Women In The Workplace: How To Become A Success
September 10th, 2018 by bpc“A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at her.” – Unknown
When it comes to women in the workplace, success can be enjoyed through the application of a few key pointers. Whether you accredit your success to self-confidence, a great outfit or a pair of reliable ladies’ safety shoes, there is a potential to excel that lies within every woman. It’s how you bring it out that makes all the difference.
How can you become more successful in your workplace? Listen up ladies, here’s some advice from us and a few female success stories.
Be passionate about what you do.
If you’re passionate about the job that you do, it’s likely that you will end up successful. According to Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, anyone can choose to perform a certain job. What will set you apart from anyone else is the extent to which you are passionate about it!
Don’t expect to be treated differently based on your gender.
You should want to get promoted because of your talents, not because you are a female. Wilhemina Manaso, mine manager of BHP Billiton SA says, “You are there to work. You will not receive special treatment. It will take the men time to realise that you’re a valuable member of the team, but once they do they will be very supportive!”
Don’t set your heart on perfection.
As females, we are often caught up in trying to make everything perfect. Whilst this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the workplace often throws a few curveballs that could leave your confidence and game plan in tatters. Sarah Watson, Chief Strategy Officer for BBH New York has something to share on the matter. She believes that when it comes to the work environment, change is inevitable. Sarah promotes adapting positively to such changes as one of the key factors that contributed to her success. The key? Strive for progress and not perfection.
Dress for success.
Coco Chanel once said, “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.” Now, we’re not saying arrive to work rocking the latest looks straight off of the runway. We’re saying whatever your job, look the part. Whether it’s a power suit for a big meeting of a pair of stylish ladies safety shoes on site, when you look good you feel good. This confidence extends to your abilities to perform well. It’s a chain reaction really, so try it and see for yourself!
Believe that you will be successful.
It’s called a self-fulfilling prophecy and what it comes down to is that whatever you tell yourself you are going to be is what you will become. It also helps to surround yourself with like-minded people who have similar aspirations to you. Former Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll said, “You need mentors, people with that desire to support women and their desire to have more.” So decide what you would like to be successful at, believe that you will be successful, surround yourself with those who empower you and begin to work at it. The results will surprise you and feel even more rewarding!
Sisi Safety Footwear forms part of the BBF Safety Group, the largest manufactures of Safety Footwear in Southern Africa. From the female executive to ladies on site, we have styles suited to multiple roles. For more information on the styles in our range, please visit our website www.sisi.co.za.
Powerful SA Women In The Workplace
September 10th, 2018 by bpcWomen in the workplace have become some of the most valued employees across major operations worldwide. Over the years, industry and corporate have seen more and more females entering into roles that were once the preserve of men. Times have definitely changed and this trend can be observed on a global scale. It has triggered the creation of gender specific items for the workplace like ladies’ safety boots, briefcases and even feminine takes on the power suit.
On our South African shores, we have our fair share of successful women taking the industries in which they work by storm. Whilst there really are too many to mention, here are our some of our favourite industry greats:
Jenna Clifford
A renowned jewelry designer, Jenna creates custom pieces that have captured the attention of a wide audience that even includes celebrities like Venus and Serena Williams! She launched her business in 1992, and 24 years on, it’s still growing. Today, she is still focused on her brand but also has a passion for giving back. She has started various charity initiatives and has partnered with the Save the Rhino project to form the Jenna Clifford Rhino Project.
Adria Greene
As the founder of Lawpoint South Africa, Adria’s journey has been an interesting one. Having grown up in Cape Town where she attended school and studied at the University of Cape Town, she went on to study abroad at the University of Michigan. Adria was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2009, a prestigious accolade for any individual.
Portia Maurice
As the Chief of Corporate Affairs for the Vodacom Group Limited, Portia has worked her way up to enjoy her current position. She spent five years as a General Manager for MTN and has worked for a host of other impressive companies.
Maria Ramos
Not many women can say that they are the CEO of a major entity like the Barclays Africa Group. For Maria Ramos, it wasn’t an overnight success story but she was prepared to work hard to make it big. Starting off as a bank teller, she was able to fund her tertiary studies. Little did she know where her tenacity would one day take her. Maria was named the ninth most influential businesswoman in the world by financial magazine giant Forbes.
Siza Mzimela
Having overcome the adversities of race and gender discrimination, Siza Mzimela is the first black female to become the CEO and founder of an airline in South Africa (Fly Blue Crane). Becoming the CEO of an airline is a serious achievement, considering that less than 5% of all airline CEO’s worldwide are females. Siza is also on the South African Tourism board and is actively involved with the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.
Sisi Safety Footwear forms part of the BBF Safety Group and proudly salutes the growing number of successful women in industry. For more information on the styles in our range, please visit our website www.sisi.co.za.
The Most Popular Jobs For Women In Industry
September 10th, 2018 by bpcThe face of industry has been changing. New roles have emerged and seen females rising to the challenge. This has led to an evolution of industrial proportions. Think new workplace regulations in line with women and innovations in the realm of safety wear like work shoes for ladies. All in all, ladies are making their mark on industry and they’ve shown no signs of going anywhere.
When it comes to the popular jobs for women in industry there are various roles that come to mind. Over the last decade some have raised in the popularity stakes.
Here are the most popular jobs for women in industry, the world over…
Administrative positions
Sure this one was always big but if there’s one thing females do well, its keep things organised. In industrial realms a fair amount of admin is required to keep things running smoothly. Many females have made an indelible mark through their abilities to get the job done! These include PA (Personal Assistant) roles, Receptionists, Secretaries, Coordinators, Bookkeepers and even Human Resources in industrial “front of house” environments.
Manufacturing
From production to supervision, females have become a force to be reckoned with in the manufacturing industry. Common roles include Factory Supervisors, Assembly Line Workers and Quality Controllers. Regardless of roles however, a pair of work shoes for ladies are an integral part of facing the risks posed by the manufacturing environment.
Hygiene
Industrial hygiene has seen a rise in the number of females taking up positions. These include; Hygiene Inspectors to Safety Managers, Industrial Hygienists and Compliance Specialists.
Agriculture
Believe it or not, the agriculture industry has seen many new female faces. Popular roles for women here are Soil Surveyors, Livestock Managers, Food Researchers and even Harvesters.
Sisi Safety Footwear is dedicated to keeping women stylish and safe at all times, whatever their chosen industry may be. That’s we developed a range of safety footwear to suit the shift in workplace roles. Our range offers a host of styles for various applications and demands. For more information on the styles in our range, please visit our website www.sisi.co.za.
Common Risks Faced In Industry
September 10th, 2018 by bpcToday, an increasing amount of women work in industries previously dominated by men. Now more than ever, ambitious women are moving up the ranks. This change has lead to innovation in safety shoes for ladies and women’s safety wear. Although the journey has been slightly different for both genders, the risks encountered by men and women in industry are often the same.
Here are a few hazards that you may face whilst working in industry:
- Breaks, sprains and strains
Unpredictable environmental factors contribute to the likelihood of these but if you find that you are prone to these sorts of injuries you may be calcium deficient. Taking a daily supplement and eating a diet rich in calcium can easily remedy this. - Increased fatigue
Incorrect safety shoes for ladies and men result in fatigue in the workplace. It is important to remember that although the jobs and risks faced by men and women may be the same, the kind of safety shoe required for each gender is not. Selecting a shoe created specifically for your gender and build will help to lessen fatigue. Taking regular breaks, eating more regularly and drinking sufficient water may help as well. - Harsh weather
Working in industry may require being outdoors and having to face unpredictable weather patterns. These could result in common colds, sunburn, sunstroke and even pneumonia. Wear the right protective clothing to provide warmth when it is cold and keep you cool when it is hot. - Chemical exposure
Industrial environments involve harsh acids, chemicals and solvents that can cause a host of side effects. Protective clothing, gloves and safety shoes are a great way to lessen your risk of injury when handling or working around these substances. - Mental strain and emotional stress
This is something that both men and women are prone to and could result in a compromised immune system, anxiety and poor concentration. Adapting to your workplace stresses through handling them in a more positive manner could help you overcome this problem.
Sisi’s range of safety footwear was created with women’s needs in mind to encompass protection, styles and finishes as unique as the ladies who wear them. For more information on our range, please visit our new website www.sisi.co.za.
