I have just had the pleasure of being a participant at the Ernst & Young Women’s Entrepreneur Workshop in Sydney. It was a delight to listen to Carla Zampatti share her story of being an entrepreneur committed to women’s fashion and the struggles she faced in the late 60s. Lyndsey Cattermole shared the thrill and sheer determination it took to create her business – Aspect Computing – and Melissa Widner discussed her journey as a serial entrepreneur – and her…
Tag Archives: Women on boards
A woman should have:
The fact that 50% of Australian women over the age of 45 have less that $8000 in superannuation is completely alarming to me. I continue to debate, discuss and consider the implications of free childcare in Australia and other ideas around women’s financial security. Financial freedom gives people choices. The following poem was forward to me by a colleague… and rather than present more statistics about why society would be a better place with more women in leadership roles –…
Everyone’s contribution is equally as important
Recently I received a ‘letter to the editor’ in response to my article in The Australian: Role models key to end gender imbalance Goals for women IF Naomi Simson‘s goal is to get more women on boards, she should start by not denigrating the role of parenting. ?The women’s movement has failed in what should have been a prime goal — to recognise and elevate the role of caring — whether it is for young children, the disabled, or the…
Free childcare for all Australians
That would certainly make headlines, wouldn’t it? I wonder the impact such an initiative would have. On the weekend I was chatting with my friend Margie Hartley and she shared some insights into why there are not more women in senior roles in Australia. Marg facilitates women’s resilience programs and is a coach to executives. She wrote a blog recently about the disappearing pipeline for senior female executives. As we were chatting I offered that making childcare – including qualified…
Dinosaurs move over – you’ll be out of business
I have just heard someone recount a story that the CEO of his organization stated (only weeks ago) “Forget culture – we’ve got a project to build in a hurry”. Could this be true that there are still leaders who believe that culture is a ‘nice to have’? This organization does not have female representation in senior roles. People do have a choice about where they work; they also have a choice about how they give their discretionary effort. A…
‘Real women’ don’t need quotas?
‘Real women’ don’t need quotas? was the topic debated last week in Canberra at the AIM great debate event at the National Convention Centre. I was given the task of debating for the affirmative. Which meant that I was debating against having quotas. I’m not sure of the number but there seemed to be about 1000 people in the room. And they voted a resounding ‘Yes we do need quota’s’. I think however that the audience was not really simply…
One more step towards a balanced board room
I remembering hearing once “if you win the rat race – you are still a rat”. Not sure why that pops to mind as begin to explore the process of becoming a director on a publicly listed company. “If you can’t beat them join them” might be more apt. I have discovered some interesting things already on the journey to holding another directorship. The women I know who hold paid board roles – have unanimously encouraged me to join their…
Thank-you to all those I can no longer thank
I had the privilege of meeting Professor Fiona Wood (Australian of the year 2005). She shared with the 800 women at the Business Chicks event Melbourne (and the following day in Sydney) her journey, persistence and passions. She is fundamentally curious person with a passion for learning that is addictive. As a child growing up in Yorkshire, she heard her father say when she was just a small girl – ‘Who are we not to dream’ – even though he…
Why we must have more women on boards – Part 3
Ms Gillard, would you say no to a minimum 5.1% rise in annual GDP? As our first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, is in a unique position to champion affirmative action. Following comments this week by Australia’s Governor General, urging change – saying quotas could shift the ‘old boys club’. Ms Bryce said: ”I think there’s a very clear recognition and understanding that the progress of women in business at the very highest decision-making levels is too slow.” Ms Bryce,…
Why we must have more women on boards – Part 2
Applauding diversity not fearing it A young woman I know (30 – age is a relative thing) works within the financial markets. She works long hours, with little recognition or even contact with her manager. At annual review time her manager was very tough. He even went as far as to say: ‘the way you approach work is just different to the others.’ Interestingly, all her peers are men. Of course she approaches work differently – she is a woman….
Imagine running a business based on fun - that's what I decided to try when I left a very serious corporate career in marketing to set up RedBalloon...
