Her Magazine is New Zealand’s only women’s business lifestyle magazine! Her Magazine highlights the achievements of successful and rising New Zealand businesswomen. Her Magazine encourages a healthy work/life balance.
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/54854
GENERATION Y 2012? There are sufficient women operating in senior levels of business to generate respect amongst most businessmen today, but there are still some entrenched and outdated attitudes in pockets. I believe these aren't necessarily a reflection of people's ages, but are more a reflection of those individuals. Certainly people like Joan Withers, Roseanne Meo, Janine Smith, Julie Christie, Sharon hunter and Jan Dawson have done a huge amount to demonstrate the competence of so many women in business. Q: Generally speaking what do you think Nikki Kaye National MP for Auckland Central Generation Y Q: How do you think women in business are perceived by their male counterparts in Phoenix Renata Founder, Phoenix Cosmetics Generation Y Q: How do you think women in business are perceived by their male counterparts in 2012 –as equals, or lacking in competence at the higher levels? Most of the jobs in higher levels are taken by men, if you look overall at the statistics. Therefore men must think women are incompetent because they still hold the majority of higher level and high income bracket jobs in 2012. I work in a mainly female-dominated industry so think myself lucky that I don't have to deal with that type of sexism. Q: Generally speaking what do you think distinguishes women's business style from men's? I think women look at things from a broader perspective, not just black and white. Women don't just see figures, they see people. We look at what motivates our clients and what evokes our staff to perform better. Also time management. Women are much better at fitting more in, making the most of time constraints. Men often have a laid-back approach whereas women get the 42 | February/March 2012 | HER MAGAZINE distinguishes women's business style from men's? Obviously you have to be careful when generalising, but I think many women are very intuitive and probably put a greater emphasis on developing personal relationships to underpin their business relationships. Q: What do you think is a women's most valuable asset in business? Quite a lot of women are good at multi-tasking, and this means they can keep an eye on a number of different issues at the same time. Q: If you were to prioritise the top five activities essential to building a successful job done before the men have planned for it! Men often waste time with long-winded meetings instead of tackling issues head on in a swift and timely manner. Q: What do you think is a woman's most Strength. valuable asset in business? Business women are strong, determined, motivated and focused. Women are born to overcome difficulties, both physically and emotionally. It's in our blood, we have the ability to give birth! This makes us strong, yet also able to give a softer nurturing side, both of which help us immensely when in business. Q: If you were to prioritise the top five activities essential to building a successful business over time, what would they be, with no.1 as the most essential business activity to get right: Goal Setting – A goal is a dream that has a time line. Building a brand. Planning, marketing and developing. Recruiting a brilliant team. Never underestimate the importance of recruitment, and hiring the right people for the role. Management of your systems, constant development and overseeing that your systems run efficiently. Keeping your customers happy. Finding out what your business over time, what would they be, with no.1 as the most essential business activity to get right: From my experience the following is not a unique list to business, but could also apply to community and political leaders: 1. Being customer driven. 2. Good understanding of the business and business fundamentals. 3. Investment in good people who have confidence in the business. 4. Good managers who treat people well. 5. The right marketing and communications mix for that particular business. Q: Do you think customers have changed now from 5-10 years ago, and how? What are their expectations now? Technological advances mean, inevitably, everyone wants a response and an action much quicker than they expected in the past. This can put pressure on a business to be constantly vigilant to the requests of customers and often means that business has to be a 24/7 operation. Q: What do you perceive as your marketplace: local, national or global? As a Member of Parliament with constituency obligations, I have many local people who I need to communicate with and respond to. However, the nature of politics means customer wants, and giving it to them! Q: Do you think customers have changed now from 5-10 years ago, and how? What are their expectations now? Yes, ours have. Technology has changed customer expectations. Information is so freely available and so accessible, and customers are savvy and knowledgeable about products and manufacturing. As customers are socially and environmentally conscious we need to be as well in order to earn custom from the client. We often have to mimic trends in our products. For example, the current health trend, where customers are wanting mineral- based, fragrance free and natural products, means we tailor our goods to this need. Q: What do you perceive as your marketplace: local, national or global? Global. Our competitors are global, and our product line is saleable to anyone anywhere in the world. Q: Do you use Social Media? Yes, on a daily basis – every avenue that is available to the company I try. Q: How important is it as a tool for your business? Extremely important. It is imperative. We use it for research, we use it