Very Good Lives, the Fringe Benefits of Failure & the Importance of Imagination

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While I was on vacation, I thought I was going to do a lot of reading, it seems, I was wrong. I was not in the reading mindset, and was having trouble disengaging from my inbox this trip. It might have something to do with a lot of busy events in the next few weeks, but nonetheless, reading did not make it into the schedule for me. Even now, instead I am writing. However, I was able to get through Very Good Lives, by JK Rowling in about half an hour. Very Good Lives is the printed version of Jo's 2008 commencement speech given to Harvard Graduates on the Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination.

What I enjoyed about this book, other than the fact that it took me less than half an hour to read, was that it touched on two topics that I really related to, and wish I had heard when I graduated last year.

Failure, we are told so often in our educational careers, is a bad thing. Failure would lead to dropping out, and dropping out would lead to difficulty in career choices. People would tell us that failure was ok, but then remind us that we needed certain grades to remain in our program, certain levels of professionalism in order to succeed; therefore failure, was not ok.

There were certain things about my education that were very instrumental in me becoming who I am today, most of them, were not due to my education at all. However, to fail at my education, would have me failing at everything my education brought with it, so failure was not an option in the slightest.

Fast forward a few years, and the quote 'fail hard, but fail fast' is often quoted in my line of work. Failure, it seems, isn't so bad after all. Failure, in it's essence is an opportunity to learn, and gives space for growth. Nobody is perfect, and if they were, they would achieve nothing more than a perfect life.

Growth comes from failure, but do so hard, and fast, and get it over with so you can move onto the next amazing thing that came out of that failure, or something new that the failure was causing you to ignore in replace.

When you hear JK Rowling discuss the importance of imagination, the first assumption is that she believes in its importance as it helped shape her career. While that is part of it, the imagination that one has can lead you to do great things, if you let it.

Imagination is more than just dreaming up creative characters, plot lines and stories, although, I do get lost in there sometimes, especially within Jo's worlds. The ability to imagine a greater place, a new technology, or something out of your scope, is what leads to the generation of amazing ideas, and further more, amazing feats. When you combine the ability to grow from failure, with the imagination to do something greater, your opportunities for growth increase greatly.

And with that sentiment, JK Rowling wants the graduates of Harvard to live Very Good Lives, through growth, and through failure and their imaginations.

Get Your Tickets For Workshop Your Resume

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It’s that time again. Time to update that resume, but don’t know where to start. You’re looking for a new job, wanting to explore your options and see what’s out there, but you’re stuck at trying to put together the best kick-ass resume that shows off your skills as a young professional. Don’t worry—we’ve all been there and there are many resources to help you out. Young Women in Business Toronto Chapter is pleased to present “Workshop your Resume”, the third installment in our workshop series that helps people get back on their feet and give guidance to constructing a resume that perfectly describes you and nail that next perfect job! Personally, I have a love-hate relationship with resumes. It’s a great way to have all your work experience, skills, interests’ etc., written down and properly displayed on a sheet of paper, but it’s frustrating when you don’t know how to show off your personality on paper. I think that’s one of the biggest struggles people face when trying to put together their resume. It’s that, “How do I show off my creative and vibrant personality, but still show my work ethic?” Well, here at Young Women in Business Toronto, we have brought in Recruitment and Resource Manager Kathryn Torangeau, formerly of Randstad Canada to run a two hour workshop tutorial. This will be a great way to get one-on-one help with your resume and learn valuable tips and tricks from an industry professional that can help bring out your personal, quirky, creative, fantastic self!

It will be a small and intimate event with limited spaces, so hurry over and get a ticket! The workshop will be held at Workplace One King West. Can’t wait to see you all there!

Workshop Your Resume: Workplace One

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Our next event - Workshop Your Resume is taking place November 8th at Workplace One! Workplace One, listed as one of Toronto's Top 10 shared office space solutions in BlogTO, offers private and shared office space, meeting rooms and virtual office solutions for companies in Toronto and Kitchener. We sat down with Adrian Wong, Workplace One's Director of Leasing/Operations to learn more about his role, how millennials are changing the traditional office space and why so many companies and startups take advantage of the open work space.

1) What is your role and responsibilities at Workplace One?

I am Workplace One’s Director of Leasing/Operations, which ultimately means that I wear a lot of hats. Giving tours to prospective members, managing staff, fixing any technical glitches that may come up, assisting our members with their needs, and generally keeping the business running smoothly and profitable are my key priorities. It’s an exciting role and no two days are alike – one day you could find me answering media questions and giving tours in one location, the next I can be found in the copier room of a different location, fixing a printer or setting up one of our meeting rooms for an event. It certainly keeps me on my toes!

2) What is Workplace One? What solutions does Workplace One offer to professionals?

Workplace One is a shared office facility offering both short- and long-term rentals for a variety of companies. We have four locations – three in Toronto, one in Kitchener-Waterloo. It’s a great option for small companies and independents who are just starting out and can’t commit to a longer-term rent contract, but it’s equally effective for large corporations who have satellite offices for smaller groups. What’s nice about our offerings is that you can grow your business under our roof by expanding or contracting office space as needed, and you have all the professional office services available to you: from an on-site receptionist, to a communal lounge and break-out rooms, to printers/copiers, and beautifully decorated meeting rooms. Each of our locations have been professionally decorated and designed, so if you have any clients or colleagues who are coming to meet with you in the office, they’re sure to be impressed. It gives your business a professional feel without the professional price tag.

Each office comes furnished with desks, chairs, and filing cabinets. Or, you can choose to work in one of our co-working areas or even use a dedicated desk. There are plenty of options that are sure to suit any business type, size, or budget. Workplace One can basically do everything for you and your business, except your work.

3) What kind of professionals come to Workplace One? Is there a certain industry you see more of?

With the exception of our Kitchener-Waterloo office which is predominantly filled with tech companies and startups, there’s a myriad of people and businesses that use Workplace One. We have some large companies with headquarters in the US or Europe who have their satellite Canadian office at Workplace One. We also have independent photographers, graphic designers, lawyers, and insurance brokers using our space. If you walk down any of our hallways you’ll also see recruitment agencies, marketing firms, app developers, event planners, and interior decorators – the list is endless. We even have a masseur in one of our locations who has converted an office into a treatment clinic. It takes all kinds!

4) Do you think millennials are changing the traditional office space for the better?

Millennials are changing the traditional office space on a large scale and we think that’s great. They have done away with the typical 9-5, brick-and-mortar space and are conducting business in a way that works for them. No two people or businesses are alike, and that’s why we’ve been so successful. We allow members to choose the space and situation that works best for them. Since we offer 24/7 access to our members, you’ll find some people in the office at 6 a.m. on a Saturday, while others just stop by for a couple of hours for a weekday meeting.

5) What are advantages of open space work space? 

There are many advantages to using an open workspace. Besides affordability, connection and collaboration are big bonuses that any of our co-working members can attest to. If you’re working on a new project and need some fresh input, you can ask your neighbour who happens to work in an entirely different industry and can bring a new perspective. Or, you need some help in an area in which you’re not proficient, you can almost always find someone who fits the bill. We recently launched a new member directory that’s very useful to our members – if you need someone close by to take care of your graphic or web design, or you’re looking for marketing help to launch your business, or maybe you need a lawyer to review some contracts you’re working on, you can simply log in and find the person or service you need. It also works both ways – you can offer your services to fellow members. You never know who you’re going to meet.

6) Have you seen any businesses start at Workplace One?

Over the years, we have been witness to a lot of companies getting started at Workplace One. They range from small start-ups about to launch, to large companies from overseas that are looking to expand into the Canadian market. It’s great for us to see them grow, and we’re honoured to have a part in that success. Some of these companies get so big they actually outgrow us, and need a building of their own. Though it’s sad to see them go, we’re happy to have helped them along the way to reach a greater level of success. Companies like knixwear, Car2Go, and Famebit have all called Workplace One home. We tip our hats to them.

Join us at our next event at Workplace One and Get your tickets today!

Diversity in the Workplace: Elle Bourne

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It's finally here. Our event is sold out! Diversity in the Workplace is taking place tonight at Tangerine our gold sponsor.  Tangerine is known as the bank that helps Canadians save money with award winning client service that has helped over 2 million Canadians grow their savings and live better lives!

Elle Bourne, Strategic HR Business Partner shares insight on Diversity in the Workplace at Tangerine.

What does diversity mean to you?

There are strengths in our differences. Diversity is much more than being tolerant. It is embracing those differences and harnessing them to build an inclusive and top performing place of work where all employees and all viewpoints are valued . Diversity drives innovation and this is critical to a bank like Tangerine that prides itself on being a financial catalyst and disrupter in the banking marketplace.

Have you experienced any challenges with diversity in the workplace? How have you overcome them? Yes I have experienced personal challenges in my past professional life. At the time it was invaluable to have a strong mentor to keep me focused at a higher level an continued to challenge me to show up as the best me, while offering insights on how to navigate the ambiguity around some of the issues.

What is your favourite part of your job? Apart from the people I work with, having variety in my role so that no day is the same is one of the things I enjoy most. The Tangerine environment fosters an openness where a diversity of thought is encouraged and I find it really rewarding to partner with the business and influence them by asking questions. I think Tangerine understands that diversity drives innovation.

See you tonight! There might be tickets at the door ;) If you can't make it, follow Young Women in Business on Twitter and join in on the conversation!

Partner Spotlight | Henderson Brewing Co

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We are less than one week away from our Diversity In the Workplace Panel and can't wait! The networking, the awesome panel lined up, and did we mention beer from Henderson Brewing Co? Henderson Brewing Co, a craft brewery located in the junction was named after Toronto's first brewer Robert Henderson in the 1800s. This brewery is over 9,000 square feet, has a 15,000 hectolitre capacity and is environmental friendly with 80-90% of the steam from the brew kettles recycled! What's unique about Henderson Brewing Co is that the beers brewed are inspired from Toronto's culture and brewery history. Each month a different beer is created to bring a Toronto story to life.

We sat down with Territory Sales Manager, Annie Dingwall and talked about her role and perks at Henderson Brewing Co, and her thoughts and challenges on diversity in the workplace.

What are your responsibilities with Henderson Brewing?

I’m the east end Sales Rep for Henderson Brewing. I work everyday to get our beer into licensees and now LCBOs throughout the city. I’m responsible for new activations and for expanding our brand through new partnerships within the trade. Since we are a small company, I tend to wear many different hats. Depending on the day I can be a keg delivery driver, A/R officer, home brewer, event coordinator or tap room bartender. Essentially, I am an ambassador for our brewery and our brands in every way.

What does it mean to you, to have an employer who supports diversity in the workplace?

It means everything to work for someone who understand and supports workplace equality. I’ve never been treated differently from any of my male colleagues, in fact it has never been a point of discussion. I have felt truly supported and encouraged since day 1 to make decisions and make Henderson my own. I am respected for my experience and given a lot of trust in order to succeed.

What are some setbacks you may have faced in a traditionally male dominated industry?

Especially in the beginning as a new Sales Rep, I was definitely tested and challenged on my knowledge of beer and restaurants by potential customers and industry counterparts. Beer is definitely a male-dominated industry, meaning there is always a bit of an extra hurdle. The key is to persevere through the initial challenges. Remaining confident in your skills will not only prove them wrong, but make a memorable mark.

Why is Henderson Brewing excited to support Young Women in Business?

As a new business, it is essential to have great people. Henderson realized this from the get go. It just so happens that almost half of our team are young women. Henderson made the choice to chose ambitious, driven young women to be a part of our team. We all have different backgrounds and experiences, and bring unique perspectives to the table.

Which is your favourite Henderson beer?

Henderson’s Best. It is our flagship Amber Ale. It’s classic, easy drinking, and pairs so well with food. I spend most of my days talking about our Best, so it helps that it is also my favourite in our portfolio! We just launched it in LCBOs, and it is in bars all across the city. I’m so excited for people across Toronto to be able to try it!

Image from Henderson Brewing Co Facebook

Check out Henderson Brewing Co on  Facebook! Will you be trying Henderson Brewing Co?

Diversity in the Workplace: Ask Kayla Greaves

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Diversity in the workplace is an extremely important issue in today’s society. Living and working in Toronto, we find ourselves surrounded by diversity on a daily basis which is something that makes our city so refreshing and unique! So what do I mean by diversity? Individuals coming together from different nationalities, races, and religions to form an organization, most importantly, one that values and respects someone’s background and listens to their ideas and opinions. Diversity is one of the keys to success and should be nurtured in the work place, not fought. We had the pleasure of speaking with Kayla Greaves, Lifestyle Editor at the Huffington Post about her personal experiences with diversity in the workplace and how we can continue to promote the importance of diversity.

Why is diversity and inclusion in the office important to you?

As a woman of colour working in media diversity and inclusion is so essential in my everyday work. We need perspectives from as many groups as we can to produce high quality content that can reach a wide variety of audiences. We want our content to be reflective of the diverse Canadian population. And luckily, I can confidently say we have one of, if not the most, diverse newsrooms in Canada. Also, diversity makes potluck days A1.

What are some initiatives either in your current job or past jobs that you have done to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

We are currently working on a new series that will be investigating the experiences of children of immigrant parents in Canada, which I'm really excited about! I'm producing a lot of the video and visual graphic content for the series and also assisting on the editorial side. From day to day I work to attract talent from diverse backgrounds to participate in our videos, or panels etc. and make it my goal to write about underrepresented groups as much as I can.  I'm also a member of the culture club at work where we think ways to celebrate culture and diversity in a way where everyone can enjoy and also learn about other people's heritage.

Do you have a specific experience (that you are comfortable with sharing) that affected your passion for promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace?

Yes. I previously worked for a large company that was not into the idea of diversity at all. The whole office, with the exception of two people (three including me), was primarily white. While I pushed for it, they typically made the excuse that it was too complicated etc. etc. I eventually left and moved on to find a place where I was a better fit.

Grab tickets to Diversity in the Workplace: Panel & Meetup below!

Diversity in the Workplace Panel & Meetup

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Why is diversity and inclusion so important? What does diversity mean to you? The definition has so many variations. Diversity is individuals coming together from different nationalities, races, and religions to form an organization. An organization that values individuals, accepts their background, and skill set and respects their ideas is what makes an organization diverse. It is a necessity that creates equal opportunities for everyone, encourages the growth and survival of companies, and brings another mindset and view to our lives driving a high performance culture. With advances in technology and communication, and globalization, diversity is growing the world. According to The Upshot, “Fewer Women Run Big Companies Than Men Named John.” It’s 2016, and while a lot of progress has been to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, there is still a long way to go.

Young Women in Business Toronto (ywibTO) invites you to join us for our “Diversity in the Workplace Panel” where we’ll be discussing the importance of diversity in the workplace, addressing challenges and what steps need to be taken to make a difference.  Speakers include; Arnold Flowers- Director of Account Management at Oracle, James Rubec- Cision, Afrodite Cruz- UofT, Elle Bourne- Tangerine Kayla Greaves-Huffington Post and more. Come join us for a night of networking, snacks and great discussion.

Diversity in the workplace has changed drastically compared to the 1970s with women and minorities playing a much larger part today slowly making it’s way to executive levels on the different boards and CEOs.

Diversity in the Workplace: Panel & Meetup

Wednesday, October 19th from 6:30pm-9:00pm

Location: Tangerine Downtown Cafe, 221 Yonge St, Toronto ON M5B 1M4 Tickets: $15 – Get yours online at (Eventbrite Link).

Save the Date & Stay Connected with us on Facebook!

About Young Women in Business Toronto

Young Women in Business is a non-profit organization connecting ambitious, like-minded women across educational fields, careers and industries. Our events provide leadership skills, and networking opportunities that allow women to achieve success, reach their full potential and be engaged with members in their communities.

For media inquiries, please contact Nathalie Sehgal, nathaliesehgal@gmail.com. For partnership inquiries, please contact Victoria Stacey, victoria.l.stacey@gmail.com .