Author: Martina
Jobs where women are paid better than men
The long-term effort to eliminate unequal conditions between men and women in terms of pay is bearing fruit. In some countries of the western world, including Slovakia, women already earn as much as men in several areas. In addition, there is a gradual increase in sectors where women’s earnings are higher than those of their male colleagues. While some jobs have always been more women’s jobs, which is also the result of better income, in others women have had to earn higher incomes through their skills and work. The result is earnings that men do not achieve in their individual positions. According to statistics from a number of consultancy companies, the list of these sectors is extended every year. An example is the six jobs where women currently earn an average of several tens of euros more. Health Advisor Health is one of the five sectors that have been at the top of the rankings of areas where women can earn more than men for several years. For the time being, this is only possible in selected positions. This includes a health adviser whose job is to coordinate hospital facilities. This activity makes the operation of hospitals more transparent and much more in line with the so-called medical codes. Follow us on Linkedin! Financial Advisor Women can also earn better in the financial sector by providing advice. In this case, the attempt by top financial institutions to attract more women to this area is behind the offer of higher wages. As financial advisors can influence their income by working results, the most successful ones can earn up to several hundred euros more than men. This is particularly true in the field of insurance. Assistant to the Research Agency The main task of assistants employed by the research agencies is data collection and subsequent evaluation. Many of these assistants also have telephone contact with their respondents in the job description, for which, according to expert studies, women are better suited. In addition, assistants in these agencies may perform various administrative tasks for managers or directors, thereby also replacing secretaries. This is also why they are rated higher for this versatile workload. Photo: www.pixabay.com Speaker The amount of a speaker’s income depends on the area in which she is active. The highest salaries are paid to spokespersons for top officials and large multinationals. In the latter case, they are often also in charge of developing PR campaigns and branding. This now inevitably includes the sympathetic faces of women, which attract the attention of customers. Deliberative speakers must not be missed at the forefront of the world’s largest firms. Interpreter Interpreters are also a similar case to speakers. These can earn around €100-200 more than men working in the same position in Slovakia. In Western Europe, these salary differences are even greater, especially when practicing a profession in top-level state or international institutions such as individual bodies under the European Commission or the UN. Psychologist In Slovakia, most of the chairs are occupied by women in psychological consultations (not only). Although higher salaries are not the only reason for women’s increased interest in the profession, they, along with several other factors, significantly increase interest in psychology studies and subsequent work in the profession. Psychologists tend to get better value for money mainly because of their strong empathy and ability to empathize with their clients, which is why they get great results in this job. Lower or higher salaries are not always a matter of discrimination against women or men. This is often linked to the hiring of specific positions, on which the amount of the employee’s or employees´ income also depends. In some sectors, women tend to occupy lower positions, while in others they are sought directly at the top of the corporate or employment hierarchy. The occupation of a particular position is then automatically reflected in the level of their earnings. Follow us on Linkedin!
Michaela Kralikova: I don’t like when people or brands play games
You may know Michaela Kralikova as the great cook on the Masterchef TV show but her culinary skills are far from being the only thing she attends to. Michaela is an incredibly versatile woman – she has set up her own café, published two books, is involved in personal development, marketing, runs seminars, is educating and does mentoring. Besides, she’s the mother of three. In the interview, she told us: When her relationship with cooking began, which was the most difficult thing to do in business beginnings, how her pandemic thwarted the plans, in which area of her activities she felt the best, which webinars she was preparing and for whom they were meant to help. You’re known from the MasterChef cooking show. When did this become about culinary art? I grew up in a village near Trenčín, where there was always a lot of good cooking. I was raised by my mother and grandmother, who had a profound influence on my relationship to cooking and to life in general. Ever since I was a little girl, I used to spend time in the kitchen and help make homemade apricot jam all the way up to Christmas baking. To this day, I remember making my mother’s first cake for her 40th or New Year’s Eve dinner, where I wrote four menus on the decorative paper myself. Then you published a recipe book and started your own bakery. What was the most challenging thing about starting a business? I think my entry into the gourmet business has made it easier for me to get the press out of my part in the Masterchef TV show. It helped my brand and the cafeteria chairs fill up faster than if I opened an anonymous business. Nevertheless, I was very afraid that it would work in the long term. The responsibility for the employees, their salaries, their families and, of course, my own has been great and heavy. The most difficult thing for me was to combine the roles of mother and entrepreneur. Sometimes the kids had to go to work with me, and I remember my daughter falling asleep on the night shift at the cafe when the staff could not come to work or I went straight from the maternity ward to decorate the cake for the production because the candy maker got sick. The coronavirus pandemic interfered with your business plans, as you took it? In the best of times, we had 3 Kralikova Cafe (Malacky, Stupava, Záhorská Bystrica) bistro-café and production – the Kralikova Manufacture manual for cakes and small snacks. It imported not only our cafés but also other cafés throughout Slovakia (e.g. Panta Rhei, Yeme and others.). We had over 20 employees and the management was really demanding. COVID and the divorce, however, conflicted plans and I decided to withdraw from the business. It wasn’t an easy decision, I saw the café as my fourth child but I realized there was a part to letting go and letting go. The cafe in Malacky is still there but it no longer bears my name, and I have closed the factory for good. You recently became a certified trainer for business and soft skills. When did you develop this desire for marketing education? Did you also take advantage of the experience of your own business? I’ve had a relationship with education since I was a kid. I come from a teacher’s family, so maybe I inherited a little. I taught English when I was in high school, and at university I gave Greek and Hebrew lessons to my classmates. I’ve always enjoyed teaching and moving people around. During my one-year internship in the United States, I dealt with the subjects of discipline and mentoring. When I thought about what to do next, a lot of people told me that it would be valuable if I continued to share my experience in business, management, but also personal growth, combustion, EQ, soft skills, etc. That’s why I decided to spy on Google’s trainer, where I eventually succeeded. What do you bet on building a personal brand? Branding or brand building is a strong issue today. In the first place, I want to focus on authenticity and honesty. People already see me as a brand, too, and I only did that by being myself. I don’t like people or brands playing games. Many world brands have realized that it is not enough to start a business and earn money but that the brand must become personal for the customer and need to establish a relationship with it. Every brand is like a person — it has its style, it has its language, its values, its colors, its personality. Follow us on Linkedin! You are a versatile woman – you write books, teach courses, lecture, mentor and excel in the kitchen arts. Besides, you’re the mother of three. What part do you feel best about? It’s true. I do a lot of things and some activities are quite different. Last weekend, I was cooking for 300 people in the High Tatras for an experience dinner, and this week, I have mentoring on social networking, brand building but also recording video courses on burn-outs and publishing skills. But which position do I feel best in? I feel best when I can be myself. I like to balance my program. I like company and lectures, but I can enjoy solitude, spend time with myself and, for example, write books or creative copywriting for different brands. I like my flow. What’s your favorite part of the job? Is there anything you don’t like to do in business? My favorite thing about my job is freedom. I can choose projects that I like and that make sense to me, but I can also refuse an offer that is not in line with my values and my mission. I do not like to deal with technical matters, accounting and paper, but I am used to “eat the frog first”. What can the participants of the web-based Marketing Mixture be looking forward to? We will talk about the basics of marketing, about different formats, channels and types of advertising. Mixing the right marketing mix is kind of alchemy. We’re gonna talk about what Brand is and the performance ad, and what the difference is. And what will the ladies learn on your web site, Public Records? Ladies learn that some things are genes, but rhetorical skills (verbal and non-verbal) can also be learned. The most powerful tool of any speaker is authenticity. We’re gonna tell each other how to prepare, how to practice, how to keep a positive mindset, how to drag in an audience and still be ourselves. What are your plans for the future? I have more personal and work plans, and I will be happy to implement some of them. I would like to focus more on projects that make sense to me and make me happy, because I can do my job. The priority, of course, are my three children, who are of an age when they most need my time and mentoring. I am working to move forward in the areas of mentoring, soft skills education and creative writing. I’m writing another book, and I’m also planning a whole new project — a new brand that should see the light of day in the autumn. Try giving us three tips on how to achieve your dream. Have faith and don’t doubt yourself. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. It’s never too late to start over. Follow us on Linkedin!
Do you know what a CE certificate is and how it can help you in your business?
Expanding into foreign markets is probably every entrepreneur’s dream. But breaking through your product into the European Union and the countries of the European Economic Area – it’s not just that. There are a lot of important things to be done. And one of them is the CE certificate which will help you become successful in other countries. What is a CE certificate and what does the CE marking represent? A CE-marked product is a product that complies with all relevant European Union directives and legislation. The CE marking does not mean that a product is manufactured in the EU but that it can be traded in the European Economic Area (EEA) and that it meets conditions ranging from safety through health protection to environmental protection. To put it simple, if you want to offer your product on foreign markets within the EEA (EU countries and Turkey), CE certification is mandatory. The 27 EU member countries and 3 EFTA states (Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) are included in the EEA. The CE marking is not a guarantee of quality, as many people perceive it to be. But it is the first indicator. BEWARE: the CE marking of parasitic brand China Export! The mark varies in appearance, with the letter E having an extra white shadow. This designation is not recognised. What products are subject to CE certification? However, product certification is not mandatory for every product offered within the EEA. It is only required for certain categories that are specified by the Directives on the use of the CE marking. Products with a CE certificate obligation include: mobile phones computers energy-consuming equipment (TV, fridge …) medical products toys for children measuring equipment pressure equipment production machines etc. Products such as chemicals, beauty products or food. A CE certificate is not required for these products. How to get CE marking in 6 steps: If you don’t know how to get a CE certificate, don’t be sad, we have a simple guide for you. Step 1: Identification of directives and harmonized standards affecting the product Product categories with CE marking obligations are set out in more than 20 directives. The essential requirements to be met by these products (safety, health and environmental protection) are also harmonized at EU level and can be found in the general terms of these directives. All harmonized standards issued by the EU include a reference to a specific directive. Step 2: Product-specific requirements Specific requirements are further specified for each product. There is no obligation to use harmonized standards to comply with relevant EU legislation. It’s up to you what you choose, it’s important to meet the basic requirements. Step 3: Need for independent conformity assessment by a notified body Certain product categories require an independent and objective assessment of compliance with the requirements for CE marking. This third party is authorized by the competent state authorities and is officially reported to the Commision and recorded in the NANDO (New Approach Notified and Designated Organisations) database. Step 4: Testing and compliance Responsibility for testing and compliance with EU law lies with the manufacturer. A risk assessment must always be part of the procedure. Step 5: Technical documentation required In the next step, the manufacturer must draw up the technical documentation to assess the product’s compliance with the relevant requirements and to assess the risk. The ES declaration of conformity and the technical documentation must be kept available at all times in case of a request from a competent state authority. Step 6: Introduction of CE marking on a given product and ES declaration of conformity The CE marking shall be affixed to the product by the manufacturer or his agent. This marking must be placed visibly, legibly and indelibly on the product or be directly on the label. If a notified body is involved, its identification number must also be provided. The manufacturer is also responsible for drawing up and indicating the inscription “ES declaration of conformity”. So this is where it ends and begins at the same time! The product is ready for the foreign market and goes into business!
Mary Barra – Chief executive of General Motors brought gender equality to the world of automobiles
For many years, industry has been predominantly man’s business. The automakers were no exception. The leading car manufacturers are still mainly men. In the case of General Motors, however, this is not the case. The American group is the first major car company where a woman has ever been put in charge. Mary Barra has been in charge of the US automotive giant General Motors since 2014. At the time, there was no other woman at the head of the world’s great automobile. The daughter of Finnish-born parents has thus become the first woman in the history to occupy the position of head of one of the leading cars. However, her entry into GM leadership has not only brought women to historic heights. At the same time, it also raised the issue of gender equality which has been taboo in this area for many years. At General Motors, she has been active since she was a young woman. The Executive Director and the Chairperson of the Board of Directors have been active in the company, which she has managed for several years, since she was 18 years old. As a student, she grew up in it in the fender control section. After completion of the study, a number of engineering and administrative positions were replaced in the GM. At the beginning of 2008, she was promoted to Vice-President who she was for six years old. After that, the promotion to the position of head of the entire automobile company followed. The woman in charge of GM after over 100 years Once the world’s largest automobile manufacturer, has a history of over 100 years. It was founded back in 1908, when it had a number of names on its board. Mary Barra is the last person to be in charge. The first female name appeared in the leadership of an American automobile company 106 years after its founding. As the world-class car companies had never driven women anywhere in the world before, Mary’s appearance prompted questions. However, the first female GM in top management to criticism, from those who did not like giving a woman the top job, quickly quieted down with above-average work results. Women in Action join their forces with Female Factor The emphasis on innovation and the move to a higher level Mary Barra, after starting leading the office, immediately began to fulfill great visions. Shortly after the takeover, the company announced an emphasis on innovation, which was to bring a new corporate philosophy and redistribute influence among section managers. Innovation has also been given a green light in the development and use of modern technologies and the production of new components. At the same time, the car company announced billions in investment in electromobility. Mary Barra is not hiding the fact that by 2035 she wants to stop the production of cars with internal combustion engines. There are also other ‘ green ’ targets, such as the 100% use of electricity from renewable energy sources in GM plants. Top pay of car´s CEOs Mary confirmed the ability of women to run the car business from the start at the head of GM. It wasn’t long before she was declared the most powerful manager on the planet shortly after taking over. In addition, managers such as Ginni Rometty (IBM) and Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo) are also in the ranking. However, it was not only women’s competition that was successful. In 2016, she also became the best paid boss in the car industry. Her annual income, including various compensations, amounted to EUR 22.6 million. This was more than in the case of the head of Ford or the head of the FCA. Mary Barra has also done a great deal of work in the area of promoting gender equality. The very assumption of the job of GM head was an inspiration to many women working in the automotive industry. Mary, however, was not satisfied with her status as an aspiring personality. From the position of leader of the car company, which until recently was exclusively a man’s job, she began to encourage women to be assertive and to try to gain influence in this area as well. Photo source on cover:www.pixabay.com
14 tips of how to use networking to support your business
As far as networking is concerned, there is still no substitute for face-to-face meetings. Sarah Weller reveals how her participation in networking has helped to forge valuable new contacts, and offers some good advice on how to make the most of networking opportunities. “I became what I would call a serial non-worker. In any given month, I can go to a number of networking breakfasts, a number of evening events, a trade show or two, and training where possible. I never realized how many networking groups there were in Bristol until I really got into it. There are many ways in which you can meet other small entrepreneurs, from breakfast at work to bank shares. There is something on the menu for everyone if you know where to look, ” says Sarah Weller. She further clarifies: “LinkedIn is a great way to connect with groups of people and learn about meetings. I also ask people where they network and I often find out about new meeting places.“ Why to network? “Simply, if people don’t know who you are and what you can do, they never call you. Yes, you can advertise, but that doesn’t give you a chance to learn about your customers, build long-term relationships and have a good talk. The point is that you see these people often enough to build a relationship – so you are selling your business not just to the people you meet, but to all their clients.“ “I like it, too! It’s true that I don’t always get into my car for breakfast at 6: 45 with a smile on my face but I do get in it right after my morning tea. As a small entrepreneur, you can easily become completely isolated and self-absorbed. It’s always good to get a second opinion, find out what others are doing and what’s new, otherwise you might find yourself left behind.“ Quote of the Day from Trish Bertuzzi Tips on how to make the most out of networking Let people talk about themselves first, so you know how to adapt what you say about your company to suit them. Don’t just tell people what you do, hundreds of people can do exactly the same thing. Tell people why they should give a chance to you. And think about that in an innovative way. Do not use phrases like ‘ best / fastest / most effective / creative ’. On the other hand, if you say something like ‘ we have made it possible to improve the customer satisfaction rating by 55% ’, it is worth listening to. Don’t be afraid to take examples from your work if it helps to explain it. Don’t give up because you didn’t get the deal the first time. Networking is about building long-term relationships – it is not a quick fix. Always have business cards and lots of pieces – you’d be surprised how many people come without them. Be memorable. Listen to the others and show that you’re listening. If you play with the phone while they’re talking, they’ll be less willing to listen. If appropriate, then send them personalized emails – but do not spread spam. Do not turn your attention off just because you cannot sell to the person you are talking to – you may have a network of contacts and clients that can be useful. Don’t be afraid if you happen to be sitting next to a competitor. Talk about your differences – perhaps there is a business relationship that needs to be developed through the sharing of skills. Use case studies to reach out to actual customers. Give your work context. It makes him a lot more memorable. Try not to read the paper. Have confidence in your business – no one knows that better than you. Don’t just stay with people you know. Obviously, you want to build relationships, so spend a little time talking about how they’re doing and reminisce about them, but then move on. Don’t sit at the table where you know everybody, they’ve already heard your two minutes. Go where you don’t know anyone, you can get more. The most important thing to remember, if you’re nervous about talking, is that everyone sitting around the table might feel the same way, and they’re just glad that you’re talking instead of them!
Quote of the Day from Trish Bertuzzi
Get inspired and share our Quotes on Linkedin as well. Do you know Trish Bertuzzi? She is the Author of “The Sales Development Playbook” | CEO at The Bridge Group. Let’s connect on Linkedin Trish founded The Bridge Group. The Bridge Group is helping B2B technology companies build world-class Inside Sales teams. Since 1998, she has helped over 400+ companies build, expand and optimize Sales Development and Inside Sales – building pipeline, generating revenue and redefining the image of the profession. In 2016 she expanded their service offerings to include Account Based Revenue (ABR) services. With this service she help companies launch strategies that drive bigger deals in bigger companies. Trish is the Author of The Sales Development Playbook available on Amazon. Voted in as a LinkedIn Top Sales Voice in 2018 and 2019
Women in Action join their forces with the female factor
When active women meet together, something incredible always comes out of it. Leaders of the Vienna-based female Factor (FF), the global community for future female leaders, connect with the co-founders of the Women in Action (WA), English-speaking platform for female expat entrepreneurs, founders, and philanthropists, in Prague in order to boost their mutual presence and outreach across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). We believe it is imperative for women organizations to hold together — the more initiatives we implement, the higher chances we have to make the difference and to adjust the percentage of female business leaders on top positions across the globe. The female factor and Women in Action have agreed to become partner organizations in achieving this mutual goal and will also serve as each other’s Ambassador. The female factor is currently entering Czech market, exploring the partnerships and building community. Together, the female factor and Women in Action will focus on creating opportunities to support English-speaking female professionals and will connect them globally, by providing high-quality mentoring programs, events and networking opportunities. About organisations: The female factor is a global community for a new era of female leaders enabling them to get their seat at the table by boosting confidence, competence & connections. FF supports these female leaders through mentoring, networking and our career programs. Women in Action is the home for the female business leaders, founders, investors, and philanthropists across Czech Republic and Slovakia with a common vision of more inclusive and prosperous future. WA is an English speaking platform that is set to unite expat and local women communities and give space for networking, meetings and sharing business ideas.