Wednesday 19th October, SWN held a stimulating and highly motivational panel discussion on ASX Top 100/Gender Diversity -Women on Boards. There were so many positive comments from the audience across the balance on the panel and benefit derived from information, suggestions and discussion across the group. Our aim was to put together a group of speakers who would provide a positive spin on a subject that is so often covered in the negative towards what women don’t do rather that what they can achieve.
Our sincerest thanks go to Maryjane Crabtree, Jacqui Abbott and Jenny Carr from our event sponsor Allens Arthur Robinson, for their continuing support for Significant Women’s Network.
Thank you to our inspiring panel members for taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in this event. Please find below a short summary of their presentations. Special thanks to Elaine Prior for coming from Sydney to take part, and to Ricky Nowak for her outstanding assistance in both developing and convening this discussion and providing the summary.
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L-r: Gayle Wilson, Partner nem Australasia P/L Elaine Jacobs- founder SWN Vice President, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney George Savvides, Managing Director Medibank Private Ricky Nowak- Panel Convener Director, Confident Communications Nick Varigos, Managing Director Oppeus International |
Ricky Nowak - www.rickynowak.com
Setting the scene:
We must be as good as historians as we are futurists to understand the trends and cycles to determine where we want to be and why. It is important to align ourselves with companies and organisations where we feel there is a good fit with the values and beliefs so we are comfortable professionally and personally.
No doubt that Gender Diversity is a business issue - not just a woman’s issue - and an issue that is as relevant to women who currently hold executive board or leadership positions, women who aspire to make a contribution at board level as well as our children and grandchildren who will be the recipients of the change in attitude behaviour and results that are being created today.
Elaine Prior:
Focused her presentation on important statistics and metric that illustrate the trends and confirm the representation of where women are today and what this means for the future. While data suggests that the number of women directors has increased slightly there are still major gaps in gender balance and diversity in most companies. Evidence of low numbers of women in executive positions impacting on less choice for available positions. Study revealed only 5 ASX companies have three female board directors ( highest number identified) Remaining ASX companies have only one or two female board directors
Gayle Wilson: http://nem.net.au
Highly recommended women become better prepared for positions by taking up new skills as well as mentoring and being mentored by others. She advised stepping outside one’s industry and learn from others experience and knowledge. Important to go onto subcommittees and not to underestimate the importance of that type of contribution and learning which can be vital for future roles. Main point was to find and develop a strong, robust Personal Board of Directors that you can learn from, get feedback from and develop.
George Savvides: www.medibank.com.au
Discussed the strong female representation at Medibank. Helping to shape the workforce for the future is constantly changing how to maximise the talent, opportunities and skills different people have and utilize at different times in their career. He spoke of the remote workforce, virtual consulting and how to engage with staff capably and empathically at all levels. As a result of having more women on boards and in executive positions he believes this has contributed to Medibank’s development of more products and product initiatives.
Important to value the wisdom of others, to provide a purpose for what people are doing, and not just looking for talent but helping people articulate what they want.
Nick Varigos: www.oppeus.com
Strongly recommended being succinct, clear and concise in knowing what you want, why you want it and what contribution can you make to a board or an organisation. Not good enough just to have qualifications, but to be aligned with the organisation, its values, its structure, governance. Very important to listen and learn from others who have taken on roles but to identify with what are personal drivers for success and learn before you go to market rather than miss opportunities. Build networks, sponsors and evidence that you have the right capability and leadership qualities that the board is looking for that will make a difference.
Further reading : Thank you to Dianne Jacobs of Talent Advisors who has provided the following links to related articles.
Male Champions of Change - Best Practice Guide
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/sex_discrimination/publication/mcc/index.html
Women In The Pipeline: Next Practice Actions
http://www.iveybusinessjournal.com/topics/the-organization/women-in-the-pipeline-next-practice-actions
Women In Management - The Power Of Three
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/When-women-sit-at-the-table-pd20110616-HV3HM?opendocument&src=idp&emcontent_leaders_management
Significant Women’s Network only formed earlier this year and we have already covered topics as diverse as Philanthropy, Women in Science/Medical Research, Corporate Responsibility and Social Investment and our recent panel discussion - ASX 100 Gender Diversity/Women on Boards.
We are planning equally strong topics for 2012 and expect to include, Conservation, Women in Academia, Women in Poverty in Australia and a workshop around the topic of ‘Investing in Your Own Success’
We invite you to introduce Significant Women’s Network to your friends, associates and colleagues in executive and senior roles, who you feel would benefit from joining our group.
For further information about Significant Women’s Network and our upcoming events or to discuss potential sponsorship of an event, please call me on 9188 2338 or email to elaine.jacobs@mssb.com
