I received an email from a friend of mine, Caroline Poyner from PDC Creative who is part of the team that works to support Vatsalya, especially an orphanage called Udayan which is home to 98 children from the streets of Jaipur in Northern India. This organisation also does significant work empowering local women also. Giving to good causes is a guaranteed mood booster, and enables to us to be a positive part of a global community.

There are thousands on women who receive the sphinxx newsletter, if only 500 of these women committed $100 a year, and advocated these children’s cause to their friends, Vatsalya would be able to meet 75% of all their child support program costs. You’ll receive a financial statement and an activity report every quarter, and know exactly how your $100 annual grant is changing the lives of street children in India. You can even communicate with the children at the orphanage through skype and email.

She reminded me that this is a wonderful thing for families to do, especially if you have school age children. It’s a small organisation, so you can feel really involved. Be part of a community that changes lives. It’s well worth your $100.

 Read More

There are new beautifully decorated and embossed moleskin notebooks, as shown in this brief video. I just thought they were gorgeous, and being a fan of the book depository have complete faith they're quality. You can use them to keep records of books read, favourite restaurants, recipes, ideas, quotes, to do lists... all kinds of things. I’m ordering a few and plotting how to use them already.

 Read More

This is a special story for those of you who have had children, because you’ll probably still remember the name and face of your midwife. Imagine the following story happened to you or to her. Read More

Last weeks Mastermind Breakfast in Melbourne was a sold out, smash-hit success. And thanks to www.bestgiftcertificates.com.au we have another one in Sydney on the 15^th of July. Make sure you let us know you’re interested ASAP, so we can contact you and secure your place.  Read More

You’re probably already familiar with the de Groots restaurant site www.bestrestaurants.com.au which is oldest restaurant site in Australia and the function site www.bestvenues.com.au. These much-loved websites are the go to source for information about the best restaurants and function venues all around Australia and unique features such as downloadable full menus, function packages, lunch special and a real-time restaurant booking engine to book direct with restaurants. Read More

The Melbourne Mastermind Breakfast was a complete success – packed full of useful discussions, sold out and a lot of fun. I found it so empowering and encouraging seeing 10 women come together and share their lives with each other by honestly discussing challenges, successful strategies, ideas and tips. Read More

sphinxx has always been a group effort – harnessing the determination of women and employers to see more women in leadership roles, to close the diversity gap at executive and board levels. Our collaborative and pragmatic approach of bringing together senior women in business, and identifying experts who can advise on what women say they need to get the top jobs, has underpinned our growth and success.  This practical, focused approach is being recognised at the Telstra Business Awards - the results of which we find out next week on July 9 (fingers crossed!). 

I wish I could take all of our supporters with me to the presentation night, to give the audience a glimpse of the breadth and depth of fabulous female talent, support and voices out there… but there wouldn’t be a ballroom in Australia big enough to host you all.

So instead, I’d love you to go to this link where you can share your thoughts, congratulations or just the stories of how you are accessing sphinxx and what it means for you. 

Your thoughts will be shown on the screen during the awards presentation, to a room full of business people. What better forum to celebrate advancing women in business?  (and don’t forget to include your name and company – great profile building for you too!)

 Read More

“Too often women short change themselves in their choices. They choose based on what others will think, or expect, or what they have time for. Join me and learn how to make clear choices for yourself. I believe a happier energized you, is beneficial to all.” – Shar Henderson, Clear Choices  Read More

I have recently read a really interesting article on the human resources leader blog by Angela Priestly that investigates if the increasing focus on gender diversity in business distracts attention from other diversity needs such as sexuality or cultural diversity.

She recognizes the improvement made in law firms in regards to gender diversity (although women still make up only 8% of executives and board members in top publically listed companies), and questions whether if “the focus on the number of women in senior positions within a company detract[s] from the wider issue of diversity?”

I think this is an important question, and we do know is that gender diversity is the key lead indicator to other aspects of diversity. I agree it’s definitely not the only issue, but it’s a great starting place and one that we must continue to push for. Especially because women make up 52% of the population, and include many cultural backgrounds and the full scope of sexual orientations - it’s hard enough for people from diverse cultural background or sexual orientations to progress their careers in some fields without also being discriminated against as a woman.

She also reports on the findings of a study that worked with 506 for-profit American companies, with findings that indicate that better diversity in all fields improves and encourages innovation, creativity and better customer service. Read More