If only I had known…

… Learning from failure:

Hindsight is a wonderful thing – but only if it benefits the second time around. Sometimes we even get another chance for a “do-over” but other times, the blooper is forever. Bloopers can be funny but they are even more fun if they can be useful. That’s why I’ve invited women innovators to send me stories about their BIG failures, the mistake or the oversight they experienced – and learned from. We’ll publish a blog series about innovators’ hindsight to benefit us all. If you are interested in sharing your BIG mistake and be featured, please write me your response to the following questions by the end of April:

1. What was your goal before you failed / made the mistake? What were you trying to do/accomplish?

2. What did you believe about yourself / your abilities to accomplish it?

3. Who did you work with? Was there a team involved?

4. What made it a memorable mistake? Why do you think it was a failure?

5. How did you feel? What did you think of yourself?

6. When the failure happened, who / what supported you? How?

7. What followed? What were the consequences?

8. How has it impacted you? What did you learn?

… Learning from success:

Sometimes hindsight doesn’t come after a failure. Sometimes we get it when we are successful. Hindsight is a wonderful thing if you share both the secret scars as well as what truly worked and help others have an easier path.

One of the lessons WIN community will be benefiting is the crowdfunding knowledge that Margaret Spencer Continue reading If only I had known…

Which way are women leaning?

By Kristiina Hiukka, Founder

SEATTLE – April 5, 2013

I’ve been fascinated by the conversations sparked by the two leading women of social media, CEO Marissa Mayer of Yahoo and COO Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook. They represent the new look of corporate women leadership by being outspoken about the their life style choices and views on gender balance at home and in the workplace. Sandberg’s Lean In book and self development program have been the hot topic in all media since the International Women’s Day when it was launched.

Sandberg said in an interview that “it’s in everyone’s interest to support women whether they work in a home or in a workplace.” So, how do we support women? Do women need support?

Over the last few decades a myriad of women’s organizations have been created to serve the needs of professional women. But how are they serving the true needs of the modern woman of business? Are they addressing the issues with the rigor needed to affect the realities women are facing in business and in life in general? What are they actually advancing and advocating for? Are they places where women feel safe to “be themselves” or are they challenging women to grow and take risks? Are they places where women share the sorority spirit and friendship? Or are they places where women challenge each other and collaborate?

Are these programs and organizations inadvertently “fixing” women to be more like men in order to succeed in the “men’s world”? Is it required that women should become more competitive Continue reading Which way are women leaning?

Welcome to Women in Innovation!

Women in Innovation is a community for women with Big Ideas – ideas that transform the way we live and work. What’s your Big Idea? What is your Big Vision? There is no shame in thinking big and boldly here. Women who gain support and success through our coaching, consulting and mentoring play big and pay it forward in the WIN community. WIN is a “Pay it Forward Platform” – when one of us learns, everyone benefits.

Our growing global community connects online in the social media and in our events. Our signature event, Women in Innovation Summit convenes women from all around the world every other year – on November 20th 2014 we gathered for Converge@Seattle Pacific Innovation Summit 2014 in partnership with PNWER, and sponsors like Alaska Airlines and Washington Business Alliance. Reports, photos and videos are being added on the Converge website as they come available.

Innovation is more than an idea, though. We define it as “a great idea put into practical use, shared, scaled and sustained to transform the ways we live and work“. Do you share your creative, life enhancing ideas? Are you putting them into use and implementing them? Are you actively collaborating to scale your ideas? Are you a dreamer or an innovator?

We coordinate events and workshops, moderate conversations and provide consulting and coaching on topics related to women and innovation. With our mentoring, coaching, connections and guidance women who dare to dream big get the support they need to succeed. Inquire how we can help you: contact@womenininnovation.org.

We hope you got the sense of the spirit of WINS 2012 via this video – it’s about women in business “convening – connecting – creating”. Through convening to the summit we created amazing personal and professional connections that resulted in many exciting ideas and lasting collaborations. Don’t let your fears stop you from your bold dreams. This is your time! Watch the video and share the spirit! Continue reading Welcome to Women in Innovation!