Australian businesswomen are significantly more likely to attribute their successes to the effort of a team than their male counterparts, according to new research released by Telstra.

 

The poll of 104 state and territory finalists of the 2012 Telstra Business Women’s Award found that 92 per cent of respondents say women tend to talk about their accomplishments in terms of ‘we’, rather than use the personal pronoun.

 

The research also found that businesswomen are prolific networkers, with 84 per cent of respondents saying they engaged in networking outside the workplace, while 56 per cent said they did so at work.

 

Other survey findings indicate:

  • Global  innovation in products and services by Australian business women is reaping rewards with almost 30 per cent of those surveyed already doing business outside Australia and a further ten per cent  expecting to be trading internationally in the coming year;
  • Forty-eight per cent made significant career changes to seek challenges in new sectors or move to areas they were passionate about while 66 per cent engaged in continuing education; and
  • Strong communications, self-confidence, leadership, financial literacy and integrity were nominated as the top five skills women should have in business.
  • Inese Kingsmill, Director Corporate Marketing Telstra, said the Awards finalists in 2012 were an incredible group of women whose leadership and innovation was vital for Australia’s prosperity. “Their views provide valuable insights into how business women are advancing their careers through networking and professional development,” she said.

The eight women in the running for the title of 2012 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year² are:

  • Kylie Bishop, CEO of LBW Environment, South Australia
  • Katie Cooper, General Manager of Alice Springs Airport Pty Ltd, Northern Territory
  • Carolyn Creswell, Managing Director of Carman’s Fine Foods, Victoria
  • Audette Exel, Founder of ISIS (Asia Pacific) Pty Ltd, NSW
  • Lucinda Mills, Equity Partner at Camerons, Tasmania
  • Thérèse Rein, Managing Director of Ingeus & Assure Programs, Queensland
  • Julie Shuttleworth, General Manager, Barrick Gold Corporation, Western Australia
  • Dr Helen Watchirs, ACT Human Rights and Discrimination Commissioner, ACT.