eve-olution newsletter September 2004
Announcement
We are very pleased to announce that Katie Ledger, Channel 5 Newsreader, has joined the eve-olution team to offer specialist one-to-one coaching in communication. Katie's vast experience in television and formal presenting make her an excellent trainer who can help you to increase your skills in motivating your team, speaking from your heart, formal and interesting presentations and, of course, TV and media interviews. (Please read this months article on effective communication, written by Katie).
Contents
- Statistic of the month
- Book of the month
- Jane Campion interviews Tracey Carr, CEO of eve-olution
- Effective Communication by Katie Ledger, Channel 5 newsreader
- Sexual discrimination cases do nobody in the workplace any favours!
- Creative Female Leader - Important Research
- Creative Female Leader Programme
Statistic of the month
Nearly 90% of British professionals aged 25 to 35 want a career that adds purpose to their lives. Source: The Independent
Book of the month
Women and desire by Polly Young-Eisendrath
An original and utterly fascinating study into the concept of idealised female roles. Polly explores why women often feel that they can't pursue their own independent desires while at the same time being a perfect mother or spouse. In so doing we become reliant on others for our own sense of self worth.
Jane Campion, eve-olution's strategic coach, interviews Tracey Carr, CEO of eve-olution
Don't miss this month's recorded coaching tip on 0870 262 3044. Jane Campion interviews Tracey Carr, CEO of eve-olution, on a compelling joint agenda for organisations and individuals wanting to see bottom line results and personal advancement. Culture change is delivering tangible results that matter to organisations who have invested in developing women. For there to be no going back; for diversity to become an organisational necessity, women must take responsibility for developing personal skills at new levels. Which ones? Tracey shares three keys for you to act upon if you want genuine, greater responsibility and influence at work.
If you would like to know how Deloitte US increased bottom line from $1.93 billion to $5.93 billion with a 10 year women's initiative click here.
Effective Communication
by Katie Ledger, Channel 5 Newsreader
As a manager and human being - how do you want others to see you?
Face to face - are you happy to be seen as a grumpy sourpuss barking orders lower down the pecking order? You may well be efficient and ruthless in your quest to succeed but is that the way you want colleagues to see you? The following ideas may help...
- smile - it sounds obvious but many of us don't do it. It doesn't have to be a large toothy grin – just thinking about smiling can soften the face and makes us look better.
- caring - genuinely asking about a persons family particularly their children is always a way to engage them. If they're having a problem at work - is there someway you can help?
- leader - praise is a very powerful motivator - Try using different methods of feedback. Instead of emailing try sending a thank you card - with a personalised message. Maybe a team has done great work - why not send a luxury food hamper?
- inclusive - does your team feel you are a bit aloof or distant? Try having informal lunchtime meetings where you can speak on a topic and people can come and ask questions.
On television:
- answering the question - Before the interview PREPARE 3 main points you would like to get across. If you only get the opportunity to make one key point - what is that? The interviewer wants you to say something controversial BUT stay calm.
- sorry is the hardest word - IF your company has made a genuine mistake - TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. Having the right person genuinely saying they are sorry and explaining what they are doing about it can bring people around.
- clothes - Will a formal suit and tie say what you want to say? or would a shirt and tie do a better job? For women – a business suit looks efficient but stuffy and dress can look a bit "girly". If in doubt, play it safe with a well-cut trouser suit and minimum accessories.
- make up - for women - don't overdo the slap. For TV it just needs to be more expertly applied. Use non-shiny foundation and keep the eyes neutral. Colour can be used on cheeks and lips but no bright red lipstick (viewers will look at your lips and not what comes out of them). Men need to worry about shine - you can buy small wipes that have powder already on them.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this article Katie can be contacted on katie@talentnetwork.co.uk Tel No: 01865 400511
Sexual discrimination cases do nobody in the workplace any favours!
eve-olution's Legal Correspondent
In July, Morgan Stanley was the latest organisation to settle a sexual discrimination case out of court. In a settlement reached on 12th July, Allison Schieffelin, a bond trader fired by the investment bank four years ago, will receive 12 million dollars. Another 40 million dollars will be available to those of the 340 women who worked in Ms Schieffelin's area of Morgan Stanley and who can convince an arbitrator that they were wronged. Any remaining money will be used to subsidise women studying finance. A further 2 million will be spent on diversity training programmes at the firm.
It all seems a very expensive, unenviable and unnecessary situation. What also seems very clear is that these cases throw up very bad publicity for whatever company is involved. The media have had a great time discussing the headline grabbing gossip of the case.
What is very unfortunate and of far more significance is the fact that the important legal details of the case are never examined when such cases do not reach court. Details such as issues around pay, promotions, working conditions and diversity and inclusion. These issues do not get a chance to be discussed or legally clarified. It would help everyone if we could see exactly what went wrong.
After the recent spate of bad publicity over sex discrimination cases in this country, experts are saying that the number of women graduates seeking careers in the City is now beginning to fall. Further more, women fear a backlash from many city investment houses that may become wary of employing more women because of an n increasing risk of gender discrimination lawsuits.
It looks as if no one is going to win in this situation. Many people, both men and women have very worthwhile and fulfilling jobs in the City. The employers risk losing out if women do choose to shun them. Women will also lose out on the opportunity of a potentially rewarding and fulfilling career. This situation is avoidable.
With innovative development programmes for both men and women, all companies can meet the challenges of effective diversity training and thereby avoid the problems currently arising for both employees and employers.
Creative Female Leader - Important Research
As most of you are aware, the Creative Female Leader programme has been running for four years in November. Feedback from the Creative female Leader speaks for itself: 97% of delegates say that they benefited from the programme.
Following on from this, we have devised a questionnaire for all our past delegates to allow them to reflect on their individual career progression since attending the course. It also allows eve-olution to analyse in detail the value and benefit of the individual elements of the course and to propose further solutions for businesses keen to retain female talent.
Creative Female Leader Programme
We are now approaching our 4th year of running this ground-breaking seminar at Farnham Castle. We would like to thank all those women who have helped to shape and inform the content over the years. Women from all professions who read like a 'Who's Who' of senior women in business.
Special thanks go to Jayne Chace for further enhancing this seminar by sharing her insights as a global senior female exec who really has been in Who's Who – many times!