During my networking at the NAWBO business fair I met Dr. Sharon Kerrick, Dean of the Business School at Bellarmine University. She invited me to their free seminars for students and business owners. I must say it is nice to attend a lecture and take notes and not be worried about a test. (Been there, done that.) It allows for great networking and learning what is new in the business world.
Susan Cameron – First Female CEO of Reynold Cooperation: Advice to women in business
I attended one of these sessions when they introduced Susan Cameron the first Female CEO of Reynolds Cooperation. She provided an interesting history of how she moved up the ladder in a man’s world by starting in consumer marketing. She then proceeded to illustrate her thoughts on Secrets to Success. I have summarized them below:
- Jump on a new opportunity – take a chance you can always go home
- Love what you do and find the right cultural fit for you
- You need to find mentors so you can learn from others – you can also learn what not to do from your tormentors or bad managers
- It is all about your team – you can’t do it yourself – build a team to complement your strengths (know your strengths and weakness -Mend the Gap) – learn how to delegate
- The team needs to be full inclusion of diversity
- Must have the ability to prioritize and focus on the top 4 things
- Have to operate in the Grey – not all black and white
- Need to have the experience and calculate the risk and learn from your team then make the decision
- Follow the Golden Rule
- Business can’t stand still – change is hard but make it transparent to all
She also provided a perspective on Women Leaders and Men Leaders. She felt Women are more culturally aware and value the employee relationships while men are better at conflict and getting the job done and moving on. Woman feel they have to be 150% ready to accept the promotion and while Men are comfortable accepting if they’re 70% ready. Woman have to learn let go and just go for it. Great advice.
