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It is just better to invest in Women
Kevin O’Leary of Shark Tank agrees with me – women are better at business.
When Kevin O’Leary chooses companies to invest in on Shark Tank, he simply follows the data. It’s a strategy that has led him to prefer women-led companies.
“It’s not because I’m sexist,” O’Leary said at the Inc. Women’s Summit in New York City on Monday. “But because I’m getting better returns.”
You can the full article here.
Hit Refresh – Satya Nadella CEO Microsoft
Recently I listened to the NPR interview with @SatyaNadella and I loved the thoughtfulness behind his new book. #HitRefresh.
Sataya said during the interview “…. when you refresh your browser not everything changes, just the pixels that needed to change have changed…”.
Companies and people get overwhelmed by overthinking, not everything needs to be different – keep it simple. Change comes one pixel at a time. Is it time to #HitRefresh?
“At the core, Hit Refresh is about us humans and the unique quality we call empathy, which will become ever more valuable in a world where the torrent of technology will disrupt the status quo like never before.”
@BillGates @Satya Nadella
Why Does Corporate America Have so Few Female CEOs?
Recently, I had a deep conversation with my friend @GeoffDeWeaver, which prompted him to re-publish this article, much of what we discussed is included, and I thought you might find it interesting from a male perspective. Turns out Geoff and I have lived and been in similar circles across the globe, and both of us still find this an awestruck question – its 2016 and time for a change, and who can change it – we can. You will see more from both of us on this topic.
Bottom-line: ..”having leaders with diverse experiences and backgrounds often translates to financial success. Whether it’s grades at school, university or ongoing – Female Founders Outperform Their Male Peers and deserve to continue to keep smashing the ‘glass ceiling’ in the corporate business market.” Geoff De Weaver
“You can not possibly have the best team if you are missing 50% of the talent pool, and women who are here and in the “game” are extremely good because they have had to beat all the odds – so in reality when you add a woman to your team you are getting a triple AAA player.” Jax Harrison
Excerpts: In a recent LinkedIn Pulse post, Sallie Krawcheck, summarized women empowerment perfectly. Sallie stated:
“2016 will be the year in which the forces of entrepreneurialism and feminism converge. Together, they will drive a long-wave, golden age of female entrepreneurship, which will be a positive for all of us: positive and empowering for the women who make the leap, good for the economy, good for consumers, and good for society.”
AND, then wrote:
‘Look around, and you’re beginning to see a critical mass of inspirational, successful female entrepreneurs,leading the way and providing examples. They’ve founded and run businesses such as 23andMe, Rent the Runway, TheRealReal, Birchbox, Spanx, Stitch Fix, Dry Bar, BaubleBar, Tory Burch, The Honest Company, Houzz, Lynda.com. And the list gets longer every day. No playing by the boys-club rules for these entrepreneurs. No asking permission. And they are forever banishing the concept that women’s businesses are supposed to be little or cute or limited to small-scale, home crafts. Or make-up. And their success is resonating, such that when I’m on business school and college campuses, entrepreneurialism is discussed at every meeting I have with female students.’
SXSW 2016 – Cool Trends and Highlights!
For those of you who attended SXSW2016 you got to enjoy all the fun and exciting things – me I am living the dream – vicariously! Here is a great read on some of the cool highlights!
SXSW2016 Highlights via Medium and @markwschaefer
Arena Ventures and Women Founders
CEO Paige Craig of Arena Ventures @paigecraig wrote a great article below on Woman Founders; what they face in the industry, why he believes it is the way it is, and gives great advice for changing it. #ifshecanican. It is encouraging and inspiring!
“Half Our Start-ups Are Founded By Women And I Am Surprised and Delighted.” As it should be.
Female Founders at Arena
Female Founders (Above) Clockwise from top-left: Leura Fine, CEO of Laurel & Wolf; Leiti Hsu, Susan Ho, Amy Guo, Co-Founders of Journy; Akta Adani, CEO of India Boulevard; Danielle Morrill, CEO of Mattermark; Margaret Laney, CMO of Mytable
Female Founders (Above) Clockwise from top-left: Payal Kadakia, CEO of Classpass; Niniane Wang, CEO of Evertoon; Kanjun Qiu, CEO of a stealth AI startup; Christina Saas, COO of Andela; Amanda Micallef, COO of Arsenic
So if most of us are out there aiming to invest in great people; and if we can also agree that founder potential is evenly distributed among the broad populations of women and men, then why are most gender investing ratios so fundamentally skewed?
Here’s my opinion: Most investors don’t have a real framework or techniques for investing in so called “amazing founders”
Customer Success by CEO’s Aaron Levie and Nick Mehta
Two rock star CEOs @levie and @nrmehta on Customer Success – so you think you have time?? Not so much! If you aren’t thinking, moving, and operating this way… you better think again! Gainsight CEO Nick Mehta and Box CEO Aaron Levie carpool through Palo Alto discussing Customer Success, startups, and tips for planning an epic tech conference. OH and they sing…like I do in the shower!
What does it mean in 2016 to be a woman and an entrepreneur ?
In celebration of international women’s day Inspiring Rarebirds, #ifshecanIcan asked woman what it means to be an entrepreneur today. International Women’s Day 2016 theme is for Parity. – We have come a long way and we still have a ways to go – how will you #pledgeforparity ?
Female Entrepreneurs share what it means for them
https://youtu.be/wixIFydh9zM
Working for Woman Entrepreneurs – Global Ambassador For Inspiring Rarebirds
It is a privilege to be included in this amazing group of humans, who are working to provide a platform where entrepreneurship for women is supported and is a choice… choice is a big word here… Rare Birds invites both parties to the conversation and makes the effort to create a safe welcoming and learning environment for women to succeed.
Rare Birds supports gender parity with launch of international Ambassador Program
Rare Birds Ambassador Program assists women entrepreneurs on their journeys from grassroot beginnings to global successes, while staying local but thinking global
8 March, 2016 – Coinciding with International Women’s Day, leading entrepreneurial hub Rare Birds today launches an international Ambassador Program to further foster entrepreneurship in regional and metropolitan locations throughout the world. Rare Birds believes that to see one million female entrepreneurs by 2020, support must stem from both men and women, as well as a diverse range of cultures and experiences.
“It’s time we accept that mobilising fifty percent of the global population of entrepreneurs requires one hundred percent diversity,” said Rare Birds Founder Jo Burston.
“From day one, I have said we are not a women’s organisation, we are a global movement which supports women entrepreneurs. That support comes from all genders, cultures, nationalities and politics. It’s wonderful to be able to announce the launch of the Ambassador Program today, International Women’s Day, particularly as this year’s theme is ‘parity’. Progress towards gender parity won’t just impact women, it will have significant impact on the global economy. It’s not a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s a ‘must-have’.
The program will appoint 100 international ambassadors by June 2017 and already has 15 ambassadors from around the world on board, of which eight are female and seven male. Ambassadors need to be entrepreneurs, thought leaders or captains of industry, play an active role in their community, have a passion for economic and social impact via entrepreneurship, and must strongly share the Rare Birds’ vision.
Jo Burston continues, “Today we celebrate eight females and seven males in the global rollout of our international Ambassador Program. This is a particularly proud moment for us, diversity is alive and embraced by our entire community. The support of so many male ambassadors, even at this early stage, is testament to that.”
The Rare Birds Ambassador program will also play a pivotal role in supporting budding entrepreneurs from remote, regional and local communities.
“There are huge benefits to be reaped by local economies when successful entrepreneurs stay put in their home towns,” explains Jo Burston.
“Likewise, the decision to include global entrepreneurial identities arose from our commitment to always be thinking big and flying high. There’s no reason why someone starting a business in Uluru, Hawaii or Vietnam shouldn’t have the same opportunity to access funding, mentoring and education. We believe passionately in making that happen,” she concludes.
To sign up to become a Rare Birds Ambassador visit: http://www.inspiringrarebirds.com/community/global_ambassador/
About Rare Birds – Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs
Rare Birds is a global hub that connects and supports aspiring and established entrepreneurs, creates opportunities and solves problems by providing funding, education, mentorship and publishing inspiring, practical content.
Rare Bird’s vision is to see one million women entrepreneurs in their global community by 2020, with a mission to give every woman the opportunity to become an entrepreneur by choice.
Cyber Violence Against Women
It is imperative that we understand the change needed in society – at a global level. Just because cyber-violence isn’t physical doesn’t mean that it is acceptable – it is a form of bullying, and perpetuates an attitude that becomes an insidious way of thinking. A hacked Facebook account can cost a life in some countries. We are all humans talking to other humans – we should always be respectful and kind, even if you don’t agree.
cyber-violence against women this is a great article on the topic. Think differently!