Business toolbox
Q & A with Livia Wang , Access Corporate Group
We chat with the chief brand officer about leadership , her business heroes and what she wanted to be when she was growing up .
Compiled by Remedios Lucio
Describe your perfect workday . It starts from looking through my diary . I have a lot of meetings : 12 to 15 is normal for one day . But then I scan my schedule and see the names of great people — people I know who will want to talk about disruptive businesses or ideas , great technology or content , or maybe there ’ s a challenge to fix — and it ’ s terrific . I love seeing my diary full of people I want to meet . It feels like you can conquer the world .
What did you want to be when you were growing up ? A PR specialist because they help shape people ' s perceptions — whether it ’ s a brand , company , or individual . A good PR person determines the ‘ truth ’ of the brand — the things people need to know .
How would you describe yourself as a leader and what are some of your strengths ? People tell me I have a good emotional connection and that I ’ m generally perceived as warm and approachable . Humility is also very important to me . I ’ m very driven , determined and motivated for success , but I still see my success as being able to recognise the perspectives of different stakeholders involved in our business and understand how all elements of the model work together . I treat everyone as equals and I am a big believer that if people don ’ t love what they do , they won ’ t achieve their best .
If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day , who would it be ? I don ’ t want to swap jobs ! I don ’ t want to do what anyone else is doing ! I love what I do . Next question !
What books / podcasts / music / magazines / blogs are you checking out right now ? I ’ m obsessed with the MasterClass series — it ’ s an online learning platform where you can access world-famous experts across a zillion categories . Film , business , writing , styling , cooking … you can learn from the world ’ s best in just 10 minutes , across a wide range of subjects . Think super-successful people selling their secrets : I love it .
Who are your business heroes and why ? It is Yunpeng Yin , founder of CommonWealth Magazine where I got my first job . She was a correspondent for The Wall Street Journal and known for interviewing many influential politicians and business leaders . She is now in her 80s but her bravery , energy and determination to break news and share the truth in current affairs continues , and I am truly inspired by her determination to keep doing it for so long .
Alpha-H raises women returning to the workforce
Australian skincare company Alpha-H has rolled out a returnship employment program promoting gender equality in the workforce . Known as ‘ The Encoreship ’, the new initiative will give employment opportunities to women dealing with challenges in returning to work after a long period of time .
Alpha-H partnered with a collective of like-minded brands , such as Adore Beauty and Ettitude , offering six full-time and paid three-month placements across varied sectors . Women can apply for the program via Alpha-H ’ s website .
Alpha-H ’ s research found that from February to October 2020 , 61 per cent of women in Australia lost their jobs and 72 per cent feel they have to upskill before they can get a job . Meanwhile , only 32 per cent of mothers are confident returning to the office and women aged 55 – 64 years old have a lower rate of workforce participation ( only 59 per cent ) than men ( 72 per cent ).
Entrepreneur Samantha Wills shares business lessons
When high-profile Australian entrepreneur Samantha Wills launched her bohemian jewellery business from her kitchen table at the age of 21 , she had no idea that it would one day turn into a global empire . The Port Macquarie native ’ s hobby became a successful multi-million dollar company sought after by passionate fans and celebrities from around the world .
But at the peak of the business in 2019 , Wills decided to close the business and return home to Australia . Now , in her new book , Of Gold and Dust : A memoir of a creative life , she reveals the intimate details behind the successful business that she built .
“ I tried so hard to find balance between my creative career and my personal life , but the more I tried to separate them , the more balance eluded me ,” Wills said . “ It was only when I began to fuse the two that I realised there is no such thing as having a creative career and a personal life — there is only a creative life . That realisation , and the freedom it gave me , remains one of the most significant of my life .”
May 2021 www . insideretail . com . au | 57