Growing up in rural Queensland, Janelle’s strength and resilience stemming from her years on the land applied just as naturally to the business landscape. She carved out a career in private, public and not-for-profit sectors, before becoming CEO of Women’s Network Australia.

Her experience with membership organisations included a decade with the Australian Institute of Office Professionals, and as a founding member of the Marfan Association Queensland, with her late husband Bruce, working to raise awareness for this serious lifelong condition. She is the mother of a teenage boy and extends her community work to include the Moreton Bay Colleges’ Foundation Board.

Janelle applies her diverse skills, connections and innovative ideas to help other women in business to succeed. Nothing short of an exceptional leader, Janelle’s story shows just how important the right values and the strength of a community are, especially for small businesses today…
Janelle, what made you want to set step up as CEO of Women’s Network Australia and tell us about it and how it works?

I’d been a member of Women’s Network Australia for a number of year and in 2017 was offered the opportunity to take over the business. As a national networking organisation for women in business, it ticked all the boxes for me so I took on the challenge and then set about making it work.

I have always been active in membership organisations – building relationships, forming business connections and developing those strategic relationships – that is what networking is about.
I am passionate about making a difference and being a voice for other women in business.
I’ve learnt plenty of lessons along the way. I have invested my time in listening to our WNA members, business leaders and researching the opportunities to reach a bigger target market via social media advertising and articles of interest that reflect the lifestyles and diversity of businesses that our members own. What I love the most about WNA is being able to work in partnership with women who are entrepreneurial; micro and small business owners who through their economic contributions and incredible talent are empowering and inspiring other women to succeed in life.

Frankly, I am in awe of the incredible, empowering and inspiring women that are part of WNA.

How has this business changed and evolved in recent times to overcome Covid, as you have still been providing lots of great opportunities for members?

COVID has made us all aware of who we are and our surroundings. The dreaded word “pivot” and “adapt” is really what we need to recognise. The world is changing. Some of us need a side hustle, others need to get with the times and go virtual, make your website user-friendly or change your business model altogether.

For WNA, we adapted very quickly during the COVID lockdowns, taking our live events on to the virtual platforms, and also reaching out to create social connections through regularly Zoom ‘virtual’ events for our members. These were really important to keep members connected and positive. It actually helped many of our members because they were able to connect nationally and make connections with women in other states that they might otherwise not have encountered.

Share with us three of your qualities or tips for success?

We are all about networking – but not the ‘drop the business card and run’ style of networking.
I really encourage my member to pick up the phone, have a real conversation and, most importantly, listen. We’ve found that our members get the most out of networking when they approach it more as relationship building. Investing time and respecting each other inevitably leads to business opportunities and, in many cases, lifelong friendships too.

What traits and qualities do you admire in a leader?

Honesty. Not being scared to dig in; get out on the factory floor and lend a hand. Being real. Having compassion.

WNA recently published a compilation book of 12 stories of incredible female business leaders and it was really easy to come up with the title – Humble Leaders. That’s what each of these incredible women had in common and it’s a trait that I think is incredibly valuable for good leaders – being humble.

Who inspires you and why?

Jacinda Ardern – she’s faced some very difficult challenges and PM of New Zealand and she just gets on with it.  Remember the Christchurch terrorist attack…We won’t give that person a voice, or airplay.  Let’s change the law – now.

Michelle Obama – she has grace and style and is loving wife and mother.  Plus she is humble and real.
Sue Whiteford – former boss and is a quiet achiever.  She still is.

Ita Buttrose – she showed true grit – watch Paper Giants –  you will get the gist.

And what’s next on the agenda for Janelle Bostock?

I’m one of these people who has a five-year plan and I’m about to reach the end of that plan and begin my next one. I can’t say too much, but I’m certainly proud of what I’ve been able to achieve with WNA during this period, and the connections and friendships that I’ve made along the way. With such strong friendships and foundations, really, you can write your own next chapter.

If your life was a book, what would it be called and why?

Eat that Green Frog – or Give it a Crack.  Sometimes you need to make those tough phone calls or call a meeting.  Start with – we need to have a hard conversation.  The Give it a Crack is around just get out there and have a go, what is the worse thing that could happen.

What’s one thing that you do for yourself every day?

I wake up. Stretch – make myself a green tea with jasmine every day.   Tell my son I love him – sometimes a get a grunt or a wry smile because of it.

What mantra do you live by?

Never go to bed angry.  Cross words can turn into festering sores.  Give someone a hug (well not as easy in COVID times, but still, reach out to the person next to you and say hi.

To find out more about Janelle and WNA head to:

Website
https://www.womensnetwork.com.au/

Business Book Club

Facebook
@WomensNetwork