Gloss june 2013 by GLOSS MAGAZINE

Founder Janine Garner | janine@littleblackdressgroup.com.au

EDITORIAL Managing Editor Kate Stone| kate@glossmagazine.com.au Contributing Editors Helen Treloar Nikki Fogden-Moore Sara Lucas Guest Writers Sophie Andrews Fiona Craig Tracey Cruickshank Mandy Holloway Kelly Slessor Lucie Trinco

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Published By: LBDG littleblackdressgroup.com.au

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES AND FEEDBACK www.littleblackdressgroup.com.au info@glossmagazine.com.au ÂŠ LBDG 2013 All material is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of LBDG is strictly forbidden. The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information in this online magazine at time of going to press, and we accept no responsibility for omissions or errors.

A Message From Me

Issue Number Two of GLOSS, and the first thing I would like to do is say thank you to everyone - both members and non-members alike - for the wonderful feedback you have given about the new online magazine, and the content and feel of it. This month is shaping up to be even bigger and better, with fantastic articles from guest writers Fiona Craig, Kelly Slessor, Sophie Andrews and Mandy Holloway. As always we are immensely privileged to have the inspired words of Contributing Editors Helen Treloar, Nikki Fogden-Moore and Sara Lucas to inform, entertain and move us. Since the last issue, LBDG has continued to grow and become even more about change and leadership, with the first of our LBD Business Seminars for the year in Sydney and Melbourne. Read Managing Editor Kate Stone’s account of how she felt listening to our four extraordinary courageous leaders in Sydney. Both events were incredible experiences for me and I would like to thank all of our speakers - Sam, Karen, Damian, Kate, Matt, Suzie and Rachael - for their honesty, frankness and above all, their courage. June marks a very special anniversary for LBDG - and no, I don’t mean my birthday, although that is pretty special! It’s actually LBDG’s second birthday, and there will be a lot going on to mark the event. Please remember to keep giving us feedback and ideas for GLOSS. And welcome to all of our new members. We hope you are enjoying the world of LBDG. Don’t forget to Connect. Inspire. Succeed. After all, that’s what women do.

Janine If you would like to write for GLOSS, or are interested in advertising with us, please contact us via the email addresses in the front inside cover.

Contents THE LEADING EDGE

MONEY TALKS

BODY & SOUL

Contributing Editors/Writers

Inspiring Courageous Leaders

Our fearless leader gives her rundown on this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue and what is happening in the world of LBDG

Find out more about our regular columnists and the expertise that they bring to GLOSS every month.

Mandy Holloway breaks down the leadership maze and brings courage back to basics.

Where Is My Profit?

Custom(er) Made

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening this month in the LBDG World

Sophie Andrews gives us 7 simple lessons in how to bring back the bucks to our business

Kelly Slessor explains why getting mobile is so essential in servicing customers - oh, and making money!

A Message From Me

Events Calendar

WHAT WENT DOWN

QUICKNESS & ANSWER

LOIS LANE LIVES

Kids or career - can you do both? The eternal struggle, empathetically addressed by Fiona Craig

Helen Treloar on hope, and why we should never lose sight of it.

Sara Lucas delves into starting again midlife, and how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never too late.

Nikki Fogden-Moore brings you manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friend, just in time for the Million Paws Walk.

Lucie, Tracey and Sophie share their personal business heroes and talk about what they would like to see change in the Australian business landscape

Managing Editor, Kate Stone, shares her business fears... and a little bit of courageous leadership.

Baby Love?

Body & Soul

The Leading Edge

Q&A

Money Talks

Lois Lane Lives

Contributing Editors

Helen Treloar

Nikki Fogden-Moore

Sara Lucas

Helen is a small business owner, coach, trainer, mentor and keynote speaker who utilizes her proven experience in business and qualifications in Life/Business Advanced Coaching, Master Practitioner of NLP, Timeline Therapy, Matrix Therapy, Training and Public Speaking to enable others to live life on their own terms.

Nikki Fogden-Moore is all about practicing what she preaches – and what she preaches is balance. Balance between work, home and maintaining your personal best.

Sara is a licensed financial planner, writer and speaker.

Working with individuals, teams and organizations, Helen transforms mindset and results for those who are committed to change. With a successful history as a CEO of 3 companies and product innovation expertise in school backpacks, she left corporate to commit herself to fulfilling her own vision of success in 2010. Specializing in executive transitional coaching, small business development and leadership training, in addition to general life coaching, Helen’s passion is to enable others. Helen is also the Founder and MD of FMC Leadership Academy for kids. FMCLA bring kids from 7 to 15 and beyond together to learn how to develop their own self-esteem, confidence, compassion and courage. “By owning our own thoughts, emotions, choices and behaviour, we own our results and our non results. Our future is on our own hands.” forwardmomentum.com.au fmcleadershipacademy.com.au

She uses nature as her playground – and wants all LBDG members to do the same. “Ultimately health, vitality and getting the most out of life do not have to be last on the list. It’s about finding the best information, tools and support that suit your own goals and needs. We are here to inspire, educate and help people stay motivated, with practical tools and information enabling them to make the best decisions for long term health and wellness –My motto: CREATE THE LIFE YOU WANT” The owner of Life’s A Gym, Nikki is a motivational speaker, trainer and all round powerhouse who will help you to bring your body and soul together. Connect with her on twitter @nfogdenmoore or visit lifesagym.com.au

A wealth management industry veteran, she began working with clients in 1987 helping them optimise their finances. She has since continued to work in senior industry roles all over the world with well-known names including Rothschild, Macquarie Bank, Lloyds of London and BT Financial Group. After a short break to found and lead a number of social enterprises in support of women’s and children’s interests, she founded Sara Lucas; a financial planning and advisory business, focused on meeting the unique needs of women and their families. To further develop the depth of offer to her clients she has partnered with the StrategyOne Advice Network. www.strategyone.com.au www.saralucas.com.au sara@saralucas.com.au Connect with her at LinkedIn au.linkedin.com/pub/sara-lucas/15/904/276/

Guest Writers

Sophie Andrews Location: Sydney Business: The Accounts Studio sophie@accountsstudio. com.au accountsstudio.com.au

Fiona Craig Location: Brisbane Business: Fiona Craig fiona@fionacraig.com.au fionacraig.com.au

Mandy Holloway Location: Sydney Business: Courageous Leaders mandy@ courageousleaders.com.au courageousleaders.com.au

Kelly Slessor Location: Sydney Business: BanterMob kelly@bantermob.com.au bantermob.com.au

Tracey Cruickshank Location: Brisbane Business: BeSpecd tracey@bespecd.com.au bespecd.com.au

Lucie Trinco Location: Sydney Business: Il Tutto lucie@iltutto.com.au iltutto.com.au

Events THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

JUNE

MELBOURNE THINKTANK

SYDNEY EXCLUSIVE DINNER SERIES

Calendar SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

04 SYDNEY FIRST SEEDS FUND GREAT GATSBY

BRISBANE FIRST SEEDS FUND GREAT GATSBY NIGHT

16 23 30

WEDNESDAY

05 CANBERRA COCKTAIL CONVERSATIONS & THINKTANK

BRISBANE COCKTAIL CONVERSATIONS & THINKTANK

SYDNEY THINKTANK MELBOURNE COCKTAIL CONVERSATIONS

“We must use time wisely and forever realise that the time is always ripe to do right.” - Nelson Mandela

Where Is My Profit? Sophie Andrews

In a perfect world, increased sales means increased money in the bank right? If you are approaching another financial year end unable to understand why your accountant is telling you sales are up, and you made a good profit, yet you still struggle every week to meet your financial commitments - then read on. So much business advice and coaching focusses on marketing, getting more clients, increasing sales, building your database etc etc. and so many business owners regard bookkeeping and P&Ls as a necessary evil. One of those things that has to be done to keep the ATO off your back, and whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, you have to pay someone to tell you that you owe thousands in tax. Bottom line - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a real drag. I know that as someone who works with numbers every day I am somewhat biased, but I am making it my mission to show business owners that actually paying attention to your accounts can make you more money for much less

effort than focussing on increased turnover. For example, a small decrease in cost of sales can be the same as a LARGE increase in revenue. Guess which one takes less work? Being successful in business means being aware of what your numbers are doing and what it means. So, below is a really simple checklist of what you should be looking at. If you are not a numbers person, then just make sure the person in your business who is takes a look. 7 WAYS TO INCREASE PROFIT AND CASHFLOW There are many numbers in your business that work to affect profit and you need to be working to improve all of them to manage growth not just focussing on one at a time. 1.

The obvious - increase sales.

2. Decrease cost of sales. These are the expenses that relate directly to the product or service you are selling. For a service business that

might be staff labour, and for a product business it would include import charges, packaging, cost of product. 3. Net profit as a percentage of sales. Your net profit is the amount of money left over from your sales after paying for your cost of sales and general overheads, but before paying your tax. Eg if your annual sales are $290,000, and all your expenses amount to $185,000, then your net profit will be $105,000. As a % of sales that would be 36% (105,000 divided by 290,000). Worth noting here is that as a general rule, if your net profit is 10% or less then you will be definitely heading for cash flow nightmares. 4. Debtor days. This relates to how long your clients are taking to pay you from date of invoice. To calculate this, divide the amount you are owed by your total sales, and then multiply by 365. The aim is to bring this number down which means you aren’t having to wait so long for payment. 5. Creditor days. Same as debtor days, but relates to how quickly you are paying your suppliers. Total amount you owe divided by total purchases, then multiply by 365. This figure should be equal to, or preferably higher than, your debtor days. If it isn’t, another sure sign of cash flow issues on their way. 6. Inventory in stock or work in progress (WIP). If you are a product based business then to calculate how quickly you turn over your stock, the formula is stock divided by purchases x 365. The lower this figure the better. If you are a service based business, then you need to monitor work in progress. How efficient are your staff at processing workload or managing jobs? How quickly are clients being invoiced after you start work on their job? 7. Break even. Your break even is basically what it costs you to open your door every day without selling any products or services. It is calculated from costs such as rent, electricity, phone, insurance, internet etc. but does not include things like cost of goods, staff labour etc. To work out your break even you need to calculate how much these everyday overheads cost then divide that figure by 365. This will tell you how much you need to make in profit on your sales each day just to break even and cover your costs. Remember – it shows the profit you need to make, not the sales – unless your sales do not

incur any other costs (eg staff, cost of product). 8. Cash flow. This is one of the most important and why the majority of businesses fail. Many business owners focus on growth and increased turnover but fail to recognise that growth brings with it increased costs. A company should either be in growth stage or profit stage. If you are in profit stage then you will be focussing on how to increase profit and reduce costs, whereas if you are in growth stage then you will be focussing on marketing, getting new clients, new product ranges etc. It is very hard to be in both stages at the same time and you should be making a conscious decision which one to focus on. If you look at a lot of large corporates who bring in new CEOs – you will see that they tend to either focus on expansion or cost cutting – growth or profit – and they tend to always specialise in one of those areas. If growth is your strategy, then make sure you have sufficient working capital to fund that growth as the cost of acquiring new business usually has to be paid for before the increased turnover is in your bank account. If reading through all of the above still makes you shudder then find a great bookkeeper or accountant who can help you with this. Awareness of your finances gives you the power to make calculated business decisions and foresee any upcoming challenges. Ignoring them just puts off the inevitable.

Inspiring Courageous Leaders Mandy Holloway

Each day leaders make decisions and execute choices; and there has never been a better time to explore the need for these leaders to be courageous. The world needs leaders to stand up for what they believe in, stay true to their values and have the courage to say no when something is not right. As a leader you know all too well how busy you are with everyone wanting things done yesterday. You are inundated by endless surges of information. Increased stakeholder expectations bear down on you from all parts of your life – family, community and business. All leaders face this constant, snowballing and mostly opposing tension - do you focus on the long term or short term; internal or external stakeholders; people engagement or bottom line performance? This is why we need far more people to be courageous in the way they lead themselves, lead others and lead the business. What is a courageous leader? Courage is the quality of the human spirit that allows us to face and overcome difficulty, danger, pain, tension, criticism or judgement in spite of the fear we feel. It encourages us to be vulnerable; to hold onto fear for that extra minute and take action.

right intent, we can innovate and we can truly collaborate. We give, we share and we deliver because we believe it is the ‘right thing to do’. Trust is an absolute with no need to ‘hide’ anything, cover up mistakes, window dress decisions and sugar coat feedback. From this, a ‘conscience in business’ fosters a way of doing things that take account of the community and human element of a business while also bringing a focus on the moral and ethical level of looking after people, brand, finances and the environment. No more protecting, no more political game playing, no more controlling, no more holding back on what you really think – imagine what this would be like? Exponential possibilities When emerging and existing leaders unite as one population of courageous leaders to develop this future they unleash the exponential possibilities for the business and the people, represented by the infinity symbol:

Courageous Leaders unleash their courage to face this fear with interest, creativity and integrity; while facilitating the thinking of others. Everyone embraces the future with agility rather than constraint and fear. Thinking is no longer limited by the need for predictability. Learning agility replaces the fear of retribution when mistakes are made. A Courageous Leader strives to be their best and inspires others to do the same. Holistic business sustainability is achieved because courageous leaders inspire each person in the business to: • • • • • • •

Stretch their thinking Enthusiastically embrace the future Collaboratively create exciting entrepreneurial outcomes Solve problems with curiosity Ignite and resolve conflict constructively Lose their egos Interact with real honesty.

Envision whole populations of courageous leaders uniting in this way and you have business environments where we can trust, we can say what we really want to say, we can make the decisions we know need to be made for us to do the right thing, at the right time, with the

Choosing to connect and commit with the courage to truly unite their intentions and develop sustainability for the business, their careers and their relationships creates possibilities not yet imagined in our current mindset. There are nine elements to the Courageous Leaders Model and you get started on the left by developing confidence, conviction and courage in your leadership mastery: 1.

Leadership mastery

Develop all four facets - self, relationship, business and technical – for the confidence, conviction and courage to become the kind of leader you want to be and the business needs you to be.

be and the business needs you to be. 2.

Confidence in your leadership mastery

For you to be at your best and support others to be at their best while delivering the best business outcomes - this kind of confidence is essential. 3.

Conviction in your leadership mastery

Believe in your decisions and choices to such an extent that you are ready to bear the full consequences of them. 4.

Courage in your leadership mastery

With this kind of conviction you unleash the courage to engage in real conversations with the transparency vital to untap the true potential of everyone in the business. 5.

Connect and commit

The wedge of fear that exists between existing and emerging leaders is being dislodged. 6.

Courage to be challenged and change

Exponential opportunity is exposed and realised when existing leaders courageously approach conversations with emerging leaders - ready to be challenged and to change. 7. Challenge This critical business behaviour enables emerging and existing leaders to connect, commit, collaborate, create change and ultimately make decisions to secure business sustainability. 8. Change Change is the new constant and replaces the era of certainty and predictability. When habits are challenged, change is encouraged. This creates a high performance culture where everyone is engaged and inspired to sustainably deliver exceptional results. 9.

High-performance culture

Every experience created by the leaders ‘informs and directs’ the business culture. Implement the model in your business Get serious about inspiring your leaders to be

more courageous – start by challenging your existing leaders to get serious about culture, engagement, succession planning and long term holistic business sustainability. Identify that a focus on bottom line results is not enough - ‘how’ these results are achieved is of equal importance. It is imperative that far more existing leaders want to be courageous leaders - and until we have them, behavioural change within business remains a mere ‘tinkering at the edges’. People must want to develop their leadership mastery – to hold a mirror up and see themselves with complete truth, unlocking doors that may have been shut for some time. They must want to open their eyes to potential they might not have explored yet. Being a courageous leader takes consistent and disciplined personal commitment; consciousness and energy. The conviction demonstrated by each leader drives the uptake of people wanting to be courageous leaders of themselves. Commitment to courage is infectious. There is another way of leading people to untap their true potential and to create an abundant future. There is a way where people no matter their age, skills or beliefs can bring passion to work. It is time for leaders to challenge themselves to invest in this ‘new’ and courageous way. Let’s not allow people who are afraid of this kind of originality of thinking to strangle this idea because who knows what a big idea this is going to turn out to be?

Baby Love? Fiona Craig

Ahhh, the inimitable scent of a newborn baby. The delicious cuddles. The teeny, tiny fingers and toes. And the outfits! Ohhhh, the gorgeous mini-me outfits to die for. There’s nothing quite like baby love. That headover-heels; out of control; I love- this baby so much I can’t breathe feeling that comes with having children. A new baby brings unspeakable joy and imbues you with wisdom you didn’t know you had. A new baby tests your stamina, your commitment and your willpower. It also wreaks havoc with your hormones, in many cases completely shifts your priorities and, if you let it, has the potential to destroy or severely hamper your career progress. As a mum to a gorgeous, spirited, happy 3 year old boy, I know these things, from experience. So, if you are a new mum, or about to become one soon, or even if you have plans in the way distant future, you might wonder, how do you keep your career on track after a baby? And if you are a manager of women, you might wonder, how do I make sure that I retain talented women, and balance that with the needs of the business at the same time? Whichever camp you fall in, you are not alone in your thoughts. Maternity transition is fast becoming a major issue for employers who want to maintain their female talent pipeline, and for women who feel that a successful career in the corporate world and a baby are incompatible. Impending board quotas and political and social pressure mean that companies are increasingly seeking ways to keep their female workforce engaged and on a career path. Last year I read a survey of 2500 professional women across a range of ages and sectors published by a UK firm specializing in female talent management. The survey focused on the career “pinch points” women face during their working life. The two clear leading issues stated were career crossroads (50%) and maternity transition (45%). 68% of working parents identified maternity transition as the leading pinch point in their career – and interestingly for women in their 20s and 30s without children, it still featured prominently as the 3rd highest pinch point.

Without doubt, Australian women face the same pinch points. Smart organisations will recognise this and start policies and procedures now to support not just the maternity transitions happening right now, but the preparation for those of Generation Y, who are already taking this issue into consideration in their career choices. The other point to be made here is that women also have a responsibility for managing their career pre, during and after pregnancy. In the workshops I run for women and managers dealing with maternity transition, I explain that this issue has to be dealt with by flexibility and understanding on both sides. Any successful relationship requires work and communication, and at this period in a woman’s career clear communication is more crucial than ever. In essence then there is a three-pronged approach to a successful maternity transition: 1. Organisational support – there must be flexible work procedures in place and they must be REAL options, not simply a policy in name only to serve legal purposes. Leading from the top is essential here – the culture of an organisation will determine the success or otherwise of maternity transition policies and procedures. 2. Managers of the women in maternity transition – they must also be engaged in the process from an early stage, and supported through coaching and training in how to deal with the career paths of women (and men) who desire flexibility. 3. The employee in transition – employees must be provided with support and career (and personal) development opportunities in the form of coaching, mentoring and sponsorship. In terms of women approaching maternity leave, here are some strategies that can be employed by both managers and the women themselves to assist in a successful transition. Communication is king: Don’t be afraid to talk about career plans. Taking into account all relevant legalities aside, the sooner you can open the conversation the better. Knowing where both parties stand in terms of career opportunities and priorities makes situations more

manageable in the future. I recommend initiating the conversation, whether you are an employee, or the manager, around 2-3 months prior to maternity leave. Planning is key: Out of sight is often out of mind. If you are a senior employee building a brand or a business in the workplace, consider how the relationship with key clients developed by you will be impacted. A transition communications plan will allow for you to be kept informed in the way you want to be of any major developments in your team or with your clients, and will make you feel more included when you do come back to work. No woman knows exactly how she will feel about her career once her baby is born – and subsequent children may alter your plans even more. But where possible, I encourage you to consider your future. Working 3 days a week may be fine for 1-2 years, but what happens when your child goes to school? Is it better to work 4 days now, with a view to being able to keep your long-term career on track? Only you can answer that – it will come down to working out your priorities and the realities of your situation. In the same vein, I’d encourage managers not to be fearful of having these conversations with women in your team. In my opinion, honest conversations about career progression are an integral part of being a strong manager and a mentor to your staff. Take the lead: Many women are scared of speaking up on this subject. In the last workshop for employees that I ran, around 75% of the room (all 6-8 months pregnant) had not had any discussion around their career upon return from maternity leave, including whether they would be seeking flexible work arrangements Why? Because they felt they would be disadvantaged in some way by speaking up. Many believed they would be actively sidelined by saying they intended to come back part-time any time prior to around 2 weeks before their return! How can this lead to a healthy, progressive career path for women? And how can this be good for business?

In the last week I have spoken with four different women, all in their 30’s, all in professional careers in corporate, and all fired from their role while they were on maternity leave. The scariest fact? Not one of them was surprised that it happened. They had all seen it happen to colleagues and friends before them. It would appear it’s a reasonably common occurrence in Corporate Australia. I’d love to say I have the answer to that startling reality, but I don’t. Ultimately it comes down to tighter legislation and better protection for pregnant women. Australia is far behind other OECD countries when it comes to supporting pregnant women, as we know. But it also comes down to individual women, their managers, and organisations taking responsibility and starting what may seem like a difficult conversation pre-maternity leave, but what is a truly pivotal moment in the maternity transition. I am of the strong opinion that is entirely possible to have a successful, fulfilling and engaged career, be that in corporate or running your own business AND have a fantastic family life. But the stark reality is that it takes determination, planning and flexibility – by ALL parties involved in the maternity transition process. For more information on how you as an individual, or as a manager, can make maternity transition more successful, don’t hesitate to get in touch. I have also recently written an article for The Law Society of New South Wales for its female lawyer members, on how to manage their own career after transition. You can read it here.

Custom(er) Made Kelly Slessor

The other day as I was running for the bus, I mentally scanned the items in my bag. Purse, keys, phone. As I jumped on the bus I noticed an advert in my local for newsagents for Mother’s Day. Which reminded me that I hadn’t organised a card or a gift. So I found my spot on the bus, sat down and pulled out my virtual mall (my mobile) and typed in Mother’s Day. I scrolled through until I came to a link to a florist site. Unfortunately when I clicked in the link to the site I was presented with really tiny writing that I couldn’t read, and squashed up pictures; in short the site wasn’t mobilised. So

why is this important? Well, according to Google, mobile really is changing the way we shop. 3 of 4 mobile searches trigger follow-up actions; whether it be further research, a store visit, a phone call, a purchase or word-of-mouth sharing. Unfortunately the florist site I visited on the bus triggered nothing but annoyance at the wasted time! I could scream stats, at you but you really only need to walk down the street, hop on a bus, or stand in a shop to realise how mobile is intrinsically linked to our everyday life, more so than any other technology ever invented. This connection is only

deepening and widening, to the point where in 2014 - 2014! - mobile internet will overtake PC internet use.

sure how much of your traffic is coming from mobile, check out your google analytics - they are easy to decipher and take in.

So how do you convert your current site to mobile to ensure you are serving your customers on the move? There are two possible approaches;

Google currently have a real drive to encourage businesses to convert their website to mobile, because if we as users keep clicking on florists pages with tiny writing as an example, and not converting to customers because of the poor user experience, then this will de-value the ‘click’ and therefore Google’s revenue.

A responsive website:

This is a website that takes your current content and adapts or ‘responds’ it to the screen your user is viewing – it automatically changes to fit the device. Essentially it shrinks it down into a mobile compatible format. There are some very basic tools that automate this for you cheaply such as dudamobile or you can build an responsive site that integrates with your existing CMS, using plugins. As mentioned they are cheap and can be turned around very quickly. Responsive sites can work as a short term solution but typically we see lower conversion rates and generally a user experience 01. that is not specifically tailored for mobile. You have 3 seconds - just 3 - to engage a user on mobile and responsive sites can be slow, so you may lose customers. 2.

A dedicated mobile site:

This is the more costly option and it means that you have two platforms to update - your website and your mobile site. However, taking into consideration that by 2014 most businesses will see the majority of their traffic coming from mobile devices and not PCs, I would suggest that developing a good mobile site to serve the majority of your customers would be a worthwhile investment. Developing a site from scratch allows you to take out some of the baggage you are carrying on your website and really serve the content to users that they want. This is a longer term solution but the benefits will pay back ten fold. So how do you know if you’re ready to go mobile? If you are a consumer led business then in my mind there really is no question. Some brands such as the retail mother and baby category are currently seeing up to 45 % of their traffic coming from mobile. If you’re not

The most important thing is ensuring that you serve your customers wherever they are - and besides, shoppers that use mobile buy more - an essential thing to bear in mind in your decision making process. Customer made indeed!

The Leading Edge: HOPE Helen Treloar

Hope. As a coach in life and business, one important element of my role is to bring Hope to the situation where it is seemingly hopeless. When we have hope, we can start to move. We have a reason to move forward. I was watching a BBC TV show â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Antiques Road Showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; recently. It was an episode relating to wars past. I found myself sobbing

as I watched and listened to one particular story around a tin ring and was spellbound by its true story, told by the woman who was given the ring. If I had been consciously aware of the impact she would have on my thoughts, I would have taken down her name and noted the details that filled her true story, so as to represent it with accuracy. As I didn’t, my article this month is a paraphrase of her story, which showcases the power of hope to the full. Love was Everything at 19. A young couple of 19 meet. They fall in love as World War II is declared and in the rush of pre separation, he pledges his love to her and asks her to wait for him. “If we survive this war, I will find you, no matter where you are, I’ll find you,” he pledges. “I love you.” She told of how that pledge and heartfelt emotion called love was everything at 19. Such feelings were so overwhelming and her belief in him making good on his pledge, was what kept this beautiful woman alive. A Symbol of Hope. The couple are reunited for a fleeting moment in time when, soon after their separation, he risks his life and breaks into a women’s prison camp and gives her a ring he had fashioned from tin as an engagement ring. He flees, after reminding her of his pledge to find her after the war, and asking her to keep herself alive. Through 6 concentration camps this woman lives; barely at times. Throughout this time she keeps the tin ring, when other women around her were being shot dead for being found concealing jewellery. Under her tongue was her ‘usual’ place to hide it. This tin ring fashioned by her beloved was her symbol of hope. This ring and all that it meant was her reason to survive, to look beyond the horror of her daily existence where friends and family were being killed and tortured, to a place where she would be loved and have someone to love in return. The symbol of hope was the ring for this lady. Symbols are a wonderful way to connect us to hope; our brain loves symbols and pictures. Trust Me. When the British Troops entered Auschwitz to free the prisoners of war, this lady was near death and lying between hundreds who were dead or also near death. A British Soldier found her and said he could do nothing for her until the morning. “I will return for you. Trust me” he says and leaves. Her hope was strong. She said that she believed this soldier who looked into her eyes; partly amazed it seemed by her ability to speak English so well. She held out through the night, naked, cold and barely conscious, amongst dead bodies. The British Soldiers returned the next day, and the specific Soldier who gave his word to return, wrapped her in blankets and piled her into a truck with dozens of others. She survived. I have talked before about having a ‘compelling why’. This beautiful woman, who endured horrors beyond those I hope ever to experience firsthand in my life, had a deep and compelling why. She had hope. She had hope that if she kept herself alive through the war and 6 concentration camps, that she would survive and be found by the love of her life. She would go on to love and be loved. Hope Springs Eternal. The story ends with the news that her beloved died in the war. Even as an elderly woman, who has gone on to live many years after her war ordeals ended, she showed the pain of losing him. Her hope is now transferred forward to seeing him in life after death. A compelling book that I often refer people to is ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ by Viktor E. Frankl. I highly recommend this, as it documents how the human psychology shifts to reshape in any environment, in order to survive. How things that repel and disgust us can become mundane when the environment requires us to do so in order to survive. What I

took from this womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story was the real power of hope. Whilst she believed her mission was to survive so as to be reunited with her love, she had a reason to live, to battle on and overcome obstacles beyond belief. With hope we have a reason to go forward. As women, we have a propensity for bringing hope to situations that are seemingly hopeless. It is reported in white papers via the APA that women executives are often brought in to salvage corporate cultural collapses, as they have an innate ability to bring hope to a hopeless situation and rally the troops. Hope is an essential emotional state of mind for all of us to have in order to avoid feeling stuck. My sincere thoughts of acknowledgement rest with those who have experienced or experience hopelessness as a way of life; and especially those who rise above it to reclaim their own sense of hope and courage to continue. I hope your weeks and years ahead, have a compelling why that brings you fulfilment. Life is not a dress rehearsal; make every day count. Warmest regards Helen

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Money Talks: Just Like Starting Over Sara Lucas

“Can I suggest a topic to write about?” she said, over lunch. “Women like me, starting again in midlife?” Sheesh, that’s a tough one my friend. It’s tough to write about but a whole lot tougher to do.

Is it the traditional continuum of - find the love of your life, marry, buy house, have children, startstop-start work? Then have it fall down around your ears when the marriage breaks down forcing you to return to work after a long hiatus? Is it an extension of the above, earning a substantial corporate wage and losing it all through backing the husband’s bad business idea whilst blinded by love? Worse, is it hocking your future retirement fund to back a ‘must win’ business idea and finding yourself left holding the liability and none of the assets and the Tax Office pacing your doorstep? It happens trust me, I have clients in those situations right now. Or again, is it marrying the rich and famous love of your life, having the choice to leave work, stay at work, raise kids, farm out the kids, play tennis or run a charity, the world’s your oyster? There’s $10million in the bank account then one day there isn’t, because he’s drawn it all out and racked off with the intern leaving you with $150 in the current account and three hungry teenagers. “Sure” you’re saying, “right oh that happens to everyone. Not.” Trust me, it doesn’t happen to everyone but I’ve seen it. It breaks my heart hearing these stories, they are all true, every one of them. I’ve been there too, in a different way, I can relate. I love men, I have a hand in raising three boys to be good men, am married to a loving husband and there are many, many good men who simply would not entertain the notion of the situations I describe. I’m not for a moment suggesting that all men are bastards. They’re not. Both genders are equally responsible for ensuring fairness and equity. Whether or not you are in a relationship with a good man (or indeed woman because it can happen in same sex marriages too), and I hope you are, the same guidelines apply. What more can I say that isn’t better suited to a fashion mag feature? ‘Five Tips to Stay on Top’ is hardly appropriate to the gravitas of the topic. Instead I’m simply going to quote Henrietta Hindsight. She’s an amalgam of the women I mention; the Wise Woman who’s been there and done that the hard way. This is what she has to say: “For a start, no joint accounts. Or at least, I would have kept one for myself. He cleared ‘our/mybusiness account out not once, but twice before I could get a lawyer to stop that, for A$1,000 an hour thank you Mr Lawyer. “

“I had no idea how much money we actually had, he had all the documents when he left and he left the country. “ “I had no idea about our insurances or investments as I had left that up to him. I walked away with a suitcase and a tonne of guilt.“ “He constantly cried poor and I believed him.....as he went on holiday after holiday and retreat after retreat to ‘find himself’, so I paid for everything our three children needed - that guilt being so very useful- until I slowly worked out that I was STILL being manipulated and controlled by him emotionally- and more significantly in the endfinancially.” “I will NEVER make the mistake of handing over financial control again. He is older than me so convinced myself that he knew more. Now five years later I see that I am in fact better with money than he is, and that if I had have been pro-active and less stupid from the start, I would have saved myself a HUGE amount of stress and heart ache and that I would have not had to start again now at the age of 39.” “I let it happen. Simple” These quotes are all genuine, from women who have come through my practice and who’ve shared their stories. As women we share our experiences, it’s a vital part of the healing process. Would you like to share your story? Feel free to post anonymously, if you prefer, and of course if you need patching up financially after separation or other personal trauma you can contact me in confidence at sara@ saralucas.com.au Sara Lucas is an authorised representative of Lonsdale Financial Group Limited AFSL 246934

This information is of a general nature only and is not intended as personal advice. It does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation and needs. Before making a financial decision you should assess whether the advice is appropriate to your individual investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. We recommend you consult a professional financial adviser who will assist you.

Body & Soul: Four Legged Fun! Nikki Fogden-Moore

This month the RSPCA holds its Million Paws Walk to raise awareness for animal welfare. What better way to celebrate than a tribute to getting fit with your dog?

Being in good physical and mental shape does not have to mean turning your life upside down. It’s about treating your body to healthy food and exercise you enjoy as a regular part of daily life. All of the above is true for your dog. Our intelligent pets who give unconditional love deserve to have the best life possible – to be in the best possible health, preventing disease, bone and muscle problems and ensuring they live a long healthy and happy life. Here are my 5 top reasons why I love to train with my dog Roxy: 1. She NEVER EVER says no to going for a run/walk 2. She is always on time 3. She loves every minute 4. Her energy is infectious 5. Running and being outdoors at the beach are a favourite part of both our days. If you have a dog (of any shape or size) and you want to get fit – then look no further for the ultimate training buddy. Your 4-legged friend will be more than willing to head out the door with purpose each day. You can make it a family affair! Dogs are born to be active, to forage for food, to hunt, to run in a pack and to be social. Like many people in today’s society they have become sedentary and many diseases and illnesses are as a result of over processed food, lack of exercise, poor diet and a lack of a healthy happy lifestyle. Dogs need to be busy, they need to be stimulated, to have exercise regularly and interaction. Just like humans, feeding your dog over processed food can affect its moods; create hyperactive tendencies and all sorts of behavioural issues. If you don’t have a dog of your own can you walk a neighbour’s dog that might be home alone a lot, volunteer at the nearest animal shelter or share a dog walk date with a friend. How can you get fit with your dog no matter what shape or size you both are?

both of you will enjoy and get the most out of your training together. 1. First up – check with your vet! (And check with your doctor for your own personal fitness level and OK to go ahead) 2. Look into the breed of your dog and various dispositions that may be common, such as hip displacement, bloating, stomach issues etc - if you are not aware of these and run too much with your dog you could be causing long-term harm. 3. Do not exercise your dog straight after a meal wait at least an hour if you can. 4. Short-legged dogs shouldn’t be made to run long distance. 5. A 5km run is a good solid run for ANY medium plus size dog - don’t drag your dog with you if it is not the athletic type – stick to more interval and park workouts for example. Not every dog wants to be a marathon athlete! ☺ 6. Most importantly! If you have a puppy or a young dog that is still growing (i.e. up to approx 2 years of age) their bones are still developing. Stairs and long periods of sustained exercise are not recommended. This is crucial for the long-term health of your animal and should not be overlooked. 7. Short nose dogs like bulldogs, boxers etc have trouble breathing at times so take care that you’re not putting your dog under duress. 8. Exercise should be fun and playful for you both. Use clear communication, consistent cues and good boundaries for training and play with your dog. You’ll both benefit and won’t be tripping over each other. 9. Avoid giving your dog ‘human food’ like pastas, breads, chocolate, nuts, sweets and any thing processed. Stick with the basics of healthy lean meats and approved dry foods. Substitute each week with tinned sardines for essential oils and fats.

Like us - dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Breed factors impact how long you can take them for a run, whether or not they like the water, if they prefer to sit on your lap while you do crunches, or run round in circles waiting for you to finish?

Once you have investigated your dog’s safe training guidelines with your vet - know your own limits:

As a general guide exercise should be safe and you can increase the workout intensity and time as you progress. This runs true for your dog.

2. Note any previous injuries and take special care to build up your program.

Know the safe way to exercise your dog. Then 02.

1. Not been exercising for a while or recovering from an illness? Always consult your medical practitioner.

3. Have the right footwear and clothing that is comfortable, breathes well and is a pleasure to workout

in. Get rid of daggy clothes and take pride in the fact you are putting your health first. Training is not a chore; it’s something to look forward to as a way to get fresh air and regenerate from a busy day – so get a new workout outfit or something fresh that you feel good in. 4. Walk tall - posture and core work is essential for mindset as well as physical change. Take your journey of wellness into every moment by concentrating on good posture throughout your day, put a sticky note on your computer, on the fridge or on your bathroom mirror while you brush your teeth. You’ll find your mindset changes the moment you do this. 5. Always hydrate – both for you and your dog 6. Look for fresh healthy food options. Exercising with your dog will become a part of your daily life. There is a multitude of workout options that will suit a busy week - from a 15min fresh air session to a longer walk/run combination on the weekend. The main goal is just to get out the door, even if it’s raining. Workouts that train your heart and help build good cardio condition: 1. Classic jog with your dog 2. Walk/Run combo 3. Sand hills or stair climbs 4. Off road/all terrain trail run or walk in the park and out in the hills 5. Interval sessions in the park together 6. Take a Frisbee or ball with you as well for some interval sessions that you can throw while doing some core exercises in between Core Exercises with your Dog 1. Crunch and throw (Do crunches and throw the ball back to them when they bring it over – I generally get 2-3 crunches in between throws with Roxy) 2. Side Twists 3. Sit Ups with your dog (If they won’t sit on your feet like Roxy then every time you pop up in your sit up call them over as they will be getting interval training running back and forth from you) 4. Side Plank 5. Lunges 6. Prisoner Squats 7. Mountain Climbers (normally Roxy starts digging immediately in front of me) 8. Stretching Keep the reps short and repeat them frequently to keep up the tempo, and if your dog sits on your yoga mat – work around him/her.☺Set boundaries in a clear voice with your dog and get them to sit beside you while you exercise. If you are consistent you will be surprised what even the most hyperactive dog is capable of. On a final note: Our pets are an integral part of the family and should be built into daily life, valued and taken care of with healthy food and exercise they enjoy. If you don’t have the time to own a pet then it’s wonderful to help foster or volunteer for those animals that might need some extra TLC at your nearest animal welfare. I know Roxy is forever grateful for her new home and a second chance in life - as much as we are lucky to have her as a part of our family. I hope you enjoy a different perspective to working out with your dog this month; stop, take a moment to look around you, enjoy the great outdoors and city skyline together. On behalf of Roxy, who helped me write this article; healthy and happy training with your 4-legged PT! Nikki x

News & Reviews

Featured This Month BOOK: PR guru and LBDG member Amber Daines Ungar, owner of Bespoke Communications, has a fabulous new guide to PR and social media, WELL SPUN. This is a fantastic step by step for all small and medium businesses who are treading the PR and social media minefield without agency backup. Great stuff. http://bespokecomms.com.au/blog/ shop/ebook-digital-download/

BLOG: Seth Godin - what more needs to be said. He not only thinks outside the square, he turns the square into a shape we have never seen before. A true visionary. Visit him here to get the benefit of his extraordinary business wisdom.

WEBSITE:

The Art of Adherence Lee J. Colan, PhD & Julie Davis-Colan ChangeThis | 105.05

Change This is a manifestos driven site; a new way of using the internet to promote great ideas and get real change happening. Submissions are accepted from thought leaders across the world in all industries and sectors; from medicine to manufacturing, from Azerbajian to Austria to Andalusia. It is a brave new world, and the brilliance of those involved is engaging, fast and furious. Get on board here.

Quickness & Answer Kate Stone

This month LBDG has been fortunate enough to have some amazing business leaders talking about courage and their personal experiences in facing their fears within the business world at the LBD Business Seminars in Sydney and Melbourne. Inspired by this, I asked three of our wonderful LBDG members - SOPHIE ANDREWS, TRACEY CRUICKSHANK and LUCIE TRINCO some quick but searching questions about their personal business heroes and champions of change. They were kind enough to answer honestly and deeply - thank you all! Q: WHO WOULD YOU DESCRIBE AS YOUR ULTIMATE HERO IN BUSINESS, AND WHY? Lucie: Diane Von Furstenberg. She built a fashion empire from 3 dress samples at the age of 19. She has had to evolve and change over the years, has witnessed booms and busts and survived with her business in tact. She now sits on many a board and is a great champion of the arts. Tracey: Anita Roddick. Founder of the Body Shop, Anita Roddick is a businesswoman who was an inspiration to me, personally and professionally. She successfully combined being a wife, mother, businesswoman and champion of environmental causes and human rights. She was able to grow her business to be a global brand and use that as a platform to champion charitable causes that she believed in. While being an entrepreneur is a title I cherish, I know that it’s not the only thing that defines me, nor is it the only thing I believe in. Being able to balance those roles while still holding on to your beliefs is the ideal for me, which is why I find her inspirational. Sophie: I don’t know that I would name one person in particular – there are many heroes for me in business and I meet them every week. The everyday people who have had a vision and have created something from nothing, who stand strong behind that vision and have the determination to forge ahead with what they

believe in whilst staying true to their values and retaining a passion for what they have created. I have been honored to meet many LBD members who fit this description. Q: WHAT IS THE QUALITY, OR WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES, YOU MOST ASPIRE TO HAVE AS A LEADER? Lucie: Inspiration, Courage and Humility Tracey: There are so many qualities that are important to have as a leader: creativity, the ability to inspire, compassion, passion, knowledge, etc. However, the one quality that I find myself constantly having to use every day is the ability to learn. Being an entrepreneur, I have to constantly learn new things all the time and this is probably the one skill that I find most invaluable. This is a quality that I believe every good leader needs and one that I wish to always have. Sophie: I think the most important leadership qualities for me personally are understanding, commitment and vision. I try and build a team environment where once a staff member has shown that they are committed to the Company, then I will stand by them in any way I can and help them through any bad times. I have had situations in the past where I have been advised to get rid of a staff member, but if I can see the good in them then I will trust in my gut and give them every opportunity to prove that they deserve to stay.

This is one area in which I feel very strongly about and that I have to stay true to my values in. I also think vision is extremely important. If the economy slows down and business is affected then it is up to me as the leader to quickly foresee any potential issues and come up with a strategic plan to navigate the Company back on track. I have staff who depend on me for their livelihood and I take that responsibility very seriously. Q: WHO DO YOU THINK HAS THE MOST AUTHENTIC BRAND IN AUSTRALIA, IN ANY INDUSTRY, AND WHAT MAKES THEM SO SPECIAL? Lucie: Aesop – there products are unique and they have never wavered from their quest to create a premium skincare product using natural plant based products. There packaging is simple and stylish and they are an international export success story. Tracey: There are so many great brands in Australia that are special in so many ways. I love fashion and one of the brands here in Australia that I love is Sass and Bide. Their story is inspiring: they started simply as two friends selling clothes that they loved at a market. By designing clothes that they loved and wanted to wear, and through their hard work and talent, they have built one of the most recognisable brands in Australia. They also have a very active social media effort, which allows them to communicate and engage directly with their customers – which adds to their authenticity. And I love their clothes! Sophie: I am currently reading the Janine Allis book ‘’The Secrets of My Success’’. I think that Boost Juice lives what they preach. One of Janine’s quotes is ‘integrity is always telling the truth and acting in a way that is right for the business, no matter how hard that might be and no matter what the cost.’ Everything that I have read about the brand suggests that they have created a workplace culture of high integrity and will run the brand in a way that puts doing the honourable thing before financial loss. Q: WHAT IS THE CHANGE YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO SEE IN AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS? Lucie: Flexibility and squashing the nine to five mentality. Tracey: The Australian business environment is fantastic. It is constantly growing and changing and I love being a part of that. For the next 5 years, I would like to see a great commitment from Australian businesses towards social responsibility. Businesses can be great agents of change, providing innovations and inspiration to their consumers. If we can

focus some of that ability towards helping people, as well as making profit, I believe that everyone can benefit. Sophie: I would love to see entrepreneurship taught in schools and in particular the importance of having solid business foundations in place covering the fundamentals such as finance. So much emphasis is placed on increasing sales and customer base but a lack of understanding of the importance of the financial side of the business is one of the biggest causes of small business failure. I have recently started teaching finance as part of the FBI College of Fashion Business course which is a fabulous example of an establishment which recognizes the necessity for their students to have an understanding and appreciation of the business side of things. Sir Richard Branson recently spoke for a BBC Report commenting on how important it was for ‘people to learn the difference between gross and net, and how Tesco, Virgin or Apple works’ as well as campaigning the need for schools to get involved in teaching students entrepreneurship. One of our clients, the hugely successful Creel Price, is currently taking this mission on with his business Club Kidpreneur which is working with schools to do just that. Q: WHO IS YOUR PERSONAL CHAMPION OF CHANGE – NOT NECESSARILY IN BUSINESS, BUT AS A WOMAN IN BUSINESS IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY? Lucie: Ita Buttrose!! She has changed the face of the female workforce in Australia and made it possible to forge ahead in your career. My favourite quote of hers is: “Tough times don’t last, Tough people do.” She can also rock a coral lip like no-one’s business!! Tracey: This may seem to be an odd choice, but I find Lady Gaga to be an inspiration as a champion of change. Her career has been remarkable. While our taste in clothing may be dramatically different, I admire her talent and genius in marketing and building her brand. Simply becoming the global figure that she has become is amazing enough. However, what I particularly admire is how she was able to take her platform and use that to help effect social change on such a grand scale. Sophie: I think what Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo, has achieved is amazing. She was named in Fortune magazine’s annual list of America’s 50 most powerful women in business in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, and in 2008 was the youngest woman ever listed. Not only has she risen to the top in an industry typically dominated by men, but has managed to do so whilst maintaining a seemingly successful marriage and as a new mum. Truly a 21st Century woman!

What Went Down

Sydney Business Seminar

Sam Mostyn talks courageous sport

UberCourageous, the wonderful UberKate Sutton

Women’s Agenda Editor , the fabulous Angela Priestley A fantastic day for all who attended the Sydney LBD Business Seminar - ‘Courageous Business. Courageous Leaders. Courageous Minds’. Speakers: Sam Mostyn, Karen Gately, Damian King, Kate Sutton. Sponsored by Forming Circles.

Familiar GLOSS faces!

Thank you to Zahrina, LBDG member and talented business owner of Zahrina Photography, for the wonderful images, and to all members and guest who attended in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Karen Gately in the corporate dojo...

Listening in!

Renata Cooper talks Forming Circles - and smiles

Our courageous leader, Janine Garner

Mark Webber

Lois Lane Lives: The Roaring Forties Kate Stone

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” Atticus Finch. Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird

Fear. It’s a tricky biscuit. I don’t know about you, but I am pretty much afraid on a daily basis when it comes to my business. I am certainly afraid when it comes to my writing, and putting it all out there. Marketing. Branding. Chasing business leads. Social media. Keeping on top of industry intelligence. Above all, making sure clients are happy... the fear can be overwhelming. Courageous actions can feel like reaching for the moon at times. Any kind of entrepeunerial effort takes an enormous amount of chutzpah, as does being a business leader within corporate, and sometimes the temptation to say ‘sod this’ and crawl back under the doona, particularly when life is a bit difficult outside work hours, can be overwhelming. That’s when attending something like the LBD Business Seminar can not only be valuable, it can be just what is needed to make the difference between finding a convenient rock to crawl under and finding the oomph to become even better than one already is. I knew who the speakers were going to be - of course I did. I am an LBD member after all! I knew the theme. Courageous Leaders, Courageous Thinking, It sounded pretty impressive. I was extremely excited in terms of the speakers - Sam Mostyn, AFL commissioner and fellow sports nut, is a bit of a girl crush for me, I had loved Karen Gately after meeting her and reading her wonderful book The Corporate Dojo, and Kate Sutton, the magical founder of UberKate, is, I am lucky enough to say, someone I consider an uberhero. Things have been a bit hard for me personally of late, so I was feeling quite courageous (yay) to actually get to the seminar in some ways. But get there I did. And all I can say is thank goodness I made it, because what a fantastic experience it was.

There are things that always stand out for me at LBDG events, and they are words that I kept hearing repeated around the room that day; both by members and non members, and in fact by Sam Mostyn herself. Intimacy. Honesty. Transparency. Authenticity. Respect. All of these things were very true. And naturally, in keeping with the theme of the Seminar, I need to add in another word that was very apparent. Courage. All of the speakers, including Janine and the lovely Renata Cooper from Forming Circles, were incredibly courageous. Courageous in the way they talked about their business experiences; courageous in the way they talked about the need for change in the business landscape. Courageous in ways one might not expect in a public forum, from Sam Mostyn’s ‘I don’t see myself as courageous’ - which she sincerely meant to Kate Sutton’s incredibly moving personal journey, which has taken a bewildering amount of strength and courage. I was in awe of all the wonderful women and men in the room, who spoke from the heart and mind in order to grow and see where we can honestly make a difference to the way business is done in Australia. That day made me realise two things. One, that there are some incredibly courageous people out there ready to step up to the leadership plate; and two... Well, two, that I am not quite ready to go back under the doona just yet. Not whilst there’s a roomful of courage to draw on.

Kate x

What is happening with the new LBDG website. Excitement from The Great Gatsby/First Seeds Film Nights... Manhattans and Martinis galore! LBDG turns TWO! Kate explains what her little black dress means to her. Janine takes a look at what needs to change in the business landscape. REALLY change. New Q & A with 3 different LBD members: The lead in to the Federal Election, and what it means for their businesses... Even more great articles from one of your favourites, Blythe Rowe, and some of our newest members.

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