Business is a game and wee cannot deny that men and women approach the world of business differently. Men use their business relationships – often it’s about building a network – pure and simple. By and large, men are not at work to find meaning or fulfilment. They are there to play a game and…
I thought a good place to end this series of blogs on particular issues relating to women and personal branding would be with a reminder of how important it is to understand your brand at the most granular level possible. This is true for everybody, of course, but it is of particular value to women…
Think alliances rather than networks. It’s a cliché: get out there and build your network because it is your launchpad. Like all clichés, it holds a grain of truth—but, as always, the devil is in the detail. In the workplace, all networks are not equal. Women seem particularly good at building deep but narrow networks…
As indicated in the previous blog, first impressions need to be bolstered by an ability to present oneself as an incisive thinker and somebody who has the courage of her convictions. Women need to rid themselves of the lingering idea that this will make them unlikeable, whereas in fact it will make them respected. A…
As we contemplate the possibility that the pandemic may be ending or at least brought under control, there’s never been a better time for women to recommit to building a strong personal brand. All the research shows that female professionals were disproportionately affected by the pandemic, with McKinsey predicting that female employment may not return…
It is indisputable that building a personal brand is key to progressing one’s career. People who have been exposed to personal branding understand that it is not always hard work that helps you get ahead. Perceptions help shape how others behave toward you and if the perceptions others have of you are not aligned to…
As a businesswoman, I believe that the value a woman brings to any workplace is more than just being able to emulate a masculine approach to their job. I have seen that contributing as a woman means bringing unique aspects of herself into her work. This uniqueness also requires a distinctive approach to cultivating influence.…
“After the embarrassment of Bic’s now-infamous Women’s Day advert (Look like a girl … Think like a man), I was mildly sceptical when the book Play to Win – What Women Can Learn from Men in Business landed on my desk for review. However, the book, written by Donna Rachelson, was a refreshing read and…
The truth is that being a woman in business is tough. We’re not always playing on a level playing field and sometimes we face challenges that men don’t. But that doesn’t mean that as women, we can’t be successful There are so many examples of women who have risen to the top of their field,…
Frew Murdoch – assistant editor of HR Pulse – and myself were privileged to speak with some of the women who will be speaking at the IPM Women in Business Conference being held at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (Gibs) on Tuesday next week. They shared, with us, what they’ve learned on their rise to the top, and…