5 minute read
Women in Business - Cath Fowler
by Focus
focus_contributor.
WOMEN
IN BUSINESS
with CATH FOWLER
FROM THE DIGITAL LANEWAY
OLIVIA
JAMISON
LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA
Can you tell us a little bit
about your business?
I have the Mid North Coast Licence for Leadership Management Australia (LMA). LMA works with organisations to boost their bottom line by increasing the performance, productivity and profi tability of their employees. LMA courses have already enhanced the leadership skills, team dynamics, performance, productivity and sales skills of over 130,000 people from thousands of organisations across Australia and New Zealand.
At LMA, we don’t train people – we develop people through our unique process – and there’s a massive difference. Information received through traditional training methods is quickly forgotten. LMA courses change your habits to improve the way you think, work and interact, and the value to the organisation grows indefi nitely. In fact, we guarantee it!
What’s your favourite part of the work you do?
I love learning about the different businesses across the Mid North Coast, there are so many interesting and successful businesses here. What I really love though, is supporting participants as they go through the courses, seeing them develop over time, achieving their goals, building confi dence and thriving.
Every participant at a graduation ceremony shares their successes and learnings from their course. This would have to be my favourite part – listening and learning about the successes, their return on investment and what they achieve is just amazing. Often, I hear that LMA has changed their life.
Who is your greatest infl uence in business?
I bought LMA from the wonderful Marilyn Brien in early 2021 and Marilyn has been invaluable for her ongoing support. More importantly though is Marilyn’s approach to supporting businesses and the respect Marilyn has earned is inspirational.
I have so many people around me supporting me and I am very thankful for that. Working for over 25 years developing people to be great leaders, I have worked with some really great leaders and some really poor leaders. Poor leadership has a detrimental effect on a business. Great leaders create a culture that enables everyone to thrive, and I have seen fi rst-hand that people can learn to be great leaders, and they inspire me.
Have you always lived on the Coffs Coast?
I grew up in Korora and left after I fi nished school, thinking I would never live here again. I lived and worked in Sydney and Melbourne before moving to London, where I lived for 13 years. I gained some great experience working across the world equally, though being easily able to explore Europe was fantastic and I learnt a lot about different cultures, and working with different cultures. I came back almost four years ago and have got a new appreciation for where I grew up. I love the beaches and the natural wonders that are on our doorstep.
What piece of advice would you give women making their way in the business world?
Well, apart from doing an LMA course I would say don’t be afraid to take up space, share your unique gifts. Look for opportunities to build your self-knowledge, skills and networks. Think strategically and be proactive. Most importantly though is to believe in yourself.
Where can people fi nd out more about your business?
Give me a call on 0427 788 434 or search LMA Mid North Coast.
JUMPING HOOPS
T O M A K E AGED CARE
AFFORDABLE
AGED CARE SEEMS EXPENSIVE AND COMES AT A TIME WHEN YOUR FINANCES MAY BE DWINDLING. THIS MIGHT MAKE YOU WORRY ABOUT WHETHER YOU CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR CARE.
In Australia, we are lucky that government subsidies can help with the costs, but you will have to jump through hoops to be approved. And you may have long waiting times before the government money becomes available (particularly home care).
This article takes a quick look at the three steps for approval.
Step 1 – Register with MyAgedCare
You fi rst need to register with MyAgedCare. You can lodge an application online at myagedcare.gov.au or you can call on 1800 200422. MyAgedCare complete a quick eligibility check by asking basic questions about your health and how you are coping.
It is a good idea to have a family member (or friend) with you to help with the answers. You can also nominate this person to be the MyAgedCare contact point for the rest of the process.
Step 2 – Referral to ACAT
If you pass this fi rst assessment, MyAgedCare pass on your contact details and the information collected to an Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).
Assessors prefer to do the assessment in your home so they can see what the home environment is like and how well you are coping. This can help with the discussion around whether home care or residential care might be more appropriate.
If the ACAT teams are busy, you may fi nd several weeks delay between your fi rst contact with MyAgedCare and your assessment appointment.
Step 3 – Assessment results
After the assessment, you will receive a letter in the mail detailing the results. If approved, it will indicate approval for a Home Care Package – at Level 1, 2, 3 or 4 – and/ or respite residential care and/or permanent residential care.
You can be approved for more than one care option, which may give you fl exibility to adapt as circumstances change.
Ask for help
Helping older people and families to understand the options available and strategies for funding your costs, while protecting your estate values, is what I do. Whatever stage of retirement you are in, whether planning ahead for your frailty years or approaching that time, I have the expertise and experience to help you. Or you might be the child of an older parent who is becoming frailer with age.
As an Accredited Aged Care Professional™ I have helped many clients to make this choice. I help to fi nd a choice that is affordable, as well as works best for the family and protects the value of the estate.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, so it is important to speak to someone like myself who is a licenced fi nancial adviser (I am an Authorised Representative of Count Financial Limited AFSL 227232).
Call me on 0431 414 799 to discuss how I might help yours or a loved one’s own position.
P 0431 414 799 E jason@burleyagedcareadvice.com.au W www.burleyagedcareadvice.com.au
