by Hema Mali

The intervention of Lorella Zanardo at the PWA speaker meeting could not have come at a more timely moment at this particular crossroads of my life.  Just before leaving for the event, I had been discussing with the father, the merit of raising our son in Italy.   My concern regarded relationship with females, opportunities, a point of reference, enforcing values when we are constantly bombarded by an environment where breaking rules is the norm and the power of the media.

It was much to my chagrin that my son had started to watch Italian television in particular quiz shows abound with showgirls.  He was even familiar with the names and had his favourite velinas’.  He even thought that Victoria from Wheel of Fortune was pretty and I had to explain that she looked hideous because it was evident that her lips and breasts had been re-done.  How do you explain to a seven year old that she had been exploited?

Even worse to hear comments that the Italian Prime Minister was a “figo” by males from my generation simply because he was still doing it at the age of 72 and that there was nothing wrong with an old man doing it with someone old enough to be his grand-daughter.

I don’t want my child to grow up in this environment because what I see are more and more people brainwashed and I can only but explain it by what they see and read in the media.  If today’s new parent generation can switch their thinking to the acceptability of treating women as sex objects - a step back in time, what hope is there for the children of today.  I too fell victim, not having my point of reference in Italy, to the fact that the woman had to be immaculate and have a perfect presence at all times.  Being bombarded by these images, I too was nearly convinced that this is what was expected - by whom, society?  Who predicts what society wants?  Not only, but any success that a woman gains is justified, usually by men, that they must have conceded sexual favours to have had that success.  More so, after seeing the “Infedele” transmission, it confirmed the concept that Italian society is being brainwashed that exploitation of women is acceptable.  The most shocking of all is how successful Italian women in the media (not only) subject women to the same humiliation.  If this is a vicious circle, what hope is there of change?

Thus, I was happy to have heard Lorella’s presentation because it filled me with a little hope.  More so when I watched her documentary and her blog and the work she is doing going to schools to send the message not to be influenced by what they see on TV.  She externalises her anger in a calm and positive way and not by criticising Italian society but by using effective communicative methods to make people aware.

I was also moved by how she used her time, in a period of crisis, and over the Christmas period usually dedicated to family, constructively to produce such a masterpiece.  Using the same arms that try to destroy our dignity and to convert it to reveal just how ridiculous it is.

This leads me to the following question.  If the media today is a mirror of the Italian society, if the young generation of today, in particular women were to have the possibility of creating their own TV program, what kind of programs would it be?

NETWORKING EVENT –

PWA
invites you to the
Summer Party
All professional women and guests welcome.
________________________________________

Wednesday, 8 July 2009, 8-10 p.m.
Canne al Vento
Via Rosolino Pilo, 14
(MM Porta Venezia)
________________________________________

Come and enjoy a meal with members and guests (spouses and partners welcome) in a relaxed atmosphere for networking and socialising over delicious Sardinian fare.

Cost for members: 35 Euro
Cost for guests: 40 Euro

Payment in advance is required to reserve your place. Members, please reserve by paying online in the calendar section of www.EuropeanPWN.net or by cash at a prior PWA event.

For guest reservations, bank details to pay by wire transfer, or for more information in general, please contact: networking@pwa-milan.org

Space is limited, so don’t miss out!

Il Sole 24ore anticipates the key data Giulia Belloni from Korn Ferry International will present during the PWA Milan event “Women in finance” and interviews her on the topic.

Read the article (in Italian)

Please note, we are welcoming men to attend this Special Event

We are living in times where focusing on opportunities are vital. New, wiser, ways of being and leading in the world are required to navigate in unknown waters. As we open ourselves to new solutions, women and the feminine have a key role to play.

Kristin Engvig, W.I.N. Founder and CEO will be joined by a panel of inspiring women to discuss how together we can start transforming ourselves, organizations and society with wisdom and conscious action.

The W.I.N. annual Global Leadership conference will this year be held in the historic city of Prague, Czech Republic, from October 8-10. This meeting hosted by PWA will give you a taste of what W.I.N. and the conference offers.  Kristin Engvig will lead a panel of special guest speakers to discuss and debate:

• Needs and aspiration of women living and working in Italy
• Inspiring women who put wisdom into action
• Feminine values as the key to transformation.

Previous stops on W.I.N.’s discussion tour include London, Geneva, Lausanne, Abu Dhabi and, most recently Tokyo.

About the Panel

Kristin Engvig
Kristin started her leadership journey in 1998 when she founded W.I.N. in Milan. She has designed the visionary programs of all W.I.N. forums. Women leadership has become her passion and leads the leadership journey at W.I.N. Kristin is known for her innovative thinking, picking up trends early and encouraging women to live creatively and shape their own future. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and for organizations and companies. Kristin has worked as an international marketing and strategy consultant in Europe as well as Japan. She holds a BA from Oslo and a MBA from SDA Bocconi. Previously she held positions with JP Morgan, Citibank and the Norwegian Export Council, served as vice president of SDA Bocconi Alumni Association and was president of PWA.

Sarah Brady, Director Product Communications & Consumer Design, Whirlpool Corporation
Sarah was appointed director, Global Product Communications, Global Consumer Design (GCD), Whirlpool Corporation in January 2008. Based at the GCD Studio in Cassinetta, Italy, she is accountable for global, strategic communications and activities supporting Whirlpool Corporation’s Global Product Business Organization with a focus on employer branding, design image and innovation media. She also serves as principal external liaison for communication announcements, media relations, and public relations for Whirlpool Corporation’s Corporate Technology Organization. Sarah joined Whirlpool in 1999, as director, Corporate Communications and Corporate Relations for Europe. She holds an M.A. in Modern and Medieval Languages from Cambridge University, a Master in Public Relations and Public Affairs from Burson-Marsteller Italia, and has recently completed an M.B.A. with Liverpool University.

Lorella Zanardo, Entrepreneur. Founder and General Manager, Sportgate
Lorella has worked in the marketing field for many years. She has been European Brand Manager for Uniliver in Milan and Paris, as well as Marketing Director for Gruppo Mondadori. She has worked as a training specialist and consultant for the East European Countries, also following community projects within the Diversity Management. As a Marketing Lecturer, she has organised and chaired innovative courses on basic themes of change for organizations and individuals. She is the writer and director of IL CORPO DELLE DONNE, a documentary video about the use of women’s bodies in the Italian television. The video and the website www.ilcorpodelledonne.com has been visited by more than 200,000 people in one month and has been reported in newspapers including the New York Times , International Herald Tribune and Le Monde. Awarded with a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Zanardo boasts a previous degree in English and German literature. She is head of Sportgate, a company specialised in consultancy services and innovative training, proposed both through the sport practice and through the stories of great Olympic champions.

Graziella Zanoletti, CEO and Founder, Elite Rent-a-Car
Graziella is a successful entrepreneur with human values. 15 years ago she started up her company providing luxury car hire and chauffeur services. Today it has branches in Zurich, Cannes, Nice, St Tropez, Paris, Monaco, Milano, Roma, Sao Paulo, Moscow and a turnover of almost €10 million. She says: “I am convinced that positive attitude can change the world. I believe in women of the past and women of the future. Our mothers were there to protect our homes. We are here today to prepare our daughters who will change the world”.

About W.I.N.
Founded in 1998 in Milan, Italy, W.I.N. (Women’s International Networking) was the idea and vision of Norwegian social entrepreneur, Kristin Engvig. Over the past 10 years W.I.N. has facilitated cross-border networking, empowered and developed leaders in order to advance the situation of women working internationally and is now one of the world’s leading international professional women’s networks. The annual leadership forum manifests the emergence of a collective and truly global leadership journey being made by modern women today www.winconference.net 

Cocktails 7-8 p.m. / Presentation 8-9:30 p.m.
Grand Hotel et de Milan Via Manzoni 29, (MM Montenapoleone)
€10 for members, €30 for guests, payable by cash at the event.

For guest reservations, please contact networking@pwa-milan.org

by Hema Mali

If you read the heading of the article and your first reaction was an air of disgust at the word Secretary, you should introspect and ask yourself why.
Do you consider the role demeaning and unprofessional?The context is missing. If we were in England or the US or even some Asia Pacific countries, “secretary” or even personal assistant could take the form in the traditional sense but it could also assume the professional role of the right hand person of the CEO. It is not uncommon that these figures usually hold a powerful role.

In Italy however it is a different story. “A life of a secretary” is a book of short stories by a woman who has held several posts as secretary/assistant in Italy and the humiliation and difficulties faced in each one. A woman (or man for that matter) of integrity is not so easy to find: one woman’s battle I am glad to say that stood her ground even if that meant risking her job on several occasions and opportunities of progress.

The author who goes by the pseudonym Annalisa Vergani was born in Bergamo in 1966 and has a degree in foreign languages and a master in human resources management.
She begun to work as a Scientific Secretary at the European Institute of Oncology and after six years decided that it was time to change and to have other experiences.
In the last 9 years she changed several jobs, always looking for a boss that could appreciate her skills and her potential.
It was a mission impossible! But on the path of knowledge she learnt many things and more importantly direction and self esteem.

Annalisa decided to write the book because she had the need distance herself from all the negative experiences. Annalisa Vergani is the nickname used as author of the book
probably due to the need to put a distance between her and the things she had to bear.
The purpose of the book is to underline behaviours that are not acceptable neither in the office or at home with humour and irony (taking it seriously would be a real tragedy!!) hoping that in the future nobody has to suffer these kind of things.

Having started to read the book various aspects emerge. It’s definitely a good book for people that are considering coming to Italy. It is unfortunately a reflection of Italian society. How men generally perceive women and how many women have reacted to appease them.

I remember when I first arrived in Italy and the awe entering a multinational upon seeing scantily clad women in the office place. I put it down to cultural difference and maybe the British were a little prudish in their dress sense. Nevertheless the short hemline would certainly be cause for distraction.

The author was once asked by foreign women why they had difficulty interacting with Italian women. The answer she replied was simple. Women are judged not by their intelligence or professionalism, but by their elegance and how many heads turn when you enter a room.

Upon reading the book, one can feel and even re-live the frustrations that the author experienced. There are many women out there that are disadvantaged due to the fact that Italy is still very male dominated. On the other hand I can say I have met several professional women in Italy and so clearly there has been some progress especially in the multinational companies.

The author sends a distinct message to us all-to hold on to our dignity. If your environment makes you feel intimidated and inadequate, the chances are YOU are not.

This interview of Jacqueline Kosecoff, chief executive of Prescription Solutions, a UnitedHealth Group company, was conducted and condensed by Adam Bryant. Read full article here

Are you a freelance professional or are you considering the idea? Do you feel like you might need some tips on how to survive a freelance career? If you want to know how Axelle Brown-Videau, PR and PWA member, manages her freelance life and what she learned in 4 years of freelancing, check her post “Freelancing - quello che ho imparato durante 4 anni in 10 punti” (in Italian).

If you have missed the first part, check the post

1. In your opinion, what are the most important considerations in deciding whether to accept an offered position?

First of all, investigate the company: what do the financial results look like, what is their strategic position in the current environment and do they have an appealing strategy for the next 5 years? Use your informal network to get the story behind the numbers; what do people not tell you about this company? Who are the other board members and what do you know about their reputation? Would they be interesting additions to your network and how could you be of service to them?

Be prepared to say no if the outcome of your first investigation is negative. Especially with a first board position be careful to say ‘yes’ too quickly.

Secondly, match your skills and experience with what is required on the board. You don’t have to have had ample experience in the same line of business but you need to be able to relate to the company and its activities. For instance, if you don’t like computers and ‘geeks’, don’t consider accepting a board position on a company that works in IT or is very IT-driven.

Be realistic about what you can bring to the table and develop at least three key points to convince others that you are the best candidate. This could be your experience in working in Asia, if the company wants to expand into that region; or your expertise on joint venture contracts, if the company’s preferred way of working is through joint ventures. So find your strong points and added value and be able to communicate them. Do not focus on your weak points. Women have a tendency to first think which part of the required skills we do not fulfil, before making the leap. Feel confident that the fact that you are being asked for this position already indicates that your image is the right one.

Thirdly, decide if this particular position will help you reach your ambition for the next 5 - 10 years. If you really want to be in a different area or sector than this company’s offer, think again and try to build a business case for yourself why this choice would be the right one now. Assess what it might ‘cost’ you. If for instance it would mean moving to a different city or country or working extra long hours, make sure you know beforehand what the sacrifices will be and if you and your family are prepared to make them.

1. Have you ever thought “If it weren’t for my presence in this board as a woman…” and for what reason?

Difficult question because, of course, not all women are the same, nor are all men, so I can only speak from my personal experiences. Once I put the not-so-female-friendly conduct of one of the managers on the agenda; I am sure that the topic would not have been discussed if it weren’t for me. From the many stories women on boards have told me and my own experience I do believe that women add an extra dimension to the board. We are often not afraid to ask questions if we do not understand an issue; we ask questions in an open and non-judgmental manner, so that the answers will be the same, open and straightforward. Men observe a difference too; they have told me many times that there is less grandstanding when there is a woman on the board. I have experienced that women bring a different viewpoint and create a different atmosphere in the board - both factors are very important for decision-making processes of the highest quality.

1. Career planning - what 3 pieces of advice would you give a woman in her 20’s whose goal was a board position within 15 years? What is absolutely vital to include in your careerpath with that objective (skills, experience, proficiencies, do’s and don’ts)

Absolutely vital is to make the right choices for jobs from the start of your career. If you want to become a generalist, so a general manager or CEO, line management experience and often expatriate experience are crucial in most large companies, so you will have to plan for them. Another important choice is the choice of your partner; I am not kidding: the most important choice women will make in their 20’s has to do with this. Look behind the rosy clouds to see if your partner will become a partner in your career too, or if you would go for dual careers, or if you are expected to fulfil a more traditional role in the relationship. A good indicator is to observe the rules in the family your partner comes from; that will tell you a lot. After all, if you want to be one of the women who have it all (a loving partner, children and a career), tough decisions need to be made at the kitchen table. Third piece of advice is about education; go for the best education you can possibly get and continue to learn throughout your whole career. Learning new skills and expanding your horizons is key to maintaining an open mind and positive energy to contribute to the cause you have chosen for your life. Last, but not least, get mentors who will guide you and inspire you along the way. You never can have too many mentors really, so try to find them from different backgrounds, organisations and phases in life. A women’s network, like European Professional Women’s Network (www.europeanpwn.net) is ideal for finding some of them, so join and become active. Mentors have always enriched my life, both professionally and personally, and have given me crucial pieces of advice in every stage of my career. I could not have done it without them.

This event is a collaboration between PWA and Korn Ferry International

A look at who occupies management positions in financial companies around the world shows a heavy bias towards men, and an even more dramatic disparity in numbers between male and female executives can be found in Italy. Why is this the case? What can be done to increase women in leadership positions?  For those who have managed to reach the upper levels, how did they get there?  What should companies and individuals be doing to bring more women into corporate leadership roles?

PWA President Monica Pesce, will moderate a discussion designed to help us understand how women have achieved success so far, what we can be doing to increase opportunities and what benefits female leadership will bring to the financial sector and world economy as a whole.

The panel will share their experiences and perspectives gained from working at different companies internationally to help us to find ways to increase opportunities for women seeking leadership roles.

About the panel

Giulia Belloni, Senior Client Partner, Korn Ferry International Milan has more than two decades of corporate finance experience.  Prior to joining Korn/Ferry in 1999, she worked for JP Morgan in Milan, where she established a fixed income sales team covering both Italian clients in the domestic and international markets as well as foreign investors in the Italian market, and Chase Manhattan Bank. Ms. Belloni is a graduate of economics from Bocconi University in Milan.

Alessandra Perrazzelli is the Head of International Affairs at Intesa Sanpaolo, one of the largest Italian and European banking groups. Based in Brussels for the last 16 years, Ms Perrazzelli works with the European Institutions on the application of EU banking and financial services law to the internal market. She was appointed to oversee the Gemma project which promotes capitalizing on internal female talent. She holds law degrees in Italy and in New York. She has been mentioned among the top 100 women lawyers in competition law by the Global Competition Review in 2004 and won the 2007 “Premio Bellisario” in the Communication Sector, for her activity promoting Italian interests at EU and International level.

Monica Poggio is head of Corporate Culture for Unicredit Group. Her career in Human Resources spans various multinationals, primarily in the pharmaceutical and mechanical engineering industries, and included managing projects specialized in developing female leadership programs and launching women’s networks. Since 2007 she has directed the “Women and Leadership” track for Unicredit Group.

Fabio L. Sattin is Chairman and Founding Partner of Private Equity Partners Spa, a primary independent financial company, that provides investments in equity capital in unlisted companies. He is currently professor of Business Strategy and Policy at the University Cà Foscari in Venice, and  professor of Private Equity and Venture Capital at Bocconi University. He is co-author of “Private Equity and Venture Capital”, widely used as a text in many university courses and MBA programs in Italy.

Cocktails 7-8 p.m. / Presentation 8-9.30 p.m.
Grand Hotel et de Milan. Via Manzoni 29, (MM Montenapoleone)

Free for members, €20 for guests, payable by cash at the event

Members, please register your participation at www.EuropeanPWN.net

For guest reservations, or additional information, please contact speakers@pwa-milan.org

PWA gratefully acknowledges the contributions of:

Accenture, ATKearney, Bain & Co, Banca d’ Italia, Borsa Italiana, BNP, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Citigroup, Crédit Suisse, Deloitte & Touche, Deutsche Bank, General Electric, Gruppo Allianz, Gruppo Banco Popolare, Gruppo Intesa Sanpaolo, Gruppo Unicredit, Mediobanca, Natixis, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Sace, Tesoro, UBS Italia