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Celebrate International Women’s Day Everyday

March 8th is International Women’s Day, and we know it doesn’t get the same fanfare, fireworks, food spreads, or fun parades as some other holidays, but it should. Right?!

We, at Women ON Point, know that women are getting braver, bolder, finding their voices, banding together, speaking up, and standing out in greater numbers than ever before. And we are committed to doing even more.

International Women’s Day is a global day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women throughout the world. It’s also a day that encourages action to accelerate gender parity.

It’s 2019, and yet it’s hard to believe that women are still lagging in almost every category…leadership, pay, and overall gender parity. The World Economic Forum predicted that we wouldn’t achieve global gender parity until 2095, and the gender gap wouldn’t close completely until 2133.

Not only does this defy basic common sense, it defies good business sense. It has been proven over and over that the companies that perform best financially have the greatest number of women in leadership positions. The companies that have the top 20% of financial performance, 27% of the leaders are women. In contrast, the bottom 20% of financial performers have only 19% of women in leadership roles.

Across industries, countries, and companies, men and women alike agree that more female leadership leads to stronger, healthier, and more profitable organizations. Women have a positive impact on culture, productivity, results, relationships, collaboration, teamwork, motivating and developing others, spearheading change and innovation, taking initiative, establishing stretch goals, and practicing self-development.

There seems to be no end to what we can accomplish and the value we can bring when we are in positions of leadership. The bottom line is that everyone wins when we encourage, promote, and celebrate women in leadership roles.

Speaking of celebrating, here are 10 ways to celebrate International Women’s Day and make a difference in the lives of women everyday:

  1. Be a mentor to a female colleague or young woman
  2. Join a professional women’s group or chamber of commerce
  3. Nominate a female colleague for an award or recommend her on LinkedIn
  4. Encourage a co-worker (or yourself) to ask for a raise, promotion or stretch goal
  5. Support a non-profit dedicated to elevating women and girls
  6. Take a risk and do something outside your comfort zone like running for public office
  7. Advocate for better Diversity & Inclusion policies in your workplace
  8. Remember to write your successes in your Brag Book and boost your confidence
  9. Start a women’s group at work, initiative an event or find other ways to advance women
  10. Invest in yourself and attend a professional development event like Women ON Point: Next Level Leadership (include link)

At Women ON Point we are deeply honored to be able to celebrate women all day, every day, locally and internationally. Our goal is to help set women up for success in leadership roles in every industry by offering exclusive executive leadership summits. If you are looking to polish your leadership skills, skyrocket your confidence, and surround yourself with other female leaders, then this is the event for you. Celebrate and treat yourself on this special day…check it out!

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7 Ways to Get Your Career in Shape in the New Year

Happy New Year! Everyone is making resolutions and setting goals for the new year, and so are we at Women ON Point! We are on track for 2019 to be our biggest, boldest, and best year yet with new programs and initiatives, exciting partnerships, and the incredible opportunity to elevate even more women to the Next Level! (see details below)

We also know that one of the most common resolutions is to get in shape. But what about getting your career and leadership skills in tip-top shape?

It’s easy for your body to get out of shape, and the same is true about your career. You can get comfortable and complacent in your current position and stop dedicating the effort needed to advance your career. Promotions, raises, key projects, and leadership opportunities will not appear magically. This is the year to proactively get your career in the best possible shape and position to optimize those opportunities.

The more prepared and proactive you are, the healthier and more successful your career will be.

Here are 10 Ways to Get Your Career in Shape for the New Year:

  1. Update Your Resume

Before amnesia sets in and the New Year is in full swing, take the time to update your resume and turn it into a true success story highlighting your accomplishments and achievements. Better to build it before you need it.

 

  1. Invest in Yourself & Increase Your Skill Set

Don’t let your skills get rusty and outdated. Professional and leadership development is a muscle that needs constant exercise. Seek opportunities to grow and stretch yourself, sign up for a new certification, master some advanced technology, or really take your skills to the next level by registering for one of the Women ON Point leadership summits. Not only will new skills keep your mind sharp, but it will keep you current, relevant, and marketable.

 

  1. Expand Your Network & Your Visibility

Networking is not only the number one way to find a new job, but it will also take your career to the next level. Both internally and externally, you should be meeting new people, making new friends, and securing new strategic partnerships. Get out and join professional associations, networking groups, organizational committees, chambers of commerce, and more! Your network really is your “net-worth.”

 

  1. Become a Leader

Whether it’s initiating a new women’s group within your organization, sitting on a board, or running for president of a professional committee, becoming a leader and developing effective leadership skills is a terrific way to take your career to the next level.

 

  1. Build a Brand

Perception is reality, and how you’re perceived makes an enormous impact on your career…positively and negatively. Think carefully about how you want others to think of you and experience you. Proactively building a professional brand and reputation that accurately reflects who you are and what you do is critical for career success.

 

  1. Monitor Your Online Presence

Social media is here to stay. The big question:  is your online presence helping you or hurting you? Not only are your friends and family following your online activity on Facebook and LinkedIn, but so are prospective hiring managers and current supervisors. If you want your career to be healthy and to stay on track, build time into your daily routine to manage and sanitize your online presence.

 

  1. Recognize the Power of a Positive Attitude

One of the best ways to get your career in shape is by recognizing the power of a positive attitude. Instead of being “Debbie-downer”, give yourself a boost of energy with positive thinking and a jolt of joy by expressing gratitude and appreciation. People are attracted to and want to be around positive people. If you want to get noticed, recognized, and promoted, then it could be time to get your attitude in shape.

Professional health and fitness is just as important as personal health and fitness, and requires the same focus, drive and determination. Start the New Year off on the right foot, get your career in shape with the right routine and regiment, and you’ll be amazed with the results.

 

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5 Steps for Goal-Setting Success

Recently I was asked two very interesting questions…”Is it too late to wish people a Happy New Year, and is it too late to set my goals for 2017?”

My answers were simple, ”NO and NO!”

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