When we heard that Kate Walsh had teamed up with DYMO and The Prince’s Trust to ask the country’s most successful business people to pass on their 'little words of business wisdom', we thought it was the perfect opportunity to ask the lovely Kate herself for her advice on careers, how to dress for success and whether being a woman in the workplace is a help or a hindrance...
We asked you what you wanted to know, so lots of these questions are supplied by YOU via Facebook and Twitter! Read on below for her answers...
What gender-related obstacles did you face? (via @Cleversation)
Thankfully I haven't encountered too much sexism in the work place, although I did once experience a director making suggestive comments towards me, which I dealt with my pointing out in front of everyone else in the team that I didn't find his compliments amusing or appropriate. If you ever had to work in a job you disliked before your chosen career took off, how did you stay optimistic? (via @KrisVamp)
I've worked in many jobs that I've not liked that much before ending up in the career I'm in now. I've worked in a fish & chip shop, McDonalds, stuffing envelopes and canvassing in the street for catalogue companies. My view is that you learn from every experience good or bad, it's character building and it means you can relate to others better. You can also make valuable contacts, for example whilst I was stuffing envelopes a manager realised I had more potential and offered me a job in marketing. What happened that made you know that is the career you wanted? (via @ilikebluetea)
To be honest I'm still not sure what my plans are longer term. Getting a job on television was really unexpected and wasn't something I'd planned for. I'm glad I took a risk and accepted the opportunity to try something different as I'm really enjoying myself as well as learning new skills and about a new industry. It's peace of mind knowing I have my business experience and degree to fall back on. Did you wear a skirt or trousers to your interview? (via @staceybartlett)
I always used to wear trouser suits - because I'm quite girly and like my make-up and hair dye I always felt dressing conservatively and almost masculine made me look more professional. Now I'm a little older and more confident I wouldn't be afraid to wear a skirt in an interview but not too short to be taken seriously. How do you overcome your weaknesses? Do you acknowledge them? (via @mel_muses)
Absolutely! I always took the opportunity to sign up for training courses and to take on board the feedback as well as organising regular performance reviews with my manager. My weakness was always listening skills and it's something I still have to be mindful of. How did you get to where you are now? (via @DaintyBits)
I worked really hard at school and achieved straight A's at A level. I then wasn't your typical degree student as I spent hours in the library rather than a bar and achieved a first class honours in Psychology & Management. I was always in the careers centre seeking help and advice with my CV and application forms. I achieved a place on a good graduate training scheme and then as my career progressed I always asked what I needed to achieve/improve on to get promoted to the next level and always put myself forward for job promotion opportunities. Would you say work experience is more important than qualifications?
I think both are equally as important - my mum always encouraged me to work hard on my education and it helps you to stand out in the crowd however it isn't enough on its own. Work experience is vital even if it's voluntary or temporary work it shows prospective employers discipline and a willingness to work. Which industries are better for women to go into?
I really don't think there are any industries that are better for women to go into - people should succeed on merit and hard work whatever their gender. Is it possible for women to earn as much as men - and does the 'glass ceiling' still exist?
In a previous job where I was one of only two women out of a total of 40 business development managers I always ensured that I was paid the same as the men and wasn't afraid to discuss this point with my employer. However it would be naive of me to say that the glass ceiling doesn't exist anymore - you only have to look at the number of female board directors to see there is still inequality in the workplace. What’s the most important business or other discovery you’ve made in the past year?
Now I have my own limited company it's important for me to be extremely organised with my records and finances rather than trying to do everything myself. I've found a great accountant and use my new DYMO LabelManager Plug and Play to keep everything in its place and make sure I meet deadlines for invoicing VAT and tax returns! What was one of your biggest failures - and what lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
One of my biggest failures was not winning The Apprentice. I was happy to lose out to Yasmina because as well as being a friend she is a great business woman. The area that I think she had the edge on me is that I'm often quite 'safe' when I'm asked to deliver something and will deliver it spot on but perhaps I don't take a risk on trying to do it differently. Since this experience, I have learned to not be as risk averse. Which other businesswomen do you look up to?
A high profile role model for me would be Karren Brady. She has succeeded in a very male dominated industry and is extremely driven, hard working and is a great supporter of women in the workplace. I was interviewed by Karren in The Apprentice and despite being tough she was also a nice person. Kate Walsh has teamed up with DYMO and The Prince’s Trust to ask the country’s most successful business people to pass on their ‘little words of business wisdom’. Kate will be hosting a ‘Live Office’ event in London’s Finsbury Avenue Square on Thursday 12th May where passing city workers can submit their advice using a new DYMO Plug and Play machine. Visit www.dymo.co.uk
Thankfully I haven't encountered too much sexism in the work place, although I did once experience a director making suggestive comments towards me, which I dealt with my pointing out in front of everyone else in the team that I didn't find his compliments amusing or appropriate. If you ever had to work in a job you disliked before your chosen career took off, how did you stay optimistic? (via @KrisVamp)
I've worked in many jobs that I've not liked that much before ending up in the career I'm in now. I've worked in a fish & chip shop, McDonalds, stuffing envelopes and canvassing in the street for catalogue companies. My view is that you learn from every experience good or bad, it's character building and it means you can relate to others better. You can also make valuable contacts, for example whilst I was stuffing envelopes a manager realised I had more potential and offered me a job in marketing. What happened that made you know that is the career you wanted? (via @ilikebluetea)
To be honest I'm still not sure what my plans are longer term. Getting a job on television was really unexpected and wasn't something I'd planned for. I'm glad I took a risk and accepted the opportunity to try something different as I'm really enjoying myself as well as learning new skills and about a new industry. It's peace of mind knowing I have my business experience and degree to fall back on. Did you wear a skirt or trousers to your interview? (via @staceybartlett)
I always used to wear trouser suits - because I'm quite girly and like my make-up and hair dye I always felt dressing conservatively and almost masculine made me look more professional. Now I'm a little older and more confident I wouldn't be afraid to wear a skirt in an interview but not too short to be taken seriously. How do you overcome your weaknesses? Do you acknowledge them? (via @mel_muses)
Absolutely! I always took the opportunity to sign up for training courses and to take on board the feedback as well as organising regular performance reviews with my manager. My weakness was always listening skills and it's something I still have to be mindful of. How did you get to where you are now? (via @DaintyBits)
I worked really hard at school and achieved straight A's at A level. I then wasn't your typical degree student as I spent hours in the library rather than a bar and achieved a first class honours in Psychology & Management. I was always in the careers centre seeking help and advice with my CV and application forms. I achieved a place on a good graduate training scheme and then as my career progressed I always asked what I needed to achieve/improve on to get promoted to the next level and always put myself forward for job promotion opportunities. Would you say work experience is more important than qualifications?
I think both are equally as important - my mum always encouraged me to work hard on my education and it helps you to stand out in the crowd however it isn't enough on its own. Work experience is vital even if it's voluntary or temporary work it shows prospective employers discipline and a willingness to work. Which industries are better for women to go into?
I really don't think there are any industries that are better for women to go into - people should succeed on merit and hard work whatever their gender. Is it possible for women to earn as much as men - and does the 'glass ceiling' still exist?
In a previous job where I was one of only two women out of a total of 40 business development managers I always ensured that I was paid the same as the men and wasn't afraid to discuss this point with my employer. However it would be naive of me to say that the glass ceiling doesn't exist anymore - you only have to look at the number of female board directors to see there is still inequality in the workplace. What’s the most important business or other discovery you’ve made in the past year?
Now I have my own limited company it's important for me to be extremely organised with my records and finances rather than trying to do everything myself. I've found a great accountant and use my new DYMO LabelManager Plug and Play to keep everything in its place and make sure I meet deadlines for invoicing VAT and tax returns! What was one of your biggest failures - and what lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?
One of my biggest failures was not winning The Apprentice. I was happy to lose out to Yasmina because as well as being a friend she is a great business woman. The area that I think she had the edge on me is that I'm often quite 'safe' when I'm asked to deliver something and will deliver it spot on but perhaps I don't take a risk on trying to do it differently. Since this experience, I have learned to not be as risk averse. Which other businesswomen do you look up to?
A high profile role model for me would be Karren Brady. She has succeeded in a very male dominated industry and is extremely driven, hard working and is a great supporter of women in the workplace. I was interviewed by Karren in The Apprentice and despite being tough she was also a nice person. Kate Walsh has teamed up with DYMO and The Prince’s Trust to ask the country’s most successful business people to pass on their ‘little words of business wisdom’. Kate will be hosting a ‘Live Office’ event in London’s Finsbury Avenue Square on Thursday 12th May where passing city workers can submit their advice using a new DYMO Plug and Play machine. Visit www.dymo.co.uk
