Big Numbers

"Don't be scared by big numbers. It takes just as much effort to think small as it does to think big. Set your sales or revenue goals high and you'll be surprised at how quickly you reach them!"

We love this quote and decided to reprint our Top Ten Tips on Being an Outstanding Woman:

1. Decide what you believe in and then act on it
Do not waffle on your beliefs! Outstanding women know who they are, what they stand for, and reflect this sense of purpose in their every word and deed.

2. Consistency is Key
When you are consistent in your reliability, your quality of service and friendship, your interpersonal skills, you reassure those around you.

3. Collect Friends and Help The Friends you Collect
It's nice and perhaps impressive when you make many new friends and contacts. But it's outstanding when you truly attempt to understand and assist those people on their own paths.

4. Be Bold
Bold does not mean arrogant. Bold means that you do things with certainty and with purpose. Outstanding means going all the way PLUS a bit more.

5. Be Yourself
Outstanding is not being afraid to stand out. Be authentic to who you are show everyone your best, most unique traits.

6. Laugh and Smile
Outstanding women love their lives and love to show it.

7. Don't Act Like you are Above Others
The outstanding woman knows she has an expertise or talent, but she knows that others have theirs too.

8. See Opportunities in Everything you Do
The ordinary woman will swear in traffic jams. The outstanding woman will listen to a motivational tape or hand out her cards to other drivers. You get the point…

9. Embrace Continuous Improvement
Outstanding women always think they could become more outstanding. As in, outstanding outstanding outstanding!

10. Be Very, Very Good at What you Do
Very Good is actually not good enough. The outstanding woman will only be happy with an outstanding performance.

The World is Filled with Good

Getting the newspaper every day is very informative, but also very depressing. I often become fixated on all the horrible events that take place either naturally or criminally.
And with that, it's easy to forget what a wonderful place the world can be (a la Louis Armstrong).
Just yesterday I got two calls from speakers who are interested in being considered for our bureau. One is an American woman who won a Gold medal at the Olympics in Nagano. And she did so against great odds. She faced an extreme physical challenge and overcame it. And then, later, I received another call from a woman who helps organizations determine the technology that will work for their particular needs and help them succeed.
While both of these women are so very different, I felt energized after receiving a voice mail from one, and talking briefly to another.
Interacting with our current speakers and potential speakers is an amazing experience for Sue and I. We are reminded every day of how many unbelievable talented, inspired and empowering people are out there.
We are reminded that the world is a good place and there are people striving every day to make it a bit better.
Gee - could we have a better job?

Fewer Women at the Top - Should We Be Insulted?

My partner Susan just gave me the most recent issue of Canadian Business to look at. And on the front cover it reads, "Ultimate Power List - the Big 50". This list reviews the most powerful CEO's in Canada.

And when I scan the list of names, I see that all are men's names, from Bill to Mike to Gordon to Andre. Not one woman's name. And this statistic would be quite similar in the United States.

Am I worried about this or insulted in some manner? Should women everywhere feel that they are not making 'progress' after decades of hard work? Or that there is still an impenetrable glass ceiling?

I would like to suggest "absolutely not". I think that women should worry if there were an equal number of females vying for this power as there are men. Then certainly we need to review why women aren't getting those opportunities.

But let's consider a couple of important facts:

1. Someone needs to raise the children!

Do I sound 'backwater' to you? I really hope not. As you can see, I am running an all-women's bureau dedicated to bringing the most talented and powerful female voices to the foreground. No, I'm not backwater. I am simply reasonable (well, I like to think I'm reasonable. My partner may disagree!). In order for us to remain an economically viable continent, flush with innovation, we need to create well rounded people. And in order to do that, SOMEONE needs to perform this oh so important job called Motherhood. And I personally am not sure how two parents - both powerful in their respective fields - can give the attention necessary to raise a caring, intelligent, contributing human being. While these 50 men are CEO's running their empires, who do you think is raising their children? Perhaps boarding schools. But I know that Research in Motion, which appears in the Big 50 List, consists of powerhouses Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridus. And since these two business forces come from the city within which I reside, I am a bit familiar with their lives. From my knowledge, their wives are raising their children.

Women, do not be affronted by the fact that the Big 50 List is all male. To be a CEO, you need to work ridiculous hours and even when those hours end, you are still thinking business. This list does not offend me or worry me. It tells me that as a society, we still honour and respect the most difficult and necessary role of all - motherhood. And in those instances where women are CEO's AND have children...all the power to them! Somehow those women are doing their job and ensuring their children are raised well (either through a stay at home dad or a wonderful support network).

2. There IS power behind the throne

Women have a gift when it comes to people skills, multi tasking, innovation, etc. And these skill sets are most needed in roles that exist on the front lines of organizations. Therefore, while women may not be as prevalent in the uppermost 'ranks' of business, they most often constitute the infantry of business. They are making our businesses tick away. No war can be won with just a General. He needs his army. A measure of women's success in the business world should not be measured by her annual income only (Fortune, Forbes, Profit, etc. - take note!). I think that we need to look at the types of roles women are taking on and how those well executed roles are seriously contributing to the upward mobility of an organization.

I am not suggesting we should stop evaluating whether or not women are receiving fair opportunity. Of course not. But let's also read a bit further between the lines of lists like the Big 50.