INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

🦁✨ This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating women around the globe.

At LION Digital, we champion inclusivity, empowerment, and innovation. We’re committed to fostering a culture where women’s voices and leadership are not just recognised but celebrated every day. Join us in honouring this day by supporting women-led initiatives and striving for gender equality in every sphere. Together, let’s inspire change and drive progress.

👭 Happy International Women’s Day from the LION Digital team. Here’s to making a difference, today and every day. 👩🏾🤝👩🏼

LION Digital Employee Spotlight

Highlighting Strengths, Visibility and Inclusion: How We Do One Thing is How We Do All Things

In honour of International Women’s Day, we proudly highlight our LION Digital Content Manager, Jennifer, a creative free spirit who excels at sculpting, massaging and honing the perfect messaging for our clients and our business. Jennifer has transformed the content team, offering insights and guidance from her many years of experience as a writer and content editor for mainstream media and digital marketing.

Join us as we dive into how the power of self-belief and the ability to change can see you re-emerge as a more powerful, vibrant version of yourself and the receptivity of an audience looking for more diversity in leadership roles.

1. Can you recall a book that has deeply inspired you on your personal or professional journey? If yes, which book was it, and what about it inspired you?

Yes, “Pussy: A Reclamation” by Regina Thomashauer. I read this book as I was going through a transformational phase in my life, and it felt like being woken up with a cricket bat. It is a loud, unapologetic essay on stepping out of your Groundhog Day comfort zone and becoming a glowing, successful, energised version of yourself. It taught me a lot about self-care, which, as busy mothers and partners, we women tend to over-give; obviously at our own expense, which can impact our workdays and what we can achieve entrepreneurially. And without this book, who knows?! I may not have confidently promoted my strengths and experience to land this amazing job leading the content team at LION.

2. What role do you believe leadership plays in driving inclusion and diversity initiatives forward?

Leadership plays a massive role! Without leadership toward inclusion, it’s a “leave the gate open and the horse will bolt” kind of ideology, meaning it’s harder to repair damage than to draw up guidelines to prevent it. There is a risk of undisciplined and disorganised attempts to push the agenda or a complete non-acknowledgement altogether. With leadership driving the way, there is a greater chance of fostering the right culture, allocating resources, setting the best example, overhauling policies and legislation, establishing frameworks to deal with prejudice and discrimination and assessing progress and accountability.

3. How do you define inclusion, and why is it important in today’s society?

Inclusion is what makes people feel seen, heard, valued and appreciated. In life, if people are rude or disrespectful to me, I try to rise above it and perceive it like this: Every human just wants to be loved, and if someone feels they’re not getting that from the world around them, it can manifest as a sense of “false entitlement”, which projects onto others in distorted ways and creates disharmony. Therefore, inclusion isn’t just about acknowledging minorities or addressing bias; it’s about realising that poor behaviour is a reflection of a “lack of inclusion”. This cyclical “cause and effect” is what makes positive inclusion so important at work, at home, in global leadership and in our local community.

Our Female Client Spotlight

The Inspiring Journey of Inclusivity and Authentic Leadership: An Interview with Georgy

Georgy is a visionary entrepreneur and advocate for diversity and inclusion in the professional arena. Influenced by strong female role models, she has carved a niche in business by championing authentic leadership and inclusive practices. Georgy’s journey to become co-owner of a successful nail supplies business showcases a leadership style marked by empathy, openness, and a deep-seated belief in providing equal opportunities for all. Through her work and personal ethos, Georgy embodies the essence of transformational leadership, inspiring many to embrace their authentic selves and support inclusivity in every aspect of life.

1. Is there a female figure who has played a significant role in shaping your life or career?

You can never underestimate the support of someone who loves and supports you regardless of what you do. My mum has always been that person for me, always there to listen and offer support and guidance. My close friend, Shirley, also inspires me. Now in her eighties, she didn’t fit the mould of what was expected. She was a tomboy in a time that didn’t embrace girls being wild and free (climbing trees, playing sports, and getting dirty).

2. What role do you believe leadership plays in driving inclusion and diversity initiatives forward?

Seeing females in leadership roles is incredibly important. It’s important they bring their authentic selves to their roles and not lose their identities along the way. I appreciate women who reveal parts of their lives and personalities and remove the “filters” so other women can relate to and truly connect with what’s real rather than what’s expected.

3. Can you share an example of inclusive practices or initiatives that have made a positive impact on your organisation?

Seeing men having diverse roles is equally important. My husband became my business partner and left his IT position to become a qualified nail technician. We employ women and men in our warehouse. All of our amazing staff work 9:30 am to 2:30 pm to fulfill family obligations, such as school pick-ups. Encouraging the work/life balance is important as time to relax and recoup is often sacrificed. The world is made up of so many different types of people with different experiences to share. When we employ people, there are no restrictions regarding these differences. Like our customers, we love learning about them and what has influenced their lives. Listening brings understanding, compassion, and connectivity.

Looking to add a seasonal touch to your nail art? Explore Georgy’s Nail Shop for an exclusive collection of Easter-inspired products! From pastel polishes to playful bunny decals, The Nail Shop’s Easter Nail Collection has everything you need to celebrate in style. Visit The Nail Shop today and bring the joy of Easter to your nails! 🌼💖

LION Digital Employee Spotlight

Empowerment, Habits, and Leadership: A Journey of Personal and Professional Transformation

In honour of International Women’s Day, we proudly highlight our LION Digital SEO Director Emmy, a detail-oriented Digital Marketing professional specialising in Search Engine Optimisation. Emmy has been a valued member of our Pride since 2021.

Join us as we delve into various themes, illuminating the power of habits, the influence of role models, and the essence of visionary leadership in shaping a more inclusive and equitable world.

1. Can you recall a book that has deeply inspired you on your personal or professional journey?

‘Atomic Habits‘ wasn’t just a book; it was a revelation. Rather than aiming for vague goals, I began focusing on small habits like scheduling “deep work” hours and waking up 30 minutes earlier. This allowed me to start my day with a meditation and prayer routine, making me calmer and more focused, even when faced with unexpected challenges. Now, I approach work with confidence and clarity. As a wife and mother, committing to 10 minutes of daily meditation made me grounded and more present for my family. I can also accomplish more and allocate time by the end of the day to add more self-care habits like yoga, pilates, and preparing meals for multiple days. It’s incredible how these tiny shifts cascaded into such positive change. Now, I’m striving to become a confident leader in my industry, inspiring others to harness the power of habits. My journey continues, one small step at a time!

2. Is there a female figure who has played a significant role in shaping your life or career?

Priyanka Chopra, aka PeeCee. She isn’t just a beauty; she’s a powerhouse of intelligence, confidence, and conviction. I deeply admire how she speaks about gender equality (being a feminist). I loved her explaining the basic difference between “gender equality” and “equality”.

She said, “Physiologically, men and women are different. There is no debate about it. When we talk about equality and opportunity, we talk about cerebral opportunity. We are not saying we want to be able to be like a 200-pound [90kg] man and beat the sh** out of somebody else.”

She went on to say what women mean when they want equality. “To get the job, to be the CEO … nobody should question a woman’s choices or her drive to be someone. So if she is 50, a CEO, and a mother of three, do not question her.”

Her dedication to philanthropy, like being named the Goodwill Ambassador for the UN, helps underprivileged children. Her foundation, called The Priyanka Chopra Foundation for Health and Education, even sponsors 70 children, mostly girls. This motivates me to find ways to contribute to the causes I care about.

Chopra shows us that success doesn’t require negativity (bickering and politicking) but a focus on positive impact and staying true to your values – a powerful message for women everywhere.

3. What role do you believe leadership plays in driving inclusion and diversity initiatives forward?

Leaders are the catalysts for inclusion and diversity initiatives. They set the tone by publicly endorsing these values, holding themselves accountable (“walk the talk” as they say), and communicating the benefits. They build an “inclusive culture” through open communication, bias awareness training, and celebrations. They empower others by offering learning opportunities, creating diverse leadership teams, and recognising inclusive behaviours. Finally, they hold everyone accountable with clear goals, reporting systems, and consequences for violations. Effective leadership makes inclusion and diversity a continuous journey, fostering a thriving organisation.

Our Female Client Spotlight

The Champagne Dame’s Love Affair with this Celebratory Favourite: Kyla Talks Bubbles, Bespoke Events and Breaking Down Barriers

When Dom Pérignon discovered Champagne, he said: “Come quickly – it’s like you’re tasting the stars.” For Kyla Kirkpatrick, the talent and vision behind Emperor, Champagne is the drink of toasts and celebrations, where elegance, sophistication, and desire meet.

Over the years, Kyla became a Champagne educator and started hosting masterclasses all around Australia as the Champagne Dame. In 2017, she founded Emperor Champagne and created the first champagne club in Australia. Kyla now oversees all aspects of the business, from bespoke member events and Champagne selection to recruitment and management of her close-knit team at the Emperor headquarters.

1. Is there a female figure who has played a significant role in shaping your life or career?

The female role model who really inspired me in this industry is the Great Dame of Champagne herself, Madame Clicquot. She was the first global businesswoman of all time, the first woman to export Champagne, clarify Champagne, and take on branding, creating one of the world’s most recognised colours and brands with the iconic Yellow Label Veuve Clicquot. Madame did this at a time when women were not allowed to own bank accounts or run businesses unless their husbands had passed away! Such an inspiration and a fascinating story.

2. What role do you believe leadership plays in driving inclusion and diversity initiatives forward?

Diversity is a choice, and it’s driven from the top down. We have an all-female team at Emperor Champagne, even our warehouse staff are women, and I am very proud of that!

3. Have you encountered any barriers to inclusion in your personal or professional life, and how did you overcome them?

Absolutely! Typically the wine industry is dominated by men, and even more so with alcohol importing. I am one of the few female importers in Australia, and the way I do business is quite different. I am often conducting business with men who have a very different approach to negotiation. I have to remain strong in my approach but loyal to my philosophy of conduct. It may be a longer race this way, but I’m proud of how I operate.

The Emperor team are Champagne lovers and connoisseurs based in Melbourne, Australia, who want to share their obsession with you. Join the revolution and shop where Champagne rules, Emperor Champagne.

LION Digital Employee Spotlight

Joining Our Celebration of Female Colleagues for IWD Week is Mary, Who Thrives on the Feedback of Smaller, More Intimately Supportive Teams

After graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Consumer Studies, Mary ventured into market research and customer loyalty management before developing a passion for geodemographic profiling and website reporting that predates the era of Google Analytics. Following her MBA, she honed her skills in project management and boldly embraced Email Marketing over 5 years ago, never looking back! We are thrilled to have her as a valued member of our Pride.

1. Can you recall a book that has deeply inspired you on your personal or professional journey?

My favourite book as a young girl was “Little Women“. I’ve read it several times, and each time I saw another dimension and element of relevance for that point in my life―so it remains a favourite even now.  I loved how all the March sisters supported each other through their shared and individual challenges and successes despite all being unique characters. I always found this very inspirational and heart-warming.

2. Have you encountered any barriers to inclusion in your personal or professional life, and how did you overcome them?

Building positive, respectful relationships with my co-workers has always been important to me. Professionally speaking, when working in a large company, it can be easy to get lost in the crowd, especially if your manager doesn’t recognise your efforts. For that reason, I’ve found it preferable to work in smaller teams and companies since, by nature, we all have a better sense of connection and how important our efforts are to the success of the company as a whole.

3. Can you share an example of inclusive practices or initiatives that have made a positive impact in your organisation?

I appreciate when a company recognises team member contributions/anniversaries and how it allows other team members to comment and show support. It builds a cohesive and positive environment with authentic human connection. Also, highlighting team members’ traditions (i.e. Christmas in your country) was a great initiative since I joined LION, which gave the season more meaning.