Magazine
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Women's Biz
BUSINESS MYTH BUSTERS The Gains and Strains of GENDER EQUALITY in Female Leadership
SUZY MICHAEL A POWERFUL FORCE FOR INTIMATE AND UNFILTERED STORY TELLING
RECLAIMING
YOU
WHY NOT GROW YOUR BRAND G L O B A L LY Women's Biz Magazine is a quarterly digital publication, available to a global audience of 12M Pressreader subscribers, ISSUU and womensbizmagazine.com. The magazine features articles from business leaders, innovators, thought-trail blazers, and change agents and is translated into 18 different languages. Our mission is to empower women to rise above their circumstance through a collection of inspirational articles that dare them to dream big and act bigger.
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March 2023
Editors Letter
Welcome
F
Message
irstly, didn’t you just love our Special Edition: Women’s Biz Magazine for International Women’s Day? This campaign was spearheaded by a desire to recognise the Women to Watch in 2023. After putting a massive call-out in the world seeking nominations across a range of industries, we were inundated with responses, over 100 to be precise. And the best part – because we never want a woman to stand in the shadows – they will continue to be celebrated during the course of this year; this issue in fact. There is always something exciting about the new year. I know – we are now in March, but the residual new year buzz is showing no signs of slowing down. The opposite in fact. Only recently, I was chatting with my team about the beginning of 2022, which really was the introduction of Women's Biz Tribe. Over the course of one evening in February last year, I didn’t just make one website, I made three. I knew that I was onto something special,
as my community surged in new members. Not only do I herald myself as a Success Catalyst, and entrepreneur on a mission (you will notice, I do not apologise for raving about myself), there was so much to come. I felt it in my bones. Each night, I would work into the early hours of the morning, carving out new and exciting arms of my international business. And now, look at how far we’ve come. Now, I am the proud CEO of Women’s Biz Global and so much more is up my sleeve. Women’s Biz Global is an international organisation, driven to set women up for ultimate success. We educate, motivate, and elevate women so they can feel and be empowered to live a life they love.
We are the cheerleaders that every woman deserves, by standing in her corner offering unstoppable support. We are the experts that women worldwide have been missing up until now. We are the women who can boost brands with insider knowledge. We are the women who can. I truly hope you can bask in the inspiration that weaves throughout this edition, as we include features from one of Australia's top nutritionists, an Entrepreneurial Freelancer, C-Suite powerhouses, and our spectacular Cover Feature, Suzy Micheal, who was Young Australian of the Year Nominee. If there is ever a time to celebrate global impact from female leaders, it’s now. Annie xo WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM | 3
Women's Biz Magazine
WOMEN'S BIZ GLOBAL EDITORIAL TEAM
ANNIE GIBBINS
ALLY HENSLEY
FOUNDER, CEO AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Annie Gibbins is a multi award winning Business leader, Founder and CEO of Women’s Biz Global. Annie is also a Board Director, Philanthropist, Key Note Speaker, Podcast and Summit Host and #1 Best Selling Author. Annie's many professional accolades gained over 30 years across Health, Education, Corporate, NFP and Charity sectors drive her to inspire and empower women across the globe to achieve unlimited success in business and life. Amazingly Annie has achieved her success whilst raising my family of five including 2 sets of twins born 26 months. 4 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
Ally Hensley is a writer, speaker, and global ambassador in women's health and happiness. Ally has written for leading publications on mental health, infertility, body positivity, and has become a regular media interviewee, and speaker on topics linked to health, well-being and creating content that matters. Ally is inspired by conscious start-up's and has become an international go-to on how to maximise impact with big ideas, and heart. Inspired by women with a backstory, Currently, Ally is writing her debut memoir, after completing a Diploma with The London School of Journalism.
KEZ WICKHAM ST GEORGE STRUCTURAL EDITOR Kez is an international award winning best selling author, with a movie created f rom her recent novel Scribe. Kez is also a international speaker with many years of experience in the motivational creative arts and theatre. She is driven to inspire others by creating global anthology’s sharing her vast experience by running workshops in the art of creative writing and Journaling. Her passion for uplifting women has bought her many skills to the global notice board.
March 2023
CONTENTS
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Cover | Intimate and Unfiltered Stories Q&A with Suzy Michael Character building: Cracking the Secret Code to Inner Beauty By Kelly Markey International Book Review With Kez Wickham St George Why Women in Business Need to Embrace AI to Ensure their Future Success By Annie Gibbins Reclaiming You! By Donna Aston It’s A Man’s World... Or Is It? By Emily Rogers
How to Unleash Your Power of Superleadership By Eva Martins How to Start Introducing Workplace Flexibility into Your Business By Genevieve McMullen The Gains and Strains Gender Equality in Leadership Positions By Annie Gibbins
36 38 41 42 44 46 48 51 53
The Rise of Ethical AI By Alice Irving The 3 Biggest Myths About Narrative Scaling Up Your Business By Lauren Hamilton The Power of Storytelling By Maisy Thistle Tall order: How an Aussie Mum Launched an Australian-made Clothing Brand with no Experience By Penni Lamprey Reclaiming You: By Annie Gibbins Improving Impact, Connection, and Relationships Through Better Conversations By Sara Sheehan How to Go from Order-Taker to Leader in Your Service-Based Business By Alli Hill Success is Yours for the Taking By Tara Whitney Busting Business Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction By Annie Gibbins WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM | 5
Women's Biz Magazine
Intimate and Unfiltered Stories Q&A with Suzy Michael
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March 2023
Introducing Suzy Michael
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uzy Michael is a highly respected media specialist with a career spanning over 26 years. As a television host and executive producer, she has produced a wide range of genres, including lifestyle, news, biographies, and entertainment.
Known as “the voice Australians trust”, Suzy has a unique talent for storytelling that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impact. Her ability to bring out the heart of a story has earned her a reputation as a compelling TV presenter and producer. Her stories are current, inspiring, and life-changing, with a raw and authentic journalistic style that puts interviewees at ease and encourages honest and meaningful conversations. Suzy's passion and integrity are evident in her broad portfolio of work, which includes producing, speaking, writing, news anchoring, television presenting, and editing. Her expertise in these areas has led to her being in high demand, and she has worked with major media outlets across the globe. She has come a long way since being nominated for the Young Australian of the Year Award in 2000 and her star power is still rising.
Tell us about your life in media? As with any media role, I have the opportunity to meet a lot of fascinating people, not just in Australia, but from around the globe. In the studio and on the field, it’s a tough gig sometimes, but I absolutely love it. Some adrenaline-pumping moments I recall quite well are, the time a viewer called for an on-air discussion, only to drop a few “f” bombs while the show was live; when a presenter’s earpiece glitches 15 minutes into a show; dealing with guests running late for a live show; the camera operator thinks his camera is on standby, but it’s actually streaming live and recording on the field, with some quirky bystanders in the background who decided to “moon” the camera! I not only learn a great deal from my journey and productions, but I’m also in awe of the qualities and unbelievable stories some people have endured. I have worked, and continue to work,
with all kinds of professionals and amateurs. My first taste was being a volunteer with a pay-TV channel. My role was the presenter of the morning show, reporter, entertainment correspondent, editor and scriptwriter. I also worked in radio as a talk-back host and announcer, an interpreter, scriptwriter and producer for an SBS documentary, in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Institute of NSW; freelance writing; Deputy Editor of four national magazine titles; Executive Producer, Presenter and Director for an international digital channel, where I was responsible for the production of Australian content worldwide; my current journey is launching my own global show.
What makes you a unique stand-out in a saturated media market? Other media professionals have said I have qualities that bring the screens alive.
presenter and producer whom people trust...she has the innate ability to bring the guts out of a story. Her stories are current, inspiring and life-changing." Sharon Lynne, Director of TV Pro Global. It’s an absolute privilege to be recognised as “compelling”, “trustworthy”, “inspiring” and “life-changing”. I am simply being myself and immersing my love for the media in the productions and shows I produce and present.
Why did you create your global show, Suzy TV? To bring a raw, fearless, captivating talk-back show to the screens. A show that has a purpose: to inspire, entertain, engage and compel. A show that delves into the human lives of celebrities and the non-famous. A show that brings hope, tears, joy, drama and charm in one program. In a phrase: entertaining and wholesome television.
"Suzy Michael is a compelling TV WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM | 7
Women's Biz Magazine I want to bring to the screens a production with substance, integrity and unscripted exchanges. I want to fill people’s lives with meaning and purpose, by showcasing other’s lives with their stories of success, failure, growth and inspiration. We are all human beings, brought to this earth to live together, unite, support and uplift. Animals have innate qualities to nurture and build their own species, so why don’t humans? Oprah did this. She is an iconic human that will be remembered in history for her unique quality to serve and bring humans together. She is an exemplary role model whom every human being can learn from. I hope, one day, to be a fraction of what Oprah is, and bring that spark and energy back to the screens and into people’s lives. That is my ultimate vision and goal.
How did being nominated for the Young Australian of the Year Award impact your success mindset? This is actually an atypical story! One of my university lecturers nominated me for the 2000 Young Australian of the Year Award. I signed the papers, thinking, “oh, you’re very thoughtful, but there’s no way I would ever be considered for this award, it’s too prestigious for me, and I honestly feel I haven’t contributed that much to society”. I felt that people like me didn’t get recognised for their achievements – after all, I was ‘just’ a university student, helping out at media organisations, on campus and on the weekends at local community groups. As it turned out, I was on the shortlist, and I was invited to attend the Young 8 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
Australian of the Year Award Ceremony. So this meant I was a contender, and could possibly win! Pinch me now!
My husband, who was my fiancé at the time, came with me as my plus one. I was 21 years old, and I’m standing on the stage with Prime Minister John Howard and Ian Thorpe. As you can imagine, this was a surreal moment for a 21-year old! Ian Thorpe won that year, and John Howard shook my hand as one of the runners-up and said, “Australia needs more people like you to be involved and give back to the community.” That comment from Mr Howard taught me about the importance of continuing to give back, and continuing humanitarian work. I was brought up in a family that emphasised philanthropic and charitable efforts, and ‘paying it forward’ was something native to me. However, this moment was on a larger scale, and the Prime Minister of Australia acknowledged my humanitarian efforts,
publicly commended me and recognised this young, naive 21-year-old. This experience provided me the inspiration, passion and drive to keep going - to “be the change I want to see in the world” (Ghandi). This nomination completely influenced my mindset. As with most humanitarian workers, I wasn’t expecting any recognition for the work I was doing. This nomination gave me the confidence, resilience and realisation that a single person can change the world. It’s absolutely possible to have an impact so powerful that it changes lives. Growing up, I was always loud, keen to help, and the first to try something new – it’s always been part of my character. At a young, impressionable age, I learned the importance of harnessing the attitude of “I absolutely can”, “I definitely will” and “I am capable,” and I implemented this attitude without any boundaries. I had a “limitless grandeur” mindset. The award nomination solidified what I believed, and inspired me to keep going.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in the media? My biggest challenge was my culture. Culturally, I was seen as a failure, regarding education, because as you know, middle eastern people value education as the most important aspect of a person’s life. Culturally, your career defines who you are. So, I had a lot of educational pressure from the Egyptian community, not my parents, to be categorised in particular industries.
March 2023
Let me clarify – back in the 1990s, the Egyptians were a small community and people would gossip about other Egyptians and their affairs. I always wanted to be a news and TV presenter. It’s this mentality that positioned me as being seen as a failure in Egyptian society, as I decided to study a bachelor of journalism and media production. So why would I be seen as a failure? Simply put, Egyptians had certain careers ingrained in their minds, and if you were not in one of these careers you were a failure. These careers were: doctors, dentists, pharmacists, engineers and lawyers. As I didn’t fit these categories, I seemed to be a disappointment to the Egyptian community at the time. This was the biggest challenge I faced, and at such a young age. Let me highlight that my parents and family always encouraged me to follow my dreams, and they supported my passion and decision to pursue a career in media. However, I needed to re-educate the rest of the Egyptian community about the true definition of being successful.
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Women's Biz Magazine
With a career in television, radio, print and media spanning more than 25 years, you started at the age of 18. What mindset shifts did you tap into, to bring you where you are today? Well, I need to take you back to my childhood. My parents are my rock. They instilled in me the mindset that I can do anything and be anything I want to be. They knew I wanted to be a TV presenter and news reporter – I had been proudly announcing it since I was 12 years old. In my early teenage years, I 10 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
recall my dad’s wise piece of advice, “Suzy, do whatever you want to do, as long as it meets these three criteria: Number one, is it illegal? Number two, would God disapprove? Number three, does it harm you or others? If the answer is “yes” to any of these, don’t do it! If not, go for your life, and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks of you. You’re not doing anything shameful or wrong”. This is a small piece of powerful and influential acumen that I was very lucky to be exposed to growing up. My dad is a very intelligent man, and my mother is a very nurturing woman, so between the two of them, I had the best support mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
To summarise, my parents implanted a mindset of limitless potential, and this is what has cultivated and encouraged me from a young age to pursue my aspirations of working in media and being a TV presenter.
Do you have a success hack that most wouldn’t think of? I’m not sure if it’s a ‘hack’ but I always kept myself working in the media, in some way. I was married at 21 years old and had my first child at 23 years old. I continued to have children between the age of 23 years old to 28 years old, and I had four children in those five years.
March 2023
During my golden years, I was having children! However, I asked myself, “what is a woman in her mid-twenties with a growing family and mother-responsibilities going to do with her career?” I had been nominated for the Young Australian of the Year Award, my parents had infused a limitless potential mindset, so was I simply going to stop and give it all up? Yes, my children are precious and yes, my husband is the love of my life, but where does that leave Suzy and her future? I was determined to make it work. I didn't stop working in the media, in some aspects. I
worked as a freelance journalist, a video editor, a magazine contributor, a scriptwriter and a documentary producer. Whilst these roles sound amazing, they were freelance or one-off roles. At the time, you were hired for how cheap you were as a freelancer, not for how experienced you were. So to pay the bills and contribute to the running of the household, I found parttime jobs to keep me busy and keep me in the media. I found it very hard to get back into media full-time and worked in industries indirectly related to my role in media. For example, I worked in finance, education and corporate performing
various tasks semi-related to media. So my ‘hack’ would be to source jobs that always tie you back to your career so you’re not completely out of the workforce if you need to raise kids or take extended time off for any reason. Keep your skills, as well as your education, at the forefront of your mind, and don't lose yourself – you are just as important as your family, and your wellbeing and career are imperative to your future, and your family’s future success. suzymichael.com.au
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Women's Biz Magazine
Character building:
Cracking the Secret Code to Inner Beauty
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March 2023
By Kelly Markey
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ith reference to Cambridge dictionary character building means, “helping to make someone emotionally stronger, more independent, and better at dealing with problems”. Reports have reflected that youth should be taught a variety of character-building skills such as having self-respect and respect for others, however, have you noticed any return on this investment? Have you taken notice of the calibre of adults that the world churns out? Has society blossomed with class? The reality of the characters that make the world spin is not a cocktail of surprise! Building character is no different to constructing a building – both require a firm foundation. Understanding what forms your secure foundation that improves upon your mental and moral characteristics is the onset. Adversity is not always character-forming. Some people glean nothing in this season of life. Life does present us with moral dilemmas. We have all been thrust into situations where our professional responsibilities unexpectedly come into conflict with our deepest values. It is a red flag for example when you are in a financial crisis or greed compels you to act in compromising ways. It denotes that your character is of the calibre that is weak and bargaining. Ambition does not correlate to automatic success, but a remarkable character does. Even after you have traversed the well-worn path, your character makes you stand
out from the crowd. Money shouts but wealth whispers and in turn, character paints a vista with clarity. There is a story of two teardrops floating down the river of life. One teardrop said to the other, “who are you?” The other teardrop replies, “I’m a teardrop from a girl who loved a man and lost him. Who are you?” “I’m a teardrop from the girl who got him”, said the other teardrop.
Always remember that your choices define your character and your character creates your story, and therefore, your story affects others in a tangible way. Once, I was strapped in on an international flight for a long haul, flicking through the entertainment channel to find something to occupy my time. I stumbled upon this movie. “The explosive family drama at the centre of Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci is so overthe-top that it’s reasonable to assume the film is the result of a very active imagination. In the film – the marriage of Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) and Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) implodes as the family business, the House of Gucci, begins to crumble under the pressure of in-fighting and cultural shifts,
culminating in the shocking murder of Maurizio. But in the case of House of Gucci, the truth is truly stranger than fiction. The film was adapted from journalist Sara Gay Forden’s 2001 nonfiction book of the same name, which chronicled the sensational real-life story of the fabulously wealthy Gucci family’s rise and fall as one of fashion’s most prominent dynasties. The tale, which includes Successionesque rivalries between family members, multiple lawsuits, tax evasion, incarceration and, of course, murder, provided ample creative fodder for Scott and screenwriters Roberto Bentivegna and Becky Johnston.” Once the movie concluded, sleep eluded me. I was amplifying the need for selfreflection of my own robust character personality. What a powerhouse brand Gucci was depicted as, and it all came down crumbling. There are many times a character can be rightly examined; a wife murders her husband. Their character is seemingly served on a platter, so why wait for justice to mirror who you are, when your deeds do? Perhaps you are not a character that takes a knife to a gunfight. Hopefully, you have toiled to be a fabric of your finer essence and you choose to stay off the fighting patch. You have gleaned when to walk away and now you can bask in your authentic character. You have discovered that marriage is not a combat to flex your memory and repartee, but instead, discover your inner trustworthy self. WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM | 13
Women's Biz Magazine You formulate your character in defining moments when you pledge your irreversible choice of action that profile your individual and qualified identities. You divulge something new about yourself and others because defining moments uncover something that had been hidden or crystallize something that had been only partially known. You test yourself to unravel whether you will live up to your personal ideals or only pay them lip service.
How do you combine principle with practicality? Do you ponder before you set your character in motion? Many suffer from ethical myopia due to the fact that their character was conditioned and fashioned by variations in upbringing, faith, culture, training, personal forte, individual grit and a moral force that dwells within you. The hallmark of character often reveals itself with precision, when the stakes are high, and you put your own significance first. Do you have a hidden agenda or are you guided by a moral force? A person who struggles with the pecking order, is evasive on details, and the manner in which they treat those offers no benefits, other than revealing their perhaps bitter character. Even the way you treat an animal reveals elements of your core character. Defining moments force you to seek a balance between your reality and morality – this is where the rubber hits the road and your character comes home to roost. 14 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote,
“I believe it is precisely through the presence of opposites and the feelings they occasion that the great man—the bow with great tension— develops.”
Crucial moments bring those ‘opposites’ and ‘feelings’ organised into brilliant focus. The quest to seek a balance between your personal agenda and moral force presents a cluttered reality. Any situation is a prospect for exceptional action and personal evolution. Taking steps to build your character is no simple feat. Society pays attention to those who do what is correct rather than what is comfortable. The fact is, that some people are attractive regardless of how they look. Your face and body are not the only reflection of your objective features; your emotions, attitude, values and character, which creates the tapestry of your appealing beauty.
March 2023 When a person is dishonest, disloyal and untruthful, the negativity they carry not only masks their outer beauty but also the beauty of soul. This is one of the reasons why we feel uneasy around certain people. When a person is genuine and truthful, the soul starts to reflect and they even start to look attractive physically. Woefully, in the reality of the Gucci story, the husband felt undercurrent of his wife’s character and he distanced himself – it cost him his life because he underestimated her character. When you keep your heart clear and intentions genuine, your soul will reflect accordingly, and your relationships will thrive in harmony. This only makes you more beautiful.
Character building is an effort that most certainly pays dividends. Some illustrate examples include:
■ Risk taking: Calculated risk taking is a fundamental aspect of character building. ■ Debate: The experience of arguing and trying to persuade others, builds admirable character traits such as tolerance for disagreement and personal resilience. ■ Trust and honour: These are critical to character building; you need to build a culture where you can showcase both your trust and your honour. ■ Personal reflection: Reflection also converts your character. Become intentional to form periods of quite personal reflection. ■ Culture: Immersion in morals, standards, outlooks, language, history, traditions, art, fictional myths, folklore, entertainment and rites of passage of cultures influence character. ■ Toil: Modern society seeks
to eliminate toil however the process of devoting your full attention to humble work can be character building. What makes a person consciously murder a loved one? No doubt it is a Pandora’s box that is too great for most to fathom. Have you intentionally fashioned your character? Do you know if you would react and respond in a moment of plight? The sky may seem far, but it is not beyond reach, and you can achieve your desired character one day at a time, one simple choice at a time. Ego and pride are strands of your character as well, and the more you embroil these emotions into your character the more they will steal the narrative of your life. Character building is a paramount reckoning in life so, dare to indulge and taste the sweetness of growth.
■ Be humble: Humility is the beginning of wisdom. In order to build your character, you must be open to new ways. ■ Live out your principles and values: Do the right thing, it will create a steadfast character. ■ Be intentional: Integrity does not happen by chance. Creating a habit of positive values produces excellent character. ■ Practice self-discipline: Great character has the acumen to do what is right over what is easy. ■ Be accountable: Surround yourself with people who have high expectations. Permit others to push you to a robust character. ■ Discipline: Character building requires a degree of discipline where an individual makes sacrifices. WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM | 15
Women's Biz Magazine
INTERNATIONAL
BOOK REVIEW WITH KEZ WICKHAM ST GEORGE
"WE ARE ALL UNIQUE WALKING STORIES JUST WAITING TO BE TOLD." Kez Wickham St George, an award winning #1 best seller, has a determination to support people from diverse backgrounds in bringing out the best in their creative side. Widely travelled, her experience and expansive authorship encourages you to think outside the box. Kez has high calibre leadership
skills, and is a pioneer in what authors can be and do in this digital world. Kez has written work with two royal families in the UK and Sweden, has co compiled an anthology on the lives of 18 varied women internationally, plus penned many books, lately a trilogy, poem and quote, and an anthology
WE WOULD LOVE REVIEW TIP-OFFS! DO YOU HAVE A BOOK FOR KEZ TO REVIEW? kezwickhamstgeorge.com 16 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
with MMH Press. A movie made from the prologue her last novel, Scribe, shown in theatres across Australia was a dream come true. Kez is an advocate for all authors by posting weekly book reviews plus the CEO of the Wickham St George book cover awards.
March 2023
Jigsaw is book 1 of the new trilogy. Once again, this author proves her skills as an incredible storyteller that draws you into a hidden world of parental childhood trauma, when as a young child her one thought was to escape from abuse from the ones you should trust, your Mum with her deep angry emotional trauma and your sibling, who would quite happily dispose of your existence. No one can help you, why? Because it’s secreted away inside the family home. Married off at seventeen to a narcissistic alcoholic to appease the demands of the cult her family belongs to. Cassie soon discovers no one cares, not the cult leaders, her family or the police, in the late 1900’s it is termed as a domestic dispute. Poverty of mind and body is an everyday occurrence in this naïve child’s life. Knowing to escape this life there are two ways, the first to imitate the maternal women folk in her family before her by suiciding or running as far away as possible. But where? Jigsaw is not only an escape story, a love story, and a story of modern-day sadistic insurgency of the patriarchal system. It’s an awakening for Cassie as she fights for her rights as a woman. Jigsaw is a story of a woman rebirthing in all ways to be who she is today. It’s also a paranormal story, Jigsaw is a story that cannot be explained nor be navigated. WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM | 17
Women's Biz Magazine
Firebird Book Award Winner 2023 for Historical Fiction and Romance
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Book Review The author Patrick Greenwood's debut novel. “Sunrise in Saigon has a very strong understanding of the Vietnamese culture. It is also a romance story written with depth and passion. The lead characters Jack and Linh bring forth a deep relationship proving the power of connection and love. Greenwood did an excellent portrayal of the Vietnam War considering the aftermath of that conflict. Sunrise in Saigon is a book that encompasses the frailty of any relationship especially with huge cultural differences. The then and now very apparent as the book opens in a time of peace. The Author once an American Marine, has bought forth to the reader a time when we all wished for peace no matter the culture. I found Sunrise in Saigon a delightful insight into Jacks & Linh’s relationship, a book well deserving a 5 star review from #kezbookreviews.
About Author Patrick Greenwood is a true believer in listening to one’s passion, he began writing in early 2020 based on several trips he made while cycling in various countries. In this novel, Sunrise in Saigon, Patrick draws upon several non-fictional events in Vietnam, including the war with the US, the last days of Saigon falling, and the chaos at the US embassy. Having remembered these events as a young man, Patrick grew up wanting to travel to Vietnam someday and visit these places for himself. With echoes of Tom Clancy and Jack Higgins, “Sunrise in Saigon,” is Patrick Greenwood’s first book in a new series about cybersecurity, passion, and international espionage.
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March 2023
Colourful life By Sharon Bech
You are just four when you and your five siblings are taken from your parents, separated, and thrown into the chaos and unfriendliness of the welfare system. You have to adjust to a life of living in cold children's homes and with foster families who don't treat you like your own. You’re shuffled from one home to the next, and can only dream of being reunited with your parents and your siblings. It seems your luck is changing when you are sent to a primary school, and find your sister Debbie there and you’re joyously reunited in the playground. But this is just the start. You soon find yourself living with another of your sisters, Glenda, and when the foster situation falls apart, the two of you are allowed to return to live with your parents. It’s a dream come true. But your image of a happy home life and a happily ever after is shattered when you’re faced with abuse. Repeatedly let down, you feel like you don’t belong anywhere. You grow into a rebellious and resentful teenager.
About Author Sharon Bech has certainly led “A Colourful Life”. Taken from her parents as a little girl, Sharon grew up facing the many challenges involved with being shuffled from children’s institutions to foster care in the Western Australian Welfare System. She became an avid traveller and it wasn’t until Sharon settled in the Southern region of Perth that she began her writing career. Her childhood experience has developed as a vision to help heal others that have lived a similar life to her own, through her speaking, presentations and private healing practice.
Contact Sharon
The turning point comes when you go to live with your mother’s brother and his wife. In them, you finally find a loving and supportive family. They nurture you and you learn that you have a choice in how you deal with life’s difficulties. These are the lessons that become your foundation when, years later, you’re confronted with a terrible truth and you’re faced with a life-defining choice: let go of resentment and find forgiveness for those who hurt you, or hold onto the anger and let it become you. Colourful Life is a heartbreaking and powerful memoir that shows no matter what difficulties you face, you have the choice to transform your life through forgiveness. It’s the poignant story of a little girl who, against the odds, has the courage and conviction to keep going. It truly is a colourful life.
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sharonlbech@gmail.com WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM | 19
Women's Biz Magazine
Why did Kez Wickham St George, already a popular global book reviewer, an award-winning international author with fifteen books under her name, come to the decision to create a Global Book Cover Awards? Well, it all began as a fun conversation with one of her colleagues who stated, “you always know a book by its cover.” In that moment, the power of those words stopped Kez in her tracks. With her expertise reviewing over 400 books, she knew that the cover is the first drawcard to your readers, the idea slowly took form. Kez believes in insight, the idea of book cover awards had a certain ring to it, she mulled it over until it was tangible, to impact the market with her idea, she needed innovation and influence of others creativity, so many questions were asked from her peers in the literacy field. Kez took their valuable suggestions to heart. She knew if she placed this opportunity in the right places, it would encourage authors, artists, and publishers to enter. She also delighted in the reality that increased exposure resulted in increased book reads – WINNING! The decision was no longer optional, she had to dive in and make it a reality. Like all pioneering initiates, there were times when the idea activated Kez to grip the handbrake and question if she should progress. Yes, imposter syndrome affects all of us, but she dealt with it by pushing through her internal restlessness. There were times she thought it was going to be too hard. While self-doubt can be conquered there are layers of new requirements that get activated when a new creation is born. Deep down she was driven at a deep soul level, knowing that it’s physical response should never be dismissed. Kez is overjoyed when stories are shared in one formed or another. And this means authors need to be acknowledged and rewarded for the words they share between the book ends. A major bonus was her continued commitment to her writing community. Kez knew her own experience that well-read authors needed more than their own selfbelief firmly in place. They need others to believe in your authorship and she now had a way to make that happen. Once her dream took shape, it became a rollercoaster. When the artwork arrived, the flyer was perfect. When the word got out the response was joyous. As she basked in the moment, she drew from a fresh new energy source that only comes from a divine calling. So, let’s reward those who love the covers on their amazing books. Kez would like this opportunity to welcome all authors, artists & publishers who have a book published and would like to be awarded for their amazing book covers to apply. The #wickhamstgeorgebookcoverawards has been launched.
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March 2023
Why Women in
Business Need to Embrace AI
to Ensure their Future Success By Annie Gibbins
I
n today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the need for innovation and adaptation has never been more critical. Technology is constantly advancing, and businesses must keep up with the latest trends and tools to remain competitive. One such tool that is quickly gaining momentum in the business world is artificial intelligence (AI). AI is no longer just a futuristic concept; it is a present reality that can provide significant benefits to businesses of all sizes.
For this reason, Annie Gibbins, CEO Women’s Biz Global, invites you to explore why business owners need to use AI for future success.
1. Streamlined Operations One of the most significant benefits of AI is its ability to streamline business operations. AI-powered automation can handle repetitive tasks such as data entry, customer service, and inventory management, freeing up employees' time for more complex and valuable tasks. This not only reduces the risk of errors but also improves efficiency, allowing businesses to complete tasks more quickly and effectively. By utilising AI in their operations, businesses can improve productivity and profitability while reducing costs.
2. Personalized Customer Experiences
recommendation engines, businesses can offer tailored recommendations and responses based on customer preferences and behaviour. This improves customer engagement, satisfaction, and loyalty, leading to increased sales and revenue.
3. Enhanced Data Analysis AI can help businesses make sense of vast amounts of data, providing insights that can inform and improve decisionmaking. By utilizing AI-powered analytics tools, businesses can identify patterns and trends that may not be immediately apparent, enabling them to make informed decisions that drive growth and success.
Another significant benefit of AI is its ability to provide personalized customer experiences. With AI-powered tools such as chatbots and
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Women's Biz Magazine
4. Improved Risk Management In today's rapidly changing business landscape, risk management is crucial for success. AI-powered tools can analyse data and identify potential risks, allowing businesses to take proactive measures to mitigate them. Additionally, AI-powered predictive analytics can help businesses forecast potential outcomes and make informed decisions to avoid or mitigate risks.
5. Competitive Advantage Perhaps the most significant
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benefit of AI is its ability to provide businesses with a competitive advantage. By utilizing AI-powered tools, businesses can automate processes, offer personalized experiences, make informed decisions, and mitigate risks, all while reducing costs and improving efficiency. This allows them to provide a higher quality of service than their competitors, leading to increased customer loyalty and market share. As you can see, AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present reality that can provide significant benefits to businesses of all sizes. From streamlining operations and providing personalized
customer experiences to enhancing data analysis and improving risk management, the potential of AI for business success is limitless. Business owners who embrace AI and use it to their advantage are more likely to thrive and succeed in today's everchanging business landscape. I look forward to hearing from Women’s Biz Magazine Readers to hear how they are utilizing its benefits.
March 2023
Reclaiming
YOU! By Donna Aston
I
was tall and quite thin in my early teenage years, so I didn't pay much attention to my diet, exercise or the scales. But when I stopped growing ‘up’, I started growing ‘out’, and before I knew it, I’d gained over 25 kilos!
actually won the competition!
Like many women, I tried every crazy diet, only to fail at each attempt. I was dragged into a serious, blokey bodybuilding gym by a friend. It was a very intimidating environment at first, with large men throwing around loud, heavy weights. Definitely not in my comfort zone and I was one of the only females there. Reluctantly, I joined and soon realised that I absolutely loved weight training and was pretty good at it! I set myself a crazy goal to compete in a fitness competition (yep, bikinis on stage!!) and over the next two years I dropped 30 kilos and totally transformed my body – so much so that I
I started working with private clients, ranging from the severely overweight, to competitive athletes and celebrities wanting to get in shape for a movie role. My career led me to the USA and Europe working with private clients, which is when I began writing my first book. My clients used to say, “your teachings are so valuable, everyone should know about this stuff”, so six published books later, I was excited to reach many thousands of individuals and help them reclaim their health.
I then had dozens of men and women asking for my help with training and nutrition, so I first studied as a fitness coach, followed by a degree in nutrition.
Through working closely with so many clients over the years,
all from very different walks of life, different parts of the world, different cultures and a diverse range of personal goals, I realised there was a common thread – many were struggling with a loss of self-confidence and personal identity. The transformations were always about so much more than losing weight or dropping a few dress sizes. I soon realised that I had the privilege of helping people restore their self-belief and reclaim their identity as a strong, healthy, independent person. When a woman feels healthy and confident, she holds herself differently, has a powerful presence when she enters a room, is able to communicate with confidence, dresses with pride, commands respect from others and exudes an inner sense of calm. Witnessing this inner ‘superpower’ evolve, time and again, feeds my soul. WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM | 25
Women's Biz Magazine Amongst all the conflicting information on health and weight loss, it’s seemingly impossible to sort fact from fiction, which makes us feel powerless. I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live their best life, so I spent the past four years building an online platform, empowering both men and women to regain their confidence by providing the skills to successfully manage their health and weight for a lifetime. How does it work? If our metabolic health begins to decline, the one ‘symptom’ we notice is excess weight gain. But this is only the tip of the iceberg. What lies beneath is a cascade of metabolic dysfunction, such as insulin resistance, impaired glucose control, a sluggish liver, and an imbalance in our gut
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burn stored fat for fuel, replenish your microbiome, reduce inflammation, reverse insulin resistance, and burn off stored body fat. Voila! You will now Once you feed your have the power to turn around your body the correct health and change fuel, at the correct your life. time of day, and allow fasting times When we’re empowered to between meals (no thrive, we live our best life and inspire others to do the same. snacking!), your You’ve got this! body will happily microbiome – just to name a few. Trying to fix the number on the scales, while overlooking the underlying cause, is like scooping water out of the bath with a bucket instead of turning off the tap. It will inevitably end in exhaustion and failure. This is the point where women start to doubt their ability to fix the problem.
AstonRX.com
Women's Biz Magazine
It’s A Man’s World… Or Is It? By Emily Rogers
F WHY DO WOMEN CONTINUE TO COMPARE THEIR CAREER PATH TO MEN, WHEN VERY FEW WOMEN ACTUALLY HAVE A COMPARABLE JOURNEY? 28 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
or men, the path is commonly a linear trajectory - they work in a role, get a promotion, work in that role, get another promotion and so on. It looks rather simple, natural and linear. In most cases, the next step is obvious, clear and over time it will happen.
The Path of Men
The journey for women tends to be more of a rather messy, squiggly line. The path has multiple stops and starts, sideways moves, backtracks, start overs and reinventions. There is nothing wrong with a squiggly line, but too often women feel “bad” about their career because their path looks different. It’s not a simple, tidy straight line, and often the next step is not clear.
March 2023
The Path of Women
It’s time women stopped feeling bad about their messy career path and started celebrating how squiggly they are.
Your journey is unique to you and your experiences are different. Your squiggle does not look the same as your sisters or your girlfriends. Celebrate your unique path and stop comparing yourself to others. By virtue of comparison, we are creating unnecessary pressure because that’s what comparison does. There are many reasons why the path is messy and squiggly, and each of those loops represents another milestone in life. Consider the interruptions to the journey that having a family
can impose. Then there are moments where women start something, only to discover that for whatever reason it isn’t the right path. Women also carry a mental load that can distract them, yet men achieve their career “success” without carrying this mental load. With the “lean in” movement women have been told to take a seat at the table, but in reality that seat isn’t as easy to sit on as a man’s. Men can turn up for a meeting and literally sit at the table with nothing else on their mind except the agenda being discussed. Women will sit at the table and while participating in the meeting, they are also mentally planning the grocery shop, dinner, wondering if the soccer uniform is clean for the game tonight, when they might catch up with those friends and so on. The mental load that women carry is different to men, which can impact their ability to progress their career. In addition, women are more inclined to seek fulfilment from what they do. It is common mid life for women to wonder if this is really it? Isn’t there more I ought to be doing? Women are more willing to rethink and reassess their path and maybe take a sideways or a backwards step to have greater fulfilment in what they do.
With squiggly paths women need to recognise there are different ways to define success. Becoming the top, most senior manager isn’t always the right definition. It doesn’t mean the journey is less rewarding. What does your path look like? Maybe your journey isn’t a full time career, maybe your journey will always be a juggle of family, volunteering, and paid work. What’s really important is that you find joy and fulfilment in your journey. Showing up for yourself and your family in the way you want. I invite you to think of your own path, what does it look like and ask yourself what success looks like for you?
theleaptolead.com Social Media: facebook.com/theleaptolead linkedin.com/company/theleaptolead instagram.com/theleaptolead
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Women's Biz Magazine
How to
Unleash Your Power of Superleadership By Eva Martins
A
re you a Superleader? Running a business, starting up a new financial venture, or reconnecting essential relationships, there’s always a need to find the right rhythm in following a path. Superleadership ignites when you learn to lead yourself first before leading others. As I built my roots in the corporate industry and paved my way to the world of mentorship for more than 20 years, I discovered the secret to unleashing my power of superleadership. You don’t need to look further. All it takes to reach your full potential in leadership within the different aspects of your life is a transformed and powerful mindset. I can sense a lot of questions popping into your head right now. But, honestly, you don’t have to complicate things – one decision could change your life forever.
You have to let go. Old patterns would not bring you where you want to be. The cycle loops again from when you stagnate with poor decision-making, toxic inner 30 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
criticism, impostor syndrome, and self-doubts. Let them go, and you will see the things you have missed in your path, trying to be someone you are not.
Aim for “progress” instead of “perfect”. Wanting to be perfect is addicting. You overthink night and day about everything you’ve done and every little action you make while working on something you want to achieve. You may think this scheme gets you faster and more successful towards your goal, but it sets you back from more significant possibilities. Learn new strategies and techniques to improve yourself. The world is ever-changing, no matter what industry you belong to. So, acquire new skills to boost your confidence and knowledge in your business. Once you improve your inner workings of yourself, you will be more equipped to lead others in the areas of their lives where they could need your support and expertise.
Invest in your subconscious mind. The mind is the most powerful armour in unleashing your superleadership. It would help if you reframe your thoughts and how your mind reacts to various components of your life, including your career, wealth, relationships, and self-development. It is the key to opening the door of clarity, illuminating your inner potential. Ask yourself. Are you taking action to make that dream life happen to you? The breakthrough is just one decision away, Superleader!
Thrive with No BS! Superleader, it’s time to escape the box of your comfort zone. You have the right to thrive and choose the very best thing for yourself – growth and success! The moment you stop listening to the voice in your head saying, ‘you’re not good enough’, ‘you deserve the bare minimum’, I bet you will be shocked watching yourself living the life you always desired as a Superleader.
March 2023
What is Thrive with No BS Program? Thrive with No BS program is about getting the personalised support you need during a transformational 8-week program. It contains powerful content, life-changing exercises, and in-depth reconnection activities with your subconscious mind, (which has NEVER been seen in any other program before!) The program is specifically designed for leaders from different parts of the world to reach their potential and how they can use it to skyrocket their business, wealth, and relationships. Thrive program’s central system of transforming your life lies within your inner beliefs and inner thoughts. By identifying the deepest limiting beliefs, freeing them, and empowering you with the proper tools, Thrive with No BS helps you pursue your goals, dreams and ambitions. The truth is inside you. You have to unleash your real power and let it transform your life and others as a leader. With love,
Eva Martins P.S. You’re on your way towards breaking your glass ceiling, Superleader! I would like to help you jumpstart that next big thing in your life! evamartins.com
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Women's Biz Magazine
How to Start
Introducing Workplace Flexibility into Your Business By Genevieve McMullen
J
ust when we think the workplace flexibility debate has died down, it decides to storm back into the headlines like a washed out celebrity trying to revive their career. Elon Musk is no doubt spearheading the 'return to the office' mantra, while on the other end of the spectrum global tech giant Atlassian advocates for working wherever, whenever. Even more recently, e-commerce giant Shopify has put a policy in place that states the company will be cutting out wasteful 2 person meetings to boost productivity.
It can be tricky to navigate your own policies when it comes to workplace flexibility, especially when it seems that everyone and their dog is giving unlimited time off, 32 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
4 day work weeks or calling their employees back in with a stern hand and a hard deadline. So what’s right for you and how do you possibly start to navigate such politically charged waters? You want to keep your staff happy but you want to make sure that the flexibility you're providing them is going to work for the business (and KEEP you in business.) Here are some pointers to get you making the right choice.
Do Your Research While you know what’s best for your business, it doesn’t hurt to peek over into someone else’ backyard every now and then. By doing some desktop research into what your competitors and your industry are doing you can start to get
an understanding to see if this is also right for you. Cherry pick ideas and initiatives to explore that align with your goals and leave behind those that are too hard or complicated to currently implement.
Flip-flopping Creates Chaos Trialing certain flexibility initiatives like a 9 day fortnight or adopting a hybrid model are a great way to see what’s working for everyone and what’s not hitting the mark. As the business owner, you have the right to rescind on any initiatives when they are just not working. But if you continue to trial and pull up stumps at the first sign of a hiccup, it’s not going to end well. Employees need time to figure things out, iron out the kinks, get used to the systems and processes. If you don’t allow time for employees to get into a groove with a new initiative they are going to lose trust.
March 2023
Listening to Your Employees Makes Sense To avoid the chaos that can ensue when trialing new flexibility policies, make sure you listen to your employees. What do they want? What will make them happy? What is going to keep them productive, flexible and willing to continue to work for you? The simplest thing is just to ask. Surveys and brainstorming sessions are a great way to listen and implement exactly what people want. You may find that your employees value face to face connections, or they are
passionate about clocking off earlier to spend time with family and friends. Once you create a policy that works for both you and your employees you're on the right path to creating lasting relationships that are built on mutual trust.
Be Reasonable - the market has changed. Flexibility is all about flexibility and it’s here to stay. The market has definitely changed and looking to increase workplace flexibility will not only keep your employees happy and productive, but will also attract
top talent to the business. Being flexible doesn’t mean that you have to people-please or bend over to the will of your employees . It means building a respectful agreement that your employees feel connected in being a part of and is a win-win for both parties. You will find your staff more productive and your business thriving. People are the key to business growth and it starts with flexibility. talkagency.com.au/author/ genevieve-mcmullen
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Women's Biz Magazine
The Gains and Strains
Gender Equality in Leadership Positions By Annie Gibbins
O
ver the years, women have made significant strides in breaking down gender barriers and achieving greater representation in various industries. However, despite this progress, there are still areas where women are underrepresented or face significant obstacles to advancement. In this article, we will explore the industries where women are making the greatest gains and where the biggest areas of need are, backed up with relevant statistics.
Industries where women are making the greatest gains: 1. Health: The healthcare industry has traditionally been female dominated, with women making up the majority of healthcare workers. However, women are increasingly occupying leadership positions in healthcare organizations, with more women becoming hospital CEOs and chief medical officers. According to a report by Oliver Wyman, women hold 30% of CEO positions 34 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
in healthcare organizations, compared to 24% in the overall economy. 2. Technology: While women remain underrepresented in the tech industry, there has been a significant increase in women pursuing careers in tech in recent years. According to a report by Girls Who Code, the percentage of women majoring in computer science has more than doubled since 2010, from 12% to 27%. There has also been a rise in the number of women holding leadership positions in tech companies, with companies such as IBM and Microsoft being led by female CEOs. 3. Law: The legal profession has traditionally been maledominated, but women are making significant strides in the industry. According to the American Bar Association, women make up almost 38% of all lawyers, and almost 50% of all law school graduates. Additionally, more women are becoming partners in law firms, with the percentage of female partners increasing from 19% in 2007 to 23% in 2019.
4. Politics: Women have been historically underrepresented in politics, but this trend is gradually changing. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, women currently hold 27.4% of state legislature seats and 24.5% of seats in Congress. While these numbers may seem low, they represent a significant increase from just a few decades ago. For example, in 1992, women held only 9.4% of state legislature seats
Areas where the biggest needs for progress are: 1. Finance: The finance industry has long been dominated by men, particularly in leadership positions. According to a report by McKinsey & Company, women make up only 20% of executive teams in financial services companies. Additionally, women in finance face significant pay gaps, with female financial analysts earning only 80 cents for every dollar earned by their male counterparts.
March 2023 2. Engineering and Construction: The engineering and construction industries are among the least genderdiverse, with women making up only 14% and 9% of employees, respectively. Women in these industries face significant barriers to advancement, including limited opportunities for career development and promotion. Additionally, women in these industries face significant discrimination and harassment. 3. Media and Entertainment: The media and entertainment industries have long been criticized for their lack of diversity, particularly when it comes to gender representation. Women are often underrepresented in creative and leadership roles in the industry, and there is a
significant gender pay gap. According to a report by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, women accounted for only 21% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the top 100 grossing films in 2020. 4. Education: While women make up the majority of teachers, they are significantly underrepresented in leadership positions in education. According to a report by the National Center for Education Statistics, women make up only 25% of public-school superintendents, and only 34% of college and university presidents. So, while women have made significant strides in breaking barriers and making gains
in various industries, there is still a long way to go towards achieving true gender equality. The industries where women have made the greatest gains are encouraging, but there are still areas where progress has been slow or non-existent. It is important to continue pushing for gender equality in all industries and sectors, not just for the sake of fairness, but also for the benefit of businesses and society as a whole. Diverse and inclusive leadership teams have been shown to be more innovative, collaborative, and successful in decision-making. By breaking down barriers and giving women equal opportunities to succeed, we can unlock the full potential of our workforce and drive progress towards a more equitable future.
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Women's Biz Magazine
The Rise of
Ethical AI Alice Irving
O HOW WOULD ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CHANGE THE ETHICAL LANDSCAPE? RESEARCHERS AND FUTUROLOGISTS ARE STILL DEBATING THE IMPLICATIONS OF AI ON SOCIETY. FOR SOME, IT WILL USHER IN A NEW MILLENNIUM OF EQUALITY AND FREEDOM. FOR OTHERS, IT WILL CAUSE MASS UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS OF INEQUALITY. YET DESPITE ALL THE UNKNOWNS, THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION REMAINS: HOW WILL AI AFFECT OUR ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR?
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ne way that AI could profoundly change ethics is by making it possible to generate informed decisions with less bias. This would be useful in organisations as well as in personal life. Another potential application of AI is in the field of moral decisionmaking. It could help people to make more principled choices, override their emotions, and act according to principles rather than instincts. Given that AI has the capacity to enhance human intelligence and create beneficial outcomes, it is likely that ethics will continue to evolve in tandem with it. The key question then is: how will these changes affect our day-to-day lives? We remain unsure, but one thing is for sure: ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence are far from settled. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been around for decades, but in the past few years, it's become a popular topic of discussion. Many people are alarmed by the idea of ethics in AI, as they believe that machines will eventually overtake human supremacy. Currently, there are two main types of AI: supervised and unsupervised. Supervised AI is where a machine is trained by a human to recognize specific images or sounds. Unsupervised AI is where the machine learns on its own, without any
guidance from a human. Many people are apprehensive about the implications of non supervisory AI, as it may lead to machines that are able to learn and act on their own without any sort of ethical restraints. This could have disastrous consequences for our society as a whole. However, there are also legitimate ways that unsupervised AI could be used for good. For example, it could be used to automate tedious tasks, such as data entry or health diagnostics. As we continue to investigate the potential implications of AI, it's important to consider the ethical concerns surrounding it. However, we should also explore the potential benefits of this technology so that we can make informed decisions about its future development. As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology becomes more sophisticated, it's becoming more ethically challenging. Just a few decades ago, AI was crude and robotic. Today, however, AI has become more life-like, with the potential to learn and grow on its own. With this evolution comes questions about its ethical properties. There is a long history of debate around the ethical implications of artificially intelligent entities. Early discussions around AI focused on fears that AI would become powerful enough to threaten humanity as a whole.
March 2023 These days, however, the concern is that AI could have negative consequences for individuals or societies too. For example, if AI begins making decisions based on monetary gains rather than human welfare, this could have serious repercussions. Given the potential implications of AI, it's important to consider the ethical implications when designing and using it. There are several aspects of AI that require careful consideration: decision-making, autonomy, and manipulation. Developers need to be aware of these issues
in order to create safe and ethical systems. Are artificial intelligence ethical? Does it have intrinsic value? How could it be used practically to improve our lives? Artificial intelligence is a rapidly growing field of research and application. It can be subdivided into two main categories: natural or direct artificial intelligence (DAQ), where a machine is designed specifically to simulate or 'readout' human behaviour, and ceremonial artificial intelligence (CAI), which aims to automate intelligent tasks
without replication of cognitive abilities. Recent developments in AI ethics pose interesting questions about its value and implications. There is considerable debate surrounding the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Proponents claim that AI could have enormous positive effects on society, while others worry about what unforeseen dangers it may bring. Given this mass of uncertainty, it is important to ensure that any artificial intelligence applications are ethically sound.
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Women's Biz Magazine
The 3 Biggest Myths About
Scaling Up Your Business Lauren Hamilton, Founder of Digital Narrative
Scaling up is a phrase that’s spoken of in reverent tones in the small business community. Along with business automation, lead magnet and sales funnel, it’s the kind of aspirational jargon which can inspire and confuse in equal parts.
T
he first and biggest myth around scaling up is that it is essential. It’s not - if you’re comfortable as a sole trader and earn an income you’re happy with, there’s no need to fix what isn’t broken. But, if growing a business is your dream, there are some persistent myths to be aware of which can make the process of scaling up seem overwhelming. Here are the three biggest ones, and how to shake them off.
There is one way to scale up, and one way only Every business and every entrepreneur are different. Your products or services are different, your customers are different, your support network is different. Similarly, there is not ‘one’ golden, proven method for scaling up your business. You may have access to investors who can pour money into your fledgling outfit, allowing you to grow rapidly and dramatically. You may have no clue about investors, be working on a shoestring out of your garage,
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and be more comfortable taking it slowly. Each of these methods is viable. A typical low-risk path to scaling up is by doing it in stages – for example, by firstly employing sub-contractors or freelancers to take on overload work before
you hire permanent staff. Other examples include moving into a co-working space for a while before you rent office space, or building a fast, cheap website initially before replacing it with a deluxe, automated site when budget allows.
March 2023
Rapid growth doesn’t suit everyone. If you prefer to work steadily at your own pace, and within your own budget, you’re still scaling up – you’re just doing it in what can be a more sustainable, less stressful way.
You can scale up with zero investment You may not need a $500,000 cash injection to begin your journey to CEO, but you also can’t scale up with no budget at all. Respect your dream enough to give it the oxygen it needs to thrive; by oxygen, I’m talking time and money.
There’s a perception that successful organisations started with nothing and got where they are through pure grit, but that’s simply not true. Significant resources got Apple, Tesla and co. to the position they’re in today, alongside the creativity and work ethic of their founders. You need to dedicate serious hours (beyond the usual time you spend working on your business) to planning and enacting your scaling up
plans. Set aside as much clear, unbothered time each week to work out how you’re going to grow, what you’ll need to make it happen and what are the key steps. To fund this plan, you’ll need a budget. Statistics show that female founders struggle to raise funding for their businesses compared to their male counterparts. It applies to both external investment and internal allocation of funds. While women are now more likely than men to start a business, they are less likely to receive investment or venture capitalist funding. In 2018, $130 billion in venture capital funding changed hands. Female founders only gained 2.2 percent of this money, which means that male founders received almost 98 percent of total funding. It doesn’t have to be this way. There are barriers to accessing external funding, but they aren’t insurmountable. Do your research (start with this article) and consider whether attracting investment should be part of your scaling up strategy. Closer to home (and easier to access) there is self-funding, which brings with it a distinct set of challenges. Female founders report feeling guilty about reinvesting their profit into their business growth, instead of spending it on their families. This can be hard to overcome but understanding that investment in your business is investment in your families’ future financial security is key to unlocking your appetite for investing your own money in your enterprise.
Other (better) business owners were born knowing how to do this Excluding an elite few at blue blood private institutions, we are not taught how to grow a business at school. Nor do most of us have the personal connections to make it easy. You may have studied business, in which case you have an advantage, but most business owners only have formal education in relation to what they produce or sell. So, we’re all in the same boat (the one in which we’re the captain, first mate, cook and deckhand). What we need is a map. Before you scale up your business, invest in yourself through training, coaching, or mentoring. Find a program which will hold you accountable and commit yourself to it. Read books, listen to podcasts and talk to people who are ‘there’ already in their business journey about how they did it. Scaling up is an incredible challenge. It is statistically harder for female business founders than it is for males, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. It takes strong selfbelief, patience and tangible resources to grow from a onewoman-band in your leisure at home to a thriving team in an office or store, but it’s possible. The key is to plan, learn and never stop having faith in yourself and your business. digitalnarrative.com.au
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March 2023
The Power of
Storytelling By Maisy Thistle
D
o you have a story that you want to share with the world? Whether it's an interesting experience you have had, something funny that happened, or something heart-warming that changed your life, a personal story can be powerful. When delivered in the right way, storytelling can motivate and encourage people to change their lives for the better. There are many ways to tell stories and reach people. From advertising campaigns to eBook readings, storytelling has become an increasingly popular tool for promoting change. According to research, telling personal stories can inspire people to take action and make positive changes in their lives. When you tell your story, it creates a connection with the listener. This connection helps the listener understand and feel your emotions. Stories also generate empathy in listeners, feeling what the character is feeling. This powerful ability to engage and connect with others is what makes storytelling so effective at driving change. Stories have the power to connect us to one another, imparting knowledge and opening our hearts to new perspectives. They are the root of all education and can even change the course of history. As
personally. By using stories effectively, you'll be able to connect with others on a much deeper level and achieve your goals faster than you ever thought possible!
humans, we are naturally drawn to stories. We love to hear them, understand them, and reflect on them. In today's increasingly complex world, tales have never been more important. They provide a way for us to navigate through life's hardships and connect with each other in a meaningful way. They remind us that even though we may be apart on this earth for a short time, we are united in our common humanity. There is no better way to communicate than through story. By telling your own story or hearing the stories of others, you can learn valuable information and insights that can help you make informed decisions. You will also connect with others on a deeper level and build lasting relationships. Storytelling is an incredibly powerful communication tool that can help you reach your goals both professionally and
There are few things in life that can bring us as much happiness as a good story. From childhood stories told around the fire to lullabies sung to sick children, storytelling has always been an important part of our lives. The storytelling process of communicating information through the use of spoken words and images, has been used for centuries to transmit knowledge and values. More recently, storytelling has been used to help people learn new skills, share experiences, and build relationships. Storytelling has a powerful effect on the human brain. When we tell stories, we activate parts of our brains that are typically inactive. This constructive form of neuroplasticity allows us to reshape our brains by making new connections and learning new things. As we listen to stories, we also develop empathy and understanding. So why not use storytelling as a tool to help you achieve your goals? A good story can motivate you, teach you new skills, and make you wiser. Tell your own story – it’s time for ultimate success!
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Women's Biz Magazine
Tall order: How an Aussie Mum Launched an Australian-made Clothing Brand with no Experience
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When Penni Lamprey heard the news that the world's largest tall women's clothing retailer was potentially closing in 2019, she and other women of height around the country panicked where would they shop now? 42 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
tanding at 184cm (6’1”), Penni had experienced a life of ill-fitting clothes that were too short in every department, and her entrepreneurial mindset quickly saw an opportunity to beautifully dress not only herself but all tall Australian women.
that fit your silhouette cannot be underestimated.
She knew the Australian market for tall women was utterly undersupplied, and the few options available were poorly designed and made, with the hassle of returning garments to a faceless international was not worth the effort.
Penni says her lack of experience in the fashion and design industries was only a minor hurdle, with the ability to build relationships and maintain a clear purpose much more important factors.
“Society considers us to have unconventionally tall physiques - it does present dressing and lifestyle problems. For example, if you were to look at your blazer or shirt cuff, they should be sitting comfortably between your wrist and thumb joint. For me, and many other tall women, that’s difficult to find," Penni says. “Clothes cut into the abdomen and require a ‘jig or three’ to completely readjust each time we sit or stand. The mental energy used to dress each day can negatively add up.” Penni goes on to explain that the psychological wellbeing gained from wearing clothes
“When your clothes fit, you stand without fidgeting, you sit without discomfort and you stop making excuses for your appearance by comparison with others,” she says.
“The fashion and textile industries have taken a hammering from offshore manufacturing, cheap imports, and loss of skilled machinists so they want to support a label that enables the industry to rebuild while contributing to better clothing options for people of diverse sizes and shapes. “I don't need to know how to make a pattern, rather, I use my business operations and project management skills to engage specialist pattern makers who know exactly what beautifully fitting garments can do for an individual: Skilled professionals who can turn my drawings and bold ideas into beautiful clothing for the tall.
March 2023
“I am the interface of all the specialists, fabric agents, haberdashery suppliers, transport logistics, IT professionals who all make the garments come alive.”
consumption and production, gender equality, work and economic growth, and sustainable cities targets. The label’s Victorian pattern makers and manufacturers are all Ethical Clothing Australia accredited which protects the wages and working conditions of staff.
From the outset, Penni applied sustainable development goals to establish responsible
This Tasmanian said the immediate interest and support buoyed her. Penni received
“Ensuring the clothes were all made in Australia was absolutely essential for me, and I couldn’t be happier with that decision,” says Penni.
messages from tall women from around the country, expressing their desire for a sustainable, fashionable, Australian, tall specific women’s clothing label. While Penni has known the struggle to find clothes that fit throughout her life, she hopes the story will be different for her daughter - the label’s ‘Miss G’ - who, at 11 years old, already seems destined to pass both her parents in height. The sky's the limit for this tall entrepreneur. missgandme.com.au WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM | 43
Women's Biz Magazine
Reclaiming You: Why It’s important for Women to Reclaim their Sense of Self while Juggling their many roles in Business and Life. By Annie Gibbins
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s women, we often find ourselves juggling multiple roles in business and life. We are mothers, daughters, wives, partners, employees, entrepreneurs, and more. While we take pride in being able to do it all, it can often come at a cost to our sense of self. In this article, we will explore why it is important for women to reclaim their sense of self while juggling their many roles, the challenges that come with it, and practical steps to take to reclaim our sense of self.
The Importance of Reclaiming Our Sense of Self When we are constantly juggling multiple roles, it can be easy to lose sight of who we are as individuals. We may feel like we are defined by our roles as a mother, wife, or employee, rather than our own unique qualities and interests. This can lead to feelings of burnout, resentment, and a lack of fulfillment in our personal and professional lives.
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By reclaiming our sense of self, we can regain a sense of agency over our lives and feel more fulfilled in our roles. We can reconnect with our passions and interests and find more joy and meaning in our everyday lives. Additionally, by honouring our own needs and desires, we can become better partners, parents, and employees, as we are more likely to show up as our authentic selves.
Challenges to Reclaiming Our Sense of Self While reclaiming our sense of self is important, it can also be challenging, particularly when we are juggling multiple roles. One of the biggest challenges is finding the time and energy to prioritize ourselves amidst competing demands. We may feel guilty for taking time away from our families or work to focus on ourselves or feel like we don’t deserve to invest in ourselves in this way. Another challenge is the pressure we face from society to conform to certain expectations and standards. As women, we may feel pressure to be perfect mothers, wives, or employees, and may fear judgment or criticism if we deviate from these expectations. This can make it difficult to prioritize our own needs and desires and can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
March 2023
Practical Steps to Reclaiming Our Sense of Self While reclaiming our sense of self can be challenging, there are practical steps we can take to prioritize ourselves and reconnect with our passions and interests.
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Carve out dedicated time for self-care. Whether it’s a few minutes each day to meditate, a weekly yoga class, or a monthly massage, it’s important to prioritize self-care as a way to recharge and reconnect with ourselves.
Identify and pursue our passions and interests. We can reconnect with our sense of self by identifying and pursuing our passions and interests, whether it’s taking up a new hobby, joining a book club, or volunteering for a cause we care about.
Set boundaries and learn to say no. We can prioritize our own needs by setting boundaries and learning to say no to requests or commitments that don’t align with our values or priorities.
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Practice self-compassion and challenge selfcritical thoughts. We can be our own worst critics, but by practicing self-compassion and challenging self-critical thoughts, we can cultivate a more positive and supportive inner voice.
Connect with supportive communities. We can surround ourselves with supportive communities, whether it’s a group of friends, a professional network, or an online community, that can offer encouragement, inspiration, and accountability.
While I am first to admit that women have the ability to juggle multiple roles with grace and resilience, it’s important not to lose sight of ourselves in the process. By reclaiming our sense of self, we can feel more fulfilled in our personal and professional lives, and become better partners, parents,
and employees. While it can be challenging to prioritize ourselves amidst competing demands, it is essential for our overall well-being and success. By taking practical steps to prioritize self-care, pursue our passions and interests, set boundaries, practice self-
compassion, and connect with supportive communities, we can reclaim our sense of self and live more fulfilling lives. Let us encourage each other to prioritize ourselves and support each other in our journeys towards reclaiming our sense of self.
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Women's Biz Magazine
Improving Impact, Connection, and Relationships Through Better Conversations By Sara Sheehan
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eturning home from holidays, with tons of conversations with friends and loved ones, we have an opportunity to take a step back and look at the conversations we had and understand at a deeper level where we might be able to improve our impact, connection, and deepen our relationships. Let’s take a closer look at some basics on how the ladder of conclusions can derail us (Source: Judith E. Glaser’s Conversational Intelligence), the impact of higher-level conversations, and how active listening can provide a better outcome.
The Ladder of Conclusions When you are in a conversation, you can get on a ladder of conclusions where you keep moving up the rungs of feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and underlying meaning with each exchange. You may find that tension is rising within the conversation with the other person. There also may be interpretations or assumptions 46 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
at play. To change the tone of the conversation, you will need to find a way to move the conversation down the ladder of conclusions. Moving down the ladder of conclusions can be accomplished in five simple steps: 1. Connect with the other person by saying you want to ‘process’ the conversation itself so that you end up with a healthier and stronger relationship. 2. Share stories between the two of you. Allow each person to share your stories about the conversation, including the thoughts and beliefs you experienced on the ladder. The key here is to listen without judgment. 3. Discover the impact the situation had on each other. 4. Discover the ripple effect it has on others. 5. Partner with the other person on your actions and commitments for a better outcome.
The benchmarks of a partnering conversation mean that true listening is occurring on each side. It means that participants are observant, take responsibility for their actions, and seek others' input or opinions. The conversation is engaging for both parties and seeks win-win solutions that merge ideas or create new solutions jointly. It’s a highly creative and energetic conversation.
Transformational Conversations Judith E. Glaser characterized conversations on three levels: transactional, positional, and transformational conversations. The higher-level conversations are not only more productive, but they also have deeper and more meaningful outcomes. They produce more oxytocin in our brains and make us feel better. In these conversations, we are listening to connect without judgment.
March 2023
Active Listening Creates Better Conversations Practice active listening in every conversation to build repeatable habits that deliver better daily conversations. Allow each person to play a role in asking questions and contributing to the flow. Create space for a conversational volley between two people. When you actively listen, you truly take in what the other person is sharing with you, and you can ask an insightful follow-up question. Listening means the other person “has the floor,” and you are not speaking or interrupting them.
Why is active listening so hard to do?
?
Active listening requires the participants to separate themselves from mental clutter that may derail them from asking the next thought-provoking, openended question. It also means that each participant is completely focused on where the conversation is headed and tracking with contributions. Participants might think they are listening to the other person, but if they are multi-tasking or doing anything other than listening, a lot is not being heard. Take the time you need to be fully present for the other person in your conversations. You might be surprised at the results you can achieve with every conversation when you are intentional and present. sarawsheehan.com
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Women's Biz Magazine
How to Go from
Order-Taker to Leader in Your Service-Based Business By Alli Hill
Giving the client what they want is a sound approach to building your service-based business. But what happens when what your client says what they want isn’t what they need?
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t’s a fine line I’ve struggled to tread – giving the client what they want shows you’re listening to their requests, can follow directions, and want to meet their expectations. But the same holds true when you can demonstrate a better solution, one that might not have crossed their minds but will provide a better outcome than their current ask. That’s the hallmark of a true leader vs. an order taker. It requires you to identify what your clients really want beyond what they’re telling you. It means having their best interest in mind and speaking up on their behalf when what they are asking for doesn’t align with what they want. Let’s look at three practical things you can do to evolve from order-taker to client leader.
1. Remove the hidden layers by asking ‘why’. As a leader, I don’t just blindly write on topics the client comes up with. Instead, I take 48 | WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM
a leadership stance and help them connect the dots between my service and their outcomes. This helps to put my service into perspective and help them realize the value I bring to the process. The 5 Whys methodology (or Five Hows methodology) works well here. It’s a psychological tool used to find the root cause of an action or decision. For a freelance writer, the 5 Whys might look like this:
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Why do you want me to write about this topic?
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Why did you choose this keyword?
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Why do this topic and channel fit in with your goals?
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Why does more visibility relate to your goals?
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Why will this topic inspire readers to act?
March 2023
What I’ve found is that clients don’t want articles and SEO; they want sales and customers. They believe articles can be a vehicle to drive sales and customers, but what they don’t always know is how that vehicle works. That’s where I come in as a leader. I start with the client’s ultimate goal, then work backward to decide how to approach their needs.
2. Follow your own rules. I have processes and policies in my business to keep projects on track, make sure I get paid, communicate with my team, and organize my tasks. These processes create harmony across all moving parts of my work.
These processes in my business work until they don’t. When a process stops working, it’s usually because I don't enforce my own rules or procedures. And therefore, I can’t expect my clients or team to follow them, either. If you want to be in charge of your business, you need to respect your own boundaries. If clients don’t get back to you by a deadline, don’t pay their invoices on time, or request work outside of the original
scope, speak up. Don’t let things slide. It’s easier to be consistent than to try to reign things in when they’re out of control.
reasoning helps them see potential in your ideas that they hadn’t thought of themselves.
3. Defend your decisions.
BECOMING A LEADER WORTH FOLLOWING
When you make suggestions or deliver work to clients, be prepared to defend your decisions. This is your time to shine – show your clients why you can be trusted and how you have their best interests in mind, especially if you aren’t giving clients what they initially asked for. Clients deserve to know your thought process behind your decisions. Providing them with context, examples, and
Let’s face it – clients aren’t always the experts on what they need. That’s why they hire you, the expert service provider. When you can lead them to something better, you’ll have clients for life and a reputation for results. fleurishfreelance
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Women's Biz Magazine
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March 2023
Success is Yours for the Taking By Tara Whitney
My journey founding and growing WA’s largest and most successful specialist grant writing business was, like many business owners, one of figuring it out as I went. I had no plan to start a business - I never considered myself a businesswoman or someone with entrepreneurial drive.
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started my business due to circumstances – my husband’s job was moving him to the country, and I could not continue my government grants assessor job. I had no special training, skills, or business knowledge when I started; I just knew about grants and government. And yet, business is booming. Any way I look at it, my business has been a success from the beginning and is continuing to grow. From starting as a sole trader, Whitney Consulting is now a company with eight amazing staff members and we’re always busy. It often makes me pause and wonder why. How have I managed to grow this business year on year, even during a pandemic? Whilst it was obviously the result of a few factors, if I had to pick the key, I would say it is because I embraced who and what I am early on. I am not a fierce, win at all costs, work 60 hours a week businesswoman.
I value relationships and, contrary to the popular opinion that you need to be hard and competitive in business, I believe that my softer values have helped Whitney Consulting to succeed. WOMENSBIZGLOBAL.COM | 51
Women's Biz Magazine
I have a ‘biz bestie’ who has given me great advice and support over the years, and she is a direct competitor. We don’t hide information from each other and fight for work because that is not in line with our morals – we want each other to succeed, and we will do everything we can to help. We have referred clients to each other, worked together on jobs and she has definitely given me some of her business wisdom. If I had gone against my nature by being competitive and untrusting, I would not have received all the benefits that have come from this relationship. Being clear about who I am has allowed me to use my personality traits, or to work around them as needed. And what I am is a contradictory mess of a human – I am confident, a caring mother-type to everyone, focussed as a laser, highly ambitious and jampacked full of love. And I have used all of these facets of me to
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make my business a success.
As an example, genuinely caring about people has been an absolute must for me to manage my staff especially because we are a 100% remote business. It can be challenging for some people to work remotely all the time – but my staff love it and they are thriving. Because I truly care about each and every one of them, their families and their interests. So, I know Jeanette is an extrovert and I need to call her often
to provide her daily peoplefix. Caring about my staff and promoting that within the team means we all work for each other – no-one wants to let anyone else down and we will all pick up the slack if another team member is struggling for some reason. Now as an exceptionally taskoriented person, taking the time to stop and check in with staff doesn’t come naturally. I care about them, but I am so focussed that I could easily just keep working. But my awareness of how important it is to have that contact and the fact that I want them to be happy means that I make sure it is a regular feature of my day, even if I have to write myself reminders! I truly believe that accepting who I am - playing to my strengths and being aware of my flaws – has played a huge part in my success. whitneyconsulting.com.au
March 2023
Busting Business Myths:
Separating Fact from Fiction By Annie Gibbins
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spiring entrepreneurs are bombarded with advice and information about what it takes to succeed in business. Unfortunately, some of this advice is based on myths and misconceptions that can actually limit their success. Here are ten common business myths that are untrue and can hold you back.
1. Myth: You need to have a lot of money to start a business. Reality: While having access to funding can certainly make starting a business easier, it's not a requirement. Many successful businesses were started with little to no money, and there are numerous ways to bootstrap your business without outside financing. For example, you could start small and reinvest your profits to grow over time.
2. Myth: You need to have a business degree to be successful in business. Reality: While having a business degree can be helpful, it's not necessary. Many successful entrepreneurs have no formal education in business, and instead rely on experience, mentorship, and self-education to learn the skills they need.
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Women's Biz Magazine
3. Myth: You need to work long hours and sacrifice your personal life to be successful. Reality: While it's true that starting and running a business requires hard work and dedication, it's not necessary to sacrifice your personal life in order to succeed. In fact, taking care of your personal needs can actually help you be more productive and successful in the long run.
4. Myth: You need to be an expert in your industry to start a successful business. Reality: While having expertise in your industry can certainly be helpful, it's not a requirement. Many successful businesses were started by entrepreneurs who had no prior experience in the industry, but were able to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.
5. Myth: You need to have a unique idea to start a successful business. Reality: While having a unique idea can certainly help your business stand out, it's not a requirement. Many successful businesses were started in industries that were already crowded, but were able to differentiate themselves through their branding, customer service, or other factors.
6. Myth: You need to have a large team to be successful. Reality: While having a strong team can certainly help your
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business grow and thrive, it's not necessary to have a large team to be successful. Many successful businesses were started and run by just one or two people, who were able to accomplish a lot with their focus and hard work.
7. Myth: You need to be a natural-born leader to be successful in business. Reality: While some people may have a natural inclination towards leadership, it's a skill that can be learned and developed over time. Many successful entrepreneurs were not natural-born leaders, but were able to develop their leadership skills through practice and education.
8. Myth: You need to focus on profit above all else to be successful. Reality: While profitability is certainly important for any business, it's not the only factor to consider. Focusing solely on profits can actually limit your long-term success, as it can lead to short-term thinking and decisions that are not in the best interest of your customers or employees.
9. Myth: You need to be a master of every aspect of your business to be successful. Reality: While it's certainly important to have a basic understanding of all aspects of your business, it's not necessary to be a master of every skill. Many successful entrepreneurs have been able to delegate tasks and hire experts in areas where they lack expertise, allowing them to focus on their strengths and priorities.
10. Myth: You need to be lucky to be successful in business. Reality: While luck can certainly play a role in business success, it's not the only factor. Hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and adapt are all essential components of success. And even if luck does play a role, it's often a result of the effort and preparation that went into creating opportunities for success.
Luck is often viewed as a magical force that can make or break a business. Many people believe that successful entrepreneurs and business owners simply got lucky, stumbled upon the right idea at the right time, or were in the right place at the right time. However, this is a limiting and untrue myth that overlooks the hard work, preparation, and persistence required for business success.
March 2023 In reality, the most successful business owners are those who are willing to put in the time and effort to learn and grow. They constantly seek out new opportunities, stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices, and invest in themselves and their businesses. They may encounter setbacks and failures along the way, but they use those experiences as learning opportunities to improve and refine their strategies. Take, for example, the story of Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. Blakely had no prior experience in the fashion industry when she came up with the idea for Spanx, a new type of shapewear that would help women feel more confident in their clothes. She invested her own savings to
create a prototype and then pitched her idea to multiple manufacturers before finally finding one that was willing to work with her. Blakely's hard work and persistence paid off, and Spanx quickly became a huge success. But it wasn't just luck that led to her success. Blakely's dedication to her vision and willingness to put in the time and effort to make it a reality were essential factors in her success. So, as you can see there are many myths and misconceptions that can hold us back in the world of business, but it's important to remember that these beliefs are often unfounded and can limit our potential for success. By challenging these myths and adopting a growth mindset, we can break through the barriers
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that hold us back and achieve our goals. Whether it's the myth of the overnight success or the belief that success is reserved for a select few, it's time to redefine what it means to be a successful businesswoman. I invite you to let go of these limiting beliefs, embrace our unique strengths and abilities, and build the businesses we've always dreamed of.
Remember, the only thing standing between you and your dreams is the belief that you can't achieve them. So go out there and prove those myths wrong!
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Women's Biz Magazine
Women’s Biz Global: International Women's Day Woman to Watch 2023 Runner-Up's Joanna Walden After decades in a high flying global advertising career, Joanna Walden left to pursue a dream; a career with more meaning and purpose in the world. In 2020, she published her debut transformational travel memoir, ‘The Inside Hustle’ sharing the story of her adventurous personal exploration around the globe including hiking 900+ km’s on an ancient pilgrim path across the north of Spain, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro as one of her first expeditions. During this wild journey in pursuit of universal truth, Joanna shares through her unique and inspirational story, her personal struggles, and how she navigated through them by bringing in a new and different perspective to life on this planet. Readers have experienced extraordinary transformation and liberation f rom reading/listening to her book saying it was “life changing”, “they finally stop searching,” and “have found myself questioning and revisiting my path”. Joanna now works as a visionary transformation specialist guiding others through her signature process of change. Every woman needs a ‘Joanna’ in their life. joannawalden.com/the-inside-hustle
Jane Vandermeer Jane truly cares about the women she works with. Jane has created a new concept and a different approach to fashion and styling. As a fashion entrepreneur, she knows that giving busy women tangible actionable tools of support in turn creates empowerment. Far beyond surface level. Through her insightful ability to truly ‘see’ the woman beyond the clothes, she treats women with kindness and compassion. As a natural born leader, who leads by example through strength, grace and charisma, Jane is an absolute powerhouse. Through her love of fashion, combined with a constant pursuit of personal learning, Jane has a depth and wisdom, intuitively designed for feminine leadership. Jane’s ultimate belief is that we need more. We are looking for more within our leaders, by knowing and understanding ourselves more deeply. It is when we sit strongly, powerfully, humbly and balanced within ourselves, we carry an extra depth of power. finesseyourstyle.com
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March 2023
Katherine Wells Katherine Wells is the CEO and founder of Serenity, the only network that allows ageing service providers, older adults, and their loved ones to “care together.” Prior to Serenity, Katherine spent 10+ years as a family caregiver. Caring for her parents both inspired her to start her company and get more involved in creating a future we all want to live in. Through the challenges she faced in being the person responsible for taking care of her parents, Katherine realised there was a desperate need for streamlining communication and collaboration between senior care teams and loved ones. She was on a mission to find a solution that would improve the situation by increasing efficiency for providers while giving patients and their families a voice. That’s where Serenity comes into play. Serenity’s purpose is to connect the entire senior care ecosystem to improve the lives of older adults. We say, thank you for all that you do! theorg.com/org/serenity-engage/org
Pooja Bhatia Pooja Bhatia is an author, host, and founder, who aims to simplify things for the entrepreneurs and contribute back to the ecosystem. Pooja shares stories of women entrepreneurs and experts through the iconic Dhvani Bhanushali, with the aim to inspire others. As a keen connector, Pooja is also a Collaborator for Investing In Talent. With over 16 years of experience managing and commercialising IP, she has transferred 65+ technologies in her career and has been responsible for setting up and running a technology transfer office as the Chief Manager. The world needs innovators like Pooja, to connect the benefits and lasting effects of IP excellence in business.
Tracey Hall Being in and around business for over 30 years, Tracey has noticed that ethics, values, and integrity seem to take a backseat, and she is on a mission to change that! So, Tracey created the Ethical Direct Sellers Association, for business owners to learn skills that work with ethics, values, and integrity. Currently, Tracey is also working with Global Sisters as a volunteer which is all about business owners starting out. By putting emphasis on ethics, Tracey encourages business owners to think about every decision with a different perspective. Women are amazing when it comes to business and Tracey is passionate about business owners questioning their decisions based on their vision, mission, and purpose; their entrepreneurial ‘why’, all the time. ethicaldirectsellersassociation.org
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