Media Release: Women who want to get ahead can now spring into a new career on 1 September!
August 31, 2011
Working women who want to get ahead are invited to “Spring into a New Career” on 1 September, by taking part in herCareer, a new initiative of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network (ABN).
“Just like our successful advocacy program herVoice, herCareer has been designed in response to direct requests from our 20,000 strong community, of which almost 50% are women working full or part-time for others, while operating, or planning to establish, their own businesses,” ABN Community Director, Suzi Dafnis said.
Headed up by Susan Wareham McGrath, the ABN’s National Special Projects Manager and career expert, herCareer, is both an ongoing professional resource to assist working women, and an adjunct to the ABN’s existing suite of online and social media resources for Australian businesswomen and female entrepreneurs.
“30 Days to a Great Career, part of the ABN’s herCareer initiative is a free, month-long program of daily blog posts designed to help working women advance their career and reach new goals,” McGrath said.
“Every day during September, 30 Days to a Great Career participants will find great resources and strategies on career planning, work/life balance, applying for jobs, personal branding, productivity, interview tips and lots more. And, they’ll be invited to comment on topical – and sometimes controversial – news items, add their opinion and ask questions to help structure their career plans.”
Support and strategies will be provided by a team of Australian Businesswomen’s Network community members, each of whom is an expert in their career-related field.
Here are just some of the topics that will be covered this September:
• How to stand out from the crowd
• Questions you should ask at every interview
• Running your own business – how to switch the corporate ladder for your own stairwell
• Staying positive through your job search process
• Behavioural interviewing – how to make it work for you
• Serving on non-profit boards – good for you; good for the community!
• Your personal brand and how to build it
• How to boost productivity at work
• Tell us a little about yourself” – How to answer five tough interview questions
• Job seeking etiquette
• Managing your online presence as a jobseeker
• Approaching your boss – a mentoring perspective
To be part of herCareer, all participants need to do is subscribe to the ABN’s HerBusiness blog (blog.abn.org.au), follow @her_career on Twitter, or like the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s Facebook page.
Changing a career has never been so easy!
ENDS
Media contacts:
Suzi Dafnis ABN Community Director 1300 720 120
Susan Wareham McGrath ABN National Special Projects Manager 0437 005 620
30 Days to a New Career is part of herCareer, a new initiative from the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, for working women who want to get ahead. herCareer is headed up by Susan McGrath, ABN’s Special Projects Manager.
BOOKED for Lunch – Niche: Why the Market No Longer Favours the Mainstream
August 31, 2011
Our cultural consumption is no longer controlled by the giants of the mainstream market.
Many giants have become weak and defensive – hovering around the middle of the market and striking out wildly in search of new audiences.
In his new book, Niche, James Harkin explains that no size fits all and that anyone who tries to be all things to everyone ends up as nothing to anyone.
James argues that innovation and profitability are quietly moving from the middle of the market to a series of tightly defined but globally scattered niches, bound together by the reach of the net.
This represents an excellent opportunity for many businesses. We invite you to join us on 29 September when James Harkin, author of Niche: Why the Market No Longer Favours the Mainstream is our guest for BOOKED for Lunch – Free webinars with the world’s leading business book authors and thinkers.
Register now for this complimentary webinar.
BOOKED for Lunch Details:
Niche: Why the Market No Longer Favours the Mainstream – National Webinar
| Date: | Thursday, 29 September 2011 |  
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| Time: | 3.00pm to 4.00pm AEST (please note later start – Check your timezone.) | |
| Venue: | Webinar, from your home or office | |
| Price: | FREE |
Not able to attend? Complete your registration and a recording of the webinar will be sent to you after the live event.
Note: You will need internet access to participate in this GoToWebinar. Call costs may apply if you do not use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
During this webinar, we’ll look at:
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About the Author:
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James Harkin
James Harkin is the author of the books Niche and Cyburbia. He lives in London and writes regularly for the Financial Times and The Guardian, and has also written for the London Review of Books and Newsweek. He was the associate producer of Adam Curtis’ TV series The Trap, which aired on the BBC in 2007, and one of the associate producers of Curtis’ new series All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace, which aired on BBC earlier this year. |
About the Book:
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Niche: Why the Market No Longer Favours the Mainstream
An eye-opening analysis of why big business has failed to sell to the mainstream. There is a new rule in business: don’t aim for the middle market – unless you’re cheaper than cheap, you’re going to fail. Instead, find a Niche and reap the rewards. Woolworths suffered from a lack of identity and found that low quality and low price wasn’t enough; General Motors crashed as motorists failed to distinguish between cars in their range. Yet HBO, Moleskine and specialist media like The Economist have all concentrated on being the best they can be – and customers have flocked to them as a result. For sixty years, our cultural consumption has been controlled by the giants of the mass market. But thanks to the recession, they have become weak and defensive and are now in a desperate fight for their lives. From this new cultural terrain, the niche has evolved to become the place where innovation flourishes and sales take off. From the author of CYBURBIA comes a superb examination of the growing proportion of economic, political and cultural activity – aimed not at the mainstream audience, but at tightly defined but globally scattered niches, bound together by the power of the net. |
Here’s what people are saying:
| “Send the internet gurus back to the basement. Niche has arrived. Level-headed but optimistic, Niche is a business plan for the brain, and a manifesto for quality”
— Michael Wolff, author and columnist, Vanity Fair |
| “Fascinating stories, some big thoughts and an intriguing argument”
— Evan Davis, BBC presenter, Today and Dragons’ Den |
| “A fascinating examination of the evolution of the consumer counter culture…Packed with historical context and fascinating economic analysis, Niche is both informative and highly accessible via a range of anecdotal and statistical evidence. In the cut throat world of niche markets, the ability to adapt has never been more important.”
— Business Destinations Magazine |
| “An excellent and timely explanation of how, in terms of what consumers buy, big and mainstream is over and niche is in. Harkin illustrates his thesis that the future belongs to not necessarily small but certainly perfectly formed and expertise-driven products with a highly original overview of cars, coffee, notebooks, computers and media.”
— Time Out |
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About the BOOKED for Lunch Webinar SeriesThe BOOKED for Lunch webinar series are free lunch-time webinars that feature bestselling business authors and thinkers. Presented by the Australian Businesswomen’s Network and GoToWebinar these events are open to men and women who seek to expand their business education and to be inspired by thought leaders who will present new trends, big ideas and pose thoughtful questions. To participate all you need is access to the internet. So, book yourself in for the next Booked for Lunch series and get ready for some powerful food for thought. Read more about the BOOKED for Lunch webinar series. Follow news and updates on our dedicated BOOKED for Lunch Twitter page. |
What is a webinar?
A webinar is a web-based seminar. To participate you need internet access. Instructions will be sent to you on receipt of your registration. This webinar is brought to you by GoToWebinar, Web events made easy. Visit GoToWebinar and start your free 30 day trial today.
IMPORTANT – LIMITED SPACES ON THE DAY
Your registration today indicates your intention to attend. This event is a free event. We therefore expect a percentage of those that register to not attend on the day. With this in mind, the ABN/Citrix GotoMeeting will oversell the event. We recommend you login early on the day (lines will open approximately 15 minutes before the webinar commences) for the best chance of securing your place. In the event that you arrive at a time when the capacity has been reached you will not be able to attend the live session. You will however be sent a link to the recording of the webinar.
Spring into A New Career on 1 September with 30 Days to a Great Career
August 31, 2011
Welcome to 30 Days to a Great Career, a month-long program of daily blog posts designed to help you advance your career and reach new goals.
Every day during September, you’ll find great tips and strategies on career planning, work/life balance, applying for jobs, personal branding, interview tips and lots more. And, you’ll be invited to comment and add your opinion and to ask questions to help structure your career plans.
Your support and strategies will be provided by a team of Australian Businesswomen’s Network community members – women just like you!
Here are just some of what you’ll learn during 30 Days to a Great Career:
- How to stand out from the crowd
- Questions you should ask at every interview
- Running your own business – how to switch the corporate ladder for your own stairwell
- Staying positive through your job search process
- Behavioural interviewing – how to make it work for you
- Serving on non-profit boards - good for you; good for the community!
- Your personal brand and how to build it
- “Tell us a little about yourself” – How to answer 5 tough interview questions
- Job Seeking Etiquette
- Managing your online presence as a jobseeker
- Approaching your boss – a mentoring perspective
IT’S EASY TO GET STARTED ON A NEW CAREER PATH
Here are four ways to get involved this month. Choose the one that suits you best!
- Subscribe to the herBusiness blog by completing your email address in the box at the top of this page and you’ll be notified when a new blog post is released.
- Like the Australian Businesswomen’s Network Facebook Page where we’ll post details of each day’s tips OR
- Follow this program on Twitter at @her_career
- Read posts daily on the herBusiness blog in the career category.
30 Days to a New Career is part of herCareer, a new initiative from the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, for working women who want to get ahead. herCareer is headed up by Susan McGrath, ABN’s Special Projects Manager.
We look forward to interacting with you and helping you expand your work horizons.
Best wishes,
Suzi Dafnis — Community Director, Australian Businesswomen’s Network
Reconnecting with Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Alumni
August 30, 2011
Suzi Dafnis, Community Director of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, was recently featured in the March 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Connections publication for Where are they now? Reconnecting with Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni.
Harness the Emotion
August 30, 2011
Suzi Dafnis, Community Director of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, was recently interviewed for an article on brw.com.au. Read the full article on BRW – Harness the Emotion – here. Suzi, along with other entrepreneurs, shares her top tips for minimising fear when starting a business.
Leona Watson Cover Girl for Dynamic Business
August 30, 2011
Australian Businesswomen’s Network Member Leona Watson (Cheeky Food Group) is featured on the front cover of the August 2011 issue of Dynamic Magazine in a story entitled, Letting Go to Let your Business Grow.
It’s a big deal when your business grow to the point where you admit it should be able to run without you.
Tip No. 7: Advice for a Business Owner with a Strong Marketing Focus
August 30, 2011
By Cheryl Hayman, Hayman Strategy
Marketing is all about determining the needs of consumers or customers and matching those needs with products and services a company can deliver for the right perceived value. Branding is the key marketing asset for any company and as such, a brand needs to be carefully crafted and created to embody the customer promise and meet, or ideally exceed, expectations at every engagement with its user.
So for those considering a business requiring a strong focus on its Marketing know-how and edge, here are the Top five pieces of ‘career ‘advice I can give you:
- Be prepared to work hard and understand the objectives of a marketing role and the need to hit those for progression and success. Be patient and get the job done. Marketing people and their businesses have to be results driven. You should measure the business’s success against achievement of the businesses goals as well as the marketing strategies (including budget management).
- Try to be mentored and inspired by great leaders and managers from whom you can draw many in-field skills: the interpersonal and the technical skills. After you find yourself a mentor, utilise their advice and guidance as you need it. Know what you need and go after it, in the form of their wisdom.
- Listen, analyse, listen again and harness this learning into your personal skillset. There is a constant need to listen to your consumers, although of course, it doesn’t stop there. There is always valuable insight within an organisation both from more experienced managers and out in the ‘field’ or your external world of other suppliers. (e.g., sales people, plant managers, etc)
- A marketing person has to be like an Octopus. You have to draw upon the expertise of many, cobble it together, ensure it works for your consumer and finesse it accordingly along the way. Being able to juggle many balls and get the best out of a diverse group of individuals requires major co-ordination and relationship capabilities.
- Action-oriented: You must be focused on the achievement of results. Marketing is a fast-paced and contemporary industry, so those who succeed have the ability to act swiftly to meet trends in competitive marketplaces. The best businesses always have top marketing executives who can find solutions at every turn.
Follow this advice and you won’t go far wrong. Good luck with your business development and building your brand’s assets through a solid marketing approach.
MORE GREAT POSTS BY CHERYL HAYMAN
- Tip No. 6 – Marketing to Small Business Owners
- Tip No. 5: Integrating your Marketing and R&D Strategies to Win
- Tip No. 4: Shoppers even more Savvy
- Tip No. 3: Brand Loyalty-the Pot of Gold
- Tip No. 2: Out-Step the Competition
- Tip No. 1: Remember ‘AIDA’
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Cheryl Hayman – Hayman StrategyCheryl Hayman owns and manages a strategic marketing and business consultancy, Hayman Strategy, providing a broad range of business and marketing solutions to corporations. Prior to establishing her own business, Cheryl had over 20 years experience as a senior marketing executive in multi-national organisations spanning Australia, NZ and the UK. Cheryl undertakes a number of non-executive Board roles and sits on several Advisory Boards including the Australian Businesswomen’s Network. Cheryl is a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute, holding a CPM.
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herCareer Blog Contributors
August 29, 2011
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Susan Wareham McGrathSusan Wareham McGrath is a skilled and experienced Australian visa and immigration consultant; jobsearch strategist and career management consultant; professional writer, blogger and social commentator. She holds a degree in psychology, an advanced diploma in human resource management, a post graduate qualification in public policy development, a national training accreditation and registration as an Australian migration agent with the Migration Agents Registration Authority. Susan is a strong advocate for the personal and professional advancement of women, and after serving as an Advisory Board Member of the Australian Businesswomen’s Network since 2007 is now the ABN’s National Special Projects Manager.
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Cheryl Hayman - Hayman StrategyCheryl Hayman owns and manages a strategic marketing and business consultancy, Hayman Strategy, providing a broad range of business and marketing solutions to corporations. Prior to establishing her own business, Cheryl had over 20 years experience as a senior marketing executive in multi-national organisations spanning Australia, NZ and the UK. Cheryl undertakes a number of non-executive Board roles and sits on several Advisory Boards including the Australian Businesswomen’s Network. Cheryl is a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute, holding a CPM. Cheryl personally undertakes continuous professional development within her various business roles, as well as attending external courses.
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Kristy-Lee Johnston - Footprint RecruitmentKristy-Lee Johnston is the Director of Footprint Recruitment, a Central Coast based Recruitment and HR agency which is run by locals, for locals. Kristy’s background includes 10 years in Recruitment, as well as 10+ years in a broad range of other customer facing sectors. She possesses Post Graduate qualifications in Psychology, as well as a Masters in Human Resource Management. Kristy is passionate about bringing something unique to the recruitment sector in her local area and wants to see all businesses make the most successful staffing decisions they can.
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Karen Adamedes – Career Chick ChatKaren Adamedes is a career strategist, speaker blogger and author of the best-selling career guide for women, “Hot Tips for Career Chicks.” Working for market-leaders in Australia, Karen has pursued a successful career in business, managing national teams and multi-million dollar budgets. She is an accomplished senior executive with a proven track record of success in driving the delivery of business results and the development of high performance teams. Karen’s experience has provided her with insights into what works and why for women in the development and management of their careers and the realisation of success. Karen’s career advice has been featured in the pages of national magazines including Cosmopolitan and Cleo, newspapers and international publications.
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Rae Phillips – Inspire SuccessAt Inspire Success, we are an award winning team of Human Resource Consultants who assist business to implement effective people practices and individuals to get their next big opportunity. After years of experience and working in many industries and specialising in human resources, workplace relations and career practitioning, we bring to you a one-stop shop to assist you through your career change. What we are learning in today’s environment is that there is no longer a Job for Life, or the right or wrong answer. Careers and working is about constant change. Life long learning and adapting to the changes around us, in lifestyle balance and the changing demands and needs of employers, is here to stay.
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Michele Connolly – Get Organized WizardMichele Connolly helps people move from procrastination to action. She believes you can be happier if you take action on your priorities. Michele’s programs cover business, goals, home, personal organisation, writing and weight-loss, and are used by tens of thousands of people worldwide. Michele is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA). She has been interviewed on Sydney radio, spoken at conferences, and won awards for her psychology studies, including original research and a thesis on happiness. Michele is interested in writing, books, simplicity, love, TV, productivity, and staying thin in a world of chocolate.
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Suzi Dafnis – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkSuzi Dafnis is the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s Community Director and Chairperson of the Advisory Board. Suzi has been involved with the network since 1995. In 1998, she took over the network from its founder and has since managed and grown the network. She remains its media spokesperson and a champion of women in business. She is also the editor of the ABN’s newsletters, author of the herBusiness blog and presents the In Her Shoes video series and herBusiness podcast.
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How to tell if they really want the role, or are wasting your time!
August 29, 2011
By Kristy-Lee Johnston, Footprint Recruitment
There is nothing more frustrating than going through the recruitment process, thinking you have found a solution to your staffing needs and then at the last hurdle having your preferred applicant not accept the offer, withdraw their application or worse still – start the job and leave within a few months.
In hindsight, you are frustrated but confused – they applied for the role, attended the interview and appeared interested throughout the process- surely they were really keen on the role right? Wrong!
Many job seekers attend interviews and in some cases even accept roles that they simply aren’t that interested in. Sometimes it’s out of desperation because they are out of work, sometimes it’s being lured by the money, and sometimes they see it as a stepping stone to get them out of their current role or closer to their preferred one.
Whatever the reason, if they aren’t that interested, they either won’t take the role or won’t stick it out long – either way it’s wasting your time and can be a costly exercise!!
Here’s a few ways to avoid this trap:
- Before telling them all the details about the position, ask about their ideal role. While many applicants will of course be very happy in a role which differs to some degree from their ideal, the further the duties and values of the role from their ideal, the less likely they are to stick it out
- Ask them openly at the interview about what other roles they are applying for, where they are at in the application, the sorts of companies they have been applying with and how long they have been looking for work. These questions will all give you an indication as to how committed they are to finding alternate work and how their other applications fit against your role, and in comparison to their ideal position.
- Once the role is offered, how long are they taking to make a decision? Anything longer than 24 hours definitely rings alarm bells in my mind. The longer the decision is taking, the more chance it’s not a match made in heaven! Typically, a longer decision making process indicates more than one role being on the table, a candidate waiting for another business to make its decision (in their mind a better offer) or some uncertainty in the candidates mind about their interest in your role.
- Once offered, has the resignation been immediate and the contract been returned ASAP? If not, the same risks as those above typically apply. In addition, the delay in resignation being confirmed or contract being signed also highlights the risk of a counter offer – and the longer the candidate considers this, the more likely it is they are not 100% committed to your role.
- Do their core values, ethics and beliefs mirror those of the organisation? The trick here is how to know and the first step is to understand your internal culture and the company values. Getting these understood allows comparison against the candidates’ values and motivations which you ascertain via quality questioning of the candidate at interview, potentially in combination with psychometric and aptitude assessments.
- What sort of questions, if any, have they asked you before, during and after the interview? If they have asked appropriate, meaningful and well thought out questions about the company, the role, the team, the structure and future opportunities, it indicates that they are picturing themselves with the organisation and really thinking about the suitability of the position for them, their career and long term goals.
Above all else, use your common sense – if something doesn’t add up, it’s probably for good reason. Without asking questions, you won’t know the answers, so don’t assume anything. Peoples focus, direction and motivation change throughout their career – so what might seem like a strange move to some, might be perfectly planned for long term success. Provided the questions don’t put you at risk of being discriminatory, it’s better to ask lots of questions in the interview and selection stage, then it is to find yourself having to start the recruitment process again.
MORE GREAT POSTS BY KRISTY-LEE JOHNSTON:
- Are You Putting a Square Peg in a Round Hole?
- The Importance of Choosing the Right Recruitment Partner
- Is Indecision Ruining your Recruitment?
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Kristy-Lee Johnston – Footprint RecruitmentKristy-Lee Johnston is the Director of Footprint Recruitment, a Central Coast based Recruitment and HR agency which is run by locals, for locals.
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Empowering Women Through Technology – Podcast with Aliza Sherman
August 28, 2011
The Wall Street Journal said: “It’s a man’s world out there in cyberspace – but not if Aliza Sherman has anything to say about it. Her mission: empower women and girls through technology.”
Aliza Sherman, the original Cybergrrl’, explains who blogs are most suited to, why today’s tools allow us to be on our soapbox in new ways and the question to ask yourself BEFORE you choose what publishing tool you’ll use.
Watch our podcast interview with Aliza Sherman here.
About Aliza Sherman
Aliza Sherman is the Original Cybergrrl – an Internet thought leader, highly sought-after online marketing expert and passionate evangelist for the Internet, particularly as a valuable and useful tool for our personal and professional lives. She is a motivational and inspirational speaker who has spoken around the world about the Internet, social media, virtual worlds entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment.
Named by Newsweek as one of the “Top 50 People Who Matter Most on the Internet,” Aliza Sherman is a Web pioneer, online marketing expert, published author, international speaker and regular contributor to national magazines and web sites.
BOOKED for Lunch – A Complete Idiot’s Guide to Crowdsourcing
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Aliza Sherman will be joining the Australian Businesswomen’s Network on Wednesday, 31 August 2011at 12:00pm AEST for BOOKED for Lunch. |
Connect with Aliza Sherman
Website: Aliza Sherman
Tune in to The Digital Marketer weekly podcasts
Books by Aliza Sherman
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The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Crowdsourcing By Aliza Sherman
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Mom, Incorporated: A Guide to Business + Baby By Aliza Sherman and Danielle Smith
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Streetwise eCOMMERCE: Establish Your Online Business, Expand Your Reach and Watch Your Profits Soar! By Aliza Sherman
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The Everything Blogging Book: Publish Your Ideas, Get Feedback and Create Your Own Worldwide Network By Aliza Sherman Order your copy of The Everything Blogging Book from Booktopia today and save. |
