Women in business dinner 2010
. ssandra Kelly James and Ca in ft) Above: Emily (le ird sor Marian Ba Right: Profes nda Nicholls. Li th wi n sio discus
Linda Bardo Nicholls AO was guest speaker at the inaugural Women in Business dinner held in conjunction with the Faculty of Economics and Business and hosted in the College dining hall on 19 August 2010. Ms Nicholls has an MBA from Harvard Business School and more than thirty years experience as a senior executive and company director in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
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n welcoming the 120 alumnae, faculty and guests present on the evening, College Principal Dr Jane Williamson said that the aim of the dinner was “to reach out to the business world, as well as faculty and alumnae, and to work towards creating joint scholarships with the Faculty of Economics and Business to encourage the brightest and best women to come to University and College.” In her address Ms Nicholls discussed what she believes Australian businesses need to do to compete successfully in an international context. She said success and growth come from managing risk well, and focussing on what “must go right” in a business, rather than on what may go wrong. Similarly, benchmarking in business should identify gaps and opportunities, and should drive innovation, rather than simply reassure companies about their position in the market. She challenged guests to ask themselves “what would people never say about your business?” in order to work out how to reposition themselves to remain competitive globally.
Women’s College
online business directory Dr Williamson took the opportunity at the Women in Business dinner to launch the Women’s Business Nexus, College’s new online business directory, hosted on the College website. Registration to this professional directory is open to present and past students, their parents, Women’s College staff and Council members. Alumnae are strongly encouraged to promote their own business or the organisation they work for and to access services provided by other alumnae. “This is an opportunity to network and find the expertise you’re looking for,” said Dr Williamson. “It’s also a way of thanking our alumnae for their contributions to College.” Alumnae are invited to register online at http://thewomenscollege.com.au/ directory-registration.php
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