Thepathstakenbymanywomentoreachleadership positionsshedlightonwhytheseindividualsmightboth embraceanddetestrisk.Reachingthetopcorporate echelonsisadangerousbalancingwalkformany women.Theyfrequentlyneedtolearnhowtostandout bysupportingunconventionalideasinordertoshatter thetimiditystereotypes,butdoingsosignificantlyraises theconsequencesofmakingerrorsintheworkplace. Theymustthuscarefullybalancethebenefitsoftheir originalconceptswiththedangersofdeviatingfromthe path.Basedonthissharedexperience,onemaypredict thatasmorewomenentertheTMTindustry,theywill becomeincreasinglyfocusedonstrikingabalance betweeninnovationandriskmitigation.
Additionally,recentresearchsuggeststhatfemaleCEOs arelessconcernedwithtraditionandmoreopento changethestatusquothantheirmalecounterparts.It seemssensethataddingmorewomentoexecutiveteams mayinspirecurrentTMTmemberstobemorereceptive tochangeasbehavioralpsychologyholdsthatthesesorts ofviewpointsfundamentallyimprovepeople's receptivitytochange.
Iftheteamistypicallymorerisk-averse,thepresenceof womenontheTMTcouldalsocausethemtobemore cautiousasawhole(asstudiesshowisfrequentlythe case).Accordingtoresearch,whenapersonentersa groupwhogivestheimpressionthattheyaremoreriskaverse,theothermembersmaybelievethistobetrue evenwhenitisnotthecase.Everyonemightthus becomelessopentodanger.
Inthisspecialissue,“World'sUnstoppableWomen LeaderstoLookOutforin2022”World'sLeaders highlightsthetalesofafewsignificantbusinesswomen whoareinfluencing,inspiring,andinvigoratingothers withtheirzealtostriveforsuccess.
ThecoverfeaturesKarenLeslieSimon,President& ManagingPartnerEmersonsCommercialRealEstate. Karenisaleaseandsalesexpertintheoffice,retail, industrial,andlandsectors,andsheoverseesmarketing initiativesforthreecounties.Shebecamethefirstfemale industrialrealtorinTarrantandDallasCountiesin1983 whensheheadedindustrialfortheHenryS.Miller Company WhenKarenjoinedHenryS.Millerin1983, thebiggestrealestatebusinessinTexasatthetime,her careerdidn'tstartwithabangbutratheranexplosion. Shewouldbecomethefirstfemalebrokertobe recognizedasthetopindustrialproducerintheDallasFortWorthregionuntilsheleftsixyearslater
Whilewecometotheend,pleasedonotforgettoread theCXOstandpointswrittenbyindustryexpertsandthe informativearticlespenneddownbyourin-house editorialteam.
Have a lovely read!
CommercialRealEstateisasizable,fullservicecommercialrealestatecompany inandaroundDallas-FortWorth,Texas thatspecializesinpropertymanagement, leasing,andsales.Sheispresidentand managingpartnerinthefirmforTarrant County,whichmanagesmorethanseven millionsquarefeetofpropertyinthe Dallasregionaloneand100million throughoutthenationthroughits relationshipwith1045.Ithasofficesin OklahomaCity,andtheHoustonand Austinareas.KarenoverseesTarrant Countyandneighbouringcountiesinthe DFWregion.Shehasmorethan30years ofexpertiseandacareerthathasseenher executemorethan2,000dealsspanning hundredsofacresand6millionsquare feetofproperty
Karenisaleaseandsalesexpertinthe office,retail,industrial,andlandsectors, andsheoverseesmarketinginitiativesfor threecounties.Shebecamethefirst femaleindustrialrealtorinTarrantand DallasCountiesin1983whensheheaded industrialfortheHenryS.Miller Company
WhenKarenjoinedHenryS.Millerin 1983,thebiggestrealestatebusinessin Texasatthetime,hercareerdidn'tstart withabangbutratheranexplosion.She wouldbecomethefirstfemalebrokerto berecognizedasthetopindustrial producerintheDallas-FortWorthregion untilsheleftsixyearslater.Karen'szeal andtenacity,unhinderedbythefactthat sheisararefemaleinagenerallymaledominatedfield,haveledtohersuccessin everypositionshehashad.She establishedtheTarrantCountyentity boardasmanagingpartnerofBradford Companyfrom2003to2014,openedthat facility,andthenheldthesameroleat Tig,anotherindustrialandoffice company.Now,KarenwillleadEmersons CommercialRealEstateasitexpands withthesamezeal,aptitude,and knowledge.
Karen,aladywithmanyskills,alsoowns RingsfromThingsanddesigns personalizedjewelery.Shebegan specializinginservingthird-partyclients in2011andhasparticipatedinNeiman Marcustrunkshows.
Afterearninghermaster'sdegree,Karen startedworkingatTarrantCounty CommunityCollege.Shetaughttherefor fiveyearsbeforerealizingshewasn't mobileenoughtomovebecauseshehada spouseandtwoyoungchildren.Karen alsonolongerwantedtoteachata communitycollegeandwasunabletofind employmentatafour-yearuniversityin herareasincetheywerelookingfor diversityandshehadbachelor'sand master'sdegreesfromschoolsthere.She thusmadethedecisiontoworkin businessratherthaneducation.And whetherornotvoluntarily,thefederal governmentcompensatedpeoplefortheir managerialskillsandeducation.
Karenleftthecommunitycollegetowork astheexecutiveassistanttotheregional administratorforArea10,afive-state region,fortheDepartmentofHousing andUrbanDevelopment.Inthisrole,she wasinchargeofthedepartment'sintergovernmentandpublicrelations.She learnedthattherewasachanceforthose whomettherequirementstotakethereal estatebroker'stestalthoughtheydidnot alreadypossessasalesperson'slicense, andthatiftheydid,theywouldhaveone yeartopassit.Karenonlyrequirednine ofthe900requiredclassroomhourswhen hertranscriptswereexamined.After takingatwo-weekleaveofabsence, Karenfinishedtheninehoursoftraining thatwerenecessaryandpassedthebroker test.
Sixmonthslater,Karenreceivedajob offerfromtheHenryS.MillerCompany. Itwasthefifth-biggestrealestate companyinthecountryandthelargestin Texas.KarenwashiredbytheMiller
Companytocreateanindustrialand landdivisionintheirTarrantCounty office,whichheavilyreliedonFort Worth.ShelefttheDepartmentof HousingandUrbanDevelopmentand acceptedtheiroffertostartacareerin realestate.Shewasthefirstwomanto headupacommercialsectorinside theircompany.Shewasalsothefirst womantoleadanindustrialrealestate firmintheDallas-FortWorth metroplex.Shediscoveredthatclients weremoreconcernedwithwhatyou knewandhowhardyouwerewilling toworkthanwithyourgender
Karenoversawthedepartmentfor HenryS.Millerforsixyearswhile attendingrealestateandindustrial schools.Millersoldthebusiness,but GrubbandEllis,aglobalrealestate firm,overpaidforitatatimewhenthe housingmarketwasindeclineand thereweremanyforeclosuresacross thenation.
KarendecidedtolaunchtheR.EGroup AdvisorInc.,awomen's,andminorityownedrealestatecompany,after servingasthedirectorofTarrant County'sindustrialdivisionforHenry S.Millerforsixyears.Thecompany wasanexpertinsales,leasing,and propertymanagement.Asaresultof themassiveforeclosures,theFederal DepositInsuranceCorporation(FDIC) andtheResolutionTrustCorporation (RTC)werethenthebiggestownersof commercialrealestateinthecountry.
Inaddition,Karenbelongstoseveral otherassociations,includingthe CommercialRealEstateWomen,the UrbanLandInstitute,theInternational CouncilofShoppingCenters Convention,theFortWorthBoardof Realtors,andtheTexasAssociationof Realtors.
Fromearly2003through2014,Karen heldthepositionofexecutivevice
presidentandmanagingpartnerat BradfordCommercialRealEstate Services.Shefoundedthecompany's TarrantCountyheadquartersandthe entityboard.InMarch2014,Karen startedworkingforTIG,adifferent industrialandofficecompany,asthe presidentandprincipleofTIGDFW MetroplexWest.
EmersonCommercialRealEstate RichardWebb,abankerandrealestate broker,andMattPrice,anaccountant andbroker,startedEmersons CommercialRealEstatein2004. Thesetwomenweredistinctiveintheir ownright.Theygotthechanceto establishtheLLCforEmerson's commercialmanagement.becausethey hadthechancetohandlethesaleof Safewaystoresthroughoutthenation andrepresentedafamilytrust.In additiontoanofficeinOklahomaCity, theyhadsomerepresentationinAustin andHouston.TheydesiredaFort
Worthoffice.BeinganativeofFort Worth,Richardwasawarethatlocals therestronglyfavourdoingbusiness withtheirfellowcitizens.It'skindofa familysituation.Itisnotasglobally diverseasDallas.Butonethingis certain:FortWorthhasacertainsense offamilialcloseness.Peoplewere awareofKarensinceherhusbandwas thethirdgenerationofhisfamilyto practicelawinFortWorth,andoneof theirsonsisthefourth.Shewas selectedasapossiblepartnerby EmersonssinceshehadworkedinFort worthforalongtimeandthe connectionwasbeneficial.
In2016,Karenmettheownersof EmersonsCommercialRealEstate, whorequestedhertoassistthemin openinganofficeinTarrantCounty. Theyhadstartedin2004andwere basedinDallas.Karenwasintrigued sinceitwasthefirsttimeownership wasactuallybeingdiscussedatareal
Asyougetolderandyourchildrenget older,thatisnotnearlyasmuchofan issue.ButIthinkthatinpriorities, anyonewhoissuccessfulwouldhave totellyouthatit'sadelicatebalance, butyourfamilymustcomefirst.And intherealestatebusiness,Ithink, becauseofthewaywe'restructured, thatopportunityexists."
estateagency.KarenjoinedtheEmersons'businessasa partnerandwasinchargeoftheirFortWorth-basedTarrant Countyoffice.
Emersonshasswiftlygrown;However,inordertomanage allofKroger'smanagedrealestateglobally,which amountedtoover80millionsquarefeet,theyestablisheda companycalled1045withacompanycalledPriority PropertiesoutofSt.Louisin2019.Bothbusinesseshad dealtwithKroger,and1045wasgivenpermissiontotake onalloftheirmanagementandrealestatestaff.Emersons sawachancetoconsideralternativebusinessopportunities asaconsequenceofwhattheyhadobserved.
EmersonsCommercialRealEstateisaknowledgeableteam ofrealestateexpertscommittedtoprovidingyouwithall thebenefitsofaninternalrealestatemanagementoperation withoutthecosts,hassles,oroverheadassociatedwith recruitingyourownstaff.Owners,developers,and1031 tenantsincommonmayalltakeadvantageofits professionalpropertymanagementservices.Emersons employspeoplewithavarietyofrealestatebackgrounds. Thankstoitsexpertiseinpropertymanagement, constructionmanagement,accounting,banking,and finance,theorganizationisawareofthecomplexdynamics ofmodernrealestatepurchase,ownership,and management.Itsservicesmaybetailoredtotheneedsof thecustomer,enablingthemtotakeanactiveorpassive roleastheyseefit.Emersonsmaycreateamanagement programthatistailoredtoaclient'sindustry,fromfullservicemanagementserviceslikeconstructionmanagement andpropertymanagementtoone-solutionmanagement serviceslikeaccountingandfinancialprocessing.Ithas expandedandnowoffersbrokerageservicesforthebuying andsellingofarangeofproperties.
Whenshehadyoungchildren,Karenacknowledgesthatit washardertostrikeabalancebetweenworkandfamily
life.Onoccasion,shehadtodecidebetweenmeetinga customerandattendingabaseballgame,andshehadtofind abalancebetweenthetwo.Shefindsthingstobemuch simplernowthatherhusbandworkspart-timeandissemiretiredfromthepracticeoflaw.Karen,ontheotherhand, madeapointofstressingthat,withveryfewexceptions, weekendsareprimarilyforfamilyinanefforttoachievea balance.
Karen'sadvicetoallfemalevisionaries:workhardandtry nottofeelbelittled.Sheassertsthat,evenifyouarenotfirst treatedwiththesamerespectasamaleequivalent,things areconsiderablybetternowthantheywerewhenshefirst enteredtheindustry.Sheunderstoodthat,aslongasa womanknewatleastasmuchasthepersonnexttoherin ordertowinthecompany,clientswereneverturnedoffby employingawoman.Sherecalls, "The initial reservation was on the part of fellow realtors, particularly in the field of industrial as to whether or not the woman could hold her own." So,Karensays,workharderandtrytolearnmore aboutitanddon'tbeeasilyoffendedandyouwillbe successful.
TheJoyfulJourneyinRealEstate
AccordingtoKaren,shehasgreatlylikedhertimeworking intherealestateindustryandthesuccessshewasfortunate enoughtohave.Shebelievesthatwhenshestarted Emerson's,shediscoveredaplacetobelongsincethey allowedhertobeanequalpartner.Additionally,she believesthateverydayisdifferentintherealestate industry.Sherecalls, "Unlike when I was teaching many years ago and I taught the same thing repetitively. I sometimes had a hard time remembering whether I'd said it to this class yesterday or whether or not I had said it today to another class. Everything is unique and different every day in the real estate business, and it is a joy to have that kind of opportunity
FayeCrosby,asocial psychologist, discoveredastartling occurrencemorethan 25yearsago:the majorityofwomen denyexperiencing genderdiscrimination, evenwhentheyareawarethatithappensto womeningeneralanditisobjectivelytrue.
Manywomenhavemadegreateffortsto removegenderfromthepictureandjustbe recognizedfortheirabilities.Furthermore, thepresenceofgenderprejudicein organizationalpracticesandrulesmayimply thatemployeeslacktheauthoritytodecide ontheirownsuccess.Whenquestioned aboutpotentialbarrierstoadvancementfor womenintheirorganizations,theyrespond:
“It'snothingovert.Ijustfeellessofa connection,eitherpositiveornegative,with theguysIworkwith.SosometimesIseem tohavedifficultygettingtractionformy ideas.”
“Ilookaroundandseethatmymale colleagueshaveP&Lresponsibilityand mostofusareinstaffroles.Iwasadvisedto makethemovetoastaffroleafterthebirth ofmysecondchild.Itwouldbeeasier,Iwas told.ButnowIrecognizethatthereisno pathbacktotheline.”
“Myfirmhastheverybestintentionswhen itcomestowomen.Butitseemseverytime aleadershiproleopensup,womenarenot ontheslate.Theclaimismadethattheyjust can'tfindwomenwiththerightskillsetand experience.”
Theideathatgenderbiasdoesnotexistin thesewomen'sprofessionallivesisrefuted bythesestatements.Intentionalexclusionis notnecessaryforsecond-generationbias, nordoesitalwaysresultinimmediateharm
toanyparticularperson.Instead,itfostersanenvironmentwhere womenareunabletogroworrealizetheirfullpotential—something like"somethinginthewater."Theseinstancesreflectworkstructures andpracticesthatdisadvantagewomen,suchasfeelingless connectedtoone'smalecoworkersandbeingurgedtotakeastaff positiontoaccommodatefamilyobligations.
Whensecond-generationbiasisn'tunderstood,peoplerelyon stereotypestojustifywhywomenasawholehaven'tsucceededin achievingparitywithmen:Iftheycan'tgettothetop,it'sbecause they"don'task,""aretoonice,"orjust"optout."Thesemessages implythatsuccessfulwomenaretheexceptionratherthantherule andblameunsuccessfulwomenfortheirownmistakesfornotbeing forcefulordedicatedenoughintheirwork.
Womenwhoareawareofthesubtleandwidespreadconsequencesof second-generationbiasreportfeelingempoweredratherthan victimizedsincetheyareabletodosomethingaboutit.Whenthey arequalifiedbuthavebeenpassedoverforleadershippositions,they mightsubmittheirnames.Theycanlookforsponsorsandother peopletohelpthemgrowinsuchrolesandsupportthem.Theycan bargainforemploymenttermsthatsuittheirneedsaswellasthe performancestandardsoftheiremployers.Womenfinditsimplerto "leanin"whenthereissuchunderstanding.
In2013,unabletofindacharity thatcouldtellherwhereexactly hersonSal'soutgrownshoes wouldfindtheirnewfeetifshe donatedthem,CJBowryfoundedSal's Shoes.Shesays, “In our first year we collected just under 5,000 pairs of shoes. 9 years on, we have now found feet for over 3,000,000 pairs of Sal’s Shoes in 57 countries around the world, including increasingly in the U.K.” Theteamhasworkedhardto maintainthepremiseuponwhichthey werebuilt,knowingwhereallyour Sal'sShoeswillfindtheirnewowners.
Belowarehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweenWorld'sLeaders andCJBowry:
Describewhoyouareasaperson, insideandoutsideoftheworkplace. Myworkwiththecharitykeepsme verybusyandisverydiverseinterms oftheworkIdo.Butoutsideofthat,I lovetoexercise,whichisreallygood formymentalandphysicalwell-being. I'mluckyenoughtoliveinthe countrysideandwalkmydogstwicea day.IalsoenjoyregularPilatesclasses. I’mavoraciousreaderandlove spendingtimewithmyfamily. Cooking,eatingandsharinglaughter withfriendsandfamilyisoneofmy biggestjoysinlife
Describeyourbackgroundandwhat didyoudobeforeyoustarted/joined thecharity?
Ihavedevotedmycareertohelping others,firstwithintheelderlycare
sectorand,since2013,inhelping childrengetaccesstosafefootwear andschoolshoesthatcanallowthem accesstoaneducation.Ihavelivedall overtheworldandhaveseenfirst-hand howcommunitieslivinginpoverty struggletobreakthecycle.
Tellusabouttheinceptionofthe charity.Howdiditallstart? Whenmysonstartedwalking,Isoon amassedabagofoutgrownshoesthat hadbeenbarelyworn.Itriedtofinda charitythatwouldpassthemontofind newfeet,butnonecouldtellmewhere theywouldendup.So,Ibegan collectingoutgrownshoesfromfriends andfamilytopassonandSal’sShoes wasbornasacharity (www.salsshoes.com).Thereare300 millionchildrenworldwide,forwhom walkingwithshoesisararity. Welive
inasocietywithadisposable mentality.Children'sshoesareoften outgrownbeforetheyareoutwornand aredifficulttorecycle.Byfindingnew feetforshoesthatstillhavemuchmore lifeinthem,Sal'sShoesaimsto combatshoepoverty,whilealso reducingtheamountoffootwearsent intolandfill.
Fromtheearlydaysofthecharity,in 2013,Ihaveplayedapivotal,hands-on role.Ifundraise,raiseawarenesson socialmediaandviatraditional channelsandremaininvolvedatevery levelofoperations,fromleadinga weeklyvolunteerteamtosortandpack shoes,toaccompanyingdeliveries worldwide.
Withinfiveyears,wehadcollectedand distributedonemillionpairsofshoes
directlytothefeetofchildreninneedy communities.AsofJuly2022,lessthan nineyearssincethejourneybegan, Sal'sShoesisnowgettingshoesonto youngfeetin57countriesworldwide, andwehavecollectedanddistributed morethan3millionpairs.
Whicharethemajorservicesofthe charityandhowdotheyhelpthe charitytogetaheadinthe competition?Whatvalue-added servicesdoesthecharityprovide? IamasinvolvednowasIwasatthe start,leadingbyexampleanddriving thecharityforwardtogreaterand greaterachievementsworldwide. Sal's Shoesisasmallcharitywithabig heart.Crossingcontinentstomakesure thatyourused,loved(andbarelyworn) outgrownchildren'sshoesaredelivered straighttothoseinneed.Aswellas protectingyoungfeet,Sal'sShoeshas alsosavedover3millionpairsofshoes fromlandfill,distributingthemin57 countriesaroundtheworld.
Duringthelockdownsof2020and 2021,weidentifiedahugeincreasein demandforthecharity'sservices withintheUK.Havingalwaysbeen verykeentomaintaindignityin poverty,inthelast18monthswehave alsocreatedanewserviceacrossthe countryintheformof"ShoeShops" withinCommunityHubs,accessible viareferral(muchlikeaFoodBank). Theseshopsgivefamiliesthe opportunitytohaveashopping
experienceforshoesintheirsize withoutanycostattached.Todate,five ofthesehavebeenlaunchedacrossthe UK.
Whatarethemostimportantaspects ofacharity'sculture?What principlesdoyoubelieveinandhow doyoubuildthisculture?
Iamveryawareofthepowerofsocial mediaandwehaveharnesseditfor good:toraiseawareness;calloutfor donations;letpeopleknowwheretheir shoesaregoing;andretellthe wonderfulstoriesofthechildrenthat wehavebeenabletohelp. Weareable totrackeverypairofshoesthatcomes throughthecharityandlettheprevious ownerknowwheretheirshoeshave beenabletowalkagain.Thispersonal touchhasbroughtincredibledonations, includinghugelyemotionalones(a mother,whosesonhadsadlypassed away,wantedtodonatehisfirstever pairofshoesthatshehadkeptforover 20years,toallowanotherchildtotake theirfirststepsinthem)andlarge donationsfromretailersgettingridof end-of-lines,orsecondsthatcouldn't besoldandwouldotherwisebesentto landfill.
Whatisthesignificanceof innovativeideasinthecompany? Innovationisahugepartofwhatwe do.We'renotpretendingtoreinventthe wheel,butflexibilityandadaptationto circumstancearevitalinoursector,as
isworkingwithavarietyofpartnersto getasmanyshoesaspossibleonthe feetofthosewhoneedthemmost.
Giveusyouropinionon;do organizationsrelyheavilyon individualheroicsorteam processes?
Thereisno'I'inteam.Everythingwe doreliesonpartnershipsand teamwork,fromsortingshoesinthe UKwarehouse,toarranging distributionsthroughothercharities, NGOs,schoolsandcommunity organisations.I'mafirmbelieverthat thereshouldbenoegowhenitcomes tocharity,andoursuccessreliesona well-oiledmachinegettingthoseshoes ontoyoungfeet.3millionpairsin57 countries,within9years,couldn'tbe donebyonepersonalone.
Whatareyourresponsibilitiesasthe Founder/CEOofthecharity?What isthehappiestpartofyourdaily routine?
Iaminvolvedwitheveryaspectofthe venture,fromcollectingandsorting shoedonations;toliaisingdirectlywith schools,NGOs,domesticviolence shelters,andcommunityhubstoensure thattheshoesfindthefeetthatneed themthemost.
Whatadvicewouldyougive someonegoingintoaleadership positionforthefirsttime
Thebestwaytounderstandevery aspectofyourcharityorbusinessisto immerseyourselfinitandbe personallyinvolvedineverystep. Beawareofyourlimitationsandknow whentoaskforhelp.
ForMoreDetails: (www.salsshoes.com)
@sals_shoes-Twitter
@salsshoes-Instagram
@salsshoes1-Facebook
LibraConsultingwasformed byJelenaDjakovicwiththe goalofprovidingeach customerwithapersonalized approachandsolutionstailoredto theirspecificneeds.LibraConsulting isafull-servicemarketingand consultingfirmfocusedoncompany growthinthehospitalityindustry Sinceitsinceptionin2011,thefirm hasofferedcustomersinavarietyof sectorswithmarketing,sales,and consultingservices(entertainment, FMCG,hospitality,charity,banking). LibraConsultingfrequently collaborateswithotherspecialized agenciesandsubcontractorstooffer customersthehighestlevelof knowledgeandservicesadaptedto theirindividualrequirements.
Belowarehighlightsofthe interview:
Tellusabouttheinceptionofthe company.Howdiditallstart?
Itwasawindingpaththatbrought mehere,buteveryexperienceand everythingIhavedonewasa necessarysteponthatpath.Istudied appliedartsandstartedworkingata TVstationasanassistantinthe productiondepartment.Fromthere,I wentontoamarketingagency, whereIfellinlovewithmarketing.I switchedtotheclientside,worked forauniversityasthemarketing manager,andthentransitionedto hospitality.Iwasveryluckyand
privilegedtoworkfortwoofthe mostprestigioushotelsinBelgrade astheirMarketingandSalesdirector
Duringthattime,Isawaspace,a nichethatwasneeded–fora marketingandconsultingagencythat wouldbespecializedinhospitality withafullunderstandingofthe particularneedsofthisindustry,and thatishowLibraConsultingcameto life;outofsheerenergy,desire,and theloveofmarketing.
Whathasmadeyousuccessful? Whatdoyouvalue?
Ivaluehardwork,integrity,andgood service.Wealwaysgotheextrastep.
Noshortcuts,nocuttingcorners,just work.Smart,hardandonpoint.I stronglybelievethatthisistheonly realpathtosuccess.
Whatarethemajorservicesofthe companyandhowdotheyhelpthe companytogetaheadinthe competition?Whatvalue-added servicesdoesthecompany provide?
Westartedwithasmallportfolioof servicesthatIthoughtwereneeded–design,socialmedia,business planning,menuconsultations,and eventplanningconsulting.
Inthepast6yearssincethecompany
wasfounded,wehaveexpandedthe portfolioquiteabit,aswellasthe team.
Nowweofferfull-serviceconsulting forhospitalitybusinesses,witha mainfocusonhotels.Wecreate businessplans,assistinallaspectsof execution,advise,helpwithstrategy andbusinessdevelopment,design, produce,createbrandingstrategies, trainemployees.
Weapproacheachclientindividually, consideringeveryaspectoftheir businessidea,needs,financial capacity,potentialforgrowth, positioningasitis,positioning
potential,andmuchmore.
Wetakeprideintheworkwedo,and wemakesurethatthereissomething tobeproudof.
Whatisthesignificanceof innovativeideasinthecompany?
Innovationisapartoflife.Youhave toatleastkeepup,andifpossible, excel.WehaveaquotefromAlbert Einsteinonourwebsite:Lifeislike ridingabicycle;inordertokeep yourbalance,youmustkeepmoving.
Giveusyouropiniononwhether organizationsrelyheavilyon
individualheroicsorteam processes?
Itdependsontheorganization.We strivetocreateacompanywhere everyonefeelslikeanequalpartof theteam,andcangiveanidea, suggestion,orimprovementtoany otherpartoftheorganization.Wedo notbelievein:Itwasnotmyjob.
Whatareyourresponsibilitiesas thefounderandCEOofthe company?Whatisthehappiest partofyourdailyroutine?
Honestly,Iloveallofit.Ilove mentoring.Iloveworkingwith
clients.Seeingsomethingwecreated cometolife.Iamincrediblyluckyto beabletodowhatIlove.Our3p.m. mandatoryglassofwineisagood partoftheday.Ofcourse,thereare thetoughtalkswhenyoumanagea teamofpeople.Butthewinehelps, bothsides.
Whatadvicewouldyougive someonegoingintoaleadership positionforthefirsttime?
ThereisaSerbianproverb–Measure 3times,cutonce. Ithinkitisthe bestleadershipadvice.Takeyour time,don'tmakerashdecisions,sleep onit.
Margot Grant Witz started working for Elizabeth Grant International Inc. in the Public Relations and Marketing division, where she swiftly rose to prominence by utilizing her artistic skills and sound business judgment to attract new clients to the company's brand. Elizabeth Grant Skin Care products are frequently hailed as "beauty favorites" by top editors throughout the world because of her public relations knowhow. Margot has a profound awareness of the global economy and a natural grasp of the value of a good brand.
Margot significantly advanced the brand during her initial years with the firm, making it a well-known one on a global scale by redesigning the corporate logo, creating new product packaging, and developing new and inventive items.
Belowarehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweenWorld'sLeaders andMargotGrantWitz:
Tellusabouttheinceptionofthe company.Howdiditallstart?
Mygrandmother,ElizabethGrant (currently99yearsyoung),wasa makeupartistatElstreeStudiosin London,England,whenshesuffered frombombblastdamagefromaV2 Rocket.Thesideofherfacewasleft
Bdamagedandwartorn.Allshewanted todowasfeelbeautifulenough,and confidentenough,togobacktowork soshecouldmakeotherpeoplefeel beautiful.Herskinwasaconstant sourceofpersonalshameand embarrassment—tothepointwhere sheavoidedgoingoutinpublicand livingherlifefully.Allofthatchanged in1948,whenElizabethdiscovereda naturalsubstancethatwasusedtotreat warwounds.Shehaditspecially formulatedwithotheringredientsand beganapplyingittoherdamagedskin. Gradually,butverynoticeably,the transformationoccurred.Withineight months,Elizabeth'sskinhadimproved remarkably.Inherworkasamakeup artist,oneofherclientscomplimented heronherskin'sfresh,healthy,and youthfulappearance.Flatteredand shockedthatsomeonewouldactually commentonherskin...Elizabethtold herclientaboutthemiracleserumthat shehadcreated.Elizabethgavethe
womanasample,andshereturnednot toolongafteraskingformore.
Inthe1950'sinLondon,England,it wasmostunusualforwomentorun companies.Elizabethlaunchedher ownskincaretreatmentlinetoshare thesecretformulationshehadcreated. Onthestrengthofhermiracleblend, TorricelumnTM,andherown determinationandperseverance, Elizabethevolvedthecompanyfroma home-basedbusinesstoamulti-million dollarglobalcorporationwhichsells directlytoourcustomersviaecommerce,selectretailersand teleshoppingnetworksinCanada,the UnitedStates,theUnitedKingdom, Germany,Italy,France,Australia,New Zealandandothercountries.
Whathasmadeyousuccessful? Whatdoyouvalue?
Whatmadeussuccessfulwasthe productswemake—theyreallywork. Weareoneoftheonlyprivatelyowned skincarecompaniesintheworld, ownedandoperatedbythree generationsofwomenwhomake, manufacture,andformulateevery productin-houseinourprivately ownedmanufacturingfacilityin Toronto,Canada.Wedonotoutsource formulationsandputournameon them;wecarefullycraftthemfrom scratch,becausewearecustomerstoo.
Ivaluethelessonsmygrandmotherhas taughtmealongtheway:nevertakeno forananswer.Youaregoingtoheara heckofalotof"no's"inthisworld,but allittakesisoneyes.Andsometimes "no"justreallymeans"notrightnow." It'simportanttoknowwhoyouareand toknowyourvoice.Noonewillstand upinthisworldforyoubetterthan you.Also,toalwaysrealizeyouhave togrowandevolveintermsofwho youareandwhatyouaredoing.We havebeenaroundfor72+years(and counting)notonlybecausewemakea
phenomenalproduct,butbecausewe valueadapting,listing,andgrowing withthecommunityandworldaround us.
Whatisthesignificanceof innovativeideasinthecompany?
Youalwayshavetoadaptintermsof production,whetherit'screatingthe latestandgreatest,orinvestingin machinerytoupyourproductivity Innovationisthekeytosuccessand longevity Thatdoesn'tmeanconstantly startingover,butitdoesmeanbeing willingtoifnecessary,orknowing whentoevolve.WhatIloveisthat everyemployeehasthefloortohelpus becomebetterinwhateveropportunity thereis.Sometimesifyouarenotclose enoughtoasituation,youcan'tseethe needtoimprovethatarea.That'swhy werelyonoursupervisors,managers, andemployeesthatcanseethingsthat helpthemversusseniormanagement justchangingpolicies.
Giveusyouropinionon;do organizationsrelyheavilyon individualheroicsorteam processes?
Ithinkgreatcompaniesshouldrelyon both.Processesneedtobethenormfor theday-to-dayforthehealthandsafety ofyourteam,helpingtoincrease efficienciesandmaketheworkflow easier(inthelongrun).Butprocesses canonlybeimplementedwhenwecan workhandinhandwithour employees.Processesarethe foundationforthesafetyofthingsto occur.Heroicsaretheopportunitiesto evolve,adapt,andgrow.
Whatareyourresponsibilitiesasthe Founder/CEOofthecompany?
Whatisthehappiestpartofyour dailyroutine?
IamtheVicePresidentofElizabeth GrantSkinCare.Mymother,Marion Witz,isthePresident,andmy grandmother,ElizabethGrant,isthe
FounderandCEO.Myresponsibilitiesdayto-dayaresalesandgrowth,alongside customerpositioningandmarketingwithmyincrediblemarketingdepartment. Butrealistically,myresponsibilitiesaretowhateverisneededtogetdoneand whateversupportisneeded.Thehappiestpartofmydailyroutineisconnecting withourTorricelumn™communityandhearingpeoplereallylovewhotheyare becomingwhileagingandhowtheyfeel.Thisiswhywedowhatwedo.From teenagerstograndmothers,helpingsomeonelookinthemirrorandlovewhothey are,givingthemspacetoenjoylifeandnotworrysomuch,thereisnobetter feeling.Helpingtoencourageself-loveandself-confidenceaspartofsomeone's journeyisbeautiful.
Whatadvicewouldyougivesomeonegoingintoaleadershippositionforthe firsttime?
Askquestions,leaveyouregoatthedoor,gettoknoweverydepartmentandwhat theydo,listentoyourteamandremember,communicationandrespectiskey.It's soimportanttotakethetimeandreallyunderstandyourstrengths,weaknesses andyourgoals,thentotakethetimetoplanhowtoachieveyourgoalsknowing whatyouaregoodatandwhatyouneedsupportin.Anyonecanlead,butthat doesn'tmeanyouhavecreatedanenvironmentwherepeoplewillwanttolistenor follow.Alsoaskyourself,whatkindofleaderyoureallywanttobe,notjustinthe goodtimes,butinthetoughonestoo.
"Don't be afraid to fail, be ready to pivot and change. Don't think that you know the best. Make each step after evaluating the needs of your potential customers," saysRobertaRudokienė.She worksastheManagerofStartupLithuania,a nationalstartupecosystemfacilitatorthat connectsfast-growingbusinesses,venture capitalfunds,accelerators,startup-friendly enterprises,andthegovernment.
Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweentheWorld'sLeadersand RobertaRudokienė.
Briefouraudienceaboutyourjourneyasa businessleader.Whatchallengesdidyou havetofacetogetwhereyouaretoday? Myjourneyasabusinessleaderwasreally interestingandchallenging:Iworkedin managingpositionsindifferentsectors:I managedtheBalticRetaildepartmentinabig furnituremanufacturingcompany,was responsibleforsalesandmarketinginthefirst universalarenainLithuania,thenmovedto thepublicsector,andforalmostfouryears now,I'vebeenmanagingStartupLithuania,a
nationalstartupecosystemfacilitator,which aimstocreatethemostfavourableconditions forLithuanianstartups'creation,development, andgrowth.Changingsectorsandworkingin differentspheresisalwayschallengingatthe beginning,butalsoveryinteresting.Andthat's drivingme.
DescribeStartupLithuania'sofferingsthat addresstheneedsofyourcustomers. StartupLithuaniaaimstobeaonestopshop forcurrentandfuturestartupsinLithuania,we organisedifferenteventsandworkshops, administeranonlinepre-accelerationprogram, "StartupGuide",whichisdesignedforearlystagestartupsandpotentialdevelopersof innovatiprogrammenesses,andgivefree consultationstocurrentandfuturestartup founders.WealsoadministratetheStartup VisaLithuaniaprogramandhelpforeign startupfoundersfromnon-EUcountriesto relocatetoLithuaniaanddeveloptheir innovativebusinesseshere.
Asafacilitatoroftheecosystem,weaimto knowallthestartupsinLithuania,howthey aredoing,howmanyinvestmentsare attracted,whathelptheyneedfromthe government,orwhatchangesinthelaws shouldbemadetomakeLithuaniaaperfect placeforstartups.
Enlightenusonhowyouhavemadeanimpactinthisindustrythrough yourexpertiseintheindustry?
WhenIstartedtoworkatStartupLithuania,mymaingoalwastocollect informationaboutallLithuanianstartupsandtoknowtheirneedsbetter.Not byguessingandmakingpredictions,butfromstartupsthemselves.Therefore, togetherwithmyteam,wemadebigeffortsto„catch"andregisterall Lithuanianstartups.Theresult:thenumberofstartupsinourdatabaserose from380in2017to1000in2020.Wealsostartedtoconductrepresentative surveysofLithuanianstartupseachyearinordertoknowthembetterandwhat challengestheyface.
WealsodecidedthattheLithuanianstartupecosystemneedsaseparate internationaleventspecificallydesignatedforstartupsandstartedtoorganise theStartupFairevent,whichattractsalotofattentionfromstartupsand investorseveryyear.(Until2017,thiseventwasapartofanothertech conference).
Whenwesawthatouraudience,potential,andearly-stagestartupfounders, wereaskingthesamequestionsagainandagain,weinitiatedafreeonlinepreaccelerationcourse,"StartupGuide"–whichI'mveryproudof.TheLithuanian
startupecosystemisreallybooming andthrivingatthemoment,andI hopethatallthestepsthatStartup Lithuaniatookcontributedatleast toasmallpartofthissuccess.
Whatarethechallengesyouand yourteamatStartupLithuania comeacrossinyourday-to-day operations?
Sometimesthingscan'tgetdoneso easilyandsmoothlyaswewould like.Especiallythatwe'rea governmentalagencywithsome strictprocedures.Butthisdoesn't stopmyteamfromstrivingtoreach thebestpossibleresultsand implementeverythingthatwewish. Weareconstantlytryingtogetto knowLithuanianstartupsandhelp themwhentheopportunityarises.
Whatpeople,whatbooks,what lifefactorshaveinfluencedand impactedyou?
Ican'tdistinguishspecificpeopleor booksthatinfluencedandimpacted me.IbelievethatallthejobsIdid andallthepeopleI'vemetinmy careerhavehadsomeinfluence.I'm alwaysstrivingtodomyjobaswell asIcan.AndtheworkatStartup Lithuaniadoesseemvery meaningfultome,sinceIfeelthatI canmakeadifference.
Describeindetailthevaluesand theworkculturethatdrive StartupLithuania.
Weareasmallbutveryenthusiastic teamthatwantstomakeanimpact. Wearedrivenbythepossibilityof helpingstartupfoundersstart, developandgrowtheirinnovative businesses.Themainvaluesinour organisationareprofessionalism, cooperation,andthesuccessof Lithuania.
Ourteammembersareindependentandproactive, andbeinginasmallteammakesiteasierforusto getinvolvedineachother'sactivities,createand suggestbetterservicestoourstartups.
Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelong runandwhatareyourfuturegoalsforStartup Lithuania?
Idon'tliketomakebigplansforthefuture,butto grabtheopportunitiesthatImeetontheway.So it'shardtosaywhereIseemyselfinthelongrun.
AsforStartupLithuania,Ihavebigvisionsforit.I hopethatStartupLithuaniawillexpandintermsof theteamandservicesandwillbeabletooffer Lithuanianstartupsfinancialsupportandmore designatedservices.Ialsowanttogrowour partnershipsandtohaveawidernetworkof partnersallovertheworldinordertobeableto helpLithuanianstartupstoenterdifferentmarkets andconquertheworld.
Changetakestimetomanifest.The project'spacestartledmeinthefirst placebecauseofhowslowitactually was.Becausenotmuchhappenedfor roughly60years,thetaleofthefirst 100yearsisessentiallythestoryof thelast30years.Funnyhowmenin the1920sweresoconcernedabout womenenteringthelegalfieldand quicklytakingover!Butashistory hasshown,progressisoftenquite slow,andmomentumiscrucial.
Nowthatwomenarethemajority,we havetheopportunitytodefinewhat thelegalprofessioncanaccomplish andwhatthefutureofworkwill entail.
Since1990,womenhavemadeup morethan60%ofsolicitor applicants,accordingtotheLaw Society Whilewomenmakeupjust overhalfofpracticingattorneys,they onlymakeup30%ofprivatepractice partners.Itissignificantthatmore womenthanmalesareenteringthe legalprofession,andDenis-Smith
wantsthenextgenerationtoknow thatthereispowerinnumbers.
Thegoodnewsisthattremendous progresshasbeenmade.Withthe passageoftheSexDisqualification (Removal)ActbyParliamentin 1919,womenwerefinallyableto jointheLawSocietyandInnsof Court.Unfortunately,evensuch significantstepsdonotindicatethat theworkiscomplete."Womencan nowenterthelegalfield,buttheir hurdleistostayandadvance.”
Denis-Smithisunambiguousabout herviewsonthefutureofwomenin thelegalprofession,eventhoughThe First100Yearsisahistoryofthe past:"Ithinkit'sveryimportantto distinguishwhatthespaceisfor womennowandtoenablewomento achievetheirambitionstoday,rather thanfightingthebattlesofthepast," shewrites.Wecanmapoutwhatwe wantfromthefutureby comprehendingourpast.
Followingthefirstproject,TheNext 100Yearscarriesonthefightfor genderequalityinthelegal professionforwomenfromall backgrounds.
Despiterecenttremendousprogress, itisimpossibletoignorehowthe covid-19epidemichasaffected genderparityintheworkplace.In Marchoflastyear,theEqualityand HumanRightsCommission(EHRC) alsosuspendedtherequirementthat employersmustbetransparentwith theirgenderpaygapreportingfor 2019–20.Thissuspensionaddedto thedifficultiesthatworkingfull-time
fromhomehaspresentedforwomen, particularlymothers.Althoughit's vitaltorecognizetheprogressthe legalprofessionhasmadetoward achievinggenderparityinthe workplace,therearealsonew problemsthatneedtobediscussed, suchasthepandemic,astheycould reverserecentgains.When discussingtheadvancementof womeninthelegalprofession,there areaplethoraofotheraspectsto consider,suchastheunique difficultiesfacedbywomenwho identifyasLGBTQ+,belongtoan ethnicminority,aredisabled,orare fromlow-incomehomes.
Somefirmsaredoingitrightand takingproactivemeasurestosupport womenintheirorganizations.Aswe gopastthesnapshotthatshefoundin 2014,it'salsoevidentthatmorehas tobedone.Thelegalenvironmentis progressivelyevolving.
BusinessStrategistandMarketResearcher turnedentrepreneurwithahugepassion forlifelonglearning,StephanieDarvill holdsaBScinInternationalManagement andSpanishaswellasmorethan9years ofexperiencemanaginganddeveloping teamsabroad.Stephanie,whoisoriginally fromLondon,haslivedabroadforthepast nineyears,fiveoftheminSweden,where shecofoundedAlineinStockholmin 2021.Sincethen,shehasmovedto MalmoinsouthernSwedenandisstill workingremotelyforAline.Sheisvery activeandenjoysrunningintheSwedish forestsorswimmingduringthesummer months.
PriortofoundingAline,Stephanieworked inConsumerInsightsandMarket Researchforatravelcompany.She oversawthegrowthoffourNordic countries,andmadesureproductand businessdevelopmentwasgroundedin dataandinsight.
Belowarehighlightsoftheinterview conductedbetweenWorld'sLeadersand StephanieDarvill:
Describewhoyouareasaperson, insideandoutsideoftheworkplace.
Iamacuriouspersonwhoneverstops askingwhy,Iamcaringandfocuson helpingothers,Iamadventurousand enjoytakingonchallenges,whetherthey areprofessional,personal,sporting,
travellingetc.Iamsomeonewhoknows howtohavefun,andisalsovery ambitiousandfocusedintherightsetting.
Tellusabouttheinceptionofthe company.Howdiditallstart?
InSeptember2020Ihadtheopportunity toparticipateina3-monthprogramme seekingpotentialentrepreneurs,Iwas betweenjobsatthetimeanddecidedto takealeapoffaithandthoughttheworst casewouldbetolearnalotandbuildout myprofessionalnetwork,bestcaseI wouldfindamissionIreallybelievein, findmycofoundersandcreateastartup. Thebestcasehappened.
IalsofiguredthatStockholmisverygood forstartups,someofthebiggestunicorns arecomingoutofheresoitwouldbea greatplacetostart!
Imetmytwocofounders,Innocentand Emanuelanditclickedstraightaway. Innocenthadbeenbuildingthisideafor thelast2yearsandoncehepresenteditto us,westartedbrainstormingand developedwhatisnowAline.
Alineisalearningplatformthatallows individualstoaligntheironlineactivity withtheirlearninggoals,andcompanies toaligntheiremployees'desiredlearning tothecompanygoals.
Whathasmadeyousuccessful?
Whatdoyouvalue?
Ivaluestrength,andaboveall learning,Ivaluepeoplemostwhen theychallengemy,andthe company's,ideasandbusiness decisions.Aslongastheycomewith thereasonswhytheythinkitwould bethewrongdirectionanda suggestionforimprovement.I alwayssay,don'tjustcomewith problems,comewithsolutions
Whicharethemajorservicesof thecompanyandhowdotheythe companytogetaheadinthe competition?Whatvalue-added servicesdoesthecompany provide?
Wehaveamobilefirstlearning experienceplatform,thismeanswe allowindividualstolearnintheir flowoflifeandwork.Ourvalue comesinthatthisbehaviouris happeningalready,peopleare constantlylearningthroughinformal
sources,butitisnotbeingcaptured,norisittiedto learninggoals.Sothroughourapp,youcanfindcontent, addtothecommunity,tieittoyourgoalsandgetevidence ofit.(Itcanbetestednowthrough www.alinebetter.com/access)
Wearerevolutionisingthewaysocietyvalidateslearning, manypeoplemissoutonkeyprofessionaldevelopment opportunitiessimplybecausetheydonothaveaformal education,oritisoutdated.WithTheGreatResignation andTheGreatReskilling,companiesandindividualsalike needtoupdatetheirskillsetandknowledgecontinuously, andourappmakesthateasiertodo.
Whatarethemostimportantaspectsofacompany's culture?Whatprinciplesdoyoubelieveinandhowdo youbuildthisculture?
Asacompanywevaluecuriosity,adaptabilityandgrowth anditissomethingweremindourselvesofdaily.
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Constantlearningandcuriosity-weaimtorun learningsessionstoshareourknowledge,setourown learninggoals(wecalltheseObjectivesandLearning Needs)andthentiethemtobusinessobjectives.
Ÿ Adaptability-willingnesstochangeandadapt quickly,bepreparedtokillyourdarlings,helpeach
otheroutwhennecessary
Ÿ Growth-makesureyou'realways makingprogress,itdoesn'tneedto beinleaps,but1%bettereachday leadstoahugeamountofgrowth anddevelopment.
Ÿ Alignedautonomy-somethingwe believeverystronglyinishaving alignedautonomywhichmeansthe abilitytoownyourownprojects andrunwiththeminthewayyou deembest-butbealignedonthe sameobjectivesandgoals.
Whatisthesignificanceof innovativeideasinthecompany?
Itisthecoreofourcompany,everyone haslearntthroughouttheirlife,anyone canfindanarticleonlineandlearn fromit,oursuccessabsolutelyhasto berootedininnovatinghowwelearn anddeveloptoday
Giveusyouropinionon;do organizationsrelyheavilyon individualheroicsorteam processes?
Teamprocesseswithouthesitation,as muchasyouwanttobelieveinthe fairytaleswhichfocusonheroics,we
aretribalbeings,ourabilitytosurvive isrootedinoursocialstructuresthat wecreated.Oneofthecoredriversin allhumanactionsaretoachievesocial belongingoravoidsocialrejection,so ithaschangedshapeandevolvedsince wewerehuntersandgatherersinthe savannahsbuttheprinciplesarethe same.Successisrootedinyourability tocollaborateandraiseothers,andit's whatdrivesourmosthappinessand fulfilment:whenwecanbeofservice toothers.
So,startwiththeindividualsandwhat rolestheywantintheteamprocesses butbyraisingonepersonabovethe rest,youareultimatelystampingon thosebelow,andmeritocracynormally resultsinunconsciousbias.
Whatareyourresponsibilitiesasthe Founder/CEOofthecompany?
Whatisthehappiestpartofyour dailyroutine?
Syncingwiththeteam,Igetalotof energyfrominteractionswithpeople, sothosearemyhighlightsanditputs mybrainintherightstatetobe productive.Beingafounderisallencompassing.EvenifIdon'tleada certainproject,suchasthe developmentoftheapp,Iamheavily involvedineveryaspectofourapp launch.IntermsoftheareasthatI considerprimarilyonmytable(and onesIhavethemostexperiencein)are thepeopleandoperationsoftheteam, sales,businessdevelopment,andclient andlearningengagement.Myroleis primarilycofounderwherethethreeof ussplitresponsibilitiesbetween ourselvesandourteams.Naturally,as COO,Itakeonmoreoftheoperations ofthecompany
Whatadvicewouldyougive someonegoingintoaleadership positionforthefirsttime?
Don'tworryifyoumessup;wealldo, andit'sOKtomakemistakes,just don'tmakethesamemistaketwice. Also,beawareofyourownboundaries andwhatyouneedtomaintainand preserveyourownenergy.Itisvery importanttonotjustswitchand assumeyounowservetheteamand needtoanswereveryquestionas quicklyaspossible.Tobeagreat leader,youneedtostartwithyourself andyourresponsibilitiesandensure youhavetheenergytobegivingoutto teammembers.Alwaysrememberwhy youstartedthismission.Whatisyour cause?Yourproductwillevolveover theyears,butwhenyoustarttonotbe faithfultoyouroriginalmission,you arestartingtoloseyourintegrity
