Mentoring – Golden Globe’s big winner

Despite not getting to the movies as often as I’d like, I enjoy the awards nights that seem to crowd around the first part of the year.

Last night’s Golden Globe Awards main honoree was Steven Spielberg, whose presentation was articulate and real and contained the wisdom and clarity that you’d expect from some so accomplished in his field.

The part of his acceptance speech that I resonated with most was his endorsement of mentoring.

He related the words that his mentor said to him:

“I will always be there for you in success. But I will also be there for you in hard times.”

and spoke of who in the industry had mentored whom mentioning names like movie greats including Martin Scorcese and Ron Howard.

So, if mentoring can be a key part of an industry that could be said to be highly competitive, then there is certainly room for mentoring within all areas of learning and development.

Mentors have played (and will continue to play) a key part in my business and personal development and I am fully committed to supporting women in (especially small) business to work with a mentor to grow, advance, enhance, plan their business.

Do you expect your business to grow next year?

A recent poll of our Australian readers showed these results in response to the question:

What will be the biggest issue for women business owners in 2009?

• economy/credit crunch – 72%
• compliance (BAS, Superannuation, OH&S) – 6%
• staff shortages – 6%
• childcare – 17%

Today a new UK survey has revealed that 88 per cent of women are forecasting business growth between now and 2013, while just 74 per cent of men are doing the same.

So, what will it be for you? At the Australian Businesswomen’s Network we believe that now is the time to look for opportunities to innovate, to connect, to collaborate and to market, market, market your business. Hard times can be a opportunity for small business (which has the ability to move quickly, change direction, delve into a niche at lightning speed) to grow and expand.

Whether it’s by necessity or desire, what can you do to put your business in the position to grow and prosper in the new year?

Collaborative Leadership and Marketing Smarts from Barack Obama

Ok, what I want to know is WHEN did Barack Obama and his team think up this great URL for the next part of their campaign?

Through parts of Obama’s run-up to the election — from his online strategy to the way his groundtroops produced huge showcases that resembled well-run rock concerts — it’s been obvious that he and his team know a little about marketing.

Now this new site (even by its name) keeps up the message that the groundtroops and Barack himself have worked so hard to instill as their mantra. He is about Change. That is his brand and his message.

Check out this landing page as the Obama team seeks collaboration from the public on the Vision for the USA. He’s listening.  He’s speaking.  There is direct exchange.

 

Who is Your Chief of Staff?

US President-elect Barack Obama has chosen his Chief of Staff. Here’s why this first appointment is so important  – his Chief of Staff will control access, crack the whip, tell the truth and manage Obama’s most important resource – time.

This Harvard Review article explains how leaders need to surround themselves with people who complement them, not replicate them. 

Do you have/need a chief of staff to manage your time? More so, are they doing it effectively? Are you resisting? 

Know-How Now speaker wins International Franchise Award

Michael Paul, founder of PACK AND SEND, was the guest speaker at last year’s Know How Now webinar series. PACK & SEND has won ‘Aussie gold’ at the International Franchise of the Year awards, the first Australian company to ever do so.The franchise Pack & Send was announced as one of the top three in the world at the International Franchise of the Year awards in Singapore.

World Bank book on businesswomen in Asia Pacific

The World Bank, as part of its Gender Action Plan asked the Australian Businesswomen’s Network to make a comment on women in business in Australia as part of a new book they have been compiling of successful women entrepreneurs and the obstacles they face for the East Asia and Pacific region. The book, which features Australian Lilian Lever and her crocodile farm, is currently being printed.

Here’s what I felt was relevant to contribute:

Doing business in Australia has its unique challenges. We are a large country with a small, dispersed population. Those in remote locations are often cut off from access to good training and education that can help their business. That’s why the ABN harnesses the latest technology and innovation to educate women business owners. Through a range of online business management tools including web-based seminars and a mentoring program that uses social media to help women connect and learn new business skills, women in remote and country areas (as well as those in cities who live in cities but are strapped for time to commute!) can take part in business networking and training without leaving home.

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