Distraction Can Be an Opportunity in the World of E-Commerce

This post is live today to celebrate Amazon Prime Day, Amazon's deal event exclusively for Prime members, featuring personalized deals and top brands. The event was created on July 15, 2015, to celebrate Prime members on Amazon's 20th birthday. According to Amazon, “An Amazon Prime membership includes various perks, including free delivery options and streaming, shopping, and reading benefits.”

Does your brand know how to engage with customers and prospects through your digital presence? I’m, not referring to social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and now Threads. I’m referring to the platform YOU own and operate, your website. And if you sell products or services, how often does someone attempt to make a purchase and then stop? Do you have a way to monitor your site traffic and follow up with the customer or prospect?

Recently, I received an email promotion (NOT from Amazon) with several products as well as a notice about an upcoming sale. After reading the email, I visited the website to check out the new products as well as some sale items. But upon further thought, I decided NOT to make a purchase.

Within a few short minutes of leaving the website, I received an email including the image that accompanies this post, with the message, “Whoops, did you get distracted? Please come back and have another look.” A button was also included with a link that read, “CONTINUE SHOPPING.”

Was this a smart strategy? Did it show how much the brand valued me as a customer?

Or was this a bad strategy? Would it annoy me since I chose to not purchase anything?

The brand’s marketing team definitely wanted me to keep the brand front and center in my mind so that if or when I decided to make those specific purchases that I had looked at, it would be my go-to brand.

Does your brand view distraction as an opportunity? If not, perhaps, you should.


Image Credit: Natural Life.

Why Mentorship Is Important

Over the past 14 years, thanks to social media, I have had the privilege of meeting inspiring marketing, branding, customer experience, leadership, and gender equality experts. One of these experts is Susan Colantuono, a leadership expert based in Rhode Island. Susan has graciously appeared here on my blog twice over the last few years, and we recently continued our conversation about leadership, specifically about the importance of mentorships. Highlights follow Susan’s bio, and links to previous Q&A’s are provided at the end.

Susan Colantuono is an internationally renowned author, speaker, and mentor/coach. She discovered, developed, and introduced to the world a definition of leadership and four keys that have transformed women’s leadership development and initiatives to close the leadership gender gap – including The Missing 33% of the career success equation for women. Her TED Talk entitled, “The Career Advice You Probably Didn’t Get” has garnered over four million views.

QUESTION: In your book Make the Most of Mentoring, you wrote that “we need to rethink (the concept) of mentoring.” Why?

SUSAN COLANTUONO: I wrote Make the Most of Mentoring as a way to strengthen mentoring programs – especially those designed to help all women advance. I’ve been told that it is hugely valuable for marginalized men as well. There are many reasons why we need to rethink the concept of mentoring, the whole first section of my book covers them, but for now, let me list two:

[1] The importance of mentorship in career progression has been an identified tool for women’s advancement since the 1970s, and yet, since the proliferation of formal programs in the 1980s, these mentoring programs have only marginally moved the needle in terms of women in senior roles.

[2] Initial research into the role of mentoring in the success of executive men focused on the process and relationship, and not on the content. Thus, most mentoring programs do nothing to address The Missing 33%, in other words, the importance of business, strategic, and financial acumen in career advancement.

QUESTION: In your book, you shared a quote from Professor Gale Evans of Georgia Tech: “There’s only one rule that matters, one rule that I have not seen written about in any book, article, or website. That rule is this: Every woman must always play on the women’s team. Why? Because every time any woman succeeds in business, your chances of succeeding in business increase. And every time a woman fails in business, your chances of failure increase.” While true in theory, often women become competitive in the workplace. How can that change to create a women’s team mindset?

SUSAN COLANTUONO: I am a huge advocate for supporting other women, but I think that the expectation to not compete is unattainable. When resources (e.g., promotions, plum assignments) are scarce, everyone competes.

(An aside, why don’t we hear about the problem of men competing? Answer: sexism).

So, my guidance is this, declare what you want, always put your best foot forward when advocating for why you should achieve it, do not denigrate a woman with whom you might be competing, and if another woman gets the position/assignment, support her as best you can.

SHARE THIS: Every woman must always play on the women’s team. ~Gale Evans via Susan Colantuono #WomensTeam #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: If another woman gets [a desired] position/assignment, support her as best you can. ~Susan Colantuono #GenderEquality #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: Before someone enters into a mentoring engagement/relationship, what questions should they ask themselves?

SUSAN COLANTUONO: Key questions for a protege/mentee to ask: What are my goals for this mentoring relationship. In other words, what concrete new skills, knowledge, experience do I want to gain and how can this person be a resource to me? If you can’t answer this question decline mentoring until you can. If you are tapped on the shoulder by a mentor, the question is different. What development needs do you (the mentor) see in me that you’d like us to address? The other absolutely crucial question is this: Am I committed to following through on any agreements we make about things like reading, practice opportunities, scheduled meetings, etc. Again, if your answer is equivocal, decline…for now.

QUESTION: Who do you consider to be the most important mentors in your life, and why?

SUSAN COLANTUONO: My first mentor was Dave Chichester, my first corporate boss. (Yes, bosses can be mentors, mentors can be sponsors, sponsors can be bosses and mentors. Do NOT think of these relationships as either/or relationships, they are a Venn diagram.) He gave me CAKE mentoring. (Helped me develop my Confidence and Encouraged me to take a position I would have NEVER considered.) Another was Kaleel Jamison who also gave me CAKE mentoring. (She helped me develop my Aptitude for facilitation and Konnected me with career resources.)  

QUESTION: Academy Award winning filmmaker/director Steven Spielberg has said, “The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.” What does this quote mean to you?

SUSAN COLANTUONO: To some extent, I agree with Spielberg’s quote. As mentors, we never want to push someone to become a mini-me. However, at the same time, part of mentoring is to help others develop skills that we have, especially business, strategic, and financial acumen. So, I’d say there’s a difference between developing a skill (moving the mentee toward our image) and manifesting that skill in our own unique way (creating themselves).

SHARE THIS: As mentors, we never want to push someone to become a mini-me. ~Susan Colantuono #Mentorship #LeadershipTip #DebbieLaskeysBlog

My profound thanks to Susan for returning to my blog and sharing her inspiring thoughts.


Image Credit: Bryan Garces via Unsplash.


Links to previous Q&A’s here on my blog:

Do You Use Your Voice to Lift Up Women Leaders?
December 10, 2022
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/12/do-you-use-your-voice-to-lift-up-women.html

As We Celebrate 1920, Work Remains to See More Women in Top Leadership Roles
August 26, 2021 (Women's Equality Day)
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2021/08/as-we-celebrate-1920-work-remains-to.html

Connect with Susan at these links:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancolantuono/
Mastadon: @susancolantuono@toot.community
Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_colantuono_the_career_advice_you_probably_didn_t_get

Marketing News of the Week: Happy Fourth of July!

What brands best symbolize or embody Independence Day?

Do the following brands stand out because they feature the word “American” in their names? American Airlines, American Broadcasting Company (ABC), American Eagle Outfitters, American Express, American Fireworks, American Freight, American Greetings Corporation, and Bank of America.

These brands may align their logo, email messaging, social media posts, and advertising with the red, white, and blue colors of the American flag. They may also include some form of “independence” wording or theme in their tagline or logo.

However, this year on June 27, 2023, beverage brand Pepsi made news with the following announcement:

"With help from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) Consulting (a business unit of The Culinary Institute of America), Pepsi has completely re-imagined what condiments can be for America's favorite summer food, unveiling Pepsi Colachup, the world's first Pepsi-infused condiment. Pepsi is so confident that hot dogs are #BetterWithPepsi, the brand is taking hot dog enjoyment to the next level with Pepsi Colachup, giving fans the chance to add even more of the iconic sweet, citrusy taste of a crisp, refreshing Pepsi-Cola directly onto their hot dog."

According to David Kamen, the director of client experience for CIA Consulting, "The concept is both simple and creative. The distinctive flavors and vibrant citrus blend of Pepsi enhance the bright and tangy characteristics of ketchup, offsetting the smokiness of the hot dog."

On July 4, Pepsi is partnering with the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees for exclusive in-stadium sampling during the team's home games. Hot dog enthusiasts who want to be the first to try Pepsi Colachup can look for the sampling carts at four major league baseball stadium locations: Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona; Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York; Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan.

So, what do you think? Is Pepsi the winner as this year's stand-out brand on Independence Day?


Image Credit: Pepsi.

Marketing News of the Week: Extreme Travel and Dark Travel

With the recent news surrounding the "catastrophic implosion" of the Titan submersible bound for the Titanic's final resting place, two new terms have repeatedly been mentioned: Extreme Travel and Dark Travel.

According to Wikipedia, "Extreme tourism (also often referred to as shock tourism) is a niche in the tourism industry involving travel to dangerous places (mountains, jungles, deserts, caves, canyons, etc.) or participation in dangerous events." Extreme tourism is a relatively small subcategory of adventure travel, whose advisors say makes up between 5% and 15% of their overall business.

Craig Curran, president of DePrez Group of Travel Companies and an extreme traveler himself explained, "Extreme adventure tourism is more like a lifestyle, a small community made up of like-minded travelers who see themselves as explorers, willing to test the limits of the body and mind in the name of human exploration and hoping to deepen their knowledge of the world and of themselves."

Stacy Fischer-Rosenthal, president of Fischer Travel Enterprises, a membership-only agency that costs $150,000 to join, offers adventures, such as, aerobatic gliding, gorilla trekking, and glacier walks. She explained, "We aim to make our clients' dreams come true, in whatever shape that may come."

And then, there's the Titan...according to Travel Weekly, the fatal deep-sea dive of OceanGate Expeditions' Titan captured the world's attention and thrust so-called "extreme tourism" into the spotlight. The Titan submersible promised a deep-dive to the Titanic wreck, and parent company OceanGate Expeditions sold seats for $250,000 each, but on its first Titanic-bound dive this year, the Titan imploded, killing all five people aboard and prompting scrutiny of the dangers of this type of travel.

According to CNN Travel, "Much of Titanic's magnetism comes from the hubris and glamor involved in the original tragedy," explained Brent McKenzie, a professor at Canada's University of Guleph and author of the upcoming book entitled, Dark Tourism: Is the Medium Still the Message. "The fact that so many lives were lost, and that the ship was 'unsinkable' and the famous people on board seems to ensure ongoing interest...Titanic tourism is one of the more established industries in what's become known as "dark tourism." More and more tourists are drawn to sites and attractions related to death, tragedy, and suffering."

Despite extreme risks and extreme price tags, travel industry experts don't expect demand for extreme tourism to wane any time soon. Travel advisors who curate these experiences say participants find too much value in high-risk, high-reward adventures to be deterred by the potential dangers even when the realities of catastrophe are realized.

When talking about extreme tourism, an example that typically comes to mind is space tourism. "Space exploration would likely be priced between $250,000 to $500,000 per seat, reserving your space years in advance," Joshua Bush, CEO of Avenue Two Travel, said of using suppliers like Space Perspective or Virgin Galactic. "You are in the millions for other experiences like SpaceX, [which] is extremely difficult to accomplish."

Yacht-based heli-skiing trips to Antarctica with U.K.-based luxury tour operator Pelorus start at around $750,000 to upward of $1 million, the company said, with demand increasing since December 2021.

Other examples include aerobatic gliding; extreme via ferrata (rock climbing); heli-skiing and heli-hiking; mountain climbing; deep-sea diving; and bear and gorilla trekking.

From a marketing perspective, clearly, there are people who will pay for extreme travel adventures, But is extreme travel worth the risk?


Image Credit: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images.

Branding and Marketing Lessons from Baseball

If you're a baseball fan, today is an important day. If you're not a fan of America's pastime, read on because there will be some unexpected branding and marketing lessons, and you might surprise yourself and become interested in baseball.

Baseball fans honor Abner Doubleday today, because he was born on this date in 1819. Although he was a career United States Army officer and Union general during the American Civil War, he also obtained the patent on the cable car railway that runs in San Francisco to this day. However, he is most widely known as the inventor of the game of baseball in Cooperstown, New York, in 1839.

So, as we celebrate Abner Doubleday and baseball, I’d like to introduce you to Brett Rudy from Boston. We recently discussed branding, marketing, and baseball, and highlights follow a brief introduction.

Brett Rudy is a marketing trailblazer with 20 years of experience in driving successful marketing campaigns. He combines creative flair, new technologies, and data-driven insights to deliver outstanding results. He's led marketing for many established brands, including Gillette, Toys R Us, Grand Circle Travel, and MedSchoolCoach. Brett's innovative spirit extends beyond his day job, where his passion for baseball allowed him to co-found the 100 Innings of Baseball for ALS, the Cooperstown Classic at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and Winterball for Toys for Tots. When he's not working, he can be found playing in the Boston Metro Baseball League.

QUESTION: You're a marketing pro and a serious baseball fan, so what do you think about the updated baseball uniforms that align with specific holidays such as Memorial Day, Mother's Day, and Father's Day? Do they succeed at telling a story, or are they simply another way to sell more branded/team stuff?

BRETT RUDY: Without question, custom baseball jerseys for holidays and unique events are clever ways of selling more merchandise. If a fan already has a home and away jersey, the only real way to create more demand is to come up with variations that fans would enjoy. As a Boston native, the Red Sox green jerseys for St. Patrick's Day, and the yellow Boston jerseys released for Marathon Monday as part of the City Series to celebrate Boston Strong, are quite popular.

Teams must love free agency. Whenever a player gets traded, their old uniform becomes a collector's item, and the new player who takes their place has new merchandise that the team may offer. Maybe MLB could offer uniforms using velcro to attach player names to jerseys, making it effortless for fans to switch player names whenever they want!

From a branding perspective, it's unclear whether changing uniforms frequently reinforces the product on the field – especially when done philanthropically. For example, although wearing pink ribbons on Mother's Day and baby blue ribbons on Father's Day are designed to increase awareness of breast and prostate cancer, it is doubtful that this approach is effective. There is already near 100% awareness. Plus, these color schemes reinforce outdated social norms. Instead, MLB should consider hosting more events designed to raise money and wipe out these diseases, rather than simply paying homage to them by changing colors.

(Here are some posts on the subject:
https://news.sportslogos.net/2021/05/13/exclusive-the-entire-2021-mlb-holiday-uniform-collection/baseball/
and
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33616399/washington-nationals-wizards-unveil-cherry-blossom-themed-uniforms)

QUESTION: I read a post on Forbes that presented Major League Baseball's 10 Biggest Marketing Problems. What do you think about the list, and why do you think people prefer football over baseball?

(Here's the post:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/maurybrown/2019/06/06/major-league-baseballs-10-biggest-marketing-problems/?sh=b054c01724b8)

BRETT RUDY: Just to be clear, in the US, about 32% more people play baseball than football (15.6 million than 11.8 million). However, perhaps your question is about WATCHING football. In 2022, the NFL had 18.8 million attend games. In comparison, MLB paid attendance was 64.6 million last year – about 3.5x greater than football. So I think what you are REALLY asking is why people watch any given football game. That's easy – there are very few games, so each game has a lot of meaning. People love violence, and tackling is violent. And people love tailgating, because it is an excuse to drink.

However, I actually wrote a better article than the one written by Forbes about why marketing is really hurting baseball - here's the link:
https://baseballismy.life/baseball-attendance-decline-blame-marketing/.

In short,
 - Ballplayers Are Playing More Baseball, So Are Too Busy to Attend
 - The Seats Look Empty, Making the Game Look Boring
 - Buying Tickets Is Harder Than Negotiating a Used Car
 - Instant Replay Suggests that the Onfield Product Is No Good
 - Discussing Athlete Salaries Is Exploiting How Expensive the Game Is

All the recent rule changes to bigger bases, the pitch clock, player starting on second base in extra innings, and no intentional walks were all designed to make the game faster and more exciting. However, what the new rules are really doing is reinforcing to casual fans that there is a problem with the game. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The problem is a marketing one.

QUESTION: What do you think about the jersey advertising patches that will become commonplace on baseball jerseys during the 2023 season?

BRETT RUDY: In Boston, the Red Sox ARE the brand. Putting another logo over their existing logo (which is in fact the entire uniform) is lack of understanding what the brand it. It takes attention of the Red Sox uniform and puts it on a third party brand. That may not have a good long term effect.

If the objective is to generate more ad revenue, sell half as much real estate and then double the price – in other places. Like TV.

For example, if television commercials were cut in half, a viewer's likelihood of remembering any given commercial could potentially double. Plus, shorter ads would mean fans would be less likely to run to the bathroom, because they might miss the game – so they'd be watching more of the commercials. Each brand would also have a greater share of voice. With all this occurring, price per ad could actually be doubled, because over the course of the game, each brand would be spending the exact same. Yet, the fan experience would be better.
 
(Here's more info:
https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/mlb-to-add-jersey-advertising-for-first-time-in-league-history-as-part-of-new-cba-per-report/)

QUESTION: What are your three fave brands, and why?

BRETT RUDY: Right now, my favorite brand is HubSpot. At its core, HubSpot is CRM software. Whether in sales or marketing, it is easy to use. And it just works.

What sets HubSpot apart is where they go beyond. Their customer support is beyond what other brands provide. You can chat, text, or email them. You get a professional who truly is an expert to respond to you in typically a minute or two. They are super helpful.

Their marketing is perfect. Their Inbound event draws marketers from across the world with top speakers. It is educational, insightful, and more fun than any event I've been to. Big fan of HubSpot.

I'm also going to go with MLB. Even though baseball has a lot of marketing opportunities, MLB must be doing something right if they've kept me engaged for 40+ years in the sport.

And I can't believe I'm going to say this, but number three has to be Twitter, right? How can you spend an hour a day on a service that doesn't truly stimulate you – for better or for worse. It's where we met for this article, even. Are there things Twitter could do better? Of course. But the ability for people to meet and talk on any topic is unparalleled.

SHARE THIS: On Twitter, the ability for people to meet and talk on any topic in unparalleled. ~@bkrudy #Twitter #DebbieLaskeysBlog

 
QUESTION: A fun interview question is often, "If you could dine with five people, from history or real life, who would you choose and why?" I wrote a post featuring an inspiring list of 15 people - including Jackie Robinson. Who would you invite to your dinner party, and why?

BRETT RUDY: I've had the opportunity to have dinner with baseball legends such as Ernie Banks and Mike Schmidt, and drink wine with dozens of others – though not all at once. All were through work I did with Charity Wines, raising money for these athletes' charities based on wine sales. What I found most amazing is that they were just regular people, each with their own personalities and unique stories. They just happen to be a whole lot better at baseball than I ever was or will be.

If I could have dinner with three other people I've never met, Howard Stern would be amazing. Even though he claims to be super quiet in real life, I think he is remarkably insightful and clever. He is also a marketing genius, though he does so invisibly. How else could you have a #1 selling book, #1 selling movie, #1 TV show, and #1 radio show, all in the same career?

Steve Jobs had the ability to create a product simply and find a way to market it to people who didn't even know they needed it, which is amazing. He created entirely new categories. I need to get into his mind.

Larry Page and Sergey Brin are other people I would like to have dinner with. The fact that a brand can have so many products used by more than a billion people is unreal. From Google Search, Google Maps, Gmail, Google Sheets, Google Drive – I don't even know where the list ends. I need to better understand how this empire was built!

Okay, I know that's four.

(Read the full post here:
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/06/my-amazing-dinner-party-of-15.html)

QUESTION: What does this quote mean to you? “Give something of meaning to your audience by inspiring, engaging, and educating them with story. Stop marketing. Start storytelling. ~@StorytellerAgcy”

BRETT RUDY: The best marketing is invisible. If you don't even know you are being marketed to, it is most effective. When a brand engages you and inspires you, that's a brand I want to be a part of. When a brand has a story that is compelling, that's something I want to listen to. When they are providing the education that I need, that is helpful. Content marketing in this way is better than a banner ad. That's why almost nobody clicks on them anymore. Brands can do better. And the ones that do are part of your life.

SHARE THIS: The best marketing is invisible. ~@bkrudy #MarketingTip #BrandingTip #BrandExperience #DebbieLaskeysBlog

My gratitude and appreciation to Brett for sharing his inspiring perspective about branding, marketing, and of course, baseball! However, I must end by adding, GO DODGERS!


Connect with Brett at these links:

Brett spends his days at MedSchoolCoach: https://medschoolcoach.com
Brett spends the rest of his time at Baseball Life: https://baseballismy.life
Brett spends some time during each day on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bkrudy

Image Credit: iStock.

Barbie Inspires Today on National Doll Day

 

Celebrated every year on the second Saturday in June, today is National Doll Day.

Most children play with a doll at some point while growing up. Many dolls have names, personalities, families, houses, cars, and a whole backstory. A child can spend countless hours in the company of dolls and their make-believe worlds. Dolls aren’t just toys but a great way for children to express their feelings. They also teach children the important lessons of friendship and sharing.

According to NationaDay.com, "Archaeological evidence shows that dolls are the oldest known toy, with the earliest dolls being made of clay, stone, wood, bone, ivory, leather, wax, and other crude materials. Excavations of Egyptian tombs dating to as early as the 21st century B.C. have unearthed dolls made of wood. Clay dolls have also been found in the graves of ancient Greek and Roman children. Just like the children of today, Roman, Greek, and Egyptian children also dressed their dolls in clothing and jewelry according to the latest fashion trends."

Mattel’s Barbie has become one of the world’s most popular dolls. Introduced in 1959, the Barbie doll owes its success to adapting to the ever-changing markets of various cultures and countries by launching Barbie dolls of shapes, colors, and sizes, and customization to the inhabitants of certain regions. Because Barbie has often been criticized for representing an unattainable beauty ideal for girls and women, the doll has evolved both in style and shape over the years. The Barbie brand also honors pioneering women from throughout history.

Here are some interesting facts you may not know about Barbie. Her full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Since her inception, she has had 200 different careers. Around the world, a Barbie doll is sold every three seconds, and March 9 is celebrated each year as National Barbie Day.

During 2022, there were some inspiring Barbie dolls unveiled, and this post celebrates them.

According to Mattel, "Barbie recognizes all female role models. The Inspiring Women Series pays tribute to the incredible heroines of their time; courageous women who took risks, changed rules, and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before."

TWEET THIS: Barbie's Inspiring Women Series pays tribute to incredible heroines of their time...who paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before. ~@Barbie #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Barbie Inspiring Women Ida B. Wells Doll - January 14, 2022:
The Ida B. Wells doll depicts her in her late 20's as the editor and co-owner of the Memphis Free Speech newspaper. Born into slavery three years before slavery ended in 1865, Ida B. Wells would later become a formidable activist for civil rights and women’s suffrage. She started her career as a teacher and segued into journalism where she gained national prominence. In her late 20's, she became both editor and co-owner of the Memphis Free Speech newspaper. She courageously exposed the inequality and cruelty that Black people faced. She co-founded the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs in 1896 and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 to collectively fight for freedom, justice, and equal opportunity. Ida B. Wells spent almost 50 years bravely challenging the status quo and has inspired generations of activists after her.

"The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them." ~Ida B. Wells

Barbie Inspiring Women Queen Elisabeth II Doll - Released April 21, 2022:
Barbie celebrated the longest ruling monarch in British history, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose extraordinary reign saw her lead with an immeasurable devotion to duty and a life of service. Reaching 70 years of service, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

According to Robert Best, senior director of Barbie design, "The gown is not a copy of any one dress she wears, but rather a gown inspired by the style and color of gown that she’s favored in royal portraits of herself for the past several years. If you look at those portraits or how she dresses for important events, she very much has a signature style and look, always a very simple design in white or ivory, which makes sense given that she must then wear all the accompanying jewelry and sash as befits her rank.”

Even the doll's packaging is royal, with a Buckingham Palace–inspired depiction of a throne room to pay tribute to the queen’s accession to the throne in 1952.

"To be inspirational, you don't have to save lives or win medals. I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, community organizers, and good neighbors; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special." ~Queen Elizabeth II

TWEET THIS: It's worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change. ~Queen Elizabeth II via @Barbie #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Barbie Inspiring Women Vera Wang Doll - May 5, 2022:
The Vera Wang doll depicts her as herself, at approximately 50 years old. Vera Wang, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, is an iconic designer and businesswoman who grew her brand from a small bridal boutique into a fashion and lifestyle empire. One of the youngest editors at Vogue, she also served as Design Director for Accessories at Ralph Lauren, where she became inspired to design bridalwear with modern women in mind. In 1990, she opened her own boutique, creating bridal gowns and eveningwear designed to celebrate and move with a woman’s silhouette. She has earned numerous awards for her contributions to the fashion industry, most notable the Legion of Honor from France.

"Success isn’t about the end result, it’s about what you learn along the way." ~Vera Wang

Barbie Inspiring Women Laverne Cox Doll - May 25, 2022:
The Laverne Cox doll depicts her as herself at 50 years old. She is an American actress, producer, and LBGTQ+ advocate. Cox was the first transgender actor to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy for her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black in 2014. She also won the first transgender Daytime Emmy for Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word in 2015. She has gone on to appear as a regular character the CBS show Doubt and many guest roles and specials.

"It’s important with all messages, that you might tell you otherwise that you have it within yourself to say that I am smart, I am beautiful. I’m Amazing. I’m enough!" ~Laverne Cox

Barbie Inspiring Women Dr. Jane Goodall Doll - July 11, 2022:
Recognizing decades of dedication, ground-breaking research and heroic achievements as a conservationist, Barbie honors Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, with a collectible doll made from recycled materials.

The Dr. Jane Goodall doll depicts her as herself at 26 years old as she set off to Tanzania to study chimpanzees in 1960. Goodall is considered the world’s foremost expert on chimpanzees for her 60 years of study in the field. Goodall’s favorite chimpanzee, David Greybeard, died in 1968. Joined by chimpanzee David Greybeard, Dr. Jane Goodall Barbie doll wears field attire and comes equipped with a pair of binoculars and a notebook. In July of 1960 at the age of 26, Dr. Jane Goodall journeyed from her home in England to the forest of Gombe National Park in Tanzania. Equipped with a pair of binoculars and a notebook, she fully immersed herself in the habitat of Gombe’s chimpanzees. While observing a male chimp, whom she named David Graybeard, she made the discovery chimpanzees fashion tools out of sticks. Her fascination with wildlife and her unorthodox method of field study led to her ground-breaking research and heroic achievements as a conservationist and humanitarian. Dr. Jane and her life-long work as a crusader for the ethical treatment of animals has been a tour de force of compassion and a benefit to our entire planet.

"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." ~Dr. Jane Goodall

Barbie Inspiring Women Madam C.J. Walker Doll - August 24, 2022:
The Madam C. J. Walker doll portrays her at about 40 years old, around the time she started her hair care company. The doll holds a small jar of her product. Walker is known as the first self-made woman millionaire in the US, a philanthropist, and social activist.

Madam C.J. Walker was born Sarah Breedlove in 1867 on a Delta, Louisiana cotton plantation. As the daughter of parents who were formerly enslaved and became sharecroppers, Walker would become a successful entrepreneur and the nation’s first documented self-made female millionaire. In St. Louis during the early 1900's, while working as a laundress to support her daughter, she experimented with homemade and commercial products in her efforts to heal a scalp ailment that caused hair loss.

After a stint as a sales agent for another company, she moved to Denver, married Charles Joseph “C. J.” Walker and began selling Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower. Together they traveled through the South and Southwest training “hair culturists” and recruiting sales agents. In 1910, they moved to Indianapolis where Walker opened a factory, a salon, and a beauty school. As Walker’s enterprise grew, so did her commitment to philanthropy with donations to orphanages, YWCAs, YMCAs, and Black colleges. As an advocate for social justice, she was a tireless supporter of the NAACP and other civil rights organizations.

"Don’t sit and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them." ~Madam C. J. Walker

Barbie Signature Music Series for 2022, celebrates Gloria Estefan - September 1, 2022:
Taking inspiration from her Cuban heritage and blending Latin rhythms with pop and dance beats, Gloria Estefan’s unique sound catapulted her to stardom, making her one of the most successful crossover artists in the world. Inspired by the iconic music video for Estefan’s chart-topping 1989 hit, “Get on Your Feet,” Barbie doll’s jacket features intricate golden detailing with jeweled accents and a dramatic, oversized lace sleeve. A golden waist chain accentuates her soft leopard belt, while bold thigh-high boots and golden accessories complete her look.

Barbie Signature Music Series for 2022, celebrates Tina Turner - October 13, 2022:
She went from singing as a young girl in her rural church choir in Nutbush, Tennessee, to becoming the legendary performer hailed as the undisputed “Queen of Rock ‘n Roll.” Barbie celebrates the unprecedented music career and journey of Tina Turner. She is a Grammy-winning, chart-topping singer, and one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. This doll commemorates her smash hit “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” and the design is inspired by the iconic outfit she wore in the music video.

What inspirational woman would you like to see transformed into a Barbie doll?

And more Barbie news: get ready for the new Barbie movie directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie, set to arrive in movie theaters on July 21, 2023.

Image Credit: Debbie Laskey and Barbie TV ad.

Start Listening to Women = Removal of Barriers for Women Leaders

Michelle Redfern appeared here on my blog in a Q&A to celebrate International Women’s Day back in March 2022, and recently, we re-connected to revisit gender equality and leadership issues. Our convo follows a brief bio.

Michelle Redfern is a globally recognised gender equality, diversity, and inclusion strategist based in Australia. She advises organisations in the business and sporting sectors on DEI strategy development and implementation and works directly with women leaders to advance their careers. She has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 100 Women of Influence and has won awards for her contribution to women’s advancement. She is passionate about what sets her soul on fire, closing the global leadership gender gap, and enabling women to have a career that soars!

QUESTION: A report entitled, "The Great Renegotiation: Report Rings Alarm that Nearly Half of Women Executives in Revenue Roles are Considering Leaving their Company," was published by Women in Revenue. According to Deanna Ransom, Executive Director of Women in Revenue, “When 50 percent of your female leadership isn’t happy, you need to take a close look internally. Marketing, sales, and customer success are the lifeblood of companies. We’re bringing customers in the door and closing the deals. Women aren’t being paid what they’re worth. They need equal pay, pay transparency, and mentorship to trust that they’re valued, heard, and have a clear career path. Otherwise, in this market they’re going to walk, take another offer, or possibly strike out on their own.” What are your thoughts?

(Read the full report here: https://21178334.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21178334/WIR22-02_Survey-Report_Rebrand_Final.pdf?utm_source=WIR+2022+Ebook)

MICHELLE REDFERN: There is a lot going on in that question Debbie! I want to break it down into the key issues as I see them.
 
[1] HIGH RISK OF TURNOVER OF WOMEN AT THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL: The zeitgeist of the Great “R” whether it’s resignation, rethink, reset, or renegotiation, has reached a fever pitch since the Covid global pandemic. It seems like every place I look, there is another report telling us how bad things are for women. Women's workplace issues have always been there, but the conditions created by the pandemic shone a much-needed light on them. Ms. Ransom is spot on with her commentary, because a trend of 50% disengagement of executive women is a significant risk. And, like any other risk, it cannot be ignored and must be managed or mitigated.

[2] THE GENDER PAY GAP: The gender pay gap means that, on average, men earn a higher income than women. There are many driving factors, including male-dominated industries having higher pay rates (e.g., mining, manufacturing, and construction) with feminised industries (e.g., caregiving, teaching, and healthcare) earning much lower pay rates.

Also, women’s workforce participation must be addressed to close the gender gaps in the paid workforce. Women still perform 75% of the world’s unpaid labour, including caring.

Another factor is the leadership gender gap. Men still dominate the most senior and well-paid roles in society. Addressing the role of men in society is key – men must be taught from the outset of their lives that they are equally responsible for what I call the 3 C’s: Cooking, cleaning, and caring! Every one of us must challenge rigid gender stereotypes – and that begins at home.

[3] PAY TRANSPARENCY: A very bright light must be shone on the gender pay gap; one way is through greater transparency. There are two levels to this: the organisational level and the job level.

Organisational Level: Australian Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) has been reporting on Australia’s gender pay gap for over a decade, and from 2024 onwards, private-sector employer pay gaps will be published. This legislated reform will accelerate change for workplace gender equality.

Job Level: The State of New York mandated that employers disclose the compensation or range of compensation in any advertisement for a job, promotion, or transfer opportunity. Here’s the link to take a look: https://www.nyc.gov/site/cchr/media/pay-transparency.page.

[4] MENTORSHIP: I have been very vocal that women are over-mentored and under-promoted. If 50% of the women in your organisation are about to walk, for goodness’ sake, don’t assign them a mentor!  The better thing to do is to listen to the women in your organisation at every level to understand their lived experiences at work.

This means asking women three key questions:
First, “What is it like for you to work here?”
Second, “What should I do more of to support you?”
Third, “What should I do less of to support you?”

Use my discussion guide, How to Listen to Women, to help with this critical conversation. Here’s the link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/j657194lcmc27pr/Leaders%20Guide%20to%20Listening%20%28to%20women%29_2023.pdf?dl=0.

Executive and other women will vote with their feet when conditions in their workplace do not meet their needs. Leaders who are serious about sustainable high performance of their organisation who ignore this fact, and the factors leading to women's unhappiness and disengagement about their workplace, do so at the peril of being on the wrong side of the success/failure ledger.

SHARE THIS: Women will vote with their feet when conditions in their workplace do not meet their needs. ~@RedfernMichelle #DebbieLaskeysBlog

QUESTION: Fast Company published an article entitled, "New Report Finds 60 Percent of Women in Leadership Feel Lonelier As Their Careers Progress." How can we reverse this trend?

(Read the full article here: https://www.fastcompany.com/90863592/women-leadership-feel-lonely-isolated)

MICHELLE REDFERN: Climbing up the leadership ladder, particularly as a CEO, can be a daunting experience with limited peers. That's why it's essential for women, regardless of their career stage, to actively seek out support groups. Women's networks offer a fantastic opportunity to connect with others in similar situations, exchange achievements and challenges, acquire new skills, and strategically expand networks.

QUESTION: In an article published by Harvard Business Review entitled "Where Women's Leadership Development Programs Fall Short," the theme was that these programs "can signal that women are deficient and need fixing, or that the under-representation of women in senior leadership positions is a result of their inability to compete with men." Wow! How can we turn around this inaccurate interpretation?

(Read the full article here: https://hbr.org/2023/03/where-womens-leadership-development-programs-fall-short)

MICHELLE REDFERN: One of my mantras is that women do not need fixing. The system does. The system (aka, patriarchal and misogynist attitudes) places barriers in the pathway of women who want to advance into leadership.

They manifest, typically, in three ways.

First: Policies and practices in organisations aren’t women-friendly.

Second: Unexamined mindsets of managers who make decisions about women (gender discrimination and bias).

Third: The skills that women are advised to develop most often (in fact, 97% of the time) fail to address how critical it is for women to develop and demonstrate business, strategic, and financial acumen.

QUESTION: According to an article published by the BBC entitled, "Why We Use Women’s Professional Titles Less Than Men’s," "Across many fields, women who have earned formal titles report that others neglect or dismiss these titles, or even condemn women’s claims to them." To see proof, we can look to the American First Lady to see how many people dismiss Dr. Jill Biden's title. So, how can we get gender parity when it comes to professional titles?

(Read the full article here: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210216-why-do-professional-titles-actually-matter?ocid=global_worklife_rss)

MICHELLE REDFERN: To properly introduce women, we should use titles that reflect their accomplishments. For instance, I introduce a woman with a PhD as "Doctor," even if she has not been using the title. It's important to encourage women to take pride in their achievements and address them accordingly.

QUESTION: You feature the words of the 27th Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, on your website: "I’m offended by the lack of women in positions of leadership and the way those that do make it are treated." Therefore, based on your experience, what three actions can all male leaders take to improve the workplace for women who aspire to become leaders?

MICHELLE REDFERN: Men who are in leadership positions must do the following:

First: Not assume they understand the lived experience of women in the workplace. THEY DO NOT.

Second: START LISTENING TO WOMEN. Ask women what works and what doesn’t work in the workplace for them. Ask women what must be done more of and what must be done less of to make the workplace a better place for women and to help them advance.

Third: Take action on the insights they have gained.

SHARE THIS: Men who are in leadership positions must not assume they understand the lived experience of women in the workplace. They do not. ~@RedfernMichelle #DebbieLaskeysBlog

My gratitude to Michelle for sharing her insights about leadership and gender equality.

Image Credit: Debbie Laskey.

Check out Michelle’s previous appearance here on my Blog:
Tips to Create Gender Equality in Your Workplace
https://www.debbielaskeysblog.com/2022/03/tips-to-create-gender-equality-in-your.html

Connect with Michelle at these links:
About: https://www.advancingwomeninbusinessandsport.com/advance-with-michelle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdvancingWomeninBizandSport/
LinkedIn https://au.linkedin.com/in/michelleredfern
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RedfernMichelle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleredferndotcom/