Monday, January 25, 2010

March Madness!



So, we may be jumping the gun on March, but we want you to get excited for our HOME & GARDEN issue. It will be filled with tips from the experts from everything on catering in the home to decorating your nursery. In honor of the upcoming issue, check out this DIY project from one of my favorite blogs, Design Sponge. Here you will find tons of easy, affordable ways to spruce up your home. This project took a filing cabinet from blah to brilliant with wallpaper samples and new handles. Click here to get a complete project guide --> Filing Cabinet

Have any easy, do-it-yourself idea like this? Share it with us on our facebook page... and remember, if it truly transforms something from drab to fab YOUR PROJECT could end up PUBLISHED in the MARCH issue of our magazine! Get creative!

-Jena

Fashion Foreward



Korto Momolu is going from runway to retail with the launch of a new line of signature handbags and accessories that will be carried at all Dillard's stores and online at dillards.com beginning Feb. 15!

She will even be doing a nationwide tour to support the launch of her line...and one of the stops includes Little Rock, Ark.!

To learn more about Korto and her fabulous design work visit www.KortoMomolu.com

Monday, January 11, 2010

The Complete Q&A's!

Read the complete vendor spotlight Q&A's with top level executives Melanie Healey, Deanna Jurgens, Kelley Emeterio, Michele Buck and Kim Nelson - "The Leading Ladies" of some of the world's biggest and most prominent companies.


MELANIE HEALEY-PROCTER & GAMBLE
Can you tell us a little us about yourself?

I was born and raised in Brazil even though I don’t sound or look it. My father is British and immigrated to Brazil over 50 years ago and my mother is third generation Chilean. My grandfather is Peruvian and my kids, Nick and Jackie, were both born in Mexico. My husband is also Brazilian and has just recently become an American citizen. We’ve been living in the US, specifically Cincinnati, for 8 years now and absolutely love it.

What is your position and what does it entail?

I am the Group President for P&G North America. My responsibilities are to serve the needs of our North America consumers and customers, and to do this in a way that delivers profitable share growth for our shareholders. This entails leading the industry in consumer, shopper, and customer understanding, and transforming this into innovations that delight them and then execute with excellence. It also includes delivering on our sales and share growth goals at the right cost. This involves running the business operations for the region such as sales and customer relations and furthering our go to market capability to win at the First Moment of Truth.

Can you tell us about your career with P&G and about any prior experience?

I started my career in Brazil as a sales trainee at one of P&G’s competitors (S.C. Johnson and Sons) 26 years ago. That was in 1983, the year I graduated from University of Richmond and before P&G had entered the Brazilian market. My first job at Johnson Wax was as a merchandiser pulling out cases from the store inventory and stocking up the shelves, stickering the new prices on the packages (no barcodes in those days) and providing my sales rep with the suggested order for the day. During my first year there, I had the opportunity to work across several other functions including market research, finance, purchasing and R&D. It gave me an appreciation from day one of how the whole company worked and how each of the functions was measured and rewarded.

I then entered Marketing as an Assistant Brand Manager. I worked 3 years each at Johnson Wax and then J&J before joining P&G in 1990 when P&G entered the Brazilian market. At P&G, I have had the fortune of working in many categories and countries - Personal Cleansing, Fabric Care, Baby Care, Hair Care, Health Care and Feminine Care and in Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela and the US. More recently, I had led the Global Feminine Care and Health Care Global Business Units prior to joining the North America organization.

What do you think has made you most successful?

I think a mix of attributes have helped me throughout my career: First, the opportunity to have gained experience in several different types of developmental assignments like start-ups (P&G in Brazil); turnarounds (NA Feminine Care); Launching new brands (Tampax, Pearl); Managing crisis’s (Highly fluctuating and recessionary economies like Brazil over the years and Mexico in 1994 and more recently, the global crisis); and learning to lead in a different culture than one’s own. These type of developmental assignments have also taught me the value and importance of taking on challenging assignments that stretch you beyond your comfort zone and steepen your learning curve on a more frequent basis. Finally, I have had the honor, privilege, and fortune to have worked with amazing teams in every one of my assignments. This, combined with the willingness to work hard, demonstrate strong leadership and results, perseverance and determination, and a passion and commitment for developing people is what has helped me be successful.

Is this your "dream job"? If not, what is?

Every job is my dream job. That’s the beauty of a company like P&G. We operate in 80 different countries and have 22 billion dollar brands. A career at P&G is like a dream job every 5 years. A drum beat of assignments with consistently strong and steep learning curves surrounded by outstanding people – that’s my dream job! I have been very fortunate to have had an exceptional string of dream jobs at P&G. In every one of the categories or geographies in which I have worked I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with amazingly talented and diverse organizations and on great and exciting business challenges. It is what makes P&G so distinct.

What is the most challenging aspect of what you do?

Ensuring that everything we do is focused and hard-wired to deliver the result we want to achieve for our consumer, our customers, and our shareholders. This requires strong leadership, strong strategic and operational discipline and strong influencing skills.

Walmart launched a Global Council of Women Leaders in May of 2009. They seek to provide counsel and advice in the identification, development, advancement and retention of women to senior leadership roles within the company. Do you think groups like this are important? If so, why?

Absolutely yes. First, I believe in building diverse teams that more closely reflect the consumers we serve around the world and in leveraging the diverse styles and thinking that enables us to make better decisions on our business. Second, we have come a long way in the US, in fact according to a White House report on Benchmarking Women’s Leadership, women receive the majority of all college degrees and now make up 51% of all management/administrative/professional positions. However, progress beyond this point into boardrooms and the executive leadership teams has stalled. Women account for only 18% of the top leaders in the US workplace. Groups like the one at Walmart and other companies like P&G are working on creating practical recommendations that drive accountability and enable organizations to achieve more critical mass at the more senior levels.

In what ways does P&G work to help the advancement of women?

I think P&G does an outstanding job on this front. We have over 200 networking groups for women across the world within our company. These groups enable woman to talk candidly with each other about things that are going well or aren’t, so that they can get the support they need. We have also created talent management groups and councils to ensure that women and minorities are getting the right visibility and types of developmental assignments that give them the experience and skills to compete for top leadership roles. At P&G, we also work in partnership with many of our affinity groups and networks to create the kind of culture and work environment where everyone can feel included, heard, understood and most importantly, succeed.

Are you involved in any groups or organizations for women? If so, tell me about the mission and your involvement.

Yes-I am currently leading our Corporate Woman’s Leadership Team. It’s mission is to :
• Help increase retention and advancement of P&G women
• Empowering and enabling women and their managers with the knowledge and tools needed to meet their personal and professional objectives.
• Influencing the policies, benefits, information, and management support that creates the needed flexibility for women and dual career families.
I also invest a significant amount of time mentoring women and minorities. I have a lot of passion to help in any way I can.

What is the hardest part of being a career woman?

I would say balance. Choices are not always easy. I believe you need to build a good support structure at home and you need a supportive family as well. You also need to be willing to make choices about what you will and will not do and talk these choices over with your family, your boss and those that work closely with you. I make choices every day that will both enable me to succeed at work as a professional and at home as a mother, wife, and friend. I believe that the true measure of work/life balance is basically whether you are happy and healthy. If you’re not, it’s time to re-visit the choices you’ve made. This is a continuum and an on-going commitment to yourself and those around you.

What advice do you have for young women just entering the workforce?

At P&G, we often refer to a model we call PIE. Focus on Performance (delivering the best results you can deliver); Image (building a strong and sustainable image, reputation and credibility, including strong integrity) and Exposure (ensuring you are getting the exposure needed to progress to the next level).


What do you and your family like to do to relax? Hobbies?

As a family, we love the water. We spend many of our weekends and summer vacations on a lake. There we spend precious time together water-skiing, wakeboarding and tubing with family and close friends. I also play Bridge whenever possible, take long walks and read when I have a precious moment left to myself. My biggest claim to fame was beating Warren Buffet at Bridge. Balance is vitally important to me-so I will often try to juggle my schedule to ensure I can be in those important moments and events in the lives of both my kids and my husband in addition to work.

Do you have a personal motto? “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”.

Women have certainly come a long way, but where would you like to see women advance to in the years to come?

To me, the sky is the limit. Women are smart, on the ball, and have incredible capacity and drive. There is no reason why we can’t be successful in every field. I’d like to see a critical mass of women in all the top positions of leadership sooner rather than later.

Along your career have you ever sensed an advantage or disadvantage in opportunities to get promoted?

The first thing I’d say is that it’s really been a blessing for me to work at a company like P&G that values diversity as a business strategy. I believe that getting promoted is a direct result of delivering the very best results on both your business and your organization, and from my vantage point, this has been true for both men and women. P&G believes in a meritocracy and in building diverse teams that more closely reflect the consumer we serve around the world. We also believe that leveraging diverse styles and thinking enables us to make better decisions on our business.

How old are your children? How do you balance work and home?

Jackie is 14 and Nick is 16. I feel like most of the time, I am balanced. Of course, there are times when work prevails and others when home prevails. I have been very fortunate in that I have a wonderful career, an amazing and supportive husband, and two wonderful children. As I mentioned earlier, it really is all about making choices and as a family we are very happy with the choices we have made so far!

DEANNA JURGENS - PEPSICO
Can you please give me a quick bio about yourself?

Deanna Jurgens – Vice President of Sales, US Beverages for Sam’s Club. Responsible for all PepsiCo beverages, including: Pepsi, Gatorade and Tropicana Chilled Juices, which represent close to $1 Billion in annual revenue. I currently live in Rogers, Arkansas, but I am originally from Los Angeles, California. I am happily married for over eleven years with two young children.

What does your job entail?

I am responsible for leading a cross-functional team in developing the strategies and tactics necessary to drive sustained and profitable beverage growth at Sam’s Club. PepsiCo recently reorganized our structure from a divisional focus (Pepsi, Frito-Lay and Quaker-Tropicana-Gatorade) to one that focuses against Foods (PepsiCo Americas Foods) and Beverages (North American Beverages). Therefore my responsibility recently expanded as I assumed the Pepsi portfolio. It will be exciting to learn the bottling side of our business as well as the change to our business model with the recent acquisition of our two largest bottlers Pepsi Bottling Group and Pepsi Americas (which represent over 80% of our beverage business). Our beverage business is an exciting, relevant and dynamic business and I am thrilled to be leading it for Sam’s Club.

How long have you worked for Pepsi Co? Where did you work prior and how did you come to work for Pepsi Co?

I will have worked for PepsiCo for eight years this May. One of the exciting aspects of working for a company like PepsiCo is the diverse experience you gain. During my eight years I have worked for Frito-Lay, Quaker-Tropicana-Gatorade, our parent company PepsiCo, and now Pepsi in my latest role. My experiences have been focused against two primary functions: Sales Leadership and Category and Consumer Insights. I have found extreme benefit to focusing on these two core competencies throughout my experiences as each builds off the other. Sales helps you understand what sells (Gatorade during the summer), Consumer Insights helps you understand why it sells (CEO Mom buying for her kids sporting event). Prior to PepsiCo, I worked for Campbell Soup, Ralston Purina and Universal Interactive Games.

How have you advanced through the company?

PepsiCo has enabled me the opportunity to advance, experiencing all of our divisions (Frito-Lay, Pepsi, Quaker-Tropicana-Gatorade and PepsiCo) which have ultimately led me to my current role as Vice President of Sales for US Beverages. Key to these opportunities was strong mentors at all levels, functions and divisions within the company.

Is this your "dream job"? If not, what is?

This is definitely a dream job calling on one of our largest customer’s (Sam’s Club), representing the best beverage brands in the industry (Pepsi, Gatorade & Tropicana), and having some of the best people in our company on my team. It is a privilege that I am truly grateful for.


What is the most challenging aspect of what you do?

The greatest challenge is the complexity of the role. Having the responsibility for total beverages means you manage across three distribution systems (warehouse, DSD & bottlers) as well as managing numerous brands across our Pepsi, Gatorade and Tropicana divisions. However, this is also an opportunity as it creates a tremendous learning and leadership experience in general management.

Walmart launched a Global Council of Women Leaders in May of 2009. They seek to provide counsel and advice in the identification, development, advancement and retention of women to senior leadership roles within the company. Do you think groups like this are important? If so, why?

I think this is critically important. As women are provided greater leadership experiences within their respective organizations it is essential that they have role models, mentors and sources for advice and council. While the numbers are growing, women still represent a minority within the senior ranks of most corporations, and it is difficult to get the necessary support to be successful. Therefore, groups like the Global Council of Women Leaders play a necessary role to women within Walmart, as well to other organizations as well.

In what ways does Pepsi Co work to guarantee the advancement of women?

PepsiCo has a tremendous focus on diversity and inclusion at all levels and divisions across the organization.

Are you involved in any groups or organizations for women?

I am an active member and sponsor of our Women’s Initiative Network for the Walmart and Sam’s Club team. This is a group of 50-60 women that meet regularly to discuss the workplace, and resulting issues and opportunities for women. It is a terrific support group that provides an open environment for conversation. Additionally, we regularly invite senior leaders to speak to our group to broaden the experiences we may not be exposed to.

What is the hardest part of being a career woman?

The hardest part for me is having the right balance between my work and personal life. With two young children and a demanding job, it is a constant focus for me to be active and present for both my family and my job. I am fortunate to have a loving and supportive spouse who has enabled my career advancement as he has played a larger role at home.

What advice do you have for young women just entering the workforce?

Get a mentor early. The role of a mentor to help you understand and navigate your new organization will be important. They can also help you with career advice as you determine the career path you want to choose.

For women graduates still unemployed, what is your best advice for landing that first job?

I believe the most important way to land a job is to leverage your personal network. I know when I am hiring a candidate the single biggest factor that can influence my decision is a personal recommendation from someone I know. So keeping an active network (both inside your company and out) is very important.

What was your first job out of college? What school did you attend and what was your major?

I attended the University of Oregon and majored in Psychology and Business Administration. My first job out of college was working for Ralston Purina as a Retail Sales Representative. My territory spanned from San Francisco down to San Jose and covered over 120 stores. It was a great job, but I had to wear a business suit to work each day in the stores… shows you how much things have changed!

What do you do to relax?

Exercise is very important to me and I workout every morning before work. I also really enjoying reading and cooking for family and friends. But the best way I relax is spending quality time with my husband and two children.

What hobbies do you have?

Hobbies are the same as what I do to relax.

Do you have a personal motto?

“Expect the Unexpected.” My husband and I coined that on our wedding day eleven years ago and it has served me well ever since. It is a great motto for both business and personal life.

A report by CNN in October noted that women still earn 77 cents to every $1 that a man earns. Is that frustrating to hear?

It is shocking actually. However, what is most important is that progress is being made. Between 1990 and 2006, women’s median income grew 32.9% vs. men’s grew only 6.3 percent. Despite women’s base income being lower, this is still a favorable trend and an important signal to women in the workplace. Women’s roles are growing in number and responsibility and are highly important to employers as women now represent 46.7 percent of the U.S. labor force.
(Data quoted from Advertising Age – The Rise of the Real Mom)

Women have certainly come a long way, but where would you like to see women advance to in the years to come?

I would like to see women continue to strive for senior positions within their companies. Not enough women are in these roles, and it is important for these role models to exist. Additionally, I think women are highly effective and efficient and it will continue to be a benefit to the organizations they work for.

In a still somewhat male dominated workforce, do you ever feel challenged to make yourself be seen as an "equal"?

I am very grateful to work for a company that values diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organization. However, I feel challenged as a woman because to get things done you do not necessarily do it the same way men do. That is why senior female role models are critical. This basis of support and guidance has been especially important to me and my success at PepsiCo.

In the same sense, do you ever feel favored or like you receive special treatment as a woman?

I feel as a woman and a working mother that I offer my company a unique point of view. Because I often represent the consumer target we seek for our portfolio I have a unique lens to the wants and needs of the women who buy our products. However, when it comes to advancement within our organization it remains a results driven culture. While our organization seeks a diverse base of talent at all levels you need to demonstrate your success with the business and people in order to advance.

Do you have children? If so, how do you balance work and home?

I have two young children (ages 5 and 3). This is a great age as my kids are growing by leaps and bounds everyday. It is also very important as a parent to be there for my children and be active and involved in their life.

What has been your biggest achievement in the workplace thus far?

My greatest accomplishment over that past four years has been identifying, developing and promoting strong talent on our team. Your results are only as good as the people you have, and our team has been our greatest asset and true competitive advantage in this market. We have worked closely with the University of Arkansas and Northwest Arkansas Community College to develop strong internship and mentorship programs. We have hired a number of great young individuals as a result of these relationships. Additionally, we have worked hard to develop strong on-boarding, peer programs and formal mentorships to enable our new and existing employees a strong foundation and basis for success. So as I look to the legacy I will leave on this team, it would be to have developed strong talent that made our team better in the years to come as a result.

What has been the biggest lesson you've learned in the workplace thus far?

My greatest lesson is simple – don’t take things too seriously. We sometimes get caught up in the minutia of our day to day events that can cloud what is really important. Keep things in perspective and focus on what really matters to you.


KELLEY EMETERIO
Can you please give me a quick bio?
Age: 34
Job Title: Director of Supply Chain and Forecasting, Wal-Mart North America
Family: I’m an Arkansas native. I was raised in Van Buren, AR and went to college at University of Arkansas. I graduated with a BSBA in Marketing Management. I recently got married (well a little over a year ago – but that still counts as recent, right?). I’ve always been a Fayetteville girl at heart but a couple of months ago moved to Bentonville to be closer to work and family. I don’t have kids yet, but plan to start a family soon.

What does your job entail?

I’m responsible for managing a team of Supply Chain analysts and planners that are solely dedicated to the Wal-Mart business. We work collaboratively with the Sales teams to create Production forecasts that reflect anticipated demand for our North American Lubricants and Car Care businesses. Our focus is to ensure Shell is able to meet Walmart’s demand, yet maintain healthy inventory positions at both our plants and Distribution centers. Our team is also responsible for making certain Walmart’s forecast is reflected properly in their Retail Link system. We manage approximately 1 million points of distribution for Wal-Mart as well as any additional maintenance throughout the life of an item.

How long have you worked for Shell? Where did you work prior?

I have been with Shell for 4 years. Shell is a wonderful place to work and I honestly couldn’t ask for a better team of people to work with. Prior to my current Supply Chain role at Shell, I was a National Account Manager representing our Lubricants business. I got an early start to my Sales career while in college where I worked at the Wal-Mart Home Office as a Buyer’s Assistant. After graduation, I began my career in the Supplier community where I worked at Cott Beverage as a Sales Analyst. I then moved on to positions in Category Management, Sales Account Management and even had a stint on my own where, with a partner, I imported footwear and sold to Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart as well as manufacturing for other brands such as Nine West, Bandolino and Steve Madden.

How have you advanced through the company?

I hold myself accountable to deliver results and exceed expectations for each role I’m in; I manage my business as if it were my own company. I have a difficult time enjoying my evenings at the end of the day if I know I didn’t put in 100 percent. Building relationships and internal networking are also very critical to advancement.

Do you have a personal motto? I have a few I like to live by: “You get out of it what you put into it”; “Sweat + Sacrifice = Success”; “Make It Happen”

Is this your "dream job"? If not, what is?

Ok, since you are asking, I’m going to be honest here….I’m very thankful for the opportunities Shell has provided me; but, I’m not exactly doing my ‘dream job’! My dream job would be to be to have my own business as a fashion designer - designing jewelry, footwear, accessories and handbags under my own label. Who knows if I’d be any good at it, but I’d sure like to try some day!

Walmart launched a Global Council of Women Leaders in May of 2009. They seek to provide counsel and advice in the identification, development, advancement and retention of women to senior leadership roles within the company. Do you think groups like this are important? If so, why?

Absolutely. The more representative of the population a company and it’s leadership is, the greater it’s competitive advantage.

In what ways does Shell work to guarantee the advancement of women?

Shell has a very robust Diversity and Inclusiveness strategy that provides solid career opportunities for women, people of color and other diversity candidates. It is a top priority for our senior leadership, and on the agenda for all People development strategies. Having this level of focus in such a large company opens many opportunities for growth and future career opportunities.

What is the hardest part of being a career woman?

For me, the hardest part is finding the right work/life balance. It is important to avoid becoming so obsessed with work deliverables that you forget to take care of yourself. I’ve found when I invest time back into myself, I’m actually more productive overall.

What advice do you have for young women just entering the workforce?

Work hard, Be strong, Believe in yourself, Don’t get impatient – everyone puts in their time.
Learn from mistakes (because you will make them) and move on.
If you are not good about talking about yourself and your accomplishments – learn to be! Trust me, your colleagues/competition are talking.

For women graduates still unemployed, what is your best advice for landing that first job?

Don’t give up – someone will take the chance on you. Be aggressive. Have a game plan. Find ways to make yourself stand out - think of things your competition may not be doing to get that 1st and 2nd interview. Do the necessary pre-work to get to know the company you are interviewing and have educated questions prepared to ask during the interview. Remember, you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. Add a personal touch; for example, after you’ve finished the interview, send a hand-written thank you note.

What do you do to relax? What hobbies do you have?

I love to LAUGH. One of my most favorite things is to spend time with friends and family – it doesn’t matter what we are doing as long as we are laughing! I like to think of myself as having an active lifestyle – I’m not much for letting the TV entertain me. I enjoy exercising, hiking, biking – both mountain and road biking. I basically like to be outdoors any time the sun is out!

A report by CNN in October noted that women still earn 77 cents to every $1 that a man earns. Is that frustrating to hear?

Certainly this is frustrating. I feel very fortunate to work at Shell – a company that equally rewards employees for hard work and results delivered.

What has been the biggest lesson you've learned in the workplace thus far?

Don’t sit on the defensive side of constructive feedback, be open to it – it only makes you better. Be open to change – change is the fuel that drives the engine of the future!


MICHELE BUCK
Can you please tell me a little bit about yourself?
I grew up in South Central Pennsylvania and lived there until my mid-20s when I went to Business School. I then spent the next 20 years moving around to various states in support of my career.
I got my MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
My first job out of Business school was at Frito Lay in Plano, TX. I then worked for Kraft General Foods for about 6 years in Penna and in New York, then moved on to Nabisco Foods in New Jersey, then back to Kraft Foods when Kraft bought Nabisco. I came to Hershey in 2005.
My functional area of expertise is Marketing. Through the years, I spent my career in a variety of Brand Management and General Management positions across a variety of categories and businesses.
Age 48, Job Title: Senior Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer.
I live in Hummelstown, PA, just minutes from my office at The Hershey Company.
I am married with 3 children Alexa 11, Ethan 9 and Ava 3.

What does your job entail?

I am responsible for building Hershey’s Global, World Class Marketing, developing superior marketing capabilities and programs and transformational growth planks. Specifically, I lead our Company’s global Insights group including Consumer and Shopper Insights and Advanced Analytics; Marketing Strategy; companywide Global Innovation; Marketing Excellence including Agency/Advertising management, Consumer Promotion, Training, Hispanic; and building Hershey’s global brand management approach. Ultimately, I am responsible for development and execution of superior marketing plans/programs around the globe.


How have you advanced through the company?

I came to Hershey as President of our Snacks group. I then moved on to become CMO of our US business. And, then 2 years ago, became the Global Chief Marketing Officer reporting to our CEO.

Is this your "dream job"? If not, what is?

This comes about as close to being my dream job as I can ever imagine. What has always motivated me most in my various positions over the years has been the opportunity to create new growth opportunities. In my current assignment, my primary role is creating consumer driven growth planks. Unlike all my previous assignments that have been line oriented, in this staff assignment I am not running a day to day business and thus don’t have the responsibility of running the day to day operational aspects of the business, so I can spend all my time developing the growth opportunities. And, the category is lots of fun, too. As my 9 year old son tells me, if I ever stop marketing candy, he knows the perfect next assignment----marketing toys or video games!

What is the most challenging aspect of what you do?

There are two challenging areas of my position.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of my job is the change management component that it entails. The bulk of my job is creating new growth platforms. That entails leading the company into new areas. One of my key strengths is an ability to see the possibilities and the transformational growth areas. Not all others are “cut out of that same cloth”.
A second challenge is the complexity of global. My goal is to find as many global synergies as possible to leverage and yet to identify where the local areas really are different and must take different approaches to win. This can be highly complex to do.

Walmart launched a Global Council of Women Leaders in May of 2009. They seek to provide counsel and advice in the identification, development, advancement and retention of women to senior leadership roles within the company. Do you think groups like this are important? If so, why?

I believe these groups are very important. Women face many unique challenges, and it is helpful to have a forum of support to assist women in achieving their career aspirations and help companies to develop women for their senior positions.

In what ways does Hershey work to guarantee the advancement of women?

Hershey established a Women’s Council whose mission is to make Hershey one of the 100 top employers of choice for talented women. The council is utilized to educate women on topics that will help advance their careers. In addition, the Council developed a mentoring program to match protégés and mentors based on their goals, values, experiences and career aspirations. Currently, over 80 women are paired together. Hershey is also a corporate partner with the Network of Executive Women, providing annual membership for women in the organization. Finally, our succession management process allows us to carefully track the progression of women and work to ensure women are getting the training and experiences to enable them to advance.

Are you involved in any groups or organizations for women?

I have been involved in numerous formal and informal networks for women over the years. One of the most helpful groups I was involved in was a small informal network/alliance that I formed with 3 other of the most senior women in a division that I worked in. We got together for dinner once per month discussing our current challenges and seeking the help and support of each other. It turned into a great mechanism to provide real and honest feedback and coaching that benefited all of us and helped us figure out how to accomplish our objectives in what can sometimes be a complex environment.

What is the hardest part of being a career woman?

The hardest part probably varies by individual. For me, it is the constant striving to be both the best executive and the best mom. I want to be perfect at every aspect of both “jobs” every single day. The balance requires trade offs.

What advice do you have for young women just entering the workforce?

Know yourself----what you are good at and what you love to do. Then as you select your field and your company ensure there is a really strong match between what you are all about and what your prospective employer values. If the match is tight, you will maximize your chances of success.

For women graduates still unemployed, what is your best advice for landing that first job?

Network, network, network!!! Talk to friends, family friends, etc to share your interests and skills and see if they can introduce you to people in your field. Sometimes you just need to make that right connection.
Be open to doing something that is not your exact first choice assignment out of the gate as once you get in and prove yourself, you will have the chance to move around.

What was your first job out of college? What school did you attend and what was your major?

My first job out of college was Fiscal Analyst for State Government. I was responsible for analyzing proposed tax legislation for fiscal and policy impact and providing an internal consulting function to improve the efficiency of tax processing.
I attended Shippensburg University, a state college, and majored in Business Administration.

What do you do to relax?

My number one relaxation activity is just spending time with my family. During the summer, we love going to the beach. During the school year, it’s attending a soccer match for my 9 year old, going to Hersheypark, having a 1:1 “girls” lunch with my oldest daughter or playing “princess” with my 3 year old.

What hobbies do you have?

I love to shop. And, I work out about 3x per week to relieve stress.


A report by CNN in October noted that women still earn 77 cents to every $1 that a man earns. Is that frustrating to hear?

It is. However, I would have to dig into the data to understand the fact. I know many women who have chosen to leave the workforce at a particular point in their family lives to become stay at home moms thus consciously sacrificing income during their peak earning potential time period. If however, this is driven by not enough qualified women in senior jobs, then I would have an issue with it.

Women have certainly come a long way, but where would you like to see women advance to in the years to come?

It would be great to come to a point where we no longer have to even talk about women advancing as a topic. That would indicate that women were seen as having no disadvantages in advancing.

In a still somewhat male dominated workforce, do you ever feel challenged to make yourself be seen as an "equal"?

No, I don’t. I always feel like an equal.
The biggest difference I notice is relative to how we as women communicate differently than how men communicate.

In the same sense, do you ever feel favored or like you receive special treatment as a woman?

No, I don’t.

Do you have children? If so, how do you balance work and home?

Yes, I do. Two important techniques/principles to achieve balance:
First is prioritization. At home, there are certain non-negotiables----attending parent/teacher conferences, key one time events like holiday chorus concerts or dance recitals or any other key things that are really key in my kids’ lives. I work those right into my calendar like any other appointment. And, at both home and work, it is about the 80/20 rule----I have to force myself to let some things go (a messy bedroom at home or a presentation deck at work where not every word is absolutely perfect) and delegate to others.
Second, I have lots of help. I have a stay at home husband who pays the bills, does grocery shopping, runs the kids around after school and a nanny who cleans the house and cares for the 3 year old.

What has been your biggest achievement in the workplace thus far?

A few things come to mind.
First, just advancing to where I have is a strong personal achievement for me. I am what some refer to as a “bootstrapper”----my grandparents never graduated from high school, my mother grew up on a farm with no indoor plumbing. I funded 100% of my own college and graduate school educations.
Second, a great achievement was the results I drove in my first ever general management job where I managed Marketing, Customer Marketing, Finance and a Manufacturing plant. I turned around the profitability of the business, in part through putting participatory management practices into the Plant. When I left the job, the Teamsters union in the plant handmade me a plaque with the phrase “Congratulations on your new position. Our loss is their gain”. It was one of the most meaningful and memorable awards I ever received because it showed me the impact my successes could have on broad groups of people.

What has been the biggest lesson you've learned in the workplace thus far?

It’s the old kindergarten principle: “Treat all others as you would like to be treated”. I am a big believer that you accomplish a lot of your results through others.


KIM NELSON
What does your job entail?

I am responsible for the growth and profitability of the $1.3 Billion Snacks Division of General Mills.

How long have you worked for General Mills? Where did you work prior and how did you come to work for General Mills?

I’ve been with General Mills for 22 years.

How have you advanced through the company?

I’ve progressed through the traditional marketing career path, starting as an Assistant Marketing Manager and working my way up through the various levels. I’ve been fortunate to be able to work on some of America’s favorite brands including Cheerios, Yoplait, Hamburger Helper, Old El Paso, Nature Valley Granola Bars, Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, Chex Mix, Bugles and Gardettos.

Is this your "dream job"? If not, what is?

I love my job! The marketing function is the general management function at General Mills and I really enjoy the accountability for the long term growth of my brands and the categories within which we compete. Other aspects of the job I find energizing are the opportunity to build culture at a division level, the chance to mentor newer employees and the ability to influence the direction of the broader USRO organization.

What is the most challenging aspect of what you do?

The most challenging aspect of my role is providing appropriate direction to my teams, while staying out of the weeds and creating an empowering operating environment!

Walmart launched a Global Council of Women Leaders in May of 2009. They seek to provide counsel and advice in the identification, development, advancement and retention of women to senior leadership roles within the company. Do you think groups like this are important? If so, why?

Absolutely! We have so much to learn from each other across companies within our industry. We can challenge each other to be better and cross pollinate best practices.

In what ways does General Mills work to guarantee the advancement of women?

General Mills has been deeply committed to the advancement of women for many, many years. Our organization boasts 8 different women’s networks including functional organizations, an active women officer’s group and an umbrella cross functional Women’s Leadership Forum. There are a number of internal and external mentoring opportunities available to women in the company and senior management has specific goals to ensure continued advancement of women, which it tracks quarterly. Perhaps the greatest indication of the success we’ve had developing and advancing women in the company is the fact that 4 of our 6 major US operating divisions are led by women division presidents.

Are you involved in any groups or organizations for women?

I am a passionate advocate for women! Within General Mills, I am an active member of the women’s officer group as well as the Women in Marketing Network, which I co-founded and have led mentoring circles for. External to General Mills, I was a part of the launch of the Twin Cities Chapter of NEW (Network of Executive Women), an organization focused on the development and advancement of women in the CPG industry. I sit on the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable and just finished serving 2 terms on the all female YWCA-Minneapolis board, which I also chaired.

What is the hardest part of being a career woman?

The toughest part of being a career woman is balancing my various additional priorities. I constantly juggling to ensure I am carving out the time for my family (I have two girls, 8 and 10), the broader community and myself.

What advice do you have for young women just entering the workforce?

Don’t shy away from the tough assignments - they often provide the richest opportunities for personal growth and differential impact.

For women graduates still unemployed, what is your best advice for landing that first job?

Consider taking an internship – unpaid if necessary – to build the skill sets in your career of choice.

What was your first job out of college? What school did you attend and what was your major?

I graduated from Georgetown University in 1984 with a B.S. in International Relations. During my senior year, I came to the realization that I was more interested in business than government. Upon graduation, I landed a job on Wall Street working at Soloman Brothers, in a job where I was really little more than a glorified secretary! Through stellar performance, I was able to leverage that into more challenging work. Ultimately, I realized that if I wanted to realize my career goals, an advanced degree would be helpful and I returned to school to get an MBA at Columbia Business School.

What do you do to relax?

I am a voracious reader. I like nothing more than to curl up and lose myself in a good book.

What hobbies do you have?

I enjoy hiking, biking and skiing.

Do you have a personal motto?

My favorite quote is from Arthur Ashe who suggest when the task at hand feels overwhelming, we should “start where we are, use what we have, and do what we can”.

A report by CNN in October noted that women still earn 77 cents to every $1 that a man earns. Is that frustrating to hear?

Yes it is, as women progress to more senior levels, it’s is critical that we ask what the statistics are in our companies and advocate for equity pay.

Women have certainly come a long way, but where would you like to see women advance to in the years to come?

I would like to see more female CEOs and more female board members. We are still woefully underrepresented in both ranks.

In a still somewhat male dominated workforce, do you ever feel challenged to make yourself be seen as an "equal"?

I am blessed to work in a very progressive company with a culture that accepts and leverages the skills sets of women effectively.

In the same sense, do you ever feel favored or like you receive special treatment as a woman?

I think the GMI women’s networks that provide support, networking and development opportunities for women in our company are “special”, but there are many subtle ways that men have historically (if unconsciously) been the recipients of the “special” treatment of being in an environment built on male norms.

Do you have children? If so, how do you balance work and home?

I have two little girls, 8 and 10 years, who help me keep it all into perspective. In some ways, they force the balance. Their needs and demands pull me out of my workflow and draw me into a different world where volume, profit and share simply don’t matter. They are the great joy in my life and push me to be the best person I can be.

What has been your biggest achievement in the workplace thus far?

The last 5 ½ years running the Snacks division have been particularly rewarding. Under my leadership, we have doubled the size of our large and profitable grain business over that time and secured leadership of the grain snacks category for the 1st time in 15 years.

What has been the biggest lesson you've learned in the workplace thus far?

I’ve learned that in the end, it’s all about team effectiveness. If you can create an environment of trust and support, where team members feel accountable to one another, truly differential results are achievable.


LESYA LYSYJ
What does your job entail?

I run the marketing function for our Cadbury brands in the US and Canada – brands such as Trident, Dentyne, Stride, Sour Patch, Swedish Fish, Halls, and Green and Blacks chocolate. I have the brand team and insight teams reporting to me – a total of 50 people based in Parsippany NJ and Toronto Canada.


How long have you worked for Cadbury? Where did you work prior and how did you come to work for Cadbury?

I have worked for Cadbury for 20 years - almost my entire career. I started as a brand manager on Welch’s in Canada (when Cadbury owned the beverages division which included Dr Pepper, Schweppes, Mott’s and Snapple)


How have you advanced through the company?

I have been in marketing for most of my career with a couple of short stints in sales. I am originally from Canada, and have worked in Canada, the US and UK all with Cadbury. I have progressed in various marketing roles of increasing responsibility.


Is this your "dream job"? If not, what is?

I always say to people that I have a dream job – the brands are fantastic, the confectionery category is as fun to work in as you would expect, and Cadbury’s culture reflects that with great, smart, fun people…and there is gum, chocolate and candy everywhere in the office!

What is the most challenging aspect of what you do?

I liken it to what a race car driver must feel - the sheer number of balls that are constantly in the air together with the pace at which the category moves means that you really need to be ‘in the moment’ at all times, while at the same time trying to navigate the future course. The gum category in particular is very competitive so there is never a dull moment.

Walmart launched a Global Council of Women Leaders in May of 2009. They seek to provide counsel and advice in the identification, development, advancement and retention of women to senior leadership roles within the company. Do you think groups like this are important? If so, why?

I’m a huge supporter of mentoring in general. I have personally benefited from a couple of great mentors through my career and anything which helps to give women support and advice through good role models is fantastic.

CAM: In what ways does Cadbury work to guarantee the advancement of women?

Cadbury makes this a priority and has set a goal of at least 25% female representation in the executive ranks. Hitting this goal puts a number of development programs into motion, and we track our progress quarterly to make sure it stays top of mind and continues to improve.

Are you involved in any groups or organizations for women?

I just completed a year of being a mentor for an organization called Women Unlimited. Cadbury also sends several participants every year to participate in this program. I loved the experience as I had an opportunity to help and guide a group of women with very different backgrounds, goals and challenges.

What is the hardest part of being a career woman?

I wish there were 28 hours in each day – I could really use about 4 extra hours! I really believe in having a full life – so in addition to work and spending time with my family, I have always been a big sports enthusiast, have a circle of close friends who are really important to me and have a standing ‘date night’ with my husband every Friday night. As I have moved into roles with greater responsibility its really hard to fit in all the competing priorities. But I’m very lucky in that my husband is a stay at home dad which gives me great comfort to know that the home front is in good hands.

What advice do you have for young women just entering the workforce?

Figure out what you have passion for and once you do be relentless until you get there. I have interviewed many young women who didn’t even know that brand management or market research jobs existed until they entered the workforce. Many of them started in another function, decided they wanted marketing and persevered until they got there. And don’t be afraid to talk to senior people about your goals and passions – everyone loves to see enthusiasm and determination!

For women graduates still unemployed, what is your best advice for landing that first job?

Do anything to get your foot in the door. Work for free if you have to. People recognize talent very quickly in my experience – you just need to let them see you in action.

What was your first job out of college? What school did you attend and what was your major?

I went straight into marketing after completing my MBA a the University of Toronto. I worked on Old Spice for the company which was sold to Procter and Gamble.

What do you do to relax?

Running around with my kids is ironically the best way to relax for me. When I walk through the door my 6 year old and 1 year old come running yelling ‘mama!!’ and all the problems of the day melt away.


What hobbies do you have?

I’m a great ‘train track putter together helper’ – this pretty much consists of handing my son whatever piece he needs as he’s crafting his wooden train track. And some day I’ll ski again!

Do you have a personal motto?

Keep learning.

A report by CNN in October 2009 noted that women still earn 77 cents to every $1 that a man earns. Is that frustrating to hear?

Of course that’s disappointing to hear. I’m glad to say that hasn’t been my experience managing large diverse teams at Cadbury.

Women have certainly come a long way, but where would you like to see women advance to in the years to come?

In contrast to my marketing team, which is around 80% women, I hardly ever see women creatives at our ad agencies and I have never worked with a woman director. I have no idea why this is the case, particularly in an industry where advertising is very often targeted at women.

In a still somewhat male dominated workforce, do you ever feel challenged to make yourself be seen as an "equal"?

I like to think of it as them working to make themselves be seen as an equal!

In the same sense, do you ever feel favored or like you receive special treatment as a woman?

Sometimes I have the whole restroom to myself! Seriously, I am glad that Cadbury values diversity and inclusiveness and the fact that I can make an impact on both is one of the reasons I love working here.


What has been your biggest achievement in the workplace thus far?

We just launched a fantastic new Trident product called Trident Layers. It has been the fastest distribution build we have ever had and since launch Oct 1st our the Strawberry Grapefruit sku is in the #1 position in all channels in the entire gum category. In a world where you’re only as good as your latest achievement this would be it!

What has been the biggest lesson you've learned in the workplace thus far?

Surround yourself with great people, give them great support and a great culture within which to work and its amazing the results you can achieve.

Is their anything else you would like to share?

I’m a big believer in diversity, but it goes further than diversity of gender. In my experience truly appreciating and drawing from the uniqueness that comes from diversity of thinking, diversity of background, lifestyle etc. drives better plans and better results.

Favorite Item for Jan: Arm Warmers



These adorable arm warmers not only come in these bright and vivacious colors but are on SALE at Lola Boutique in Fayetteville. Pair these puppies with a cute tee & jeans for a stylish winter look. Hurry though, quantities are limited! Lola Boutique is located at 339 N. West Ave. Follow them on Facebook (Shop Lola) or visit their website at www.lolaboutique.com

Friday, January 8, 2010

Favorite Item for Jan: Lovely Long Johns



Matteo italian linens available at V.S. Mobley- Shown in white but a variety of colors are available. V.S. Mobley is located at 339 N. West Ave, Fayetteville, AR. Phone is 479-587-1444. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.



Throughout January we will be posting items we love to help make this chilly winter weather as warm and cozy as possible! Do you have any favorite items for January?

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Crazy about Coffee




I'll admit it, I've become one of those people who "has to have" my coffee in the morning. But, I'm also one of those people who is not a morning person, and typically five minutes late because I want those extra few minutes of slumber. Starbucks has created the perfect solution for people like me, so I had to share it with you.

Starbucks Via Brew is instant coffee, you add it to a cup of hot water. Perfect for making a quick cup of joe on the go. Currently there is a bold and medium brew available.

However, if you are a coffee lover and a morning person, stop by my favorite coffee shop, Silver Joe's, located on Pinnacle Hills Parkway, for not only a great cup of coffee but a great atmosphere.

-Jena