Letters from the Editor

Having wondered for years how I could possibly manage both an ambitious career and the daunting task of being a good parent, I put off the decision as long as I could. Amazingly, as soon as the decision was made, my stance changed; I’m not the first woman to have a child and run a business, so I’m sure I’ll figure it out.

On March 5th I welcomed my first child into the world, and after looking within myself and consulting countless other professional women who make their work-life balance work for them, here’s how I’m doing it:

For the record, there is not much I have any influence over these days. He sets the agenda! So, I left the office in capable hands, with a well-documented plan to stay in touch via weekly reports and a call with the senior team.

Six weeks in, I manage to work 15-20 hours a week from home, around my son’s frequent feeding schedule. And the plan is to gear up slowly from here, adding more hours, more face time at the office, gradually until Women of Influence Inc.’s fast-paced fall event season requires my full time attention. How’s it working? I must say, I am appreciative that I can keep one foot in the door, and work my way back up to full-time as I’m ready, as opposed to the all-or-nothing scenario that the corporate world often demands.

The options presented to me as an entrepreneur are challenging, as I can’t turn it all off, but nor would I want to. While the big blue eyes staring up at his Mama do a very good job of distracting me, I like having work to do to keep my brain intact in the face of the hormones “dumbing me down” as they say. And I am grateful that I don’t have to go back to a full schedule after six weeks, cold turkey.

While I don’t think I’ve solved the work-life dilemma of the ambitious mother, I am confident that this option is working for me.

Click here to read more about Carolyn Lawrence’s path to motherhood in an exclusive interview with the Toronto Star.

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As an entrepreneur I have come to love the holidays as a special time to recharge. The world quiets down for a few blissful days, so I often plan to be far away from the grid (in mind if not also in body) and look forward to planning what goes into this gift of free time. Each year my holiday to do list includes tackling new activities, old movies, and most importantly devouring books.

Here’s what I loaded my new Kobo with this holiday season:

• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
• Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five by John Medina
• Katie Couric’s The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives
• YOU: Raising Your Child: The Owner’s Manual from First Breath to First Grade by Michael F. Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D.
• Maria Bartiromo’s The 10 Laws of Enduring Success
• And all balanced with some Yoga-nidra mediation practises downloaded to iTunes to help me find more calm

While I took something from all of these, learning and getting inspired along the way, I was most engaged with Dale Carnegie’s timeless bestseller, because of how simple yet powerful his teachings and practises are on how to influence and make friends. CBS Sunday Morning even had a special on Dale Carnegie and on how to win friends in the digital age. A good reminder for all of us that success comes to those who smile more, are genuinely interested in others, and to those who give first, not take.

What did you read?

Carolyn Lawrence

President & CEO Women of Influence Inc.

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In the spirit of fall fashion trends and in honour of the amazing women who have led the way in business, aerospace, mining and politics, in this issue we shine a light on the trendsetters. We have sought out those women who have inspired and influenced, led by example and ruled by experience. We profile, question and delve into the lives of those who have broken ground and glass ceilings with grace and fire in hopes their work will continue to inspire future generations.

At the same time, we recognize the Four Trends in women’s advancement, in a recent article by the Women’s Business Initiative. They site a growing number of emerging role models, more adaptations of an agile (or flex) work day, ever increasing female entrepreneurship, and the liberating and barrier breaking use of technology. The article goes as far as to say that the trends and transparency created by social media will enable women to move beyond the barrier of old boys’ networks!

Following these pillars, we examine the leaders of today’s business world, such as our cover woman, Bonnie Brooks, and the brilliant women in diamond mining. We celebrate the upcoming 20th anniversary of Canada’s first female astronaut, Roberta Bondar, who reflects on her continuing inspiration into new frontiers. We look at Kim Campbell’s and Isabel Bassett’s distinguished political careers and their determination to strengthen women’s voice in the political arena, and in lead up to the Deloitte Women of Influence Luncheon Series Summit on Women in Politics on December 2nd.

New to this issue is the “A Day in the Life” column. To satisfy our innately curious minds that want to know what’s behind the amazing women we profile, we take a sneak peak at what their day-to-day lives really look like, starting with PR maven Natasha Koifman.

At our own headquarters, Women of Influence is launching a new program as part of our mandate for increasing the impact we have. This fall, students at select business schools will be privy to the first “Women of Influence Career Activation Program,” in an effort to assist graduating classes with the first milestones in their professional development.

As an organization, we continue to be thrilled to act as the bridge to women’s professional success. And, if we could recommend one thing to do this fall, it would be to enrol in “Elevate your Influence” and take those skills to the boardroom, and the bank.

This season, while markets may be unsteady, it is no time to back down. Stand strong, work smart and power on to achieve success in the short-term, always moving closer to the long-term vision you seek.

We hope you enjoy reading through this issue and website bursting with opportunities to inspire you on your path to achieving success and being fulfilled.

Carolyn Lawrence

President & CEO Women of Influence Inc.

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When a woman is supported there is a ripple effect.

Tonight we are celebrating the Top 25 Women of Influence™.  The inaugural ranking of the best in Canadian talent in various industries and roles.

But what we are celebrating and talking about is not their influence or power that has been achieved, but their commitment to mentor, sponsor and champion other women, so that their influence will be felt far beyond their reach.

Mentors are instrumental to our growth.  And their presence has been key to my own.  While never in a formal mentorship program, I’ve had my back covered on a bad outcome, I’ve received creative advice, solicited and unsolicited, and I’ve been cheered through tough moments, and challenged in proud ones. Each time I grew taller and smarter.  And simultaneously I mentor and pass on the wisdom for others.  It’s a powerful thing.

Today, tell your mentor how much you appreciate their guidance by giving one emerging leader a piece of your leadership.

VIEW THE COMPLETE LIST >

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Women who start the trends we follow,
Women who break the rules,
Women who stand tall,
Women who lead by example,
Women who practise,
Women who share their tales of adversity,
Women who’ve scaled mountains literally and figuratively,
And women who look fabulous doing it.
I’m inspired by the women on the pages of our fall issue, and the women who grace our podium this season, what are you inspired by?

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Lights are shining on Canada’s female entrepreneurs, including from Kate’s visit to Ottawa!

Great recognition and reason to celebrate female entrepreneurs in Canada: Over 3000 female entrepreneurs were nominated in this year’s RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards, doubling the year before, thank you for standing up and taking notice of the amazing efforts and success of these impactful women; AND the Duchess of Cambridge wore a jacket by favoured canadian female designers of Smythe, Christie Smythe and Andrea Lenczner

Congratulations and keep up the great work!

Look for the finalists announcement in October and winners celebrated on November 28th at the Fairmont Royal York.

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Today, success is completing a few outstanding tasks, tomorrow it’s selling a big idea, and Wednesday it’s making it to the running group and having a nice dinner at home. These are a good example of my definition of success; it’s all encompassing and based on achieving high goals in the long run, and every day, to be happy.

Three of the most authentic and inspiring female leaders in Canada also describe success as: Evolutionary, having fun along the way and being able to keep complex challenges simple. (See my interview with them “A new day at the Top” here).

How do you define success? Daily, Quarterly, 5 year markers?

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There is one common denominator among all the “Women of Influence” that grace our podium each year. Passion.

These women come from all sectors, and range from emerging leaders, to senior executives, to entrepreneurs and powerful trailblazers. They have passion for what they do. Passion for work. Passion for life. It’s the only way you can work 14+ hours a day and live to tell the tale (or success story on our podium).

I found my passion in 2004. I was working at TD Waterhouse, travelling across Canada profiling acclaimed author and broadcaster, Patricia Lovett Reid, for the company’s high value clients. It was a great experience, and I knew I was getting close to the career I wanted, I had “smoke but no cigar”, as my father would say… so I applied to do a Master’s of Communication at Columbia. Why? Because I wanted three things: I wanted to work for a Magazine, I wanted to be in the action (which meant none other than New York City), and I wanted to advance my career, pronto, but had no experience or link to either.

The process of filling out that application was the brilliant part. It pushed me to consider why I wanted those things, what was I going to do with that degree? And, to my amazement, after filling it all out there was the answer in black and white at the bottom of my last essay… “I want to influence women”. “Ah ha!” I could make this process a whole lot easier if I just took my experience (in events and marketing, NOT writing or sales for magazines) and worked for a company who runs events that influence women to reach their careers goals, and there just has to be one in Toronto. I picked up the phone immediately and the rest is history.

I think it’s interesting to note that this time of my life also marked the start of training for IRONMAN, and the subsequent realization that I had a lot of energy, and the capacity for so much more than I was producing; IF I was passionate about what I was doing.

The end result? I became an Event Director, and apprentice to run the business, at Women of Influence Inc. On schedule, I succeeded the founder 2 years later. And off we went. I work all the time, and I thrive on every minute.

I’m convinced that this process can work for you too. If you’re not sure what it is that you’re passionate about, if you’re still searching for work that completely engages your talent and skills, then join us for my workshop on June 1st. www.youngwomenofinfluence.ca

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Heather Reisman, one of Canada’s leading female entrepreneurs, says she learnt, “how much I don’t know” on merchandising after a recent hire at the Senior Executive level. So, if one of our long standing role models and past Women of Influence speakers still has lots to learn about her job, what do you still have lots to learn about?

Get inspired by Heather’s discussion on the defining moment of book retailing, think about what you can do to evolve your own career and business, because as she says “if you don’t do something, you’re not going to be in business”.  Read the Globe and Mail article >

And while you’re getting inspired, nominate a female entrepreneur for this years “RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards program. Nominate today >

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I’m inspired by stories of confidence, like Venus Williams. Her focus and determination to win on and off the court is brilliant. Winning titles and going to school to plan for her next career win already. Confidence that she can do anything, and do it well, makes her a champion.
Inspired this week?

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