Today’s younger consumers shop differently than previous generations. Strategic in the way they purchase, they’re digitally savvy, socially conscious and increasingly affluent. By Diane Amato As a business owner, long-term success may depend upon your ability to attract a diverse customer base who will be around for years to come. […]
Your mental, emotional and physical energy is your greatest asset and key to high performance. Being able to manage that asset requires discipline, effort and focus but first and foremost it requires self-awareness. It’s why Billie Jean King said, “self-awareness is probably the most important thing towards being a champion.” The first step towards […]
By Rebecca Heaton Being assertive in a professional setting isn’t always easy, and you’re not alone if you feel like you’re often not being heard. This is especially true for women who may find themselves to be silent observers — in other words, wallflowers. To them, I would ask: Are […]
Laura Didyk has spent more than two decades at The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC). The supportive environment has allowed her to achieve success — and now she’s paying it forward, acting as National Lead for BDC’s Women Entrepreneur Strategy, helping the next generation of women leaders excel. by Shelley White […]
by Viviana Kohon, Namita Tandon-Walsh, and Caitie Yue All entrepreneurs enjoy the independence and thrill of working for themselves and creating something new. Having partners or co-founders is an added bonus, giving you the option to consult with each other, and to ensure multiple areas of the business are covered through different […]
As the Director of the Queen’s Master of Management Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Smith School of Business, Shari Hughson interviews hundreds of entrepreneurial-minded candidates each year. About half intend to pursue careers in corporate innovation. by Shari Hughson CEOs seem to lack the confidence in their organizations’ ability to innovate. In […]
by Robin Behrstock The flexibility that comes from being self-employed is undeniable. Add to that the freedom to work from wherever you choose (including your bed) and it comes as no surprise that more and more people — especially women — are foregoing the typical office environment for the comfort and adaptability […]
by Sabrina Parsons In the age of Lean In and #MeToo, office relationships and workplace culture are shifting drastically, often in ways that can affect employees quite negatively. The recent explosion of #MeToo stories and the Lean In movement have surfaced lots of hard questions about equality in the workplace, inclusive office […]
These 12 women entrepreneurs agree: technology has the power to change a business. As participants in the Cisco Circle of Innovation program, they’ve been paired with engineering interns to help build their organization’s digital strategy, scale, and impact in the marketplace. They’re sharing how their business will be getting better through technology this year — […]
by Marcia MacMillan On the first day back after the holidays, a fellow anchor asked me on air if I had made any New Year’s resolutions. Much to her surprise, I said I had not. Turns out the majority of Canadians resolve to shed a few pounds or pay off their debt. What […]
by Jennifer Reynolds “Skills of the future” is a topic that is starting to dominate talent discussions today. Technology is rapidly shifting the landscape in all industries, and as a result, continuously changing the skill sets that are in high demand. The question professionals today need to ask themselves is: how do I […]
Women entrepreneurs represent just a small segment of business owners in Canada, but their numbers and impact are growing — and their potential is even greater. Cisco and the Business Development Bank of Canada have partnered to unlock it, using a unique internship program that’s now in its third successful year. By […]
by Stephanie Ray, founder and designer, Grayes I started Grayes because I believe you should feel like “you” in your work clothes, and love your 9-to-5 looks as much as your favourite pair of jeans. You shouldn’t have to invest in two separate wardrobes — one for work and one […]
A professor of strategy and entrepreneurship specializing in the management of change and technology and innovation, Elspeth Murray, Associate Dean of MBA and Masters Programs at Smith School of Business, played a leading role in launching the school’s new Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence. The program, which is accepting applications for the […]
Why wait until you land your first job to start preparing for success? Our Women of Influence co-op student, Elizabeth Papadopoulos, is still in high school, however, she’s already begun the work to ensure she’s well-equipped to start her future career on the right foot. Here are her tips — learned through personal […]
by Jeannie Collins-Ardern There are many instances where a well-trained person takes a career break, and after a period of time wishes to resume their professional life. This is far more frequently a problem for women, typically after child rearing or elder care. To help make the transition smoother, there are a few […]
If you have been searching for productivity tools recently, you may have already come across bullet journals. This new system for staying organized is designed to be quick and intuitive — and with these three helpful tips, you can make the process even simpler. Bullet journals are finding popularity with productivity fans — from […]
By Heather Fraser Innovation is the lifeblood of any organization that aims to create new and distinct value. It is not the job of a few inspired people; it takes an entire enterprise to create and deliver new value. To build a sustainable enterprise-wide capacity to innovate, it’s critical to create a winning […]
In the quest for gender parity, it’s crucial that we as women consider the ways we can truly help, rather than compete with, one another. I believe that one of the key ways to do this is to seek out inspiring role models, women who have ‘been there and done that,’ because, at […]
By Stephanie Ray, Founder, Grayes Building a work wardrobe can be a daunting task. It is easy to lose your own sense of style as you try to conform to an office look and it can be hard to stick to a reasonable budget. Often you end up heavily investing in pieces you will […]
By Teresa Harris Early last year, former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick stepped down after several employees were ousted for their behaviour towards women, and the company was accused of fostering a toxic culture of sexism and harassment. In August 2017, James Damore, an engineer at Google, released a 10-page memo asserting women […]
As the co-owners of Earth Inc., a successful landscape design firm in Toronto, Kennedy McRae and James Dale have the opportunity to meet (and create beautiful backyards for) some powerhouse women of influence. In this Q&A, they’re introducing the WOI community to their client, Eva Sachs, a certified financial planner who specializes in separation […]
If you’re an entrepreneur, the question of how to make more money is one you probably ask yourself every week. It’s common, and I highly suggest this type of self-talk, because it means that you’re on route to helping more people and growing your business as a result. The problem is, most entrepreneurs […]
Darielle Corsaro was looking for a new challenge. On the advice of a mentor, she enrolled in an MBA program — and returned to work not only with added knowledge, but also a newfound confidence. The former controller is now VP of finance and operations, and embracing big-picture thinking. By Kristen Sears […]
When sitting in an interview chair, we often rely on our resumes and glossy portfolios to demonstrate our writing, our expertise and capabilities. But once we land the role, can we be certain that our strong writing skills will translate into an ability to communicate and work effectively with our peers and our […]
As a veteran of the tech start-up world, Nicole German understands what’s needed to help female founders get ahead. Now, as vice-president, enterprise digital marketing, at Scotiabank, she’s helping to get those resources into the right hands. By Shelley White Every day, talented female entrepreneurs across Canada are innovating — […]
As a law student, Stephanie Ray couldn’t find work-appropriate clothing that was comfortable, affordable, and stylish enough to carry her from day to night. So she started her own fashion line, Grayes, to fill the gap. By Sarah Kelsey Stephanie Ray, the founder of Grayes clothing, had an inkling she […]
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