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"The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place."
-George Bernard Shaw
We've all had moments where words seem to fail us, or we wonder if we are speaking the same language as the person across the table. Whether you're speaking to industry professionals at a conference, making new connections at a cocktail party, or simply navigating the conversations necessary to make it through another day on the job, honing your communication skills will be a lifelong process.
TMA NOW's mission is to foster female leadership by creating the premier business development and networking group for women in the turnaround community. That's why in 2015, TMA NOW will be focusing on the theme of communication. In particular, in each of our quarterly e-newsletters we will discuss one of the following topics:
- Negotiation
- Getting a seat at the table
- Rainmaking
- Unconscious bias
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Unconscious Bias
By: Peggy S. Bud, Education and Communication Consultant
Whenever two or more people interact, they are communicating. They are forming relationships; connections, associations or involvements. If the communication is effective, it will lead to building and sustaining positive relationships. If it is ineffective, it may cause the downfall of the relationship or organization. Communication, which is a two-way process, is a learned skill and takes practice. Warren Buffet said if you hone your personal communication skills, you can boost your lifetime earning potential by 50%. Sharpening those skills and strategies means understanding the different components of communication: verbal, vocal, non-verbal, written, and active and reflective listening. It also means understanding that people communicate differently; those differences directly impact relationships and decision making. (Read the full article here.) About Peggy
Peggy Bud is an Education and Communication Consultant and a certified speech-language pathologist. She teaches her clients how to effectively communicate when interacting with customers, clients and colleagues. Communication is a company's most powerful tool and will directly impact the company's bottom line. It's more than what you say; it's how you say it. Peggy can be reached at [email protected] or via telephone 203.952.8534. Learn more at her web site: www.PeggyBud.com
Follow her on Facebook or LinkedIn
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Member Spotlight: Robyn & Amy
Each quarter, TMA NOW helps you get to know your fellow TMA members. Since we're kicking off a new and exciting year for TMA NOW, we want to introduce you to the 2015 TMA NOW Global Committee Co-Chairs.
How did you get involved in TMA?
Robyn: I joined the Philadelphia Chapter as a young associate. We were encouraged in my department to begin getting involved in professional organizations at an early point in our career. Other lawyers in my group were involved and said it was a great organization for our industry.
Amy: During the course of my practice, I have bounced back and forth between New York City and Atlanta. I started attending local chapter events in both locations as a baby lawyer and always enjoyed the programming and the networking. Over time, I realized just how small
and interconnected the global finance and
restructuring communities actually are - this
only increased my interest in TMA. Given the
educational opportunities and relationship building the organization fosters, over the past few years I have become much more involved in TMA Global and have found it immensely rewarding on both a personal and a professional level.
Why did you want to be involved with TMA NOW in particular?
Robyn: I started the first women's networking group in the Philadelphia chapter. I noticed how few women were in the organization and that it needed to change. We started by creating events that we thought women would want to attend in an effort to encourage them just to come. Then, once they felt comfortable, the idea was to help them integrate into the larger chapter events as well. It has been a very successful group.
Amy: I wanted to be involved with TMA NOW because I was impressed with the leadership provided by Teresa Kohl and Robyn Pollack. I joined the NOW Committee last year and discovered the members shared the same objectives - to increase awareness of TMA among our female industry professionals, to engage more women in senior leadership at TMA, to establish more women's programs at the chapter level, and to increase the number and participation levels of our female colleagues in networking events, educational and professional development opportunities at all levels of TMA.
During your time as co-chair, how do you want to see TMA NOW grow?
Robyn: I would like to see all TMA chapters across the country as proponents of TMA NOW, creating and hosting TMA NOW events. I would like to see more women in leadership positions both at the chapter and global levels. I would like TMA NOW to continue its Summit programming for female chapter leaders and continue to have concurrent substantive sessions at global and regional conferences.
Amy: I would love to see TMA NOW take off in a similar fashion as NextGen - with robust recognition and leadership in all of our TMA chapters and more female participation and women's programming at our regional and global conferences.
In your opinion, what's the most exciting/interesting trend or event happening in the turnaround and restructuring industry?
Robyn: I would say the uptick in bankruptcy filings. We have been in a kind of slump for a while and things seem to be picking up. Hopefully that trend will continue!
Amy: The growing number of plan and restructuring support agreements both pre- and post-filing.
One of TMA NOW's goals is to provide professional development geared specifically toward female members of TMA. What's the best career advice you've ever received?
Robyn: To "bring myself to the table" - not to be afraid to be who I am - that women don't have to behave like men to get things done. Women have unique skills that are different from men and that can be an asset. We don't have to be like men to survive in a man's world - in fact, being women with our own personalities is often what makes the difference in a negotiation or a pitch.
Amy: I have two-way tie; these tips are both gender neutral, but they have served me well throughout my career. (1) Always treat every person with the same level of respect. It doesn't matter if you're dealing with a CEO, a junior analyst, or an assistant. Often, the ability a person has to screw things up is directly inverse to his or her title. (2) Early on, learn the difference between being a leader and being a manager. A manager's job is to make the trains run on time. A leader's job is to inspire and motivate - if you lead, the trains will run on their own.
What would someone who only knows you professionally be surprised to learn about you?
Robyn: That before I became a lawyer I wanted to be a television reporter/anchor and was a radio-tv-film major in college.
Amy: I grew up in a family of tree farmers in South Georgia and know how to drive a tractor and shoot.
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TMA NOW Event Highlights
DIC Mergers & Martinis Reception
TMA NOW hosted a reception at this year's Distressed Investing Conference in Las Vegas. The event was highly attended and allowed the chance for female professionals to connect before going to the opening reception.
TMA Michigan's Network of Women
Submitted by Meagan Hardcastle
TMA Michigan NOW held its inaugural event on November 4, 2014 at the Dossin Museum on Belle Isle in Detroit. The "Leading Ladies Luncheon" featured four panelists representing successful females in the corporate renewal industry (turnaround practitioner, attorney, banker, corporate). They discussed their experiences and lessons learned achieving success in their careers, overcoming challenges, and developing leadership skills. Registrations totaled 76 (including 52 non-members) with 62 actual event attendees. Grant funds were used to offset 50% of the actual event costs.
The event and content were extremely well received. The event was successful in (1) introducing the NOW initiative to our existing female members (achieved approximately 50% member participation!) and encouraging networking and attendance at future events, and (2) attracting 52 registrants from outside our existing membership base to expose them to the benefits of the TMA and NOW. The NOW Committee was also successful in leading table discussions about the TMA and NOW initiative, and soliciting input from attendees about their interests for future events. Two non-member attendees joined the TMA immediately following the event. Our overall goals of increasing engagement among our female TMA members, and directly increasing membership by expanding our reach to prospective female members were both clearly achieved.
Women Inspire at TMA Australia Breakfast Supporting the Special Olympics
Submitted by Allison Robinson
Sydney's business community was well represented at the Turnaround Management Association in Australia's (TMAA) Inspirational Women's Breakfast on Wednesday, March 4, which raised over $24,000 for Special Olympics Australia.
Three inspirational women with very different careers - Canterbury Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle, world-champion surfer Layne Beachley, and Carnival Australia CEO Anne Sherry - shared their career stories and insights into what inspires them.
The Inspirational Women's Breakfast is one of the most popular events in the TMAA's calendar. TMAA has been supporting Special Olympics Australia since 2006 and has raised almost $2 million for this important charity. Special Olympics strives, through the power of sport, to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people especially those with an intellectual disability.
Previous guest speakers at the Inspirational Women's Breakfast include pioneering burns specialist Dr. Fiona Wood, former Premier of NSW the Hon. Kristina Keneally, former NSW Governor Dame Marie Bashir AC CVO, sailor Jessica Watson OAM, and the Hon. Justice PA Bergin.
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2015 TMA Annual Call for Proposals: Now Open!
Help Shape This Year's Educational Content
Be a part of the premier educational and networking event for the turnaround profession - submit an educational session proposal today! Your expertise, knowledge, and ideas will help shape the 2015 TMA Annual taking place October 5-7 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona. More than 650 global turnaround and corporate renewal professionals are expected to attend. Share your ideas, innovative approaches, and knowledge to help strengthen and build the turnaround movement. The submission deadline is Friday, April 3, 2015. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
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We Need Your Help!
This quarterly newsletter is created by members of TMA NOW for TMA NOW. Read an article recently that you'd like to share? Has your chapter completed a successful TMA NOW event? Do you know someone whose contribution to the industry deserves a shout-out? Let us know! We want to highlight your women's events, special recognitions, speaking engagements, published articles, and awards to the TMA NOW community.
Email Tiffany Hallgren at [email protected] with your suggestions and you may see it in the next TMA NOW e-newsletter!
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Join TMA NOW on LinkedIn!
Click here to join our members-only TMA NOW LinkedIn group. Bookmark the NOW LinkedIn page for quick access to the latest discussion and news.
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| TMA Global Events |
| October 5-7 The 2015 TMA Annual Scottsdale, Arizona |
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