Two weeks ago the Australian Institute of Company Directors issued a press release talking up the effectiveness of initiatives implemented by it, the ASX and other organizations in breaking down the gender equity divide. So far in 2010, 51 women have been appointed to ASX 200 boards, compared to only 10 in 2009 and the proportion of female board members is now 10.3 per cent, compared to just 8.3 per cent at the beginning of this year.  So why is it that - at the same time - a number of high profile directors and commentators have come out saying that progress is still too slow and that the situation won’t change enough until quotas are introduced? Read More

When was the last time you spend a day focused just on you and what you want to achieve from work and life? If you're in Brisbane next Wednesday 1st December, I'd love to see you at the Ascend career development day where you'll have the chance to do just that.  Here's what one of our recent participants had to say about how much she loved the program: Read More

Meek and mild is not how I’d describe Lynn Ralph, board performance specialist with Cameron Ralph and non-executive director of the Sydney Swans and The Sydney Institute.  In past lives she was also a successful investment manager and ran the Sydney Dance Company.  And those in attendance at Ascend in Sydney on Friday would agree: this is a woman who pulls no punches, makes no apologies for her successful career and yet doesn’t take herself too seriously.   Read More

When was the last time you spend a day focused just on you and what you want to achieve from work and life? If you're in Melbourne next Friday 19th November, I'd love to see you at the Ascend career development day where you'll have the chance to do just that.  Here's what one of our recent participants had to say about how much she loved the program: Read More

If you haven't yet registered to attend the final series of Ascend development days in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane you don't have long to do that... and go in the running to win a gorgeous La Chance lucky bracelet at the same time.  The first Ascend event kicks off this Wednesday in Adelaide, followed by Sydney on Friday, Melbourne on the 19th November and Brisbane on 1st December.  At the conclusion of the series we'll be giving away a La Chance Lucky Bracelet valued at $395 to one lucky Ascend participant. Read More

For our readers in Adelaide... now is your last chance to register for our final Ascend career development day for 2010 - which is all about career develoment and the things women can do to position themselves for career advancement and success in 2011.  Would you, your colleagues or team members benefit from attending?  Or is there someone you could forward this email to, who may benefit from spending a day reflecting and refocusing on their career success? Read More

If you were planning to join us for the final Ascend development day for the year in Sydney, I'm sorry but you've left it too late - this quarter is fully booked now in Sydney.  The good news is we still have a few places left in our other three cities: Read More

If you were hoping to attend the Ascend career development day in Sydney I have some bad news... this fanstastic networking and development opportunity has just sold out in Sydney.  We are currently investigating a larger venue so if you'd like to go on the wait list for individual or group bookings, please contact us ASAP.  We still have a handful of places left in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane - so if you're keen to get all the advice you need to build your blueprint for career success in 2011... you'll need to register now to avoid disappointment. Read More

Work travel is an inescapable part of many of our lives.  Whilst it has it rewards, there can also be some negative side effects.  At the last sphinxx Ascend development day in Brisbane, travelling for work was described as something that caused people to “over-work, over-eat, under-sleep and under-exercise”.  Sadly, for all too many of us, this is true.  Here are a few simple strategies that we can all employ to help ensure that we both live well, and work well, while we are away. Read More

I was thrilled to receive an email from Cindy Flower this week at the Department for Water in Adelaide with the fantastic news that the program she's been running to improve the advancement of women in leadership across the department had just been announced the winner of the Women's awards category in the Diversity@Work Awards.  sphinxx has been part of the program at the Department of Water in SA for almost 2 years now, providing mentoring programs, a training workshop on negotiation, and access to theAscend development days, so we're really excited to see the progress Cindy continues to make.   Read More