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SEPTEMBER 2014
Founder & Editor in Chief JANINE GARNER | janine@littleblackdressgroup.com.au Managing Editor KATE STONE | kate@littleblackdressgroup.com.au Contributing Editors Melissa Browne, Nikki Fogden-Moore, Chris Allen, Renata Cooper Featured This Month Karl Schwantes, Jamie Pride, Adrian Morgan, Kirk Pengilly, Jason Beachley, Mandy Holloway, Megan Larsen, Lee Ussher 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.
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A Message From Me
Hi there This month, in honour of Father’s Day, we have our second annual ‘It’s All About The Blokes’ issue of GLOSS. This is a chance for us to feature and celebrate the extraordinary men who not only support myself personally and LBDG as a business, but who respect, nurture and want to make a better way forward for men and women working together. From Kirk Pengilly to Jamie Pride to our very own Chris Allen, this issue is a ‘thank you’ for the respect and love these men show their partners and their children on a daily basis. It’s also, as always, a celebration of all the things the LBDG members get up to - and what a month it’s been for that! From meeting Arianna Huffington (yes, I have a slight crush), to being a part of the incredible Business Chicks’ network at Seth, to a fabulous night out for many members, supporting the Layne Beachley Foundation at Aim For The Stars’ annual fundraising ball - this has been a month of some serious highs. We hope that you were lucky enough to have much-cherished the time with your own dads, partners and co-parents on Father’s Day, whether it was in person or virtually. Because, this month, it’s definitely a case of ‘Let’s Hear It For The Boys!’ Remember, continue to Connect~Inspire~Succeed
If you would like to write for GLOSS, or are interested in advertising with us, please contact us via editorial@glossmagazine.com.au
FEATURES
September
05 AMESSAGE FROM ME 10 IN THIS MONTH’S ISSUE 12 EVENTS CALENDAR 14 FAN-TASTIC: AN INTERVIEW WITH KIRK PENGILLY - KATE STONE 18 THE COURAGE TO DISRUPT BUSINESS LEADERSHIP - MANDY HOLLOWAY
A MESSAGE FROM ME
22 NEW TRICKS - JANINE GARNER 24 THE HEAD OF THE PRIDE - KATE STONE
CONTENTS BODY & SOUL
28 SUCCESS AND LOVE... CAMILLE THURNHERR 30 A ROMANCE WITH DIAMONDS KARL SCHWANTES 32 ENTREPRENEURS ARE CHANGING THE WORLD... RENATA COOPER
MONEY TALKS
34 MY DAD IS A SMART BLOKE... MELISSA BROWNE 37 EVOLUTION - IT’S HAPPENING CHRIS ALLEN 40 IN CONVERSATION WITH MEGAN LARSEN
42 LBDs OUT AND ABOUT 44 PARTNERING, PARENTING AND PUBERTY - KATE STONE
LOIS LANE LIVES
Issue
46 BETTER MAN - ADRIAN MORGAN
52 TEN TIPS TO SIZZLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA - LEE USSHER
ARTICLES
48 CIRCLES OF LIFE - KATE STONE
NEWS & REVIEWS
58 NEWS & REVIEWS 60 LOIS LANE LIVES: WHEN I GROW UP
FEATURES
54 TONE AT HOME FAST FOR BUSY PEOPLE - NIKKI FOGDEN-SMITH
Your Editorial Team
JANINE GARNER Founder & Editor in Chief “Togetherness – or collaboration – requires a plus and an equal sign. Togetherness can, and does, create the momentum of greatness.” Janine Garner is a business woman, entrepreneur and socialpreneur who is passionate about the return to open and transparent corporate relationships and the power of commercial collaboration in futureproofing careers and businesses. Founder and CEO of LBDGroup (the Little Black Dress Group), her first book, From ME to WE: Why Commercial Collaboration Will Future Proof Business, Leaders and Personal Success is being released later this year. Janine is also the founder of Australia’s first gift giving circle, the First Seeds Fund, committed to supporting women and children at the grassroots of Australia with a focus on education and employment.
KATE STONE Managing Editor “A heart that loves is always young. And quite possibly perennially stuck in the 70s, but that’s a personal choice.” Managing Editor Kate Stone is a ghostwriter, columnist, copy writer and editor who has a passion for all things social media and graphic design. If she isn’t living in someone else’s head, she is online or onscreen, or often both together. She is determined to bring her love of the written word, presented as beautifully as possible, to people whether they like it or not. She is the sole (at present) outpost of LBDGroup in WA, but is working very hard on changing this, and is proof positive that the power of a collaborative community is alive and well. Find her in one of her various guises on Twitter at @oskythespy, read her own writing at What Kate Did Next or e-mail her at kate@typecast.com.au if you are looking for someone to time share your brain with.
In This Month’s Issue MELISSA BROWNE Contributing Editor Melissa Browne is an author, entrepreneur, business owner, and shoe & jumpsuit lover. She has two successful, 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. She has also just branched out into a new venture with Rod Soper, thinkers.inq - go to the website to find out more about this incredibly innovative model for early childhood education. A regular contributor to the Sydney Morning Herald, find Melissa on twitter at melbrowne_ or visit acctaxadv.com.au
NIKKI FOGDENMOORE 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
RENATA COOPER
CHRIS ALLEN
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 a Director of iVvy, an online event management and registration software that works with Flight Centre, Westpac, Queensland Government, BMW and other leading brands.
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. Visit him at IntrepidAllen
MEGAN LARSEN A visionary in the spa industry, Megan Larsen has created chemicalfree skincare products that really work. Sodashi products and spa treatments are unparalleled in performance and purity, employing only therapeutic-grade, ethically sourced essential oils and plant actives to effectively heal and nurture. Catering to luxury hotels, spas and resorts in over 25 countries, Megan has extensive experience in the high end spa industry and has partnered with Aman Resorts and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. http://sodashi.com
LEE USHER Lee Ussher is co-founder of Buzz Web Media and recognised online as the Social Media Babe. She is a leading social media strategist servicing large companies, and her passion is evident in her willingness to spend much of her time sharing her knowledge as an expert presenter, writer and media commentator.
In This Month’s Issue CAMILLE THURNHERR
MANDY HOLLOWAY
Camille Thurnherr is the founder of ‘Ignite Mr Right’.She’s one of Australia’s leading dating experts for women.
Mandy Holloway draws on personal experience, real business application and passion to inspire others to be a Courageous Leader. She brings leadership alive with the reality of what people face each day when facilitating leadership development programs. Her first book: Inspiring Courageous Leaders was recently released.
Camille introduces clients to the concept of ‘how’ to attract their Mr. Right, so they can have the loving and passionate relationship they deserve. Camille’s clients soon discover “All the good ones are taken” is a great myth; nothing gives her greater pleasure than proving this.
www.courageousleaders.com.au
JAMIE PRIDE
JASON BEACHLEY
Jamie Pride is a speaker, author and thought leader on design thinking and disruptive innovation. He is the author of StateShifters: Helping Big Business Loosen Up and Startups Grow Up! As a serial entrepreneur, he has founded and sold several technology startups. He currently runs Digital4Age - a leading startup accelerator. Previously, he was the CEO of realestate.com.au.
Field Supervisor Construction at Transfield Services, Jason is the husband of frequent GLOSS contributor and LBDG member Alicia Beachley.
Read him here at http:// goodbyemachiavelli.com
He was ‘Mr Mum’ for three years while Alicia set up her business (April5) and his thoughts on parenting growing boys are both hilarious and heartfelt.
KARL SCHWANTES
ADRIAN MORGAN
Director of Xennox Diamonds, Karl has worked in the jewellery industry for nearly 20 years. Driven by a commitment to serve in the armed forces he enlisted in the army and received his Royal Commission from the Australian Defence force, and reached the rank of CAPT in 2008. Looking to further his studies in the jewellery field he undertook a diploma in gemmology with the GAA. He is now also a qualified and recognised diamond grader and valuer with NCJV.
Adrian Morgan has over 15 years experience within Voice and Contact Centres, providing business and customer facing solutions for large enterprises.
xennoxdiamonds.com.au
A Tough Mudder veteran, he is soon off on the adventure of a lifetime with his wife and two young children, undertaking the never done before challenge of photographing and making a documentary about the entire coastline of Australia from a yacht.
Follow their adventures at http://facebook.com/ picturethecoast
KIRK PENGILLY In 1971 while at high school Kirk started a friendship with Tim Farriss. They formed a garage band, Guiness, in which Kirk was the principal songwriter and lead singer. In 1976, Guinness disbanded and less than a year later, The Farriss Brothers was born. More than thirty years on and Kirk has had a definitive place in INXS, being principal backing vocalist, saxophonist and guitarist. Apart from his co-writes with Michael on a number of INXS albums, he has written, produced and performed numerous “B-side singles” and co wrote the song ‘Like It Or Not’, which appears on the album, ‘Switch’. Kirk has been one of the key publicity spokespersons for INXS and also holds the distinction of being the band’s archivist, faithfully logging daily entries in diaries that date back to the beginning of INXS. He was heavily involved in the bands only authorised biographical book, ‘Story To Story’, in which he wrote the book’s forward.
Events OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2014
SEPTEMBER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES SYDNEY 12 13 14 15 THINK TANK WEBINAR “THE EVOLVING DIGITAL LANDSCAPE” KELLY SLESSOR” 16 17 EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES MELBOURNE 18 EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES SYDNEY 19 THINK TANK “THE EVOLVING DIGITAL LANDSCAPE” KELLY SLESSOR - SYDNEY 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
Calendar OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES BRISBANE SYDNEY SEMINAR - RECRUITING FOR SMALL BUSINESS
EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES MELBOURNE
UNLEASH YOUR BUSINESS POTENTIAL - BUSINESS FORUM - SYDNEY
BUSINESS PLANNING MASTERCLASSES WITH JANINE GARNER - BUILDING YOUR BRAND IN 2015 - SYDNEY EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES SYDNEY
UNLEASH YOUR BUSINESS POTENTIAL - BUSINESS FORUM - MELBOURNE
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Wit h hi s go rg Apr eo us d il-R a os e ughter ,
And my screaming memories of KP with INXS, circa late 80s
Fan-tastic: An Interview With Kirk Pengilly Kate Stone
There have only been a few occasions when I have been nervous about meeting/talking to/shaking hands with ‘famous people’. I don’t say this to be ultra-cool or as though I have met so many amazing people that I am blasé about the whole deal; not at all. But usually, I maintain a modicum of dignity and don’t start shaking before picking up the phone or walking across a room which has suddenly grown to the size of a football stadium. One of these was Elvis Costello. One was Julia Gillard. One was Pope John Paul II (eclectic mix huh?). And one... Was Kirk Pengilly. The Big Boss (Janine Garner) calls. ‘Are you free tomorrow?’ ‘Yuh... why?’ ‘You’re interviewing Kirk Pengilly’. I immediately cursed her and her wickedness, then jumped around the room and put on Kick. After about an hour, I calmed down and worked out what I wanted to ask him that sounded professional and not like a screaming fifteen year old, present at her first INXS concert at the Derwent Entertainment Centre, 1987 (supporting acts The Cockroaches and The Hoodoo Gurus). I couldn’t help but mention this to him. He laughed, and said “I actually remember that... The Cockroaches. Ha!” (The Cockroaches became The Wiggles. Smart lads). Then I settled down, and asked him some real questions. Many LBDG members know Kirk of course not just as an international megastar, but as the husband of our huge supporter, Layne Beachley, surfing supremo and megastar in her own right. What they don’t often think about perhaps is not him as saxophonist, guitarist, backing vocalist and biographer of INXS - but as a dad. And a proud dad he is. When I asked him to sum up his daughter, model and actor April-Rose, in five words or less, he was very quick to reply. “Beautiful soul, wonderful daughter”. I wanted to know how he had managed as a father during all those years on the road with the band, constantly in the public eye, especially when April-Rose was very young. He was honest and forthright in his response. “With great difficulty! Luckily she has a great mum (Karen Hutchison) and obviously I would spend as much time as possible when off the road with her… I think also I had a pretty amazing childhood (at Cottage Point, a remote ‘weekender’ community on the outskirts of Kuringai National Park in NSW). It was an outdoor childhood, and I felt that was really important to do something similar for April. One of the reasons I bought a farm when she was really young was to give her that kind of nature; to get her dirty, playing outside in the sun and wind and give her the same kind of realm that I had as a young ‘un.” As I grew up in much the same way, I heartily agree with that kind of childhood. And part of my growing up of course, involved live bands. Lots of live bands; sometimes, I admit, in facilities that I should not have been in at 16 and 17. One of the hardest things I have found as an aunt and being close to my friends’ kidlets, is how differently ‘rock stars’ are viewed now. For me, as a teenager (without any Electra Complex issues), bands like INXS were not just idols, but in some ways father
figures; because they were so mature (well, in public anyway). They played instruments. They wrote their own songs. They were also a bit older than us. I was interested to hear Kirk’s views on the groups of the new Millennium. “Look, it is what it is – in saying that, in my childhood era with virtually no technology – a kid could be a kid. With so much information, and so much pressure put on kids to absorb information, I do wonder how they are going to turn into anything. Certainly I think in our era, rock stars were the idols and the fashion trend-setters... with a few exceptions it’s now a lot more sort of throwaway. Without wanting to sound ‘old’ – it’s basically a lot more disposable. There are so many distractions – with Facebook, Instagram, games and so much more choice – it tends to squash everything down into a blur of ‘whatever’.” He sees this being very much reflected in the reality talent shows which are now ubiquitous viewing. “One of the things we did with our show (Rockstar) which others don’t – we wanted to see how each individual coped with every facet of life as a ‘star’ - how they played their instruments, facing the media, facing fans, being on the road; most of the talent shows are just about getting up and singing with the public voting. What concerns me is what these kids then do with that sort of springboard – do they use it in the best way?” Not being a huge fan of reality TV, and seeing the results of one show’s fallout just the week before (a single cancelled before the winner had even started), I wanted to get further into why INXS worked - and continues to work - for so long. These guys were on the road constantly, living in each others’ pockets. Didn’t things wear a bit thin? I am a firm believer in working collaboratively, so I really was interested to find out how this example of collaborative business ticked. “It’s pretty simple. We always had a similar vision and a similar goal, and I guess growing up together as teenagers, all of the ego crap got knocked out then! Not that there was a lot, because life was simpler. We made a pact (within reason) to do whatever we needed to achieve. We were also fortunate to have an amazing team around us - agents, record company, partners - who were prepared to look at the big picture and who were loyal and had integrity. The biggest thing was it was a partnership. There was no leader within the band. We were democratic; which songs, where and when on tour. Everyone had a voice. It was different in some ways to [working collaboratively] in a company, because we switched roles when needed – if someone needed to take a step back, someone else stepped forward. It’s similar in many ways to the movie industry in Australia, where if something needs doing someone steps forward, unlike the US, where everyone is hidebound.” He has continued in a democratic relationship with his marriage to Layne Beachley. There must be times though, I asked, when the switch between ‘private’ and ‘public’ is hard to maintain, especially in such a high-profile partnership, and with a daughter also in the media and public spotlight.
Kirk & Layne “I don’t think about it to be honest – I’ve been doing it for so long. Private life is important and special – and I am very protective of it. Layne has mentioned that I get annoyed when she does interviews in my sanctuary! I have learned to switch off at home when I come home from 3,4,or even 6 months at a time…in fact I’m catching up at the moment while band is on hiatus, so I am very much the housewife! Layne is so busy so I am chipping in where needed. I’m also seeing my daughter as much as possible –it’s very important to me. I think in some ways because the band started as nothing and gradually built up over ten years I kind of got used to it. When you’re at home, your partner or friends give you shit if you try to be the big top dude. That makes me glad I was born an Australian!” His passion for music shines through. I asked - purely out of curiosity - if he could play any style of music, what would it be? The answer was prompt. “I always had a love for 1930s and 40s swing jazz – Louis Jordan, years and years ago, Count Basie, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington – all of the big band stuff – it was just so glamorous.” Family is of course the thread throughout all of this. He says that as a father in the early days, he realistically “did the best I could.” And it’s obvious how much family means to him, whether that’s his own family or his band family. “The greatest gift a father can give to his child[ren] is love and support. And family - family is everything. They’re the people you’ve known all your life and they are a bond that is greater than any other. It’s important to have family and be a part of a family.” As I said, I ran around the room pre-interview. Afterwards I just felt happy that one of my teenage heroes turned out to be one of the good guys. I still have a crush on Jon Farriss though. Kick may go back into high rotation.
The Courage To Disrupt Business Leadership Mandy Holloway
I am thrilled that this month in Gloss there is a focus on the amazing men who make a difference by supporting women to develop stronger business careers and yet I reflect on what still needs to change to create greater success for women, men, families and business in our current corporate environment. We need further change because the facts demonstrate that too many women continue to disappear from “corporate Australia” to set up their own businesses and/or raise families. When I say corporate Australia I mean the bigger end of business – and for the purposes of this article exclude the many small businesses being started each month and you’ll see why as you read on. The Facts Let’s start with a reiteration of seven critical facts: 1. 4.8% of Fortune 500 CEO positions are filled by women 2. Gail Kelly is one of 12 women who are CEOs at Australia’s top 200 companies 3. 67% of ASX 500 companies have no female executives 4. female start-ups are up by 25% and only 1% for males 5. “Australia has 100,000 more females than males even though there are more male babies born than females, and there are more males than females until around age 35…….and one of the reasons we [currently] have a man drought is because men are increasingly heading overseas to work.” McCrindle Research 6. Participation in higher education is 58:42 women to men and 41.7% of these young women graduate and 27.6% of these men do the same – so we have a higher number of female graduates flooding our job markets 7. Women continue to be primary caregivers during child-rearing years according to The European Commission Report (2012) and this report concluded that working part time and career interruptions continue to be obstacles to promotion into senior positions.
What our Courageous Women and Men are currently doing Given female owned start-ups have increased by 25% this tells us that: “....women are tired of the corporate environment because it doesn’t provide flexibility and they today have the ability to walk out, leave their employer behind and start up their own business...” Yolanda Vega (Head of the Australian Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry). Five years’ worth of interviews with almost 4,000 executives worldwide, conducted by students at Harvard Business School draws attention to a far deeper conundrum than flexibility: “When work and family responsibilities collide, for example, men may lay claim to the cultural narrative of the good provider. Several male executives who admitted to spending inadequate time with their families consider absence an acceptable price for providing their children with opportunities they themselves never had. [One man] even put a positive spin on the breakup of his family: “Looking back, I would have still made a similar decision to focus on work, as I was able to provide for my family and become a leader in my area, and these things were important to me.” Now let’s take a further step back and ask the question why are women and men making these choices and what impact are these choices having on “corporate Australia”? I think it is much deeper than flexibility and diversity. I believe there are three critical factors and I am going to be vulnerable enough to share them with you: 1. Honourability Many courageous women have the most amazing support from men in their lives and what this can sometimes translate into is the men offering the financial security for the women to move away from the corporate environment and set up their own businesses. In essence their male partners or relatives support them to be courageous and while I acknowledge this is incredibly honourable it is not helping to change the current status quo. In fact it works against changing the status quo because it means for these honourable men it is imperative to “retain” the status quo so they can
be assured of a reasonable income to support their families while the woman they support sets up her small business. Consequently many men endure the passive pressure to keep things the same in corporate Australia. 2. Stay at home dads Then we have the wonderful men who choose to stay at home in support of their wives careers. These women work extra hard to “fit in” with the existing culture and consequently bolster the “numbers of women” remaining in the corporate environment. However just like the men I spoke about above they are concerned with financial security for their family and so challenge the status quo with great care. They too often find themselves “fitting in” with the existing corporate culture because they fear being the one to “rock the boat.” 3. Organisational structure Current organisational structure is based on the army - a very male dominated and hierarchical regime. Therefore far too many women do not even aspire to more senior roles, never mind the CEO role - they don’t want the pressure, they don’t want the responsibility and they don’t believe in the “command, control and ego” philosophy at the foundation of too many top leadership teams. We need to disrupt this status quo - who says the best way to run a company is using this hierarchical approach and paying CEOs ridiculous amounts of “blood money” in compensation for taking them away from their families while at the exact same time securing their family an amazing lifestyle – referred to earlier within the Harvard Research. Young males aspiring to senior organisational roles are easily seduced by this kind of role modelling. It all becomes about how much you are prepared to sacrifice from either a work or life perspective for both men and women. For future disruption we need to collaborate I think an increasing number of men and women readily acknowledge something is not working with the current situation and we need change. However we struggle to identify what kind of change. I believe we need men and women working collaboratively to identify the real issue because it is not diversity or flexibility – it is far more
profound. From firsthand experience we have been labelling it as a need for affirmative action, diversity councils and flexible work practices since the early 1990s and not too much has changed. We are simply relabelling and rebadging - moving the deck chairs around to look like we are busy and aiming for change. What we need is: (i) men to be courageous enough to stand up and: • challenge the current business models • overtly question what is being done to keep women in corporate Australia - call the deck chair movements when they happen and rather invite a deep and ‘disruptive’ look • step out to let go of the “bread winner” mode as this is holding us all back
collaborative interactions with other men and women who want to permanently disrupt our current status quo. Contact me and let’s create space to find our voices and stretch our thinking. We need to rise above the short term voices of the shareholder and the bottom line – this is so much more about creating long term sustainability - for all people no matter their gender and for corporate Australia who cannot afford to keep losing valuable people.
(ii) women to be courageous enough to stand up and: • own they cannot do it alone and have it “all” (this is not collaborative) • work collaboratively with men (be it their husbands, life partners, business colleagues, friends, relatives) to create the corporate environment we desperately need • stop polarising ourselves into career women; part time workers (not serious about their careers) and stay at home mums because these labels and attitudes are not helping women. When men and women take individual accountability to interdependently create change for both men and women in corporate Australia then things will actually start to change. Both men and women have to decide what will end and what will start - and this means everyone letting go of the past and embracing a new future. This is disruption at a highly fundamental level. Stop letting people who are afraid of these original thoughts strangle our idea because who knows what a big idea this is going to turn out to be. I challenge everyone reading this article to unlock their cage of habits and fly into their learning zone – and let’s create dynamic, curious, interesting, enthusiastic and
Get further insight from Mandy in her book, Inspiring Courageous Leaders, available here
Want to Take Your Life to The Next Level ? Want to Create More Possibilities for Your Life ? Thinking About “What’s Next” ? Give yourself permission to pause and reflect Connect with like-minded women who are on a similar journey Designed especially for successful women who want further success in their lives, our seminars and workshops will help you – • Develop your personal definition of “success” • Uncover what you truly value and find meaningful in life • Break through mental barriers holding you back • Be clear about your next chapter and have confidence to move forward If you want a life of greater purpose and meaning, authentic to who you really are, then this is for you
Multiple seminar and workshop dates available To find out more, visit www.springforward.com.au
New Tricks Janine Garner
Be the change that you wish to see in the world. - Mahatma Gandhi Sunday the 7th of September was of course Father’s Day here in Australia, and as we celebrated (and thanked) the incredible men in our lives, it got me thinking. As parents, as grandparents, as aunts, uncles, fabulous friends – we are constantly transmitting messages and modelling to our children through our day to day behaviour. The way we react to each other, the way we walk, the way we talk, the tones of voice we use (and the words!) are being watched and imitated constantly by the leaders of our future. The standards they will be expected to uphold are the ones we are now showing them; and whether it is conscious or unconscious, our behaviour is what they base their understanding of the ‘right thing to do’ on. At LBDG, one of our golden key threads is to always behave with each other in a way that is collaborative, engaging and thoughtful. And yes, it is easy, because these are women for whom we have admiration, friendship and above all, respect. Often, through tiredness, stress, the grind of the everyday or just because we are having a bad moment we don’t think to extend this same courtesy to our own children, and the children of our friends and associates. This is by no means a lecture. I am guilty of it myself; who isn’t? But the old saw ‘little pitchers have big ears’ has stayed extant for a reason. A mental checklist of modelling can be a way to remind ourselves of the way our kids perceive us, and therefore their peers. Think about: ON THE PHONE: those little ears are listening in! They hear the way we talk to each other, answer the calls to sales reps, how we deal with the dinner time market researcher. If you work from home, the reality is that your child(ren) are a part of that world. What are you teaching them when you roll your eyes and say ‘oh God no’ before answering a call with a fake smile and every appearance of pleasure at hearing from X, Y or Z? TIME MANAGEMENT: are you in control of your time, or is it in control of you? Are you always on time, early, or constantly late? What message are you sending? WORKING TOGETHER: as tempting as it is to bang your head on the table after a particularly frustrating meeting and sound off about so and so’s inability to find their way out of a wet paper bag, do it within range of the kids (or comment on it afterwards) and they will understand that it’s OK to take out your team members after the fact. This is not about constructive criticism, which is a necessary tool. This is about what you teach them as a leader. HOW WE PLAY: so many parents give up hours and hours of their time to referee, score and coach children’s sports. Sounding off at them lets your kids know that’s acceptable behaviour. Next time they hear you, they don’t hear their coach. HOW WE RELAX: or in some cases, don’t. When you are sick, do you actually take the time out to stop and let yourself recover, or plug yourself up with Codral and keep going to breaking point? What are you teaching?
When it comes down to it, we are all teachers. It’s up to each and every one of us to sponsor and mentor others in the workplace, to make sure we have that pipeline of future leaders not only up to speed, but up to the code of ethics we want to see continued. And every day, we are similarly helping children to navigate their way through life by giving them models for their behaviour. The question is, I suppose, do we want our children to behave as we do ourselves? If you ask yourself that question, and you even have to hesitate over the answer… Then it’s time to teach an older dog some new tricks, as well as the puppies.
The Head of The Pride Kate Stone
The first thing I will say about Jamie Pride, former CEO of realestate.com.au and now techpreneur extraordinaire, is this. He’s really, really busy. Which isn’t surprising, as he has about fifteen projects on the go at once. Now the founder of Digital4ge, which is a leading startup accelerator, he’s also a prolific speaker, author and thoughtleader when it comes to disruptive innovation. I have personally spent quite a bit of time online in the past at his blog, Goodbye Machiavelli and it’s right up my geeky alley. His two books, StateShifters: Helping Big Business Loosen Up and Startups Grow Up! are for businesses that are really serious about changing the way they work. He has certainly changed the way he works, and it was on and around the subject of work/life and, of course, being a dad (considering what this month’s GLOSS is all about) that I chatted to him in a rare moment of quiet. I first asked him to explain exactly what Digital4ge is about, because for a lot of people, it would seem a bit bewildering. “Basically, Digital4ge is a tech start-up incubator. We take ideas that come from a variety of sources and turn them into fully realised commercial ventures. I’ve thought for a long time that there was a better way to do start-ups in Australia and so I co-founded the company with my business partner, Ben McGrath. We recently launched a business called reffind, which is all about a new way for businesses to approach recruitment, which launched just two weeks ago. That’s our biggest prospect at present.” Reffind is an amazing concept - so simple you wonder why it hasn’t been done before, but then again often the simple ideas are the ones that sit in the wings until the technology is there to support them. What it basically offers is an app - yes, a recruitment business that runs solely through an app. The app is a job board which allows thse looking for employees to post jobs through their own networks - jobs are posted for free, and clients only interact with their own trusted work contacts, who in turn interact only with their trusted contacts. It allows identification of top prospects who may not currently be looking - and it means you are getting people from referral. It cuts out the ‘who is this person?’ aspect of recruitment entirely. As an ex-project manager for a global recruitment company, it makes me want to dance on the table. For current employees of recruitment companies, things could get very interesting. More than being a business Master of the Tech Universe though, Jamie is foremost an incredibly proud dad of three children - Phoebe 14, artist, Harrison, 11 a “chess player & monster skipper - I kid you not”, and Imogen, 7, who is an extremely talented dancer. They are obviously - excuse the pun - the pride of Jamie’s life. I asked him how he would describe himself as a dad. “ Two words: FUN DAD! They probably would say otherwise, of course. We try and spend a lot of time with the family. Sunday nights are Games Night -real, old-style board games, and they are heavily contested; at times they may or may not come to blows! I grew up without a dad, so I tend to set pretty hard boundaries between work and personal time. It will overwhelm if you let it, and that’s not what I want for my kids.”
I asked him what made him happiest as a father. “It’s so interesting to watch, to see the constant change in them; some people lament it, but it’s fascinating to watch them grow up; it’s great to watch them develop and make their own decisions.” I mentioned that I had talked to someone the other day (Jason Beachley, also featured in this issue of GLOSS) about the concept of the necessity of leaving a ‘digital door ajar’ when it comes to kids. I asked him whether this was something he felt was true. “Absolutely – and being in the tech sector, it is something I really feel strongly about - the idea of online safety for kids. My daughter for example doesn’t have Facebook, but she has Instagram, and one of the conditions of her being allowed this is that I am friends with her. It’s essential that parents remain very open and transparent with their children and explain the implications of the Internet, it’s permanency; that the things you do today are permanent and searchable. In our day, the ‘naughty’ things were embedded - usually incorrectly - in memories – now they are enshrined on Google. Unfortunately, now it’s about, literally, having to talk to kids about managing their ‘brand’ online, which realistically starts the minute they have a digital footprint. We didn’t have to deal until our 30s; now it’s the second you hit ‘send’ on an image. It’s absolutely essential that parents educate themselves and have these open and transparent conversations with their kids. It’s primarily also about the level of communication - and the level of trust - that you enjoy with your kids.” He said that his own kids were not particularly interested in online games, and they sound like children after my own heart; “they read on their iPads more than anything else”. I wanted to know what lessons from his own childhood he used in business life. “I am very open about the fact that I grew up in a pretty humble background. And it’s a certainty that the three lessons it taught me are ones I apply everyday. 1. Have an appetite – have some kind of basic drive; 2. Have a discipline – get up and do what you need to do repeatedly; 3. Understand that you’re going to have setbacks – expect to fail and as a result of those failures, be willing to persevere. My mum instilled them in me and they have been crucial to my success.” Finally, I asked him a question I put to a lot of people, whether it’s about their children, the words they would leave behind to friends or family. What’s the one sentence he’d leave them with? “Do what you love, but accept that you won’t know what that is until you do something you don’t!” As someone who took the long way round to their own business passion, I quite agree. Head of the Pride indeed.

 NOTHING IS BLACK OR WHITE, NOTHING’S ‘US OR THEM’. BUT THEN THERE ARE MAGICAL, BEAUTIFUL THINGS IN THE WORLD. THERE’S INCREDIBLE ACTS OF KINDNESS AND BRAVERY, AND IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACES, AND IT GIVES YOU HOPE. - DAVE MATTHEWS
Success and Love: How to Have The Cake and Eat It Too
Camille Thurnherr
A friend once asked me this: ‘if you had a choice between a thriving business or a passionate and loving relationship, which would it be?’ To me, both are undeniably important. I couldn’t imagine the absence of either in my life. Do I think it’s easy for a woman to be both highly successful and experience lasting love? The answer is of course no. But it’s more than possible, despite the enduring myth that there’s somehow a conflict between passionate love and career success. A growing group of inspiring women are proving otherwise. Many of us have delayed finding Mr Right and raising a family to focus on building our businesses. The numbers of single women choosing to do IVF have doubled over the last 5 years. It can be challenging to find a suitable partner in today’s hustle and bustle that we all live in. It can be easier to just focus on our careers, especially since we’re so passionate about it. I remember growing up, I identified more with my dad, his life seemed more exciting and more rewarding, so in many ways, I have chosen more his path than my mum’s. I’ve travelled the world and have never been financially dependant on anyone. I sometimes wonder if part of me rebelled against not wanting to have a ‘traditional’ life like my mum did. It took me until by mid thirties before I even considered to have children.
With the roles of the sexes not being defined anymore, is it possible that we’re still getting clear on what type of relationships and living arrangements work best for us? So if you are currently single, let me ask you: ‘What does your ideal, intimate relationship look like? What would make it outstanding for you?’ If you are looking for a long term relationship, you’re probably seeking a man of integrity, someone who will respect you and actually desires a committed relationship. So Who Is Mr Right? He most likely doesn’t still live at home at the age of 35 and yes, he’s got friends, hobbies and a career. A quality man’s independent and settled. He doesn’t need anything, but he’s wanting to share his life with someone special. He knows that the best things in life are even better when shared. He’s Not That Shallow Sure, long legs, an easy smile and girlish charm will always grab attention. But for a quality man, these alone are never enough. Likewise, he may admire your intellect and respect your accomplishments, but ultimately he can readily seek out these qualities in friends, male or female. When it comes to serious relationships, they’re looking for something deeper, something magical. Becoming Mrs Right To captivate at a deeper level, you need to know what makes you, YOU. You need to be proud of who you are. Connecting with your unique inner beauty will make you stand out. Being “Mrs Right” means that you have high standards, you will expect to be treated with respect, no matter what. Your Mr Right will be drawn to you, without necessarily knowing why. For a quality man looking for a long-term relationship, you must give of yourself, more honestly.
The Tango of Love The initial stages of dating should be enjoyed. I don’t look at it in terms of “playing games”, but I see it more of a dance. I often call it the “Tango of Love” and there is an art to it. A quality man might not move as fast as some of the guys you’ve dated in the past. He’s not in a rush. He has a life and he wants to be sure that you are right for him too. Love moves more slowly for a man and it’s crucial not to rush him. Also, a key ingredient is distance. Men need time to reflect, to gather their thoughts, and more importantly, connect to how they actually feel about you. Whether you’re single or in a relationship, I believe that having a fulfilling career is key. However, I do believe that we need to continue to nurture our relationships, we need to make them a priority. The more we respect and appreciate the men in our lives, the more they will be part of our team and celebrate our achievements. Here’s to having the cake and eating it too!
There are some individuals who have so much energy, motivation and good cheer, yet achieve so much, you wonder how they manage to make it look so easy. Karl Schwantes of Xennox Diamonds is one of them. With a successful business and four children, life can and does get hectic. But Karl doesn’t simply ‘soldier on’ without complaint – he enjoys his life wholeheartedly and wouldn’t want things any other way. “We manage” says Karl cheerfully. “My wife Clare works full time now as an editor, so looking after the kids is a combined effort. It’s not so hard now they’re ages eight to ten – but at one stage, with our youngest being triplets, we had four kids under two so that was a bit of a challenge!” For Karl a love of business and diamonds runs in the family, and at the same time, the business has become an integral part of the family. They work together, like clockwork. Karl took over from his father, a master jeweller from Germany who started the business in Brisbane in 1976. He hopes at least one of his four children will take over the reins from him one day, but says he appreciates that they might make other choices. In any event, they may have to wait for some time – Karl loves running the business and he can’t think of anything else he’d rather do, so retirement is far from his mind.
A Fine Romance Karl Schwantes
The children already help out at times during school holidays. The oldest, Dominic, loves to get involved, polishing rings and cleaning cabinets. The younger triplets – Monica, Andrew and Hannah sometimes help with simpler tasks like folding brochures. “They get excited about coming into the store and I think it’s good for them to get involved” says Karl “I picked up a very strong work ethic and exceptionally high standards from my own parents and I’d like to pass that on to our children.” Of course, ten years of military training as a young man might just have given Karl the upper hand in keeping everything running with some precision.
“Military service taught me many things about discipline, integrity and trust, and these are also values I apply to the business. I believe it’s these behind the scenes values, and our strong focus on quality, creativity and customer service, that have made the business so successful.” Attention to Detail At Xennox Diamonds, there is attention to every detail that goes into creating an experience he hopes happy customers will remember fondly. It may be a cliché, but diamonds should be forever – and the experience of choosing a ring that speaks of love, whether it’s an engagement or eternity ring, should be very special. It shouldn’t be rushed – the experience should be joyful and stress free, and the result simply beautiful. The business is located in a boutique style studio that offers privacy and security for clients, but also an intimacy of service that Karl believes is an integral component of their customer service. Four full time jewellers and a full time setter all work in the store, where customers can see them at work, and Xennox offers a lifetime warranty on their creations. Attention to every detail no doubt played a role in Xennox Diamonds recently taking out the Wedding Events of Australia (WEOA) Jeweller of the Year Award for Excellence. And for all this, purchasing a ring from Xennox Diamonds may not be as expensive as you imagine. “People are often surprised by our competitive prices and how affordable good quality is. I don’t believe in having sales – I believe in offering the best value and quality all year round. A significant percentage of our business comes by word of mouth referrals. I don’t spend a lot on marketing. A high level of service and our expertise and craftsmanship has allowed the business to grow naturally.” Karl remains as passionate about diamonds as he was the day he took over Xennox Diamonds from his father. “I just love diamonds” he
says, “I could look at them all day!” He’s just as passionate about helping people decide on the perfect ring for their partner and says that choosing a design your partner will absolutely adore is vital because it’s a long term purchase. Of course, choosing the perfect ring design for someone can be a little tricky because tastes vary. There are many choices to be made including the gold colour choice, overall design, diamond quality and size. With over 20 years’ experience, Karl has come up with a process to help his clients identify their partners’ likely preferences across these areas and make appropriate choices. He plans to share that expertise more widely next year by publishing a guide book on choosing the perfect ring. So is there a secret ingredient to success? Karl doubts there is any single formula that applies to everyone but he does have one suggestion: “Be passionate about whatever you do, and aim for excellence.” Feel the need for what are, after all, of a girl’s best friend? Visit Xennox Diamonds to see that all that glitters is gold - or platinum... and sparkles!
Entrepreneurs Are Changing The World - One Community At A Time Renata Cooper
Mattel recently launched entrepreneur Barbie. Armed with a briefcase, smartphone, tablet and a pink dress, she launched her own LinkedIn profile on the first day in job. While public opinion on entrepreneur Barbie has been divided, the message about entrepreneurship – a career choice that was previously met with scepticism – is absolute. Entrepreneurs are the new cool. They are changing the world. Industry leaders such as Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Google’s Larry Page, Carman cereal’s Carolyn Creswell, Freelancer.com’s Matt Barrie and many others have illustrated the power of believing in an idea and making it a reality. And, in Australia (one of the most entrepreneur friendly countries in the world), entrepreneurship is steadily growing with 9,000 new businesses formed in 2013 (0.4% increase over 2012).
Shift in power – corporate vs entrepreneur In the past, big brands and corporates were the mainstay of economic change in the world. They were the innovators and guardians of new technology, ideas and mainstream movements that became everyday habits. However, since the market got disrupted with accessible technology, social media and globalisation, the balance of power has evened out. Customers now have more power and voice. Small businesses are making a big impact by not only creating jobs and economic opportunities, but also in fostering the spirit of innovation. Big brands that have traditionally fit customers around their value proposition are trying to adapt to the changes. Very few companies such as Apple and Burberry have shaped their narrative around the customer by creating individual experiences. Entrepreneurs on the other hand are getting acknowledged as creative thinkers who want to help people and build their value proposition with the customer in mind. And, customers are responding to them. In a pyschographically-fragmented world, communities bonding over common purpose or interests have more power over brands. Where corporates are trying to engage with these communities – Huggies with mums, Woolworths with schools – small businesses have intuitively moulded the spirit of community into their core value proposition.
Technology, the great change agent Technology, to a large degree, has been the wind beneath entrepreneurship’s wings. It has helped break down barriers to entry, made it easier for women to consider starting their own business, facilitated early dialogue and research with communities and, given a global voice to small businesses. As with Apple, Instagram, Etsy, Burberry and other brands credited for ‘getting it right’, successful entrepreneurs have used technology as a means to an end. Australian entrepreneur driven brands are using technology to not only deliver products and services but also real value for customers. Some examples include custom made shoes company Shoes of Prey that allows you to design your own shoes, fitness queen Michelle Bridges who delivers programs to a global community via an online portal and events software developer iVvy creating the world’s first real-time booking software in hospitality. Sydney based Shoes of Prey achieved the rare feat of being featured by its competitor when it was placed on David Jones shop floor to help the 175 year-old brand reach new audiences. With fewer barriers and less hierarchy to overcome, entrepreneurs are creating self-reliant, community-based economies and experimenting with new ideas that are becoming social movements. While the concepts of co-creation, connected experience and personalisation are debated and discussed by major Australian retailers as the key to increasing sales; Shoes of Prey, Michelle Bridges and iVvy are ahead of the playing field by delivering all that and more. Outside of the brands, technology has enabled 14 year-olds in school to use their Instagram, Paypal and eBay accounts to source and sell small items such as jewellery, clothes, hats, etc., to their network of family and friends. While the concept of lemonade stand outside homes used to teach kids the value of earning, technology has taken it 10 steps further by teaching them networking and entrepreneurship. The business models are changing. With more freelancers, consultancies, innovators, tech start-ups, mumpreneurs, and social
entrepreneurs entering the market, entrepreneurship could be the key to tackling issues such as increasing youth unemployment and declining consumer confidence. Entrepreneurs are becoming early adopters and shaping grassroots movements that are changing behaviour of the masses. They are driving innovation, creating jobs, fuelling growth and bringing about change – one community at a time.
My Dad Is a Smart Bloke When It Comes To Money Melissa Browne
My dad is a smart bloke when it comes to money. Yes we might have differing opinions on how much you should be spending on clothes and shoes (me) and whether it’s really OK to bring suitcases full of DVDs back from Bali (him) but it’s difficult to argue with someone who retired just after age 50 and is able to travel overseas at least three times a year. Sure you might argue he’s a baby boomer so he’s had it relatively easy. His generation was able to ride the wave of the property boom and now they’re sitting pretty while we nonbaby-boomers struggle to create a foothold for ourselves. You might be right but it’s such a lazy argument to make. It’s always easier to cry ‘not fair’ than it is to actually do something about it. The truth is my dad didn’t just buy a whole lot of property, sit back and then cash in just after age 50. He was strategic, he saved, he worked bloody hard, he sacrificed and now he’s reaping the benefits. To be completely honest I wouldn’t follow the path he took because I believed he scrimped too much to get there while he probably looks at me and thinks I’m overly frivolous. However it doesn’t matter whether I agree with him or not, the fact is he wanted to retire a multi-millionaire with the freedom to do as he chose and now he’s doing it. So while we might not have the advantage of being able to buy discount priced property like the boomers did and we may not be willing to scrimp as hard as my dad did, there is still a lot to learn from those that have played the game wisely and are now enjoying their retirement. So what can we learn from financially-savvy baby-boomer investors like my dad? 1. Find great role models. Good financial sense is not necessarily passed down through families. You might not have had a financially-savvy parent to look up to but find someone who is where you want to be and ask them questions about what they’ve done, how they did it and who their advisers are. If you don’t know anyone personally then read up on people you admire and even try contacting them and asking questions.
2. You might not be able to afford to buy in the suburb you want to live in. Too many people find themselves in financial stress with few options by taking out a large mortgage because they must live in a particular suburb or a particular house. While you might not choose to move an hour away, you might choose to live three or four suburbs or 20 minutes away where prices are substantially cheaper. If you do your research, the cheaper suburb you buy in might just become the next popular place to purchase. 3. You don’t have to have everything now. It seems to be a modern day mindset that if you don’t have a gorgeous house, new furniture, a new car, an overseas holiday, a flat screen, Foxtel, a cleaner and new shoes each week that you’re struggling. I know when I tell people I can’t afford Foxtel they look at me strangely. But I’d rather buy shoes. Instead work out what your goals are, what you have available to spend and then work out what makes the cut and what doesn’t. 4. Plan, plan, plan. Don’t rely on your neighbour to tell you what you should be doing with your money. Decide what you want to achieve with your finances, work out a time frame, educate yourself, create a budget and then simply start. Make sure you have a long term goal and a short term plan for how you’re going to get there with the milestones you need to achieve along the way. That way you know what your behaviour needs to be today in order to live the life you want. 5. Start investing early. It’s tempting to put off investing, buying your first house or salary sacrificing to super until you’ve met your partner, you’ve hit 30, you’ve read every book on investing or you’re settled in your career. It’s much wiser to start early and to achieve some financial dependence so you have more options as you get older. 6. Make sure you still enjoy yourself. I am certainly not recommending you become a hermit, never buy shoes and only eat mince and sausages. Life is way too short. So make sure when you sit down and plan your budget it’s not so monastic that you either cheat or end up throwing in the towel because it’s just too hard. Remember, sometimes the biggest luxuries are the cheapest like time alone with a good book and a great glass of wine. 7. Enjoy the free. One thing I think baby boomers did well is to enjoy the simple things. I remember the whole family jumping on bikes and cycling round the park together, taking a ball down to the local park with a BBQ on a Sunday afternoon or eating chips and potato scallops on a rug at the beach. Thinking back, when we did things that were more expensive, it was occasional rather than every week. Kind of like cake I guess. It’s an occasional treat (or should be) rather than a regular one. Now I don’t think my dad is particularly smart when it comes to other things like women and wardrobes however when it comes to money he’s incredibly sharp. I hope you’re inspired by a retired baby boomer who unfortunately couldn’t be reached for comment because he’s either in Bali, on a Cruise or in a Mustang driving down the coast of America. Living the life he dreamed of and worked so hard for.
COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR, BUT THE TRIUMPH OVER IT. THE BRAVE MAN IS NOT HE WHO DOES NOT FEEL AFRAID, BUT HE WHO CONQUERS THAT FEAR.
- NELSON MANDELA
“It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change.” Charles Darwin There are lots of examples in the world right now of why it is so important to encourage young minds towards good rather than evil. Terrorism, political corruption, cyber bullying – you name it and there’ll be a story about it somewhere in the news today. The biggest issue that strikes me is the opportunity for evil to inveigle its way into the minds of pliable young men who are not being otherwise positively engaged in their daily lives. We need more examples globally of how we should behave towards each other rather than the far too many current examples of how we should not. In a nutshell, we need role Chris Allen models.
Evolution - It’s Happening
And role modelling begins in the home. As the proud and very lucky father of two young boys, I am acutely aware of the huge responsibility I have in mentoring, guiding and raising my sons to be, quite simply, good men. Most of the building blocks that will ultimately form the adult are absorbed by our children in their earliest years. As our boys are so young, 4 and 2 respectively, my approach has been primarily about the way in which I behave around them and how I convey to them my attitudes regarding certain things. In my view, the most important place to start is how I treat their mum, my wife, Sarah. Building in young boys an inherent respect for their mother will play a significant factor in their treatment of women generally throughout their lives. But is it just me doing the teaching or am I also a student in this process? The greatest thing about being a father is that your children are constantly teaching you and their presence forces you to reappraise your attitudes to things that once you may have considered absolutely set in stone. I grew up in a time when mucking up at school was routinely dealt with by corporal punishment. As a kid educated at a Catholic boys’ school in the 1970s, I was hit with just about everything you can imagine, from the strap to the cane to cut down broom handles to hockey sticks, even a cupped hand belted up underneath our chins for maximum effect! I didn’t turn out too bad
and for a long while I thought, like many of us from that time, it obviously didn’t do me any harm. After all, boys need discipline! But then our son, Morgan, was born and I instantly knew that I could never raise a hand to my children. A couple of years later our little man, Rhett, joined our family and all of those long held views I’d had about raising boys just evaporated. It’s impossible to do justice to the level of emotion you go through when you hold your child for the first time and realise what a responsibility you have to the precious little creature in your arms. Everything about their lives at that point is totally up to you and you immediately start thinking about how perfect you want everything to be for them and you’ll stop at nothing to keep them from harm. That’s when you start thinking about how much things have changed since you were a child and how much we have evolved as human beings – ISIS et al notwithstanding. So, how am I supposed to raise these little guys today - in the 21st Century? I know many of us stress about these issues because for those of us who have young children and for those who have already been through this stage, it’s a daily struggle. Battlelines are constantly being drawn around the household as boundaries are pushed and tethers are stretched to capacity. This is the very point when our children become the teachers and we the students. This is when all those prehistoric instincts to be ‘in charge’ kick in and our ability to observe and listen to what they’re actually trying to say or do becomes clouded by a millennia of extraneous noise. I admit that I still struggle with it, especially when I’m really tired and they happen to be operating on all 12 cylinders for some reason, but as someone who feels terrible just raising my voice at the boys, I’m working hard to listen more and be open to what they are trying to teach me about their behaviour. Without wading through hundreds of examples of what this all entails, the one thing that is crystal clear to me is that children need to feel respected. They need to know that you will allow them to push the odd boundary here and there in order for them to learn something that millions of years of evolution is telling them they must know. And by giving a little ground each time and guiding them whenever you can as they explore their instincts, you can show them how far they can go. And most importantly, they can show you that respect is a two way street – eventually.
LBDG’s First Seeds Fund brings together its members and friends to support the lives of women and children with a focus on education and employment. We are currently funding an educational scholarship and programmes supporting Year 6 to Year 12 children in the disadvantaged NSW community of Warwick Farm. “The power of the First Seeds Fund comes not in the strength of the individual but through collaboration, the creation of a singular strong voice and a strategic approach to philanthropy,” says Janine Garner, founder of the First Seeds Fund. “Together we can all become architects of change.” The Sydney Community Foundation is the Trustee for the First Seeds Fund. As Trustee, the Sydney Community Foundation completes the due diligence process before grants are made to recipients and has final discretion on grants made after considering the recommendation/s of the First Seeds Fund advisory committee. The First Seeds Fund is a sub-fund of the Sydney Women’s Fund which is part of the Sydney Community Foundation.
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In Conversation with Megan Larsen 1.
Tell us a little about your business and what you do
My business Sodashi is quite different! I create food for your skin - ethical chemical-free skincare that delivers exceptional results. I use only therapeutic grade essential oils and plant actives to formulate the range. The products are safe to use for customers and therapists alike, and are not tested on animals ever And importantly, from the start I’ve focused on investing in people first. At Sodashi I’ve sought to create an environment that not only supports the growth and development of each individual, but also encourages passion both professionally and personally. I like to see people achieve to their fullest potential and find their own greatness from within. After all, it’s a team that builds a brand.
2.
What’s the bravest decision you have had to make in your business?
Relocating to Sydney, a four-hour flight away from the Sodashi headquarters in Western Australia and handing over the reins of the day-to-day management to the general manager. Whilst way out of comfort zone at first, the move has ultimately allowed me to now work ‘on’ the business rather than ‘in’ the business and has empowered the Sodashi team to operate with greater autonomy. The team have risen to the challenge, and me being in Sydney has opened up an array of new opportunities for Sodashi and myself.
3.
What’s your vision for your business?
To make more and more people’s skin glow naturally. It has been shown that around 60% of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your bloodstream. There are thousands of untested synthetic chemicals being used in consumer products with little or no understanding of the consequences to our health. Personally I will only use skincare products on my face and body that are going to work in harmony with my overall health and wellbeing, and I want to give this option to others – many others!
4.
First thing you do in the morning?
Rise early. I start each day with an hour of meditation and then I do the Tibetan Five Rites, a series of exercises for healing, rejuvenation and longevity. Both of these help to keep me mentally, physically and emotionally balanced - especially if I’ve been up late the night before!
5.
Most inspiring quote?
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. –Maya Angelou I’m in competition with no one. I hope we all make it. –Erica Cook
6.
Top 3 tips for women in business?
• Go for it! • Don’t let fear hold you back. • Whatever you do, do it gracefully, honestly and ethically.
7.
What would you tell your 21 year old self now if you could?
First of all I’d hug my 21 year old self and tell her she’s in for an exhilarating ride! I’d tell her she has nothing to prove and to enjoy life, and not to be afraid of being her true self. I’d tell her to surround herself with people who want her to succeed – IN A BIG WAY. I’d advise her to be patient, and whilst life might appear to be a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, one day many years from now she will know why everything happened when it did. I’d recommend she doesn’t trust everyone on face value, that she listens to the wise and takes the time to trust her own intuition because the times she don’t listen to it will some of her most challenging times. I’d suggest she learns to meditate right away, and not wait another 10 years! It will help her find her bliss much faster, and help her cope with the busy life she has ahead of her. And she will call Australia home. Web address: www.sodashi.com Phone: 08 9336 6837
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arted with a phone call from a receptionist of old client and ended with a standing ovation.
0 people over two days in Melbourne at Luna k for daytime conferencing and team building a gala dinner that bought everything together.
e client was Telstra Digital and April5 Agency, der Sydney LBDG member and CEO, Alicia achley, organised the entire event in under 5 eeks. Client loved it, most of all so did we!
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Partnering, Parenting & Puberty
Kate Stone
I should firstly admit that I am friends with Jason Beachley. I should also admit that I am slightly concerned about the Bromance that developed between himself, the other Jason (Garner, husband of our own Janine G) and my fiancé, Tim - but that’s another story (all bribes gracefully and gratefully accepted). More importantly, Jason is another of those men I know to be ‘gentle men’. He’s an amazing guy. So amazing that when his wife, Alicia - LBDG member and frequent GLOSS contributor, was setting up her hugely successful April5 Agency, that he became ‘Mr Mum’ - a conscious decision on both of their parts to keep home life stable, and functioning, for their two boys, Ben and Josh.
Better Man
Jason was the ‘stay at home’ parent for three and a half years, and as he says did “everything from washing to lunches to housework. I was Groundskeeper, head of animal management, chauffeur, waiter, cook, worked the canteen at school - and in the Art Department. Santa at school - Alpha male to none!” This commenced when Ben was in Kindergarten (5 years old at the time) and Josh (then 7) was early primary.
There were a handful of dads doing the same thing - “4 others – a professional ‘stay at home dad’ in one case; the others were professionals who worked from home.” I asked him if he honestly enjoyed it. “Enjoy it... absolutely. It took a while – quite frankly I thought it would be all lattes and surfing when I could! Since I did it, I have been in quite a few arguments with friends about how hard it actually was. I tell them to swap for a month, and find out what it’s like – not just the mundane stuff which can honestly drive you crazy – but facing up to the fact that realistically, you only have a life between 9 and 3 on a weekday. But coaching rugby, having so much time with my kids? I’d do it again tomorrow.” He admits that as his boys grow older, he is pretty scared about some of the things kids are facing now, in 2014 and beyond. “There’s just so much pressure to be that picture they’re looking at on the internet. Josh is 13 and looking at girls, and the things he’s looking at are not standards you can possibly live up to. It’s manufactured, a Hollywood production. There is SO much peer pressure, so much information, and this overwhelming ‘you must reform yourselves into a specific image. When we were kids, the biggest worry our parents had was making sure we left the bedroom door a bit open so they could check what was going on in mixed company. In the digital age – as parents, we need a digital door being left ajar. Which is almost impossible.” I wanted to know what he loved most about being a Dad. What does he see as his biggest challenges? “I really don’t love being the police, being a disciplinarian – I don’t like being a ‘dad’ rather than the mate, but I know it has to happen. I love passing on certain books, certain movies, being in the water and surfing with my boys. I don’t want to necessarily mould their perceptions or opinions, but in terms of ‘the girl talk’ – I know I have to improve on my history! I have memories of the ‘chat’ with my dad at 17 – and the real time chat? It was all of 30 seconds. I just want to somehow get across to them that yes, there will be fumbles with humiliating and embarrassing scenes, but somehow you can become the gentleman you’re supposed to be with women – and be the nice guy who DOESN’T finish last! I really love being able to guide them, and let them get point across and be heard. I want to make sure they have those wins where possible. And perhaps regrettably, I tend to watch a lot of comic book movies with the boys!” He says that the biggest lesson he wants to teach his boys is “confidence; don’t worry too much about the path that life will take you on. Follow your own path and be confident in yourself.” Jason talked a lot about Alicia’s success and his pride in what she has achieved. He also talked a lot about how proud he is of his boys and what they are doing. So I wanted to know, if HE could do anything he wanted, what would it be? “ It’d be owning a small cocktail bar and restaurant; that stripped back look, a bare brick bar. Booths and tables. Cocktails done the proper way – classics! Martinis, The Sidecar, Mojitos. A courtyard for summer. The ‘nth’ degree when it came to waitstaff - kowing the drinks backwards, having the best ingredients. That’s what I’d like!” I hope Jason gets his dream, because he is a guy who spends a lot of his time supporting others; not just Alicia and his kids, but his wider family and his friends. His boys are very lucky to have a father like this, and I hope as they grow older they realise this more and more. I know I’d drink there.
Better Man Adrian Morgan
I’ve just started reading my 10 year old son Bertrand Russell’s History of Western Philosophy. For those that aren’t aware of this tome, it is 750 pages covering everything from ‘Why Philosophy’ to the history of thought - the Greeks, Romans and all the way through to Nietzsche. The way we are going, it’s going to be a while before we get to Nietzsche and for that I am grateful. We average about 2 tightly spaced pages a night in my effort to give my son an understanding of thought. It all started a couple of years ago when he asked me a simple question - “Dad, have you ever broken the law?”. Now the simple answer to that is “many times” - I have been caught speeding a couple of times, overstayed a parking meter, and so forth. But at 9 years of age, kids have a god-like perception of their parents - well, at least I did. So I asked him a question back (a great consultant trick whilst you think of something clever to say). “Why do you ask that?” He went on to explain that good people didn’t break the law and bad people did - a simple explanation that I could have left alone, but then like Alice, down the rabbit hole we went... I started to explain how the law changes, and what was once legal becomes illegal - or vice versa - and sometimes people have to break the laws to change them. “But people who break the law are bad Dad!” he protested. So then I knew I had to make it real for him. I went on to explain that not that many years ago, people like his auntie Jess and Ange, and Jacqui and Montanna couldn’t have a relationship because being gay was illegal. And he was honestly dumbfounded. How could being gay be illegal - why can two people being happy be illegal??? So, son, the gay people before them were doing something illegal, but did that make them bad? It was then the beginning of our philosophical and ethical debates - heavy stuff for a 9 year old. Some of our favourites so far have been exploring people’s catch phrases - “Charity begins at home” (if you think this is easy, try and define Charity, Begins and Home, then get back to me). What is the ‘Greater Good’ and is the Golden Rule (not he who has the gold makes the rules, but do unto others et al) really all that good. Recently as part of the NAPLAN testing he had to construct an argument in writing for a subject of his choice. Whilst other kids around him chose why homework is bad, or why there should be more sports at school, he crafted an argument for why gay people should be able to get married. He concluded that this would be a good thing for the world because more people would be happy and that can only be good. It’s been amazing to view these things through a child’s eyes - to see his thoughts on philosophy and the bigger subjects in the world - that instinctive thought which sadly a lot of adults don’t seem to get past, and watch his mind work through these things. I’m hoping to give him the gift of thought and the ability to reason, to argue and battle out the bigger stories in the world. I’m hoping to give him the capability to stand up in front of people and debate a point constructively. Most of all, I tell him my purpose in life is to make him a better person than me. As he says “that’s going to be a hard task Dad, but I’m up for it’.
Renata Cooper, CEO of Forming Circles with the winners of Written Portraits 2014: Abbey Zito (13-15 yrs category) and Cassandra Haywood (16-18 years) and their school representatives
Circles of Life Kate Stone
Wednesday this week (10 September) saw the culmination of another year in the life of Written Portraits; the national annual writing competition that showcases young Australian writing talent and provides a creative platform for expression of inner feelings and emotions associated with being a teenager. The competition was launched in 2012 during the National Year of Reading to inspire and motivate young people to explore their writing skills, and support the need to tackle falling literacy standards in Australia. The competition has grown in leaps and bounds since then and is now in its third year. The brainchild of GLOSS’s own Renata Cooper, CEO of Forming Circles, Written Portraits is continuing to create opportunities for young Australian writers to be published. The past two years were a great success and Renata says she “was thrilled with how many students across Australia participated. The entries were inspired and expressive, displaying an array of strength, imagination and storytelling that exceeded all expectations.”
The event on Wednesday saw the announcement of the winners for both categories - 13-15 years and 16-18 years - for Written Portraits 2014. The two incredibly talented young women who won $500 for themselves and $5000 for their school (to go towards their literacy programs) were Abbey Zito and Cassandra Haywood respectively. Also launched? Not one, but TWO books (the more books the merrier as far as I’m concerned!) The anthology ‘Written Portraits 2014: People, Places and Things that Inspire Me’ and ‘Spellcaster Chronicles: Book 1’ by the winners of the 2013 ‘Book Deal’, Isobel and Josephine Crnkovic.
The books! Written Portraits 2014 and The Scales of Time - buy them here It was a jam-packed event with wonderful special guest speakers including award-winning Illustrator/Director Simon Rippingale who most recently directed ‘A Cautionary Tail’, a short animated film featuring Cate Blanchett and Barry Otto; and acclaimed author Joanne Fedler who has written nine books including an international best seller, and has sold over 600,000 copies. A great day for promoting not only teen literacy in Australia, but celebrating it openly and with joy - which after all, is what reading and writing should be about. Expressing emotion.
Renata Cooper and the amazing network of women who surround her - spot the LBDG faces! Photos: Zahrina Photography
Ten Tips To Sizzle On Social Media GOLDEN RULE: Don’t treat your social media like another marketing tool to do or not. In today’s way of doing business it is actually what ties your marketing together to represent and grow your business. Give it the attention it requires, even if it’s on a small scale.
01 Build social media into your business plan
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Have a website geared for social media
So whether you are a startup or a solid corporation, you need to have a business plan in place for growth. Social Media is part of your marketing that drives this growth. So identify where social media can be implemented into your plan and set goals over set time periods. This will then help you set tasks to keep your brand message consistent and professional.
Most people engage in social media via their mobile or tablet so make sure your website is user friendly and the articles you share from your blog automatically respond in size for easy reading. To encourage people to share your content back to social media have your social share links visible at the end of the content.
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Create a content and management plan Some social sites have tools to find trending content and schedule posts to help you manage your time. Most social sites provide you with analytics to identify your popular content and the best times to share your content. Learning how to use all these will prove very useful in building consistent engagement with your audience. Use your social media goals to create a spreadsheet and plan out what content you want to highlight when e.g. use a variety to reinforce your topic: images, quotes, texts, tips, your articles, media news, promotions,
When to use and not use an external social management tool Hootsuite, Buffly, Tweetdeck etc are all simple management tools to schedule across a number of social sites at once. They might be time saving but they are not necessarily supportive of social growth and engagement based on the limitations the social sites place on the visual content and links you share. So identify if using them fits in with your social media goals before ‘automating your business’.
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Just like developing an offline business network to create natural referrals, and word of mouth marketing, you need to do the same online. A great place to start is to find your friends business presences to start supporting them. Send an email to business companions providing them with your social presence links and ask them for their’s so you can support each other. Connect online with people you meet offline so that you can easily stay in touch.
People naturally want to know and connect with the people in a business before they make a decision to purchase, especially if you offer a service. It’s important to strike a balance so as not to be seen as stiff and boring and not unprofessional by sharing emotional baggage that happens within your industry or network. People connect with emotional content but love stability - it’s how businesses build brand loyalty. So find a balance that allows you to build a professional personality by sharing a variety of relevant content. What you share is who you generally will attract.
Build a business network
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Find a professional and personal balance
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Reciprocity builds growth and engagement
Optimise your social media profile descriptions
Only posting to the people who already follow you is like handing out service flyers within your own store to people who already know you. Yes, it’s important to nurture the relationships of those that follow you but in order to engage new people to know about you, the natural way is to adopt reciprocity. Make it part of your marketing plan to update a short list of people who you need to engage and touch base with on social media to strengthen relationships. These can be key people within your network, new introductions and possible mentors. The most converted to use your services are those who know you through someone - so hang out in their spaces.
On professional accounts keep them up to date, provide links to your service pages within your website and not just to your home page. Provide a call to action offer, such as, providing a free resource link, sign up for a newsletter/webinar or simply to contact you. Don’t leave any areas empty - these help social sites to identify and categorise you for searches, so give them what they need. On personal accounts customise your settings to allow work and education aspects to be public and provide links to your business spaces to connect with you.
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Use hashtags strategically Hashtags have many uses in social media. But as part of your online marketing plan, you would have identified certain keywords and phrases for your website to be found for and framed your pages and regular content around them. So implement the same thought into what hashtags or keywords you use on social media (especially in GooglePlus). Do your research and see what hashtags are being used on topics you want to be found for. Different social sites use different keywords so list the most ideal hashtags for you to use where.
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Look professional
Appearance is everything. It is natural to judge how professional a business is based on first appearances and this includes the people within it. The more professional you present yourself and the business, the more value we add to how important you are. At an event, you are the first marketing exposure of your business. The second is often a business card. The third is your online presence when a person assesses doing business with you. If your website and social media do not reflect the same level of professional presence as your physical introduction then people can become dubious about whether you can really service them.
Triple Your Results and Halve Your Workout Time With Great Technique.
Tone At Home: Fast Fitness For Busy People Nikki Fogden-Moore
As we head into one of my favourite months of the year we are focusing on the importance of quality over quantity. The rule: Technique is better than time. Use this simple plan to integrate some body weight exercises and add weights when you can for added resistance. I guarantee you that by focusing on the correct technique you can triple your exercise benefits and halve your workout time. A little bit goes a long way. The correct technique in training is essential for: • Injury prevention • Effective Fitness • Total body workout • Anatomical alignment • Time Effectiveness • Bio-mechanical efficiency – this also includes training your body to engage the correct muscles to improve peak performance and range of motion. Are there some exercises you find more challenging than others? Then take some time to focus on these and work on your areas you need to pay attention. Our weaknesses are often where we make the quickest gains when it comes to training and can help achieve total fitness when we focus on the areas we dread the most. Rather than just going into the gym or the class doing the same things on autopilot, ask yourself: 1. Am I doing this with perfect technique? 2. Could I replicate this at home without my trainer or coach? 3. Am I learning as I go to be independent at quality control on my exercises? The answer should be yes to all three Safety and goals: I highly recommend before you start doing the advanced versions of or using weights etc that you get the technique perfect first. Think about range of motion that includes the full flexion and extension of the muscles you are using, posture during your exercise, core stability. This is about building total body awareness and making the most of every fibre in your body for outstanding results. Get back to basics with these 4 top metabolism booster exercises.
1. Squats Chest Tall, Eyes Forward Place something underneath your heels for support for tight hamstrings
2. Lunges Chest Tall, Wide Stance Knees in line with heels and hips Upright position Back knee to 90 degrees Shuffle front foot forward if needed
AVOID Knee over toe, a narrow gap between your front heel and back foot, leaning forward, arching your back, and using too heavy weights. 3. Crunches Eyes towards the ceiling Back on the ground Arms not pulling on the neck Elbows back - not forward Chin off your chest AVOID Leaning forward, curving your back, pointing your toes in and having the bar in front of you.
AVOID Chin on chest, eyes forward, and elbows facing in – pulling on neck.
4. Plank Body Long and strong Try Alignment version first – unclasp hands Head in line with spine Hips in line with shoulders Elbows in line with shoulders
Preparation (use organic ingredients when you can): Add the water, chopped lettuce and spinach to the blender. Start on a low-speed, mix until smooth. Gradually moving to higher speeds, add the parsley, apple and pear. Add the coriander if you choose. Add the banana and lemon juice last. For more recipes and motivation head to Nikki’s blog http://www.thevitalitycoach.com.au Instagram @nfogdenmoore Twitter@nfogdenmoore
AVOID Dropping your head, hips in the air, hips sagging an arched back, hands clasped and elbows on angle, and lifting your head too high. SMOOTHIE RECIPE FOR THE MONTH: A Green Machine Smoothie 1½ cups water or coconut water 1 head lettuce, chopped Spinach chopped 1/3 bunch organic parsley (stems okay), 1 apple, cored/chop, 1 pear, core/chop, 1 banana, Juice of ½ lemon or lime Optional: 1/3rd bunch coriander (stems okay)
SOMETIMES YOU DON’T REALISE YOUR OWN STRENGTH UNTIL YOU COME FACE TO FACE WITH YOUR GREATEST WEAKNESS. - SUSAN GALE
News & Reviews
Featured This Month BOOK: THE NAKED CEO In this inspirational guide, Alex Malley - CPA Australia CEO and host of the Nine Network’s “The Bottom Line” combines his candid, real-life stories with practical career advice to help aspiring leaders and jobseekers. Get It Here
WEB: WOMEN IN BUSINESS Looking for an independent business run by a woman? Go straight to this crafty site, which promotes female entrepreneurs by state and by industry. Women supporting women - we love. Look At It Here
BOOK: THE POWER OF CONSCIOUS CHOICE Is your world moving too fast? Do you find there is more to do, and less time to do it in? Do you feel overwhelmed by the amount of decisions you have to make? GLOSS contributor, speaker and business mentor Angela Lockwood understands the power of conscious choice better than anyone. Angela had her sights set on playing hockey at the 2000 Olympics, when she was hit in the head by a hockey ball that fractured her skull. Told she would have difficulties hearing and speaking again, she overcame
insurmountable odds and learned that success can be achieved if you focus on what matters. Today she collaborates with and advises businesses on the best and most effective ways to make better choices. A great read to help you make up your mind! Get It Here
It’s a very simple question when you’re four, or six, eight, or even ten.
Lois Lane Lives: When I Grow Up Kate Stone
What do you want to be when you grow up? An astronaut. A race car driver. A fighter pilot (seriously). An architect. A lawyer (very seriously). These were all things I thought about becoming. They were all incredibly ambitious and you may note they all have one thing in common. They aren’t gender specific (although as it turned out to my dismay in my teens, fighter pilots in for the RAAF were gender specific but not anymore - hooray!). I look at this photo now (yes, that is me; the chubby cheeks haven’t changed much) and I wonder where I got these wide-eyed ambitions from, because even at four and six and eight, my passion was books. I got there in the end... I just took the long path around. But what I do know is this. My parents never told me I couldn’t be these things. They didn’t laugh at my early efforts at draughtsmanship - even though I had bathrooms the size of arenas and a kitchen which coud have fitted in a shoe. They put up with me covering my walls with posters of F-111s and soldiers running through the undergrowth in camouflage with bomb squad dogs by their side. They even watched me fail to become a lawyer at university with equanimity; although the patience may have been wearing a bit thin by then. My parents are the reason why I never felt constrained to take up a profession that is female-oriented. They encouraged any and every ambition I had. On a day to day level, I have to say that this is particularly true of my Mum, not through any bias, but simply because I talked to her more about things.
But in many ways my fearless ‘I will fly Hornets and F-18s’ attitude is down to my Dad, because if he hadn’t been the man he is, I wouldn’t have dreamed the dreams I did. My Dad is a very quiet man. He doesn’t talk a lot around others; he’s pretty shy. He was hard to get to know as a kid because of this, but there were so many ways that he influenced my thinking without my realising it. He didn’t fob me off when I was interested in cars. If he was under the bonnet, I was there alongside him, passing him the tools and giving my inexpert opinion on what was wrong. If he had to head up a mountain in the snow for work, I was ready to go in my cool gumboots. New whipper-snipper? Mowing? These weren’t ‘boy’ jobs, they were allocated according to who was least likely to cut their legs off out of me and my brother (me). When we talk now, it’s invariably about the following things; the books we are reading, wine, geek stuff and sport. All of which are definitely not what you would call ‘girly’. When I think of my Dad, I think of the time when I was working with Telstra in the late 90s and had to break a picket line. I was close to tears. What on earth was I doing? I wasn’t good enough, old enough or professional enough to go swinging into a big call centre and tell staff that they would get the boot if they didn’t stop picketing (and no, I am not necessarily anti-unions, they just weren’t entitled to). I always thought it was my Mum that I got my strength from, but as I took a deep breath and got ready to barge my way through, I realised something. I was wondering how my Dad would handle it. I’m not saying that he would have been a miracle worker, or suddenly blazed through the line like a comet with disciples trailing after him, but I did know this. He would have handled it. He would have done it quietly and unobtrusively, and possibly the tale would have grown in the telling afterwards, but he would have handled it. So I did too. Why? Because I was never made to think I couldn’t. Father’s Day is a day that I am starting to struggle with, because I know that my Dad is not going to be here forever, much as I might wish for that. He is facing an incredibly tough battle at the moment and it isn’t going to get any easier, for him or by extension for my Mum, my brother and myself. But the way he is handling it? Just like he handled my exuberant dreams of breaking Mach-3, and thinking that I could better the land speed record as a new P-plate driver... and in the way I think he would have handled that Union line. Quietly. Unobtrusively. And with a hell of a lot of dignity. Happy Father’s Day, Kennebec. For this year, and every year.
From Frantic to Focused: How to do more in less time An event presented by Dr Jenny Brockis and Angela Lockwood Learn to; • Focus on the things that matter. • Create habits that work for you. • Implement effective plans to get more done. Perfect for; • Busy people wanting to get their daily to do list done (yes it is possible!) • People wanting to know how to be more productive. • Small business owners who are sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. • Entrepreneurs who want to see their ideas happen. Sick of; • Running through your day. • Constantly putting out spot fires. • Doing more than you have time for. • Want to enjoy work and have a life outside of it.
...then this program is what you have been looking for.
Dr. Jenny Brockis is a Medical Practitioner, healthy brain advocate and future mind planner. She works as the Director and founder of Brain Fit. An expert in brain fitness she teaches individuals and organisations how to stay brain healthy, eliminate poor thinking skills and boost mental performance. A professional speaker and author of three books, Jenny provides cutting edge insights into how the neuroscience provides the perfect pathway to navigate our increasingly complex, complicated and busy world.
Founder of Decision Central, corporate speaker and business mentor, Angela Lockwood collaborates with and advises businesses and organisations, on the best and most effective ways to make better choices in the workplace. She is the author of ‘The Power of Conscious Choice’- a book that helps people make better decisions about the things that matter. Angela’s powerful and efficient strategies help shift businesses when they are stuck to generate positive momentum.
Darwin, 12th November 2014 • Perth, 14th November 2014 • Gold Coast, 21st November 2014
For more info and to register: http://www.angelalockwood.com.au/from-frantic-to-focused Be an EARLY BIRD and register before 30th September for your FREE Productivity Gift Pack. All LBD members get 10% off the registration. Simply use the Coupon Code F2FLBD #F2F
CONNECTION. COLLABORATION. NETWEAVING. BUSINESS BUILDING. A VOICE. A VISION. A COMMUNITY. CHANGEMAKERS. GENEROUS. THOUGHTLEADERS. HONEST. AUTHENTIC. SUCCESSFUL. UNIQUE.ENTREPRENEURS. PROFESSIONALS. FEARLESS. OUTSPOKEN.
“We Don’t Network, We Netweave”™
LBDG is about community. It’s about business leaders and entrepreneurs collaborating. It’s about creating sustainable, leverageable and successful businesses. It’s about netweaving connections, knowledge and insight for results. JOIN US
Members of the LBDGroup are cross functional and cross industry. Lawyers, bankers, marketing and PR professionals, media, mining, construction, designers, jewellery, fashion, philanthropists, non-for-profit, human resources, fitness, health and well-being, property, sales, speakers and authors to name but a few. And with a fabulous mix of corporates to own business it is the quality of conversations that we have that make us so different. JOIN US We offer three levels of membership for women that are committed to building their businesses, to fast track their growth and to ensure that they are surrounding themselves with the best in the businesses. BLACK, DIAMOND and PLATINUM membership levels are designed to offer increasing one to one mentoring and group mentoring and business education and training. Depending on where you are in your journey there is a membership level that’s right for you “Janine has an enviable drive and motivation that is not only infectious but so supportive & constructive. It is so very refreshing and admirable to see someone turn their passion in to reality and back it up with such determination to bring like-minded, talented & intelligent women together.” Prue Thomas Group Marketing Director- Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge & Glue Store - Australia
“Janine Garner is an inspiring visionary who brings together like-minded people to pursue and attain professional goals. Janine is a confident and warm person, and her skill of collaboration is impressive. The Little Black Dress Group is a brilliant source of knowledge and expression for business women and Janine is the keystone to its success.” Kath Creel Marketing Director at Impact AV Australia
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