Work Life Bliss – How One Woman Made a Career of It

Listening to Emma Grey speak at a business event recently, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind this is a woman whose got it ‘sorted’. Calm, modulated, articulate and harbouring the uncanny ability to slam you with ‘aha’ moments, I sat in a quasi-meet-the-swami mode, undulating between the fact that this is just a regular Aussie mum like me, but also an author, an entrepreneur, and someone who might just have some ‘answers’.

Answers to what, you ask? Well… stress. Weight gain or loss. Lack of libido. Anxiety. Depression. Substance abuse. Juggling ninety balls a day and dropping eighty. Tension. Read more

Australians leading the way in a return to Global Financial Optimism

As we emerge from the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) relatively unscathed, Australians are looking differently at life and leading the way in a return to Global Financial Optimism (GFO). An international study commissioned by American Express, has shed some light on this trend and identifies the rise of the ‘Potentialists’, a resilient group who are looking for a more well-rounded and enriching life in the wake of the GFC.

Social researcher Mark McCrindle explains, “Potentialists are the one in five Australians who demonstrate a clear ambition to live a rounder life – one that mixes traditional career success with a refreshing appetite for new experiences. They are looking to make more of what they have, rather than always wanting more and display an optimistic attitude that has previously been most associated with Generation Y.” Read more

Former Banker Leads Not for Profit Organisation

Some executives are climbing to the top of the corporate ladder only to find once they get there, they are unfulfilled. No longer content to spend their entire working lives chasing a bigger salary and the corner office, they are leaving the corporate world behind to take up roles in not for profit organisations.

After 25 years in banking, including her most recent role as a Vice President with Citibank, Kate Frost (pictured) joined a colleague in the not for profit sector six years ago. Today Kate Frost is CEO of the YWCA in NSW and despite earning only a fraction of what she use to earn in banking, Kate says she has never been happier. Read more

Working for the Freemasons

In June 2008, Susan Williams (pictured), was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Masonic Youth Welfare Fund (MYWF), a charity run by the famous all-male fraternity, the Freemasons. Susan is the first female to hold this role and the first woman to write an editorial for their magazine.

The Freemasons are a humble bunch. For more than 80 years they have been quietly helping our nation’s most disadvantaged, giving them financial assistance and support from birth into old age. But if Susan Williams has her way, we’ll be hearing a lot more about the fraternity’s charity work in the future and in particular, their work with disadvantaged young people. Read more

Insights from a Leading Female CFO

Gillian Larkins, Chief Financial Officer of Westpac Institutional Bank (pictured), features in the second instalment of the CFO Masters Series by specialist recruitment firm, Robert Half.

In the video of her interview with Stuart Cameron, Gillian Larkins offers open and honest insights into what it takes to become a leading CFO. She also talks about her own female role models; challenges that she faces as CFO; the importance of networking; the path towards achieving work/life balance; and the crucial role of mentors. Read more

Lifting the Lid on Australia’s Top CFO’s

Specialist recruitment firm Robert Half has launched the CFO Masters Series; an online video series that features personal and professional insights from some of Australia’s leading Chief Financial Officers.

The CFO Masters Series, featuring CFOs from Colonial First State bank, CSIRO, Procter & Gamble, Qantas, Westpac and more, gives viewers practical career advice and insights into the personalities that lead and shape the financial and strategic directions of some of Australia’s most important private and public sector companies.

“The program gives viewers unprecedented access to some of the most influential CFOs in Australia,” said David Jones, Managing Director of Robert Half Asia Pacific. “It uncovers their main leadership qualities, how they got to the position of CFO and what keeps them motivated in their roles.”

Designed especially for accounting and finance professionals, from graduates through to senior finance managers, the series offers aspiring CFOs the opportunity to hear some of their role models share strategic market insights and what they see as the main issues and opportunities in the finance sector.

The series begins with Mark Steinberg, Chief Financial Officer of Colonial First State Global Asset Management (pictured).

During the interview Steinberg gives candid advice to all levels of aspiring CFOs about how to strategically deal with financial issues; what learning approaches are recommended; and the importance of networking for career progression. “In terms of being able to progress career opportunities, it is very important to be well networked throughout your organisation,” he said. Read more

Give Your Career a Boost in the Australian Defence Force Reserves

When most people think of Reservists they think of weekend warriors running around in the Australian bush playing war games. Fortunately for all concerned, the reality of life as a Reservist in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is quite different.

For one thing, Reservists are no longer limited to one weekend a month and two weeks a year in the Army Reserve. These days Reservists can be found performing a variety of different roles in the Navy, Army and Air Force and the ADF wants to encourage more women to join the ranks. More than 10,000 women currently serve as full-time members and Reservists in the ADF – 18 percent in the Navy, 12 percent in the Army, and 17 percent in the Air Force. Read more

Sarah’s Star is Rising in the Australian Wine Industry

Hunter Valley girl Sarah Crowe (pictured), has been named ‘Rising Star of the Year’ at the Hunter Valley Legends and Wine Industry Awards held on 28 May 2009. On a night when legendary wine maker, Fay McGuigan, was also honoured for her outstanding contribution to the industry, Sarah was recognised as an aspiring star of the Hunter Valley Wine Industry. The award recognises the recipient’s outstanding contribution over the preceding twelve months, showing vast results and achievements.

A trip to France introduced Sarah to the wonder of wine and the nature of some of the world’s greatest vines. On her return she contacted Brokenwood Wines and made her way to the Hunter for what was initially only a few weeks, learning vine management where she then embarked on a university degree in Viticulture at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga studying part time while working in the field. Read more

AVON Ladies are out in force during economic downturn

The AVON ladies are coming and they say they have a good news story to share. In these uncertain economic times Avon has become the answer for women in every town, city and state across Australia.

AVON representatives have ding donged their way through the great depression and now they are paving the
way through the economic downturn for countless families across Australia, who are turning towards the iconic cosmetics giant for a recession proof fix to today’s job woes.

According to AVON all over Australia women are signing up to become Avon representatives, and making news headlines across the nation as the lipstick effect takes hold of those looking to either supplement their existing family income or for a flexible alternative to full-time employment. And with unemployment levels on the rise, the company says the future looks bright for these new Avon ladies.

To learn more about becoming an AVON representative visit the website www.avon.com.au

Fantastic Job Security, Says Victorian Forester

Melbourne raised plantation Forester Gayle Joyce, now of Jingellic NSW, believes life in regional Australia is about as good as it gets with all the things she loves right outside her front gate. In times of uncertainty and change, the message from Foresters around Australia is that working in the established plantation industry offers job security and career opportunities for young women and men.

“There are a lot of young women working in the industry at the moment and it’s always great to come across them and share our many stories and experiences,” said Gayle.

“All in all, we women are pretty well respected for what we’ve done and how we’ve arrived at where we are. It’s just a really great environment to work in. It’s a lot of fun, really no problems at all.” Read more

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