A woman of Influence

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aung_San_Suu_Kyi

A woman of Influence

Before I started to think exactly what this meant to me, I, possibly like you, attributed such a title to the women I saw plastered all over the covers of magazines like Vogue or Elle.

Our vulnerable and impressionable youth are no doubt a lot more influenced by Kim Kardashian than Aung San Suu Kyi - Burmese activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Each year, Forbes list the most powerful women in the world - a list that has changed significantly in its mix even in the past five years.

Beyonce, ranked 17th this year, did not make the cut in 2008.

It seems that the evaluative tools that measure the ability of others to influence us are constantly being reassessed. 

In her time, Margaret Thatcher's influence on the people of Britain could never be questioned. Baroness Thatcher changed the behaviours and lifestyles of communities that had been established over many generations. Many would suggest she used more than influence to make this happen.

In our time, it is the wife of a great leader that is exhibiting huge influence over the communities of America.  Michelle Obama will perhaps influence the lives and wellbeing of more families than her husband’s policy change on social issues such as health and welfare.

What influence can you and I have then? Without extreme wealth, power or media exposure, do we have any influence at all?

Nelson Mandela has risen to heights beyond imagination as one of the world’s most influential people ever! Yet his journey began from a position of little wealth, and action of absolute purity and sacrifice.

In such a vivid spectrum of influence where do we normal beings place ourselves?

The reality is that if you are reading this at the end of a busy day you would have already influenced the many people you have interacted with.

We are all a consequence of the environment we exist in, the experiences we have daily and the values of those we interact with regularly.

I am never prepared for the way my children speak when they are with their friends.  I simply cannot understand what they are saying. So much for the private school education!!!

I believe that all women as mothers have a keen sense of the influence they have over their own children and I am not referring just to the obvious genetic influences either.

My children's table manners, their approach to solving challenges, their aspirations and even their fashion sense are irrevocably imprinted by me.

As I witness young mothers engaging with their young children I can tangibly sense the significant level of responsibility that they all acknowledge and adhere to with their new role.

Their maternal 'second sense' recognizes the ultimate role of influence that they play for their children.

Given the scope of my interaction with other women every day, I can never escape the responsibility I have as a woman of influence.  My values, the experience I create and the environment I provide are all working to influence my team.

Like a new mother, I cannot escape what is a really tangible role of influencer.

Wow! So not only do I have to make my business keep working but I have to consider the manner in which I achieve success?  The short answer… if I give a damn… is YES!

I really don't see Kim Kardashian giving a damn! Do you? 

And this is where the real test of influence kicks in.  For those who make any 'women of great influence' list, they do have to be aware of the associated responsibility their position holds.

Just as a good mother recognizes instinctively her new responsibilities, a woman of influence is very aware of why she does what she does!

Quite simply then, as soon as you acknowledge your key role(s) and responsibilities, you begin to influence your family, your relationships, your peers and yourself.

That we begin to influence family etc… in positive ways as earlier it is mentioned that we influence anyway just through our daily interactions, whether we acknowledge our roles or not…

You are that women of influence!

Now get out there and make a difference!

5 Things You Must do this Winter

1. Plan a mid winter break there are so many great deals...and the pacific is quick and easy to get to, even Brisbane and the Gold Coast is worth another look...warmer temps really do lift the mood. My favourite has to be Pacific Resort Aitutaki.

2. Invest in a great coat - I love the snuggly feeling and often find it hard to shed even when inside. There are so many great deals on at the moment…go online have a look and high tail it to your nearest store. Buy your favourite coat at a tiny price.



3. Switch to red wine, we have so many great syrah's and pinots in this country and now is the time to enjoy them. Try, Vidals 2009 Syrah, at the moment you can pick it up at most New World’s for a tiny price and it is divine.

4. Be okay about a couple of extra kg’s this winter. Enjoy comfort food - soups, roasts, hot puddings, now is the best time. If you live in Auckland or Hamilton give www.myfoodbag.co.nz a go…I’m loving it!

5. Use the weekends to catch up on all the movies that you never get to watch... Now is the time. Bleak weather outside, a warm fire inside, comfy couch to curl up on…the best way to while away a Sunday...

People do Business with People they Like

After meeting with someone for the first time, I can quickly tell you whether I like them or not.
Curiously, I often can't remember what it was that they may have said to help me make this decision but I can remember how they made me feel.

We all identify with likable people. Some individuals can even be likable while being very naughty - we can all relate to the characters often played by Hugh Grant. Their almost fiendishly bad behaviour is overlooked because of their innate likability. Even if you don't naturally have the gift of being charismatic or a likable rogue - everyone can benefit at some level from just being 'business friendly'!

 I am very comfortable to have developed strong friendships from business relationships. Many of my suppliers have remained in my business-sphere for over twenty years. Sure, they have run strong and successful businesses so they have remained viable business partners, but they have also managed their business with me in a positive and transparent manner. I simply like them as people first and choose to do business with them as a consequence.

Interestingly, 'being nice' can be difficult. Even if you believe you are putting out positive messages, you may be surprised to find that these messages are not working at all. The character, Bree Van der Camp from Desperate Housewives is a case in point. Her positive actions always seemed clipped and tainted with expectation… she certainly didn't resonate as strongly as the lovable and likable Susan Mayer - although her behaviour in the series was hardly exemplary! Being prepared to be likable in business becomes second nature if your focus remains on the people you interact with. Taking time to acknowledge them as individuals and not just business owners is a simple moment but a very powerful one. 

Equal effort on keeping both the business dealings smart and the business relationship warm will return huge benefits for both parties.
How powerful was the message just last week when two of the most important men on the planet sat just inches from each other. While neither Barack Obama nor Vladimir Putin spoke a word, the global audience observed a business relationship that was going nowhere fast. Of course, like all failing relationships, if a common goal and trust are absent then there is little hope of the relationship growing at all.

In my business relationships, trust must sit firmly atop the like-ability. Trust is the absolute foundation of any positive business relationship and for me to remain 'in-like' with any business owner, I need to be able to trust them 100% of the time. So, sorry there can be no likable rogues in my business dealings - not even if it was Hugh Grant himself.

So how do I ensure I promote myself as likable in my business relationships? For me, the greatest challenge is to make myself available. I know just how positively I react when business owners take time to make contact with me directly. I don't want to talk with the sales manager - I want to talk with the person who has built the business up from scratch. I feel respected and significant as a client when this happens. Therefore, I must give time and effort when establishing new business relationships. Many of my team are far more capable and would bring a lot more relevance to a business deal, but my investment of time and effort in establishing a new business relationship is vital to the connectivity and respect factors.

I recently had one of my New Zealand factory owners appear at my office door. He regularly visits our Head Office but I had never met him. He wanted to meet me in person to thank me for the work we were providing him. Just a small moment in a very busy day but my reaction to this man and his business since has been very strongly modified as a consequence of his efforts to make himself known to me in person. His business now has a face, a personality and a tone of respect and honour. Even after this short interaction I connected, I like who he is and to top it off, the work his team completes is 'top notch'. Good business with a very likable man!

In business there may not always be room for compromise but there should definitely be room for warmth and humility.
Business can have greater benefits than just profits. While you must expect efficiency, dignity and integrity from your business partners, why not invest some time to find out more about who they are as people?

Now how do we get Obama and Putin to the next level of friendly business?