growth within the business, we found ourselves in February 2013 realising that we didn’t have enough work to keep 37 people busy for 38 hours per week. Consideration also had to be made about how this decision may affect our reputation with our suppliers and clients. Our industry had many businesses close down so whilst sales were foremost on our minds, this was not the time to start having our clients lose confidence in us. We advised the whole company that we would all be working and getting paid for a 30 hour week. (Mind you I hadn’t paid myself for 4 weeks prior to this). Historically our industry is dead in January and February and each year we just dug into our profits to keep people at work. Great for our employees but bad for business. Prior to January 2013, we started to monitor data with our machinery output vs sales and suddenly we noticed (too late) that we would have too many people standing around. I am happy to say that this year we all worked and got paid for a 38 hour week. So what was the scariest time of potentially losing a great team turned out to be a life learning experience for us. And being brave doesn’t mean you have to be strong and cold hearted.
3.
What’s your vision for your business?
Upon starting the business, we decided that we didn’t need to be the largest or have a great percentage of market share. We just wanted to be the best within our industry at what we do. Our main aim is to ensure we know what our client’s needs are before they do. This involved lots of innovation and R&D then years of trying to convince the clients to step outside their safe box to take a chance to grow their business or trim it down and make some money. Apart from our constant vision, we are in the throes of planning to grow our business more and combining two factories into one big factory which will improve our output, effiencies and culture. This also allows us to tap into new markets and take on work that up to now, we are unable to service due to capacity levels. We are working towards a new product line that allows our clients to compete against the Chinese imports and the big players such as Masters and Bunnings.
4.
First thing you do in the morning?
I wake up and look at the weather to confirm what I mentally worked out to wear last night in my head, is still viable (I live in melbourne). Check my calendar for the day for meetings or tasks so when I’m getting ready I can mentally prepare myself and get in the right frame of mind for the day. Then it’s downstairs to get the kids off their iPads and ready for school. But this is my life and you know what, it works.
5.
Most inspiring quote?
Three simple rules in life 1). If you don’t go after what you want, you will never have it 2). If you do not ask, the answer will always be NO 3). If you do not step forward, you will always be in the same place - unknown
6.
Top 3 tips for women in business?
1. If in a male dominant industry, don’t try to be one of the boys because you are lowering yourself. Believe in yourself, be true to yourself and always know the facts. Persistence always pays off. Keep going. 2. Surround yourself with women who have incredible highs and are proud of their successes but also have down days where everything just gets on top of them. 3. Work hard. Success does not come easy. Ensure you reward yourself. If you want that nice car, lease it. If you want to buy a nice dress, do it. If you want to go on a yoga retreat, book it. Don’t feel guilty because if you work hard, it is your reward. These types of women are the ones who keep us going and make us realise that we are doing just fine.
7.
What would you tell your 21 year old self now if you could?
Your gut instinct is correct. You may be young but you know what is right so believe and trust yourself and go for it. Question people, question circumstances. Do more research and you don’t have to take the first offer that comes along. Don’t listen to people who carry on and belittle you about how ambitious, well dressed or Contact Details: www.madeco.com.au
A Letter To My 14 Year Old Self Chris Allen
Hello mate, It’s me, well, actually it’s you writing back to yourself from the future! Right now you’re living in Sydney and you’re traveling on a train to your office in the city. Importantly, you’re about to turn 50 which is why I thought it would be a good time to write and pass on some wisdom I’ve gathered throughout life. Don’t worry, I’m not about to disclose all the details of the intervening 35 years. If I did you’d feel as though you’re life was already predestined and I know you wouldn’t like that. There’d be no spontaneity or adventure now would there? So, if you can take a break from putting another James Bond movie poster up in your room, or step away from the drum kit for a few minutes (the family
will appreciate that, believe me) then sit down in the old Captain’s swivel chair, put your feet up on your desk - if you can find some room on it - and read on. Don’t worry, Charlie’s Angels will re-run for years so try and stay focussed. Right, here goes - in no real order. Try to be aware of what’s going on around you, whether it’s your immediate surrounds or the rest of the world. To do that you have to be open to learning and understanding things that are of significance to other people. Things like culture, religion, politics, way of life, the list is endless. You’re an evolving creature and the world and people around you are constantly evolving too. So, remember that you must be open to learning, understanding and appreciating other things and points of view throughout life,
not just at the beginning while you’re at school. You’ll never stop learning. Always - always - treat others with courtesy and respect no matter who they are and never - never - look down on other people. You’ll come across all sorts of people and situations and the measure of you will be how you interact with them. Don’t be pompous or arrogant. It gets you nowhere. If someone is serving you in a restaurant, driving a bus or cleaning a toilet, show them the same respect you’d show anyone else. They’re trying to make their way through life just as you are. Say please and thank you, no matter who you’re talking to. A little civility and friendliness goes a long way. Role model that for those around you. Throughout life you’ll be presented with all sorts of challenges, even obstacles that may be put in your way from time to time. Don’t dwell on them or be fixated on problems, just look for solutions. Consider all of your options, assess the best course of action and run with it. Challenges in life won’t go away unless you deal with them. Don’t lie. It leads to nowhere good. Always be as open and honest as possible. There will always be grey areas, life will never be black and white, so if you think honesty may hurt someone then use your judgement about when and how to convey what you want to say. It’s about timing and perspective, but mostly it’s about respect. You’ll never be good at everything, have a go by all means, but focus on things that you’re really passionate about and become as good at them as you can. There are about half a dozen things that you’ll really like. Enjoy them, be good at them and don’t beat yourself up about not being good at all the other stuff. It doesn’t matter. Don’t wish you could do something as well as someone else, just be yourself. Trust me, you’ll be a whole lot happier that way. Family and your closest friends come first. Business and other pursuits second. That’ll make a whole lot more sense as you get older. Enough said. Don’t regret things just try to make the best decisions you can with the information available or the circumstances you find yourself in at the time. Like I said before, if you’ve done your best to consider all the options then make your decision and go with it. You won’t ever please everyone, just try to do the right thing as you see it. Above all, be a good guy. You’ll know what that is when you feel it in yourself. Well, I think that will do for now. You’re probably thinking about what album you’re going to listen to by now, so if I go on anymore I’ll lose your attention. Yeah, see, I’m right, aren’t I? Alright mate, listen to some Buddy Rich or some Emerson, Lake & Palmer and while you do think about what I’ve said. All the best, You PS Don’t rush to get married. You’ll find the right girl eventually :)
Top 7 Tips Advice from Christina Guidotti – Speaker, Author, Mentor, Thought Leader, Partner and an Expert in Business and Life Success. www.christinaguidotti.com.au
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Live life according to your values! When we live according to our values we get the things done that really matter. The ultimate responsibility in life is being responsible for how we choose to spend our time. When we take action and focus on making every minute count we get the things done that really matter!
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Make work your passion! Be inspired and spend time with other motivated people - have hope and see the possibility for a better life, greater purpose, excitement and gratitude for life’s journey. As the Thought Leaders mantra says – do work you like, with people you like, the way you like. Progress towards a life that rocks and make work your passion.
Having it all is not doing it all! Sometimes we think we have lost our mojo, but all we may need is help help that frees us to focus on what we do best. The key to HAVING IT ALL is not doing it all – this is a key component of success! Decide if it’s better to delete it, delegate it or share it before you just do it. Delegate or stagnate – it’s your choice.
Rework your time! Rework your time by saying no to low value tasks, which allows us to say yes to high value tasks. The first step is to decide which is which. The second is to act on those decisions and be disciplined about it. Before saying, “I don’t have time” – choose to rework your time. That way the only thing Results NOT excuses! you won’t have time for is low When we make excuses we are saying value tasks! that we are not responsible and that someone or something else is. Take responsibility, don’t make excuses, stay out of drama and have a bias for action. Adopt the motto Results Rock – Excuses Do Not!
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Self- first is NOT selfish! We give so much of ourselves - physically, psychologically, emotionally and financially to help and support others. Sometimes is it easy to overlook the one person that needs your help and support the most - and that’s you. The best and safest way to help others is to work on a more effective you!
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Undress your ambition! Once you’ve made a decision about what you want there’s a crucial success step that’s often missed. It’s the act of getting ‘undressed’ and revealing your aspirations. Going ‘naked’ with your ambitions is a way to fast track your success. As the saying goes, “you can’t sell a secret” – so shout your ambitions to the world!
News & Reviews
Featured This Month BOOK: DRIVE: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel Pink - Do you know what motivates you to succeed? Despite conventional wisdom that says people are primarily motivated by money and fear, Daniel Pink’s fully updated book, Drive, explores a new way of thinking about motivation. With case studies from Google and Best Buy, two large corporations that have gone against the norm to give their employees freedom to work on projects of their choosing and on their own schedules, Pink argues that what really motivates us is the freedom to grow and succeed on our own terms.
BLOG: QUORA - Quora is a must sign-up for entrepreneurs. It’s a Q&A site where experts actually take the time to seriously answer your questions. You can follow topics like ‘startups’ and ‘entrepreneurship’ and people like Fred Wilson or Mark Zuckerberg. Answers get voted on by the community so that only the best ones shine. You can find answers to questions like ‘What is the best way to prepare yourself for entrepreneurship?’ or ‘What are some tips on connecting with high-profile people that can help your startup?’ https://www.quora.com/
WEBSITE: POLITICO - smart, insightful updates on what’s happening everywhere and every when in the political landscape. US-centric, but none the worse for that with its intelligent and measured approach. A great site, easy to navigate and grab content from.
http://www.politico.com
Lois Lane Lives: Future Perfect Kate Stone
I was reading Chris Allen’s fantastic letter to his 14 year old self when he first sent it in (and laughing hysterically at the photo – you’ve definitely grown into your looks Intrepid!) and it made me think; not so much about ‘what would I say to a 14 year old ME’ but rather ‘what would I say to a 14 year old daughter, were I fortunate enough to have one?’ Children are not, as they say, in my stars; I am the favoured/honorary Aunt who swans in and distributes gifts/advice/sympathy/love and then – big point here – hands the beloved monsters back, even if parents of said cherubs have attempted to flee the country on fake passports and are claiming I am their real mother. Nice try, persons who shall remain nameless. For now. But – talking hypothetically – if there were to be a Mini Me… 8 May, 2028 Dear MM Firstly, be thankful that I didn’t call you after a piece of fruit, a state of the US, a fish or an undergarment. These were all possibilities and you would not have stood out in playgroup, and could well have gone on to a successful career as a slashie (model/actress/singer) solely because you had a stupid name, although I would have locked you in your room if you’d attempted any of these things before the age of 13. No, you may not attempt them just because you have turned 14. Because I said so.
Life in the 21st century is never going to be less than odd for us twentieth century oldies. For you, things are smooth sailing. You are cruising in a world of technological wizardry and more information than you will be able to process in ten lifetimes. I know you will find this hard to imagine, but when I was your age, I had to handwrite my homework, and look things up in books. Books, darling; those funny things in what you call the ‘museum of horrors’, although why you find it so amusing calling my study that every time you come in is beyond me.
It’s because the generations before you – even your silly old bag of a mum, as I heard you mutter under your breath the other night, with her silly old books – fought for you. Look up ‘the suffragettes’ online. Look up ‘female leaders of the early 21st century’. Look up Sheryl Sandberg. Look up Marissa Meyer. Look up Janine – remind yourself of the things she got up to! And it was men and women working together, the way they do now. I know you think boys are repulsive, and granted most 14 year old boys do leave a lot to be desired, but they turn out OK. Most of them anyway (see qualifier below). Remember how much you enjoyed reading President Rodham Clinton’s story? The way she took on Putin? The reforms she made in America? You said ‘I want to be just like her one day’. Don’t be like her. Be better. And for the love of monkeys…
Career wise, the world is at your feet. My dream at your age was to be a fighter pilot – but girls weren’t allowed back then. Yes, I know it was stupid, but luckily that’s changed now, and if you want to, you can be a part of the front line defending Australia. If I had you now (don’t shudder), your dad would be able to stay at home and look after you while I went back to work, if that’s what we wanted to do. When you were born, that wasn’t an option. A lot has changed, thank goodness. You can be an international cricket or rugby player (I know, shut up about sport Mum). You can play AFL past primary school – I couldn’t, which was a shame, because I loved it. You can be anything you want, MM. You can have any job under the sun. The sky – well, the sky isn’t even the limit. So here is what I want you to do. Don’t waste it. You may only be 14, and I may sound like a pushy old broad, but the reason you have all of these things?
Don’t. Marry. Someone. Like. Bill. Love, Your Mum.
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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
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