International Women’s Day – Lip Service, Mindset and Real Growth for Business and Team

Here we go again.

International Women’s Day 26…

Supposedly a day to celebrate women’s achievements, to educate and raise awareness about women’s equality and bring forth positive change that advances women fairly, that accelerate gender parity.

A day that many give lip service to but don’t appreciate the economic value of.

According to European Institute of Gender equality “ Boosting gender equality more broadly – beyond the boardroom – could raise EU GDP per capita by up to 9.6% by 2050, translating into an economic gain of up to €3.15 trillion”* 

Personally I’ve seen those that embrace diversity benefit from more than just healthier profits.

A fairer workplace accelerates positive change, removes grapevine mentality enabling innovation and an adaptive response to agility requirements, reduces knee jerk reactions that damage reputation and brand, improves profits, reduces absenteeism, even creates stronger happier teams.

So IWD26 is more than just “Let’s hear it for the girls right?”

It makes good business sense to embrace diversity and equality. And yet….

It’s also a day, where I get a plethora of requests to speak for FREE

Imagine contacting your solicitor or accountant and asking for work for free – think they’d work for love?

Try it at Ferrari and see what you get to walk out with for free?

If you aren’t aware professional speakers do not just rock up and go for it. There will be a meeting with you to understand your delegates needs and the outcomes the organisation require. I guarantee results so it’s imperative I know what you are looking to achieve.

Then there is research that is treble checked so you are getting the latest studies and not (as I heard recently) advice on changing mindsets and habits that dates back to the 1960’s and has been disproved many times! Think how damaging that advice was for those delegates. (I politely ranted on LinkedIn afterwards.)

Then there’s the writing of the script (or rehearsing the subject if we are not having a script as is often the case if I am on premises for the day.)

Then there’s the practice, practice practice – any speaker that says they just rock up and goes for it, doesn’t value you. I have been professionally speaking for 16 years and been growing successful businesses and their teams for over 30 however I still practice because you and your delegates outcomes, matter.

Then there’s the day – my phone is off and the only thing in the world that matters to me, is you, your team and your success.

Then there’s the follow up and support to you and your delegates so that the things we discuss aren’t just lip service, aren’t just a once a year activity. They are a genuine opportunity to make you and your team better forever.

So speak for free?

I stopped agreeing to this 3 years ago and don’t regret it.

The first company I helped grow I was one of the UK’s youngest Bodyshop managers in the automotive industry. I am a best selling author on the subject of mindset in 6 languages, my clients achieve every goal they set and achieve many they didn’t even know where possible! So would you speak for free?

One company that contacted me via Instagram asking me to speak for free made a profit of £16,000,000 but apparently “Had no budget” for IWD.

What does that say about IWD?
Are we wasting our time?

If you don’t value my craft and my expertise what does that say about your attitude to International Womens’ Day?

Companies invest in me. We work together to make business better, teams happier, profits easier, innovation easier, agility and adaptability achievable for all. We make things better. That’s what working with me does. Guaranteed, so speak for free?**

Are you looking for a powerful imparting of knowledge and advice to advance team, leaders and organisation, or some cupcakes*** with IWD 26 written on them with some pretty visuals for your socials?

It’s a big question that stacks a huge mindset behind it, so what does International Women’s Day mean to you?

If you want to truly invest in women, invest, lip service days are over.

**For schools, colleges, hospitals, etc I will ALWAYS reduce my fee to fit your budget. I will speak for a very meagre fee however I feel strongly that as a sole trader (Proudly so!) a fee shows value and loyalty. Things that matter to me in who I build relationships with and do business with. I will always be loyal to you, your team and your business.

***If you need cake, INsiders has an amazing cake maker in Stephanie Blythe from Cakeworx who supplies corporates with those special “We value you days” cupcakes and celebrations big and small. Learn more here.

*https://eige.europa.eu/newsroom/news/why-more-women-company-boards-good-business?language_content_entity=en