How to Become More Resilient

CPA Women in Business Discussion Group

Tuesday 27 November 2012 | 6pm – 8pm | CPA Centre

We live in stressful times. More is being asked of fewer people. The threat of job-loss is ever present. We are required to be available through electronic gadgetry on an almost 24/7 basis. How can people become or remain resilient under these circumstances?

Alicia Fortinberry, PhD (Organisational Psychology) has gained international acclaim as a keynote speaker, author and consultant for her powerful, lasting impact on organisation, leaders and individuals over two decades

Ground-breaking experts on resilience and optimism, Alicia and colleague Dr Bob Murray received the 2012 American Award for Scientific Achievement. They advise both organisations and governments on issues regarding psychology and mental health.

A principal of Fortinberry Murray, Alicia enables organisations to achieve their strategic goals through enhancing trust, leadership and culture. Fortinberry Murray works globally with top-tier clients such as PwC, KPMG, Deloitte, Bain & Company, Macquarie, Wesfarmers, McDonald’s, PepsiCo, Ford Motor Co and numerous leading law firms.

Alicia combines a clear, engaging and practical communication style with a proven evidence-based approach and strategic acumen. She has presented her work with Bob at academic institutions such as Duke University Medical Center, Tufts University Medical Center, University of South Florida and Sydney University.

An award-winning health writer and former editor, she worked in New York for Time Warner and The Mount Sinai Medical Center.  Alicia is the author, with Bob, of two international bestsellers Creating Optimism and Raising an Optimistic Child (NY: McGraw-Hill).Her interview-based CBS TV series on social and business issues will be aired in 2013.

Alicia is a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Society of Journalists and Authors.

How to Build Your Network

CPA Women in Business Discussion Group

Tuesday 30 October 2012 | 6pm – 8pm | CPA Centre

Networking can be a daunting experience for many, including people in professional roles.  The difficulties extend to presenting your ideas in the workplace and for networking off-line and on-line. These are essential skills for career progression.

In a recent survey, Peter Knight, FCPA has identified that most accountants want to communicate more effectively, but lacked the language and tools to do so. This challenge affects our ability to network effectively. The good news is simple techniques really can help.Peter and his business partner, Kate Groom will share proved techniques to help you build a network in a professional way.

At this event, you will …

Understand the challenges of communicating in networking environments

Learn how to talk to anyone and feel at ease

Walk away with proven strategies to build your network 

Peter Knight, FCA, FCPA Peter runs an accounting practice, coaches businesses and accounting firms and serves on several boards. He is a former President of CPA Australia (NSW). He has grown an accounting practice from scratch, which became the 25^th largest practice in Australia, and also developed networks of accountants throughout Australia. Before entering public practice Peter was leading sales person for an accounting software company. For over 20 years Peter has been a presenter at conferences and seminars in Australia and overseas. He is a writer and is regularly published in articles and magazines.

Kate Groom Kate is a Management Consultant, facilitator and expert in financial communication.  Kate has experience coaching leaders and managers on strategic planning, goal setting, business performance, leadership skills, relationship development and productivity. Kate has worked in financial services and franchising in the UK, Hong Kong, Australia and the USA.  With over 20 years of business experience she has learned the skills to think strategically and analytically, simplify the complex, find solutions and communicate to enlighten, inspire and motivate others.

Recap on September Session

We enjoyed the panel discussion facilitated by Stella Petrou Concha from REO Recruitment on 25th of September 2012.   The panelists included Financial Controller at Orica Lynda Dunn, Group Financial Controller at Nepean Group Natalie Ahamed, Commercial Manager at Onesteel Serena Madgwick and Finance Director at Hasbro Siobhann Langan. They shared their experience on how they had built their personal brands and got recognized.

We also welcomed CPA NSW Divisional Councillor Amy Wong who presented the gifts to our panelists and moderator. The strong support from REO Recruitment is much appreciated.

Building a Personal Brand

CPA Women in Business Discussion Group

Tuesday 25 September 2012 | 6pm – 8pm | CPA Centre

Being good at your job is no good enough anymore; it’s a minimum requirement. So what do you have to do to stand out from the many Accountants in the market and secure the career progression you desire? It all starts with building your personal brand and making sure its one that sticks and gets recognized. Find out how our group of panel speakers have done this for themselves and get the “how to guide” by a finance personal brand specialist, Stella Petrou Concha from REO Recruitment who will facilitate the discussion.

Our Confirmed panel speakers include:

Lynda Dunn, Financial Controller at Orica  (Bronson & Jacobs) – ASX Top 50

Natalie Ahamed,Group Financial Controller at Nepean Group (Privately held A/T > $500 Million)

Serena Madgwick, Commercial Manager at Onesteel

Siobhann Langan, Finance Director at Hasbro (US listed global FMCG)

This event is proudly sponsored by REO Recruitment.

Stella is Co-founder and Recruitment Director of REO Recruitment. Stella's mission and purpose in life is to help others succeed. She started her recruitment career in a global finance and accounting recruitment agency. Stella quickly rose to the top in her field and became the recognised number 1 recruiter in the Asia Pacific district.

REO Recruitment's mission is to build teams and build careers. With a proven track record in building the finance and accounting teams for many global blue-chip organisations, Stella has differentiated herself and REO Recruitment as a leading human capital management brand in the Sydney business arena.

 

BIO: Lynda Dunn CPA

Finance Manager Australia, Bronson & Jacobs Pty Ltd (A Division of Orica Chemicals Group)

Personal Brand: I am a Business Partner – not a number cruncher

Lynda Dunn has more than 10 years experience working in Finance roles across various organisations mainly in FMCG and Healthcare in organisations such as Roche, Baxter, GE Healthcare and most recently a division of Orica, Bronson & Jacobs.  Lynda began her career in sales and marketing analyst roles, becoming qualified as a CPA later in her career.  This strong analytical background and understanding of the sales and marketing function led her to pursue Finance roles with more commercial focus, having a strong desire to be a business partner rather than be perceived as just a ‘number cruncher’.

Currently, Lynda is working as the Australian Finance Manager for Bronson & Jacobs, part of the Orica Group.  In this role, she manages a finance team and is responsible for the end to end Finance function for the entire Australian function.  Her greatest achievement across her career is being seen by the business as more than a “number cruncher” but a true value add business partner that has brought sustainable and measurable changes to the business she has worked for.

BIO: Natalie Ahamed, B Fin Admin, M Comm, CPA

Group Financial Controller, Nepean Group

Personal Brand: I am a Collaborative Change Manager

Natalie Ahamed has more than 12 years’ experience in senior financial management roles in such companies as Inchape, Thomson, Downer EDI and currently Nepean Group.

Initially after completing school Natalie started her career completing a Fashion Diploma and quickly discovered that she much preferred the business side than the high energy competitive fashion arena.

Natalie is passionate about change management and collaboration to support teams and colleagues in challenging multinationals and large companies constantly changing environments.   

Natalie finds the best aspect of being a senior financial manager is the diversity of business scenarios that require solutions.  Striving to achieve the best outcomes and building strong successful teams that actively support the business are the rewards.

BIO: Siobhann Langan

Finance Director, Hasbro

Personal Brand: Prepare to win

Siobhann Langan is started her career with Hasbro and for over 20 years has dedicate her financial and commercial controllership to this organization. Siobhann chose accounting as a vocation after quickly realising that it is considered the language and basic tool of business. Her goal in each day is to learn from what happened yesterday and build from that foundation for the future. Her  favourite quote is ‘it’s not the will to win that’s important, it’s the will to prepare to win that really separates those who wish and dream from those who make it happen’.

Siobhann Langan is a 20 year veteran of Hasbro Australia Limited. She has worked in a number of roles from Accounting Manager to Financial Planning Manager and now Finance Director.

BIO: Serena Madgwick, MBA, CPA

Commercial Manager, Onesteel

Personal Brand: Change Manager - Finance and Systems Project Specialist

Serena has over 10yrs experience in Finance and Accounting across companies such as Onesteel, Origin Energy and Subaru.

Serena Madgwick is currently a Commercial Manager with OneSteel with in the National Distribution Team working her way up from Corporate Accountant to Commercial leadership in just 6yrs. Serena's passion includes leading and managing projects, largely with a systems focus to bring about process rationalization.Prior to joining OneSteel Serena worked with Origin Energy specialising in Financial Instruments and Treasury Finance.

Privacy, Data Flows and the Cloud

CPA Women in Business Discussion Group
Tuesday 28 August 2012 | 6pm – 8pm | CPA Centre

This month we are welcoming Ilona Teremi as guest speaker, presenting "Privacy, Data Flows and the Cloud".If your organisation collects personal information, you should take the time to consider what legal obligations you might have to protect trans-border data flows and prevent unauthorised access or disclosure of any personal data collected.

In her presentation  Ilona will explain the implications of the Privacy Act on your business and the obligations you have as a result of emerging cloud based applications. Whether you’re running CRM software based in the US, you have email hosted in your office or you’re lugging your client list around on a USB stick, it’s important you understand how your business might be impacted.

Ilona Teremi is a solicitor of more than 15 years and is the Managing Director of Kreisson Legal. Ilona has an expertise in developing strategic commercial outcomes for corporate clients, having spent approximately 8 years as an in house lawyer for various large corporations. While working for the Coles Myer Group, Ilona was on the Privacy Committee to roll out privacy compliance upon the introduction of the Privacy Act. In addition, Ilona has presented to and advised a number of clients across various industry sectors on privacy requirements and privacy risk prevention.

Recap on July Session

Tonight we enjoyed the presentation delivered by Robert Cockerell. Robert had so much to share and we were all amazed by his knowledge and confidence in this area. We took home many interview tips on how to detect the deception.

We also welcomed CPA NSW General Manager David Lee, CPA NSW Division Council President Sharon Portelli and CPA NSW Divisional Councillor Amy Wong.

Detecting Deception in a Corporate Environment

CPA Women in Business Discussion Group
Tuesday 31 July 2012 | 6pm – 8pm | CPA Centre

The NSW Women in Business discussion group are welcoming Robert Cockerell as guest speaker on “Detecting Deception in a Corporate Environment”. NSW CPA General Manager David Lee, NSW CPA Division Council President Sharon Portelli and NSW CPA Divisional Councillor Amy Wong will join us at the meeting.

This session involves a presentation on the identification of deception through listening to words used and observing changes in body behaviour. This topic has been very popular and delivered to major banks, corporations both public and private, Chartered Secretaries Association, and ASIC. The session involves analysis of interviews in the public arena.

Robert is a licensed investigator with more than 30 years' experience,. He is an expert in the investigation of complex crimes and the management of fraud prevention and detection. Robert was previously at Ernst & Young and is a former Chief Inspector with the Victoria Police Service. He has led some of the most serious cases of fraud investigated in Australia including $118 million from a major Australian Bank with the perpetrator being sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

Holding advanced training qualifications in interview techniques, Robert is an expert in the detection by interview and has authored a number of critically acclaimed training programs for the CPA and institute of Internal Auditors.He has delivered advanced interview training to clients in Australia and across Asia and is highly sought after for his experience and insight.

Decision Making for Energy and Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Reporting

CPA Australia has provided direct support to two universities in NSW to develop with government funding training offer in energy efficient and related environmental management.

Under this program CPA Australia is developing a new CPD Program entitled “Decision Making for Energy and Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Reporting”. John Purcell, CPA Australia's Policy Adviser, would like to extend an invitation for a select number of people to attend the pilot session and provide feedback accordingly as you are part of the target market for this product. 

 

Event Details
Date: Friday 13 July 2012
Time: 8.30am – 12.30pm  
Venue: CPA Australia – Sydney Office
 Level 3
111 Harrington Street
Sydney New South Wales 2000
 
Cost: Complimentary
 
Further details will be emailed this week. Please note that places are limited and available on a first come, first served basis. 

Prospects for Residential Property – Safe as Houses?

CPA Women in Business Discussion Group
Tuesday 26 June 2012 | 6pm – 8pm | CPA Centre

The NSW Women in Business discussion group are welcoming Kate McCallum as guest speaker on “Prospects for residential property – safe as houses?”

Right now, the outlook for Australian residential property is uncertain. There are fears that the market is overheated and values will fall.  Kate will discuss the outlook for residential property, the advantages and disadvantages of property investment and explore the role of property as part of a broader investment portfolio.

Kate established Multiforte in January 2007, a specialist financial advisory firm, who helps make it possible for clients to achieve their financial goals and their ideal life. Kate has worked at senior levels in leading financial services firms for 20 years including Westpac/BT Financial Group, State Street and Commonwealth/Colonial.

Kate is regularly asked to present sessions for organisations and conferences, and has been featured in media including the Australian Financial Review and the Sydney Morning Herald and holds graduate and post-graduate qualifications in Economics, Applied Finance and Investment, and Financial Planning.

Recap on May Session

Julie Garland McLellan was our guest speaker this Tuesday night. She shared her personal experience and observation on Effective Presentation in the Boardroom.Many questions were raised during the Q&A time.If you missed this great event or have further questions, you can join the according discussion on LinkedIn.

Recap on April Session

April's guest speaker was Maria Pantalone, from Infinite Growth.  Maria presented insights into understanding communication styles to work more effectively with colleagues.  Using amusing anecdotes to apply the DISC model of communication, Maria highlighted that we all have preferred styles of communicating with each other.  Being aware of different communication personalities leads to more effective discussion and relationships in the workplace.  No doubt our members can now identify their own preferred communication style and can use it to improve communication with their teams.  
 
 

Effective Presentation in the Boardroom

CPA Women in Business Discussion Group
Tuesday 29 May 2012 | 6pm – 8pm | CPA Centre

The NSW Women in Business discussion group are welcoming Julie Garland Mclellan as guest speaker on “Effective Presentation in the Boardroom”. 

Julie Garland McLellan is a practising company director and has experience on a range of public sector and commercial boards. Julie has been internationally acclaimed as a leading expert on government sector governance. She is the author of three books on governance and the editor of the Director’s Dilemma newsletter which is read in 36 countries around the world.

Julie has a degree in Civil Engineering, an executive MBA, a diploma and an advanced diploma in company directorship.

Julie has served on 14 boards, both listed and unlisted, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ NSW Council.

Understanding Communication Styles to Work More Effectively

CPA Women in Business Discussion Group
Tuesday 24 April 2012 | 6pm – 8pm | CPA Centre

The NSW Women in Business discussion group are welcoming Maria Pantalone as guest speaker on “Understanding communication styles to work more effectively with colleagues” 

Being aware of the preferred communication styles of our colleagues enables us to work in a more productive manner with them.  In this presentation, Maria Pantalone discusses how our preferred responses in various situations can have an impact on our working relationships.  Awareness and understanding of our own and our colleagues’ preferred styles can lead to more satisfying and effective teamwork.
 
Maria is DISC accredited and in this presentation she will cover the four DISC styles.  Knowing your own DISC style is helpful in understanding your own natural behavioural tendencies and how to meet your individual needs.  
When building working relationships – something we all have to do – knowing how to adapt your behaviour to improve relationships with other people improves communication and creates win/win situations.
 
Maria is passionate about helping people improve their communication skills whether it is face-to-face or in the written format.  She is the Director of Infinite Growth, a Sydney-based company that provides workshops and coaching sessions for individuals and teams in presentation skills, business writing and communicating effectively with clients and colleagues.  
 
Maria has presented at professional forums, business functions and conferences.  She is also a regular contributor of articles on communication skills to business website forums.
Her company, Infinite Growth, was a finalist in the 2011 Western Sydney Awards in Business Excellence and is currently a finalist in the 2012 Australian Small Business.

Recap on March Session

Last month we had Wai Yee Chen to present on “Are you jeopardising your investments?” Wai Yee started with a snapshot of where we were in the investments landscape and where we are now.Then Wai Yee shared her thoughts on how the personality of each individuals infuence on the investment returns. We brought home with tips like "It is not just what you know, it is knowing who you are."

Are you jeopardising your investments?

CPA Women in Business Discussion Group will meet on 27th of March with Wai-Yee Chen on “Are you jeopardising your investments?” Wai-Yee is an author, TV commentator and Adviser in the area of investments.

In this session, Wai-Yee will help you manoeuvre the current investment climate, not just with information or advice, but by making you aware of who you are, for better investments returns.

Wai-Yee’s experience is gained from her time in the share market investing and advising clients in shares and derivatives in the last 14 years. Through observations of her clients with diversed personalities, she finds its not just techniques and knowledge that generate greater investment returns. Human behaviour and inherent personality of each individuals, play as much a role, if not more, in influencing investment returns.

To get the most from this session, attendees are advised to take a quick 5 minute questionnaire at http://www.personalitytest.org.uk/  and come with a printout of the results.