Political Correctness Doesn't Censor, It Keeps Comedy Fresh
It comes to us from a male comic, but the message is strong and comes up frequently in discussions of feminism, gender equality and other issues of social awareness: "Political correctness" isn't (or shouldn't be) a dirty phrase. Everyone has the right to object to what you say—just as you have the right to express an opinion or make a joke—and mutual respect, rather than shutting down speech and comedy, expands it. Listen to what Paul F. Tompkins has to say on jokes, shock, effective delivery, outrage, changing tastes and more. We think it not only applies to comedians on stage, but to anyone with a funny story or message they'd like others to hear. Next time you're called upon to exercise a little restraint or show a little respect—or even to be "politically correct"—embrace it as the opportunity it is.
See more videos from Big Think, visit Tompkins's site Tumblr and follow him on Twitter.
NORDIC Women INVESTING In Women Summit at NASDAQ
Women INVESTING in Women Digital is an integrated media company focused on increasing the number of high net worth women in both private equity and venture, to increase access to capital for women led initiatives around the world.
We continue to spark conversations and raise awareness, this time in Stockholm, Sweden as we hosted our 3rd Annual Nordic Summit in partnership with Nasdaq. Featuring senior executives, experts from government, media and academia, this gathering fueled meaningful dialog on gender equality and how women can and are, reshaping the world economy. This video includes highlights from this successful event along with insights from notable women who have redefined what it means to be successful in a 21st century economy.
Interview with Lisa Stone of SheKnows Media
Lisa Stone, CEO and co-founder of BlogHer and COO of SheKnows Media, discusses the importance of converting women in the social media space. As the primary users of the Internet and social media and with control of 83 percent of household spending, women are key digital and online consumers. And whether it's parenting, relationships, education or how to grow their own businesses, women often turn to other women for advice. Stone says she feels especially strongly about helping other women learn how to excel in business because she's received help herself, and because everyone should do what they can to develop a professional ecosystem in which women can rise, thrive, and invest in other women.
"Women represent more than 50 percent of the available workforce; we can't leave half these resources on the table," she says.
For more, visit www.blogher.com and www.sheknows.com.
Interview with Anila Arthanari of Infusionsoft
Anila Arthanari, development leader at Infusionsoft, quit her corporate job six years ago to be an entrepreneur, and quickly realized she'd found her place providing small businesses and entrepreneurs with software and productivity tools to help them grow their own brands and customer bases. She'd found her way to change the world. Arthanari says world needs more women in leadership positions, and discusses unique challenges women face in business and entrepreneurship. Women are more likely to contend with challenges from within; such as a lack of confidence, a biased culture or the feeling that they must choose between nurturing their families and nurturing growing businesses. Women are also still outnumbered on boards and in top positions, but are poised to take ownership of recent gains and fight to help one another achieve true equality. We're in the middle of a revolution, she says, and it's up to women to seize the opportunities.
"You are everything you need to be successful," she says. "The only question is how do I use my power and where do I use it?"
For more, visit www.infusionsoft.com.
Interview with Felena Hanson and Dr. Silvia Mah of Hera Hub
Hera Hub Founder Felena Hanson and Hera Labs Founder Dr. Silvia Mah are interviewed at the 2014 Women Investing In Women Summit in San Diego.
Hera Hub is a shared, flexible work and meeting space where entrepreneurial women can create and collaborate in a professional, productive, spa-like environment. The platform provides members with connections to other business experts, access to educational workshops and visibility within the community—giving them the support they need to be prosperous.
Interview with Barbara Bry of Blackbird Ventures
Barbara Bry is a serial entrepreneur and COO of Blackbird Ventures who is excited to work with Women Investing in Women to make a difference in the future of women entrepreneurs, and envisions a community of women mentoring the next generation of young women in business. She sat down to discuss how her trailblazing mother inspired her in her own career, her work in starting organizations and nonprofits and her focus on “leveling the playing field for women in business, health care and politics” and her advice to girls or women about success in business and attracting investors.
More info at www.blackbirdv.com.
Interview with Jayla Siciliano of Bon Affair
Jayla Siciliano is the founder of Bon Affair, Inc., which makes wine spritzers as a lower-alcohol, lower-calorie alternative to wine. She caught the eye—and investment—of Mark Cuban on “Shark Tank,” and shares a few lessons from the show. Know what investors want and have a thick skin. Integrity, honesty and putting yourself out there to do what others aren’t willing to do are all also crucial. She also discusses sources of inspiration: reading about others’ businesses, celebrating small victories and keeping her eyes on long-term goals. Being a confident woman, Siciliano says, can be a unique advantage in a male-dominated field.
More info at www.bonaffair.com.
Interview with Candace Klein of Dealstruck
Candace Klein is the Chief Strategy Officer at Dealstruck and, in her words, is “obsessed with small business.” She was thrilled to attend the Women Investing in Women San Diego Summit to see what inspires women in business and investments. She talks about her goals, her previous ventures, including starting the first commercial peer-to-peer lending company in the country and drafting legislation that made it into the 2012 JOBS Act, what is important to know when starting a business and why she feels it’s crucial to instill hunger for entrepreneurship in girls at a young age.
Learn more at www.dealstruck.com.
Interview with Lisé Markham of Emic Interactive Media
When Lisé Markham, CEO of Emic Interactive Media, was first hired by the Tribune Company to lead its television station in San Diego, she was the first woman they’d hired in 150 years. Markham shares her thoughts on beginning to break the glass ceiling, why she helps women entrepreneurs, the importance of enthusiasm and persistence, meeting and making a personal connection with Sen. Dianne Feinstein and more. She believes today’s young female entrepreneurs should look to build connections with successful mentors, which are more plentiful than ever. Find out more at http://emicmedia.com.
Women's Entrepreneurship in the Americas
The Women's Entrepreneurship in the Americas (WEAmericas) is a program designed to support economic development around the world and increase female economic participation by helping women overcome barriers to starting and growing businesses.
Exchanges and partnerships are an essential part of any entrepreneurial journey. In the WEAmericas exchange through the International Visitor Leadership Program, women entrepreneurs are able to learn, gain new skills, find mentors and more.
"In the WEAmericas program, we have learned quite a lot. We've gotten to know the experiences of other women, and also tools that can help women in these small and medium-sized enterprises to draw out their business plans, create their market strategies and start their marketing; among other tools that they have given us; and that I'm sure they will continue giving to us. So the simple access to that is a great step for us," says Marisol Del Carmen Brooks Zelaya, a WEAmericas gradauate from Nicaragua.
WeAmericas, state department helps women from across the Americas network and access opportunities.
"Essentially, women need training and access to credit, and women as a gender need to be taken into consideration as a productive segment of the market, says Maria De Los Angeles Torres Suarez, an alumna from Uruguay. "We need to strengthen their access to markets. Information generates opportunities, and training allows them to manage and develop their entrepreneurship in a way that's viable and successful."
Maria De Los Angeles Torres Suarez, a particpant and graduate from Uruguay, agarees. "I'm going to try to share this with other women, so that other women can also participate in this program, and therefore, we can have a multiplier effect," she says. "We can obtain better results and achieve more sustainable development."
For more about how WEAmerica supports opportunities for women in Latin America through education and skills development programs, visit the WEAmericas Initiative.
Indian women overcome hurdles as entrepreneurs
Lakshmi Sivadas of NDTV meets with entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs—all women—at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore to explore their ideas about why urban educated women in India are so often left out of business and not allowed to reach their full potential. India—where women make up only 5 percent of mid- to senior-level positions in companies, much lower than the global average of 20 percent—has an even lower rate of women entrepreneurs. However, the environment in India is evolving rapidly as women enter and start businesses like never before.
Women entrepreneurs in India bring a wide range of expertise, skills and unique lived experiences to the business landscape.
Entrepreneurs at the Institute discuss skills and special knowledge women bring to business; including stability, multitasking, empathy and the ability to think long term and strive toward goals. Women entrepreneurs have always been in India, though it's only been in recent years that they have received more widespread recognition—recognition that, in most cases, is hard won.
"Despite all of this," Sivadas says, "we still don't see too many urban educated women in India in the field of entrepreneurship."
Overcoming challenges
Everything from a lack of support from family and friends, to a lack of access to finance, to an urge to "take it all on" can stand in the way of a smooth entrepreneurial journey for Indian women.
"The challenges are always going to be there ... but believing in yourself and just working toward it is the only way which each one of us are going to achieve it," says one discussion participant.
Indian women in business face stereotypes, social conditioning and their own inner voice and doubts—a set of challenges these women say needs the attention of men as well as women.
Women leaders in a male-dominated industry
Depending on the industry, women in business can face a field dominated by men—and may face questions about trust in their abilities as one of very few women.
While some fields are more welcoming to women, such as the travel industry, women still must confront social pressure and questions about work-life balance and childcare that men rarely face.
"I feel that having to deal with those kind of situations is a pressure in itself," says one businesswoman.
Other fields; such as architecture or the petroleum industry, present much more challenging environments for women. It's a societal mentality these women hope is on its way out.
"I think people should overcome that mindset, support their daughters or their daughter-in-laws to come out; because we are capable, we are hard working, and if we can be successful homemakers then we can definitely be successful entrepreneurs too," says an entrepreneur.
Is there a bias in the kinds of industries women choose?
Many women, even as they reach for leadership roles, tend to stay in lifestyle businesses rather than growth businesses.
"At some point, there is a glass ceiling here as well, where women think 'OK, for this lifestyle, OK I'm an entrepreneur and I'm happy with this,'" says one businesswoman.
"We're doing what we're doing because we want to do it, not because it is easy to do it...Things will change in the next 20 to 30 years; we just need more success stories; we just need more inspiration...It's a fight. We'll fight it out and win."
Watch the entire discussion above, check out the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore to learn about their programs and upcoming events and visit NDTV for the latest news and current events from India.
Leadership Specialist Jenny Garrett Talks Female Breadwinners
Jenny Garrett; a mentor for the Cherie Blair Foundation and a personal and business coach for over ten years who focuses on coaching leaders in many public, private and nonprofit organizations; has turned her focus to female breadwinners.
It's the focus of her coaching, as well as her book "Rocking Your Role," which she calls a "how-to guide to success for female breadwinners." A female breadwinner, Garrett says, is a woman who is with a partner but earns more, or simply someone who is the sole earner in a family. They make up about 50 percent of the population, she says.
"The concept of female breadwinners is not something everyone knows about," she says, adding that while many women have changed to encompass both family and business roles, society hasn't necessarily changed to be welcoming to them.
Garrett seeks to help women navigate the complex challenges of a world that isn't necessarily ready for them, while dealing with role reversal and much more. She wants to help those who are struggling, she says, but also to celebrate those who are thriving.
One of the biggest challenges women mention is doing it all and feeling burned out.
"I help them to thank about how they can drop that cape of invincibility and actually help others to help themselves."
Learn more about Jenny Garrett and her work at rockingyourrole.com, or follow her on Twitter.
Secrets Of The World's Most Powerful Women
Forbes sits down with some the world's most powerful women to hear their insights on a variety of issues; including hurdles they've faced, lessons they have learned and advice they would pass on to the next generation.
Just a few insights from these powerful women:
Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, points out the importance of a support network, noting that women who manage to work their way up work very hard--but nearly always have support from family, friends or society.
Television journalist Ann Curry talks work-life balance.
"When I'm at work, I'm 100 percent at work. Unless my kids are sick or there's a problem, I'm all in, both feet, 100 percent. Because I know working hard and doing a good job is taking care of my family." Advice to next generation: "Everything you dream of, that you care enough to not give up on...will come true."
Jill Abramson, executive editor of The New York Times, points out that while 25 years ago, dealing with two small children felt overwhelming at times, she has learned that she can take on more responsibility than she realized.
Arianna Huffington, president and editor in chief of Huffington Post Media Group, points out: "I have not met a woman who has children and a career who is not guilty (feeling)"--but she says women should just do their best and trust that it will be good, even if we can't become "superwomen."
Jane Fonda reminds us that no one's perfect.
"You can't be whole if you're trying to be perfect," she says, adding, "The most important thing is to stay interested. That's much more important than being interesting."
Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue, advises everyone: Be true to yourselves. Listen to people you respect, she says, "but in the end," she stresses "it has to come from you."
Oprah Winfrey, chair of OWN, stresses the importance of shared vision.
"You have to have people whose vision is not only aligned with yours, but they also carry the passion for the vision as you do," she says.
Meg Whitman, CEO of Hewlett-Packard, values every member of her team. "You are only as good as the people who work for you," she says. "I need the right person, in the right job, at the right time, with the right values and behaviors." She also urges women to take the initiative even when it feels risky, noting: "The price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a mistake."
Anne Sweeney, co-chair at Disney Media Networks, praises the wonder and curiosity for which her company is known. "It's curiosity that gets people excited. Curiosity leads to new ideas; curiosity leads to new jobs, new industries, and it perpetuates itself because it's this neverending cycle of 'What if?' followed by 'Why not?'"
Debra Lee, chair and CEO of BET, has worked hard to develop her own personal style, rather than worrying too much about what others think a man or woman "should" do. She also notes: "The hardest thing for me was to learn how to say no and to make some people unhappy."
Ertharin Cousin, the executive director of the World Food Programme, stresses the importance of balance--that it's OK to say "No, I can't"--which is a tough lesson for women in particular, but will lead to greater power and comfort in your role as a leader.
Personal finance expert Suze Orman believes in the power of delivering a message you believe in forcefully.
"People believe me, and they believe me because I'm not just speaking in words; I'm speaking in truth," she says.
Facebook's COO Sheryl Sandberg is well known for being a powerful leader and "leaning in"--but she emphasizes that success includes mentors, friends and supports; and she believes the relationships should be cultivated intentionally and naturally.
Laura Chinchilla, President of Costa Rica, delivers a powerful message to women worldwide: "If you are able to overcome your internal limitations as a woman, you will be able to any kind of goal you want to."
Sara Blakely, the creator of SPANX, stresses the importance of inner drive.
"I don't ever want fear to be the reason that I don't experience something in life," she says.
Watch the whole video for more insights from these powerful female leaders.
Ivanka Trump on Work Life Balance | CNBC
Ivanka Trump talks to CNBC about "managing the ebbs and flows of life," discusses her many roles and offers her perspective on the corporate environment for women today.
Trump grew up involved in real estate (she's now the vice president of development and acquisitions for The Trump Organization) and went on to launch the Ivanka Trump Fashion Brand for apparrel and accessories. Along the way, she noticed that every woman seemed to follow her passions, but priorities differed depending on the woman—and she thinks that's fine.
For her own life, she tries her best to balance her time between business and taking care of her two children—but, she says, the "scale always tips in one direction."
"The way I look at everything is just about managing priorities. I like to think I'm where I need to be: A lot of times that's with my children and a lot of times that's in an office," she says.
She's also started a conversation about how women are portrayed, regardless of their approach to family and business.
"I wanted to explore this idea of this 'working woman,'" she says. "You don't refer to a man as a 'working man,' and yet a woman is called a 'working woman,' and I think that oftentimes in media, that's depicted as one-dimensional: You're either choosing to be in the workforce or you're choosing to stay at home. And I think the reality is, this modern working woman is working hard at all aspects of her life, all her passions"
Trump says she doesn't necessarily advocate any one approach to work-life balance.
"My approach is to celebrate the fact that we're really all the architects of our own lives. And we have one life, and you have to make it what you want it to be.
Learn more about Ivanka Trump, including her #WomenWhoWork initiative, at www.ivankatrump.com. Follow her on Twitter or like her on Facebook.
Jennifer Buffett receives Global Philanthropist Award
Jennifer Buffett speaks at the Global Fund for Women's 25th Anniversary gala in New York April 17, 2013. Buffett received the Global Philanthropist Award, presented by Barbara Dobkin, champion of women's rights and Chair of the American Jewish World Service and the Dafna Israeli Fund.
Expressing gratitude for the award and her good fortune in life, Buffett adds, "My role is to work as hard as possible to pay it forward to other girls and women." She goes on to stress the oneness we can all experience--and use to reach out and help one another--on an unprecedented scale.
Jennifer Buffett is co-president of NoVo Foundation with her husband, Peter. The foundation addresses advocating for girls' rights in the United States and Global South, ending violence against girls and women, education and more.
Female Founders: Work-life Balance, Pressure and Motherhood
The women founders of Digital Media Zone, Canada's top university business incubator—with Vicki Saunders, founder of SheEO—discuss the many facets of starting and running a business today as a woman.
Among the topics covered, the women discuss time constraints and the pressure felt by female entrepreneurs—both in terms of day-to-day tasks and in terms of "timing" when to start a business and when or whether to start a family—as well as the many facets of striking a balance in their personal and professional lives.
"I believe in work-life integration: enjoying work and enjoying life at the same time because i see them as one," says Anna Hu, CEO of Brizi.
The women also talk about the importance of finding a good partner or supportive friends nad colleagues, pressures placed by companies for women to put off motherhood, pressure from loved ones to start a family and the expectation to work 24/7.
Businesswomen and experts in the conversation include:
- Vicki Saunders, founder of SheEO—Follow Saunders and SheEO on Twitter.
- Caroline Rouben, CEO of Bombash—Follow Bombash on Twitter.
- Jaclyn Ling, CEO of Blynk—Follow Ling and Blynk on Twitter.
- Anna Hu, CEO of Brizi—Follow Hu and Brizi on Twitter.
- Lidia Bit-Yunan, co-founder of Set Scouter—Follow Bit-Yunan and Set Scouter on Twitter.
The DMZ is Canada's top university business incubator, open to tech startups worldwide. Learn more at their website, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
United Way's Women in Philanthropy 10th Anniversary Video
In this special 10th anniversary video, United Way's Women in Philanthropy talk about what moves them to help foster youth, how they come together for the worthy cause and their personal backgrounds that bring the issue home for them.
Helping the vulnerable is often a journey of strength and power for the philanthropists themselves, and the compassion and comfort women can offer is crucial for those they help as well as one another, the dedicated women say "United Way’s Women in Philanthropy is a group of local women dedicated to ensuring foster youth throughout our community are prepared for and successful in their futures," the group says on its website. "Members teach foster youth to manage their finances, lead life skills workshops, and make holiday seasons special by providing gifts and necessities. Dynamic and powerful, Women in Philanthropy members act as positive role models and essential advocates for the foster youth throughout the community."
Watch the whole video for glimpses of these women's incredible stories. This group is one of 120 United Way women’s groups. Learn more, including information about their 14th annual Women in Philanthropy Luncheon, on their webiste; like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
University of Arkansas hosts International Women’s Day event
International Students and Scholars at the University of Arkansas celebrate International Women's Day March 4, 2015 at the Union Connection Lounge (ahead of the official holiday that Sunday, March 8). The college group used educational displays and presentations, simple one-on-one conversations and more to share women's stories; to reach across national, generational and cultural divides and to show appreciation for the resilience, strength and contributions of girls and women around the world.
Celebrations like these are taking place increasingly commonly as college communities spread the word about International Women's Day and women's issues around the world.
Find out more about University of Arkansas International Students and Scholars, like the group on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.
Women in Business and Work-Life Balance
Top 10 Power Moves for Women Entrepreneurs
Award-winning television and radio personality and money, media and marketing coach Monique Caradine shares ten winning moves for women entrepreneurs, counting down from No. 10:
10. Rub shoulders with millionaires regularly. Find networking events where you can meet and greet these movers and shakers.
9. Build your team. You don't have to do everything yourself! "Get brillian people who will support you and move you forward," Caradine says.
8. Build community among your ideal clients. Use Facebook and Twitter as tools to connect with new people and lead the conversation in your industry.
7. Go after bigger clients. Aim high, and see what happens!
6. Create a high-end offer. A distinctive product you can use to attract top-tier clients, bring in revenue and highlight the value in what you provide.
5. Raise your fees. While it might be counterintuitive, you must raise your fees to communicate that as you grow your business and expertise, it will cost clients more to "invest in themselves through you," says Caradine. "Give yourself permission to charge what you are worth and get it."
4. Invest in high-level coaching. Coaching and mentoring build the team you need to help "spot" you as you reach for success.
3. Get style advice to always look your best. Looking your best will help you make a good impression while you're rubbing shoulders with those millionaires.
2. Automate and create systems. Even if your business is small, it pays off to increase its efficiency so it can run smoothly, even when you're not around.
1. Finally write your book. Share your wisdom with the world—so they can benefit, and so you can attract more clients and influential people to your network.
Caradine is on a mission to "empower women entrepreneurs to stop being the 'best-kept secret' and start influencing their market, getting known in the media and making fabulous money." Visit her website, follow her on Twitter and like her on Facebook.