PAID PARENTAL LEAVE – How Much and Who Pays?
February 9, 2012
By Amy Lyden, Australian Businesswomen’s Network Advocacy Advisor
With the Coalition introducing amendments to the Paid Parental Leave scheme (PPL) this week, the Minister for Small Business Mark Arbib and Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, put out a media release this week condemning the proposed PPL changes.
Senator Arbib describes the PPL as a tax on business that will have a detrimental affect on small businesses, particularly small retailers.
Before we look at the Coalition’s proposed PPL, let’s review the current PPL which came into place January 2011:
- 18 weeks paid parental leave at federal minimum wage (approx. $570/week)
- no superannuation paid
- must have worked for a least 10 of the 13 months prior to birth or adoption of child
- must have worked for at least 330 hours in that 10 month period with no more than an eight week gap between two consecutive working days
- fully funded by the government
- administered by businesses (meaning that businesses will pay directly to PPL recipient)
The Coalition’s gripe with the existing scheme is that it is a burden to businesses to administer.
Also, 18 weeks at minimum wage and no superannuation (approx. $10,000) is not going to make a big difference to many families.
Let’s now examine the Coalition’s proposed PPL, which was released in 2010:
- 26 weeks paid parental leave at FULL salary up to $150,000 per annum
- including superannuation of 9%
- utilising the same work test and eligibility conditions as the current PPL
- be funded by a 1.5% levy on companies with taxable’s incomes OVER $5 million
- be paid and administered by the Family Assistance Office (not by the employer as is currently in place with the government’s PPL)
This is certainly a more generous scheme, with less red tape for businesses. Businesses with a taxable income over $5 million will fund the scheme. Smaller businesses will not be affected.
Yes, this PPL scheme will cost more.
But it will help support families better than the existing paid parental leave scheme.
It also acknowledges the importance of superannuation, which for many women is just simply not enough to retire on.
The bottom line is that if we want more women to participate in Australia’s workforce, we MUST provide workable solutions to help them manage as they have and adopt children. This WILL cost money. But the overall benefits to Australia economically and socially will by far outweigh the dollars spent.
What do you think?
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY AMY LYDEN
- Wish Upon a Star – Disneyland is Still Benchmark for Exceptional Service
- Government Reshuffle Means New Small Business Minister
- Charity: Water – “Technology Changes Everything”
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Amy Lyden - Advocacy Advisor – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkAn entrepreneur and specialist in ecommerce and online strategy, Amy has had over 13 years of practical experience in these areas. Launching her first website in 1998 Amy was at the forefront of an online revolution without even realising it. Within a year this site became and remains today a #1 ranking site and global community of pet lovers that attracts over 4 million visitors a year. This Australia-based business, Bow Wow Meow, now sells product online to over 100 countries worldwide. Amy sold this business in 2007 and turned her energy to the nonprofit sector. Amy is currently the CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, an organisation that facilitates scholarships for education and training for people who work in the nonprofit sector. Amy is the recipient of numerous business awards including the 2006 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards for Innovation, the 2002 National Telstra Business Award and the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Grant. Amy is an Ambassador and former Chairperson for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, an organisation that supports female entrepreneurs. Amy was also invited to serve on the Commonwealth Small Business Council, an initiative by the Federal minister for Small Business. Amy has been profiled in the following books: “Women’s Business, Women’s Wealth” by Amanda Ellis, “Female Entrepreneurs”, by Leiza Clark and “Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed!”, by Dale Beaumont. Amy is passionate about using technology to connect people globally for positive change.
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Registrations Now Open for Business Clean Up Day 2012
February 7, 2012
The race is on to register Business Clean Up sites for 2012 to green up and clean up your business.
Mark your calendar – the annual Business Clean Up Day will be 28 February 2012.
In 2011, 337 businesses across Australia took part in Business Clean Up Day. Together with communities and schools, Australian businesses helped to remove over 16,500 tonnes of rubbish right across Australia.
By taking part, businesses are inspired to work towards improving their environmental impact.
Some businesses also took the opportunity to clean up their own place of business and introduce some environmentally friendly initiatives including recycling, changing to recycled paper and introducing worm farms.
“We’re urging all Australians businesses to work together to clean up the environment or introduce more environmentally friendly policies in their own work environment,” Clean Up Australia’s Chairman and Founder, Ian Kiernan AO.
“Pull together as a team and help clean up your local park, waterways, beaches or even your own workplace. It’s a great team building experience to work together and see the positive results that Business Clean Up Day can achieve.”
Registrations for Business Clean Up Sites are now open.
To register, go to: cleanupaustraliaday.org.au.
CEO and celebrity chef cookoff to feed people in need
January 26, 2012
On 6 February, 200 CEOs will cook with 30 celebrity chefs and feed 1000 people in need.
The CEO CookOff is a joint initiative of OzHarvest and Qantas and hopes to raise awareness around food security and one of Australia’s major social issues, homelessness and to raise significant funds for Australia’s food rescue charities, OzHarvest and Mission Australia.
Four female entrepreneurs, whom the Australian Businesswomen’s Network has interviewed for either our herBusiness podcast or In Her Shoes video series form the list of 114 CEOs who have already raised over $346,395 in donations for the event.
- Ronni Kahn, Founding Director, OzHarvest – Interview: Rescuing Good Food, Rescuing People in Need
- Rachel Argaman, CEO, Toga Hospitality – Interview: Why Culture Beats Leadership Strategy
- Lisa Messenger, Founder and Managing Director, The Messenger Group – Interview 1: Innovative Marketing. How Custom Publishing Can Boost Your Brand., Interview 2: Be Open to Opportunities. Take Risks and Jump Quickly.
- Andrea Culligan, CEO and Managing Director, Unimail – Interview: Stand Out from the Competition. Tips to Negotiate a Fair Salary.
To learn more about the event, including how you can get involved, donate or even sign up as a CEO, visit www.ceocookoff.com.au.
Government Reshuffle Means New Small Business Minister
December 16, 2011
By Amy Lyden, Australian Businesswomen’s Network Advocacy Advisor
© Perth Now
Nick Sherry has stepped down as Minister for Small Business after only 15 months in the role, just prior to a major reshuffle by Prime Minister Julia Gillard this week.
The Prime Minister has appointed Mark Arbib, the 40 year old senator for NSW. Senator Arbib also holds the new role of Assistant Treasurer and retains his previous title of Minister for Sport.
There are 2 million small businesses in Australia, of which women own over 30%.
Senator Arbib quoted, “Small business is the heart of the economy. I… understand the importance of small business to jobs and wealth creation. They (small businesses) are the heart of Labor’s economic policy.” Senator Arbib was previously Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development and Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness.
During the global financial crisis, he worked with small business to form and grow the $100 million Apprentice Kickstart Program whereby over 46,000 young Australians were helped to start apprenticeships, also helping close the skill gap felt by many small businesses.
The Australian Businesswomen’s Network welcomes Senator Arbib to this important new role and we look forward to working with him and his office to ensure the small business sector and particularly women-owned small businesses are well represented.
What issues are important to YOU that Senator Arbib should be aware of? Please post your thoughts and concerns.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY AMY LYDEN
- Charity: Water – “Technology Changes Everything”
- Developing an Asia Plan for Your Future
- Make Care Fair – the cost of not having affordable and flexible childcare
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Amy Lyden – Advocacy Advisor – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkAn entrepreneur and specialist in ecommerce and online strategy, Amy has had over 13 years of practical experience in these areas. Launching her first website in 1998 Amy was at the forefront of an online revolution without even realizing it. Within a year this site became and remains today a #1 ranking site and global community of pet lovers that attracts over 4 million visitors a year. This Australia-based business, Bow Wow Meow, now sells product online to over 100 countries worldwide. Amy sold this business in 2007 and turned her energy to the nonprofit sector. Amy is currently the CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, an organisation that facilitates scholarships for education and training for people who work in the nonprofit sector. Amy is the recipient of numerous business awards including the 2006 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards for Innovation, the 2002 National Telstra Business Award and the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Grant. Amy is an Ambassador and former Chairperson for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, an organisation that supports female entrepreneurs. Amy was also invited to serve on the Commonwealth Small Business Council, an initiative by the Federal minister for Small Business. Amy has been profiled in the following books: “Women’s Business, Women’s Wealth” by Amanda Ellis, “Female Entrepreneurs,” by Leiza Clark and “Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed!” by Dale Beaumont. Amy is passionate about using technology to connect people globally for positive change.
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Charity: Water – “Technology Changes Everything”
December 8, 2011
By Amy Lyden, Australian Businesswomen’s Network Advocacy Advisor
I had the pleasure of attending a Charity: Water event last week. Paull Young, the young passionate Aussie who just HAD to work for this organisation when he came across them, presented to a group of about 50 people in Sydney.
You may have heard of Charity: Water, especially if you are active on Twitter and other social media. Charity: Water has very successfully trail blazed new ways of fundraising and getting their story out to millions of people globally through the clever use of technology and social media strategies. Whether you are working for a charity or own your own business, there is much to be learnt from how they do things.
How Charity: Water Started
Charity: Water started five years ago when its young founder, Scott Harrison travelled to Africa and saw first hand the terrible plight of so many without the most basic of human needs – water. When he returned to NYC and a friend bought him a $16 martini, he realised that that same $16 could have fed a family in Africa or built a well. He then decided that if more people understood what was needed, the world could be changed. He then founded Charity: Water.
The facts about water
- Out of the seven billion people living on the planet, one billion people do not have access to drinking water. Without seeing and experiencing this, it is hard for the people who do have water (and always have) to imagine what life would be like for these one billion people.
- 2.6 billion people lack access to basic sanitation – toilets, running water, etc
- This is a major cause of preventable disease. 40,000 kids die every day because of lack of access to clean water and sanitation. Not having a “tap and toilet” kills more people than all the wars around the world every year.
- In Africa alone, people spend 40 billion hours every year just walking for water. Usually it is women and children walking many kilometres to the nearest water source, and this water will likely make them sick.
- Charity: Water’s motto is “Water Changes Everything”. Simple, yet true. Not only does access to clean water (through taps and toilets) eliminate much disease, but also kids are able to go to school and entire communities can be transformed.
- $19 will fund a well. This is such small amount that will make such a huge difference to people without access to water – the price of a cocktail or two in a major city.
Online Philanthropy
“Technology changes everything”. Charity: Water does almost all of its fundraising online. It’s clever use of social media to raise money has certainly been its strong suit. In February 2009, they raised $250,000 through Twestival. This was the largest amount ever raised by a charity online.
Twitter: Charity: Water was first on twitter in 2007 with a few hundred followers (that was like rock-star status in those days), and now they have over 1.3 million followers!
Facebook: Over 200,000 likes.
Online Campaigns
Charity: Water doesn’t ask for money, it asks for fundraisers – people to raise money for them. And they have clever campaigns around this premise. One example is the “Give up your birthday for clean water” campaign. People raise money on their birthday and ask friends and family to make a donation instead of buying them a gift. Genius.
We already have more than we need – right? This is all done online and the technology makes it easy to set this up. We are seeing a lot of charities making use of this now, for example “Everyday Hero”, whereby a fundraiser (individual) can set up an online presence to track the donations etc. This is becoming very common particularly for fun runs and other events like “Movember”.
Stats for Charity: Water’s Online Campaigns
Average amount raised by a fundraiser: $1,000
Average campaign: 13 donors, average donation $80.
Charity: Water then emails all donors to show where and when the wells went. They send them links to googlemaps which actually shows the locations of the wells. Their model is that for every $1 spent, $8 is raised. That’s leverage.
A Winning Model
Paull Young says the culture of Charity: Water “Feels more like a tech start up than a charity.” They have raised $26 million so far, and 75% was raised through digital models, more than any other charity using these models. They are experiencing 100%+ growth. And they are just warming up. They have a big hairy audacious goal to raise $2 billion by 2020 (yes, $2 BILLION).
Some tips from Charity: Water
Start with your story and make it their story.- Show them where there money goes. Charity: Water uses googlemaps with GPS to show exactly where the wells were built.
- Use pictures. Charity: Water posts a “picture a day.” Pictures showing the sheer joy that water can bring to people. Real people. They believe in showing people the impact of their giving. Show by photos and share the stories of the people they impact. Show them where their money goes.
- Use narrative – sharing stories. One African woman named Helen said that now that she has water she feels beautiful, because for the first time in her life she can wash herself. Now THAT is powerful story sharing.
- Demonstrate the impact to the donor. Because you donated $30, this well (picture) was built in this location (googlemaps). Helen’s family (picture of Helen’s family) now has access to running water.
We are lucky enough to live in an age where our message can be reached by millions (and potentially billions) of people. Before the ubiquitous use of technology, mobile phones etc this simply was not possible without spending ungodly amounts of money. Today anyone can do this by utilising technology. The key is to have a compelling message that truly speaks to people around the world.
Charity: Water has done this well so far in their short life. And I would bet that with passionate people like Paull Young involved they will get their big hairy audacious goal of raising $2 billion by 2020 and then some.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY AMY LYDEN
- Developing an Asia Plan for Your Future
- Make Care Fair – the cost of not having affordable and flexible childcare
- “Balance is B*llsh*t”
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Amy Lyden – Advocacy Advisor – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkAn entrepreneur and specialist in ecommerce and online strategy, Amy has had over 13 years of practical experience in these areas. Launching her first website in 1998 Amy was at the forefront of an online revolution without even realizing it. Within a year this site became and remains today a #1 ranking site and global community of pet lovers that attracts over 4 million visitors a year. This Australia-based business, Bow Wow Meow, now sells product online to over 100 countries worldwide. Amy sold this business in 2007 and turned her energy to the nonprofit sector. Amy is currently the CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, an organisation that facilitates scholarships for education and training for people who work in the nonprofit sector. Amy is the recipient of numerous business awards including the 2006 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards for Innovation, the 2002 National Telstra Business Award and the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Grant. Amy is an Ambassador and former Chairperson for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, an organisation that supports female entrepreneurs. Amy was also invited to serve on the Commonwealth Small Business Council, an initiative by the Federal minister for Small Business. Amy has been profiled in the following books: “Women’s Business, Women’s Wealth” by Amanda Ellis, “Female Entrepreneurs,” by Leiza Clark and “Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed!” by Dale Beaumont. Amy is passionate about using technology to connect people globally for positive change.
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Does Santa Really Know if you’re Good or Bad?
December 7, 2011
By Julie Wise, The Silver Owl
We all indulge during the festive season, but the need to stay Safe and Sound is also important.
Did you know that:
- Australians’ weekly average alcohol intake triples during the festive season
- One third of Australians consume more than 10 standard drinks a week during the festive season
- Nearly one half of Australians aged 20 to 29 admitted to binge drinking during the festive season
Being aware that your brand is impacted by behaviour at social functions just allows us to take simple precautions.
Here’s a selection of the advice issued by corporates to their employees. I think much of it makes sense, even for a small business owner to adopt.
Advice for Sensible Drinking over Christmas and New Year:
- Drink slowly. Make sure you’re chatting more than you’re drinking
- Drink non-alcoholic spacers between alcoholic drinks, such as water, juice or soft drinks
- Choose low-alcohol varieties, such as low or mid-strength beer
- Be aware of the size of each drink – your glass of wine may actually contain two standard drinks
- EAT! High protein foods (such as nuts) eaten before and during alcohol consumption can help slow the release of alcohol
- Avoid shouts or rounds that encourage drinking quickly and in large volumes
- Finish your drink before letting someone top it up – this way you can keep track of what you’re drinking
End of Year Client Functions:
- These are still work events and the same policies and expectations apply – just like any other work meeting
- What you might think is a harmless joke, comment or gesture could be harassment if it offends someone else
- Plan ahead when celebrating. Don’t drink and drive. Leave your car at home and plan to use public transport
- Keep in mind that people have different cultural and religious beliefs around this time of year
- Look out for one another. If you see someone in a dangerous situation – be it personal safety or reputational, speak up and do what you can to get them into a safer situation. This includes leaving the function with them and ensuring they get home.
- If you are a team or business leader, you have a responsibility to ensure that your team get home safely
Social Media:
- Without written permission of your host or your company, you should not post details (including photos) of, during or after the function. Use of brands/names are subject to copyright laws.
- Even with the permission of the companies involved – it is considered common courtesy to ask your companions their permission before you publish their names or tag them in photos
- You may consider changing personal settings on social media, so that you can check who’s writing about you or publishing a photo of you. Perhaps even upgrade your privacy settings so that you authorise anything that includes you prior publishing.
- Do not publish anything that involves people who were not part of your immediate party, circle or are total strangers to you irrespective of the situation in question. Remember to treat (or tweet) others as you’d expect to be treated (or tweeted).
So now more than ever, Santa really will know if you’ve been good or bad!
Note: Statistics were sourced from a survey conducted by Febfast in 2009. 1066 Australians from all states were surveyed. www.febfast.com.au
MORE GREAT POSTS BY JULIE WISE
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Julie Wise – The SilverOwlJulie has over 25 years in business operations, strategy and performance improvements. She is an accredited Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an alumnus of the Institute of Executive Coaching. She established The SilverOwl specifically to help businesses with their strategies and operational efficiencies. With Julie’s wealth of experience, and network of associates, The SilverOwl provides access to a vast range of business performance solutions and experienced professionals. Julie is on the Australian Business Women’s Network Advisory Board and the NSW Committee for the Australian Women’s Archive Project. In Jan 2010, she joined the Fred Hollows Foundation.
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1 Million Women Save Summit
November 17, 2011
Join the 1 Million Women SAVE Summit Wednesday, 14 December at Sydney Town Hall (483 George Street) 9am-11:30am for the 2012 Women’s Agenda. 1 Million Women will be highlighting the power to act that we all possess to fight climate change through the way we live our lives.
SAVE is about living more sustainably and being better off financially and the Summit will help save you $1000 or more in 2012 by showing you how to save energy, cut waste and pollution through simple actions that you can implement in your home, transport, food and shopping.
The SAVE Summit will be MC’d be Bernie Hobbs, ABC TV and radio presenter and Kim McKay, co-author of the True Green books. Performances by Katie Noonan and Melinda Schneider and an impressive list of guest speakers, including 1 Million Women Founder Natalie Isaacs.
Watch the Australian Businesswomen’s Network’s In Her Shoes interview with Natalie Isaacs: Social Entrepreneur Seeks 1 Million Women to Take Action.
Other guest speakers include award-winning actor Noni Hazlehurst, award-winning TV journalist Helen Dalley, Youth Ambassador to the UN Samah Hadid, 7x world surfing champion Layne Beachley and Australian director of The Climate Group Caroline Bayliss. Mary Robinson, the first female President of Ireland and founder of the Mary Robinson Foundation Climate Justice, a voice for women in the developing world, will also make an appearance via video link and there will be live demonstrations, including a demonstration and recipes with Julie Goodwin, Australia’s first Master Chef.
Tickets are $25.
Read more and register now for the SAVE Summit on the 1 Million Women website.
New Report – Australia losing ground in gender equity measures
November 4, 2011
By Susan Wareham McGrath
While 85% of countries have improved their gender equality ratios over the past six years, for the rest of the world the situation is declining, most notably in several African and South American countries, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index 2011, which was released this week.
The Report index assesses 135 countries, representing more than 93% of the world’s population, on how well resources and opportunities are divided amongst male and female populations.
The report measures the size of the gender inequality gap in four areas:
- Economic participation and opportunity –salaries, participation and highly-skilled employment
- Education – access to basic and higher level education
- Political empowerment – representation in decision-making structures
- Health and survival – life expectancy and sex ratio
The rankings are designed to allow for effective comparisons across regions and income groups, and over time.
Global results
Nordic countries (Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) continue to hold top spots, having closed over 80% of their gender gaps, while countries at the bottom of the rankings, including Pakistan, Chad and Yemen still need to close as much as 50%.
The developing world had some notable success stories. Lesotho, the Philippines and South Africa were more equal than the UK, which was 15th in the global list. Lesotho, which rose two places to 8th, is the only country in sub-Saharan Africa to have no gender gap in either education or health.
The Report shows a slight decline over the last year in gender equality rankings for New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom, while gains were made in Brazil, Ethiopia, Qatar, Tanzania and Turkey.
Australia’s results
Australia’s position has steadily dropped from 15th in 2006 to its current status of 23rd. This compares with New Zealand’s ranking this year of 6, the United Kingdom at 15, United States at 16 and Canada at 17.
The good news for Australian women is that within the individual areas, Australia was ranked equal first with 21 other countries in the Educational Attainment area.
For the other three measures, we ranked:
- 18th in Economic Participation and Opportunity
- 38th in Political Empowerment and
- 74th in Health and Survival
While Australia excelled in the Educational Attainment area, the Index highlights the fact that it has some way to go to match the leading countries’ achievements. Accordingly, the Australian Businesswomen’s Network will continue to represent its community by lobbying government and publicly advocating for the better public policy, especially in the crucial areas of childcare assistance, taxation legislation and equality and work.
Are there any issues you would like to see the ABN lobby for?
Please let us know by commenting on this post or emailing policy@abn.org.au.
MORE GREAT POSTS BY SUSAN MCGRATH:
- Is it time to ditch the pitch? ‘Elevator speeches’ in a world of social media.
- Serving on non-profit boards – good for you, good for the community!
- How to write a winning application letter
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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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Developing an Asia Plan for Your Future
September 29, 2011
By Amy Lyden, Australian Businesswomen’s Network Advocacy Advisor
I have been participating in a program called the AsiaLink Leaders Program for the past 8 months and never has a course/program shifted my thinking and challenged me so. The objective of the program is to have deeper Australia-Asia engagement. We have been learning high-level cultural intelligence skills to manage the complexity of Australia-Asia relations.
Last week, the group convened for a five-day retreat in Canberra. The topic was “Developing an Australian ‘Asia Plan’” and a big part of this plan is of course China. At the retreat, we had the opportunity to meet with various Asian Ambassadors, top government officials and current politicians to discuss Australia’s Asian Plan.
We Really Have Been “The Lucky Country”:
We are living in a time of uncertainty. However, Australia has escaped a true recession in the aftermath of the GFC. We are lucky. And we should be thanking China for this luck. Our trading with China was one of the key lifesavers for us. Other parts of the world haven’t been so lucky: the US’ unemployment rate is 9.1%, the EU is nearly at breaking point. Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank recently warned “the world is in a danger zone”. Can Australia simply rest on its laurels (i.e., resources) and hope for the best? No, we need to be thinking ahead and being proactive.
The Opportunity:
We need to get outside of our comfort zone to secure our future. The 21st Century will be the Asian Century – if we want to grow with Asia, we need to do some work.
I believe Australia can uniquely position itself as an innovative country that provides knowhow to the Asian region. We are in a perfect position – we know and understand US/European culture and have strong alliances here. We are part of Asia geographically and increasingly more so culturally, with over 600,000 people here of Asian descent and growing. We have the opportunity to provide unique services to the region. Let’s look at China as an example.
China – the Threat and the Opportunity:
It is the first time in history that Australia’s major trading partner (China) is NOT our strategic partner (USA). We like the economic benefit of having China as our major trading partner, yet feel threatened by them as outlined in the Department of Defence’s white paper, “Defending Australia in the Asia Pacific Century: Force 2030” (2009).
China is very sensitive to this perception of it being a threat. The Chinese Ambassador to Australia, H.E. Mr. Chen Yuming spoke to our group about the problems associated with its tremendous growth over the last few years. There are still 180 million people living below the poverty line. They are trying to shift from being a manufacturing nation to a consumption nation. To put it in perspective, if we compare world ranking GDP per capita – Australia is 7th, US is 10th and China is 91st (Source: International Monetary Fund 2010). They still have a long way to go to create better lives for their people. This is China’s challenge.
China is keen for peaceful development. Quite frankly, they have enough on their plate trying to deal with domestic issues. But it is a challenge for Australia. China’s closed political process, South China Sea territorial claims and its opaque legal system absolutely present challenges for us as Australians. But perhaps we can try to find some common ground.
Australian Business in China:
There is a HUGE opportunity for Australian businesses in China. I’m not simply talking about the obvious mining and energy. Food security is a major issue for the future; Australia is in a position to assist with this. There are abundant opportunities for service businesses in China, services that will help them with their exponential growth of urban cities – design services, architecture and education to name a few.
For example, Chengdu is a city in Southwest China where over 10 million people reside. It is one of the fastest growing “2nd Tier” cities in China. There are many opportunities here and other 2nd and 3rd tier cities. It comes down to creating customers by helping them solve a problem.
In my own business, I looked to China to outsource my manufacturing. This move, whilst scary for me at the time (late 1990s) allowed my business to be more competitive and sustainable. If you have a business, I encourage you to consider the opportunities in China (and Asia generally for that matter). There are more than the obvious manufacturing opportunities. Perhaps a good starting point is to go along to an Australia China Business Council event or talk to AusTrade about your plans. Perhaps invite a new Director on your board who has some experience working in China or Asia.
We are entering a new era – unfamiliar territory. I believe we must embrace the change and jump into the deep end. Julie Bishop, Deputy Opposition Leader, told our group that the Coalition would support compulsory second language in our schools, more student exchange programs (not just Asian students coming to Australia, but also more Aussie students spending time in Asia). This is a good start.
We need to be ready for this brave new world that is a result of globalisation and the huge shift of power to the East. And the better equipped we are, the more secure our businesses and the future as a nation will be.
MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY AMY LYDEN
- Make Care Fair – the cost of not having affordable and flexible childcare
- “Balance is B*llsh*t”
- Budget Impacts for Small Business and Working Families
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Amy Lyden – Advocacy Advisor – Australian Businesswomen’s NetworkAn entrepreneur and specialist in ecommerce and online strategy, Amy has had over 13 years of practical experience in these areas. Launching her first website in 1998 Amy was at the forefront of an online revolution without even realizing it. Within a year this site became and remains today a #1 ranking site and global community of pet lovers that attracts over 4 million visitors a year. This Australia-based business, Bow Wow Meow, now sells product online to over 100 countries worldwide. Amy sold this business in 2007 and turned her energy to the nonprofit sector. Amy is currently the CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, an organisation that facilitates scholarships for education and training for people who work in the nonprofit sector. Amy is the recipient of numerous business awards including the 2006 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards for Innovation, the 2002 National Telstra Business Award and the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Grant. Amy is an Ambassador and former Chairperson for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, an organisation that supports female entrepreneurs. Amy was also invited to serve on the Commonwealth Small Business Council, an initiative by the Federal minister for Small Business. Amy has been profiled in the following books: “Women’s Business, Women’s Wealth” by Amanda Ellis, “Female Entrepreneurs,” by Leiza Clark and “Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed!” by Dale Beaumont. Amy is passionate about using technology to connect people globally for positive change.
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Forget work/life balance; work/life fit is better for you
September 29, 2011
By Susan Wareham McGrath
The Huffington Post, recently published, “Supermoms At Higher Risk For Depression: Study” – a pragmatic, powerful and practical piece about avoiding the almost universal guilt and frequent depression felt by working mothers.
Key points include:
- Mothers are better off at home if that’s really where they want to be and they’re better off working if that’s where they really want to be. Such a simple – and powerful – statement!
- Own your choices – this is a particularly good point for mothers who would prefer to be at home, but have to work. You don’t have to love your job, but if you know in some fundamental way that you made the right decision about working, you’ll be more comfortable going forward than if you’re always questioning yourself.
- Find your work-life “fit” – not balance. Why? Because “balance” is a guilt word; it implies you have to have everything on an even keel and that if you give to one side, you take from the other. “Fit”, on the other hand, is about doing whatever works for you. When balance is out of the equation, so is the guilt that comes with trying to achieve it.
- Align your expectations with reality. Staying stuck with expectations that aren’t coming true leads to depression and guilt.
Click here to read the full article, which includes a list of six practical tips to banish working mothers’ guilt for good!
My response:
Over the past forty years, the feminist mantra that “women can have it all” has subtly turned to show its dark side, that in order to have it all, “women must do it all”.
Current research shows that despite the advert of modern feminism, working mothers – even those engaged in full-time work – still do most of their family’s housework, cooking, shopping and childcare and hands-on caring responsibilities for other family members, such as aged relatives. Easily a 70-80 hour working week, when travelling, working and domestic work is taken into account.
Against that backdrop, the expectation that so many women put upon themselves, to manage the perfect home, be the perfect mother and have the perfect career, or run the perfect business, is a recipe for emotional and psychological disaster.
The work/life balance myth has added to this pressure, causing women to question why they can’t find that elusive balance that would enable them to hold all the parts of their life together.
Unfortunately, the only structural and long term solution to the woes of Australia’s working mothers that I can see lies in the hands of government. Not an ideal situation, but all we have to work with.
The government is already recognising the importance of quality child care, by planning to staff early years child care centres with qualified teachers – a step in the right direction. But that is of little use to mothers whose children are currently on a two to three year waiting list to access their centre of choice, or who aren’t able to use child care centres because they close too early.
Like it or not, it’s a fact of life that many mothers are not in the privileged position of being able to collect their children by 6 pm. Child care centre operators should be encouraged to recognise this and extend their hours to a more realistic timeframe, with the government subsidising their additional operating costs, to avoid the ridiculous situation of centres charging $1+ for every minute a parent is late collecting their child. Outside school hours care should also be subsidised in the same way.
Family day care is not everyone’s choice and parents should not be forced to put their child into that model of care because nothing else is available.
I would also like to see the use of accredited domestic support services made tax deductible, to increase their affordability to all working Australians (I say “working Australians” because some groups of non-working Australians already receive subsided or free domestic services) and open up employment options in the home services field, thereby reducing the ongoing drain on government funds caused by able-bodied people accepting unemployment benefits.
Check back tomorrow for the next blog post in 30 Days to a Great Career! 1-30 September 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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