A study of young Canadian girls ages eight to twelve found that 51% want to own their own company of one day, and more than 54% were optimistic that nothing could stand in the way of their dreams.
This is good news, but look at their ages. Will they still be thinking the same way once they are teenagers or later on when they hit the workplace?
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Women in Leadership conference put on by Rotman business students for Rotman business students. It was an impressively organized event and kudos to the students for running such an exciting, energizing and inspiring day.
One of the speakers was giving advice to the young women, and as I listened, I thought it had much relevance for all of us, no matter the age. Here are her ten tips for a successful life:
1. Think about yourself. Ask what am I built to do.
2. Focus on your strengths – hire your weaknesses
3. Recognize opportunity
4. Have negative friends? Find new ones
5. Think, speak and act positively
6. Create a strategy for your business and your life
7. Get out there and fail – it’s OK
8. Master the golden rule of networking – give
9. Build your brand
10. Find a mentor
Perhaps if our young eight to twelve year olds understand these rules, they have a good chance of realizing their dreams.
Showing posts with label young women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young women. Show all posts
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Monday, December 03, 2007
On a Learning Curve
Did you know that Thursday is the new Friday? Neither did I. But I am learning a lot through working with the young women on the launch party and launch of Company of Young Women.
It’s fascinating to better understand what impresses and attracts them to events – so different from us boomers. And as for Facebook, I am still grappling with the pokes and someone writing on my wall. I guess I will get there… eventually.
I see Company of Young Women as a wonderful opportunity to learn from and support young women as they work their way through the ranks. And who’s to say who will learn the most!
So stay tuned for the launch party… one thing I do know, it won’t be on a Thursday!
It’s fascinating to better understand what impresses and attracts them to events – so different from us boomers. And as for Facebook, I am still grappling with the pokes and someone writing on my wall. I guess I will get there… eventually.
I see Company of Young Women as a wonderful opportunity to learn from and support young women as they work their way through the ranks. And who’s to say who will learn the most!
So stay tuned for the launch party… one thing I do know, it won’t be on a Thursday!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Amazing Women
Did you know that the person who started the Hospital for Sick Children, was a mom in her twenties? Pretty impressive for the times. As were the other women and stories we heard at the luncheon to celebrate Canada’s 100 most powerful women.
But perhaps the most impressive were from the youngest and oldest in the group. Young Hannah Taylor, 12 who had to stand on a box to reach the microphone, captured the audience with her charm and amazing confidence as she shared why she had started a charity to support the homeless. We need to clone her enthusiasm, caring and compassion because if we did, the world would be a much better place.
At the other end of the spectrum, we heard from Mayor Hazel McCallion, 86 who cracked jokes and spoke passionately about the need to have more women in politics.
Several of the women honoured were past speakers at Company of Women and we congratulate them all.
But perhaps the most impressive were from the youngest and oldest in the group. Young Hannah Taylor, 12 who had to stand on a box to reach the microphone, captured the audience with her charm and amazing confidence as she shared why she had started a charity to support the homeless. We need to clone her enthusiasm, caring and compassion because if we did, the world would be a much better place.
At the other end of the spectrum, we heard from Mayor Hazel McCallion, 86 who cracked jokes and spoke passionately about the need to have more women in politics.
Several of the women honoured were past speakers at Company of Women and we congratulate them all.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Leaving a legacy
MJ DeCoteau was just 22 years old when her mother died of breast cancer. For many, this premature loss would leave a lasting scar and a feeling of emptiness, but for MJ it led to a new career, and a new charity ReThink Breast Cancer.
Realizing that she needed to check out her risks, MJ searched for health information and found that most literature showed an elderly woman doing self-breast exam. As a young twenty-something, she couldn't relate to this material and was sure she wasn't alone. So she founded ReThink Breast Cancer so that she could reach young women. Her organization set about developing innovative awareness campaigns and strategies that would peak the interest of young women. And it's working which is just as well, as contrary to the myth that breast cancer only strikes older women, sadly more and more young women are falling victim to this disease.
Last year, when I was participating in the 60K walk to end breast cancer, I was asked to be a media spokesperson. There were seven of us selected from the 5,000 walkers and as we met to be briefed on how to work with the media, we had to share our stories. Most of the other women were much younger than me and one in particular comes to mind. She had been diagnosed just after she had her first baby. How scary and it sure hit home to me that this is no longer an old lady's disease.
We should be grateful that women like MJ are stepping forward and helping young women come to terms with their illness and that her fresh, upbeat, marketing approach is putting a new spin on breast cancer and getting the message out there.
As I said to MJ after she spoke at our Company of Women dinner, her mother would be proud of her. Instead of leaving her lost, she's left a legacy.
To learn more about ReThink Breast Cancer, go to www.rethinkbreastcancer.com
Realizing that she needed to check out her risks, MJ searched for health information and found that most literature showed an elderly woman doing self-breast exam. As a young twenty-something, she couldn't relate to this material and was sure she wasn't alone. So she founded ReThink Breast Cancer so that she could reach young women. Her organization set about developing innovative awareness campaigns and strategies that would peak the interest of young women. And it's working which is just as well, as contrary to the myth that breast cancer only strikes older women, sadly more and more young women are falling victim to this disease.
Last year, when I was participating in the 60K walk to end breast cancer, I was asked to be a media spokesperson. There were seven of us selected from the 5,000 walkers and as we met to be briefed on how to work with the media, we had to share our stories. Most of the other women were much younger than me and one in particular comes to mind. She had been diagnosed just after she had her first baby. How scary and it sure hit home to me that this is no longer an old lady's disease.
We should be grateful that women like MJ are stepping forward and helping young women come to terms with their illness and that her fresh, upbeat, marketing approach is putting a new spin on breast cancer and getting the message out there.
As I said to MJ after she spoke at our Company of Women dinner, her mother would be proud of her. Instead of leaving her lost, she's left a legacy.
To learn more about ReThink Breast Cancer, go to www.rethinkbreastcancer.com
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