Meet three of the women in key positions at Canberra business advisory, audit and consulting firm, RSM Australia, an inclusive workplace creating opportunities and making positive change in the professional services industry.
Tell us about your journey in business.
KMH: I started as a media assistant in the largest advertising agency in Australia (at the time) and just worked hard, took up every opportunity available to do more training and gain experience. I really enjoyed my job and stepped up whenever I could. After 16 years, I had worked my way up to a senior media strategist, responsible for my own team and clients. … I was offered the opportunity to move to Singapore and run Asia Pacific media strategy, planning and buying for blue chip technology clients. It was a gamble but we sold up everything and moved to Singapore. It was a great experience and I loved working at a global level, with so many different cultures and countries. We surprisingly fell pregnant and decided to move home … After a few years off, I started volunteering and working casually to support some local businesses with their transition to the NDIS, and was ‘discovered’ by RSM’s Canberra team, and joined them nearly nine years ago. I became interested in the NDIS as my children have NDIS supports, and I was interested in the impact the NDIS was having on the disability sector and how disability services businesses were changing.
What advice do you have for women looking to advance their careers?
KMH: Be confident about your capability and experience, and don’t be afraid to step up, ask questions and get engaged with the work. Ultimately, knowing, managing and meeting your responsibilities is the key. I manage a career and am a single parent to a neurodiverse person with complex needs. I work parttime so I can balance it out. However, none of this works if you don’t have a team and a workplace that support you. So, the second key piece of advice is to work with people who support each other to be better.
How do you approach goal setting to achieve long-term success?
CY: I am constantly re-evaluating my goals and determining where I want to be in the next five years. In practice, I find this helps provide me with structure for my decision making, as I look out for opportunities and make smaller goals or steps that will support my overall five-year plan.
It also helps to continue to have open dialogue with yourself and with senior leaders. Your opportunities and aspirations are always changing as you develop and learn new skills, therefore exploring them with yourself and senior leaders will give you a clearer focus and basis for others to support you.
What are the most significant trends in your industry?
CY: One of the most significant shifts I’ve seen within the professional services industry has been the drive to close the gender inequality gap and to promote diversity and inclusion. RSM’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force is making positive change across the firm and creating new opportunities for everyone. I have been very excited to see and be a part of these programs, in particular with how I’ve been involved with the mentorship of emerging young professionals in the industry.
Looking ahead, firms like RSM can play a significant role in supporting more local businesses to make positive actions towards Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG).
What are your thoughts on the importance of workplace culture?
CY: I see workplace culture to be very important! I see it as bringing benefits to us as individuals whilst also supporting success as an organisation.
Creating an inclusive environment is essential. In my experience, people are most motivated when they genuinely enjoy their work and feel comfortable and supported by those around them. We spend a lot of time with our work colleagues, so it’s vital for us to feel a sense of belonging.
In my role at RSM, I enjoy actively contributing to a positive work environment. This can be through small things, like making effort to maintain a positive attitude, and through more structured ways, such as encouraging open dialogue between peers and helping others work through problems and challenges as a team.
How does your business contribute to your local community?
CY: RSM contributes to the local community through sponsoring a variety of organisations and events throughout the year.
This year we have been working closely with the MBA Women in Construction initiative. This is a fantastic program that started in 2018, focusing on connecting women in similar roles and backgrounds and providing a variety of educational resources and support to them. As part of my involvement in this program, I’ve had the opportunity to engage and learn from people within the industry, and reciprocate by providing learning materials and guidance within the MBA program.
How do you stay up to date with developments in your industry?
TK: Tax seems like it might be a stable profession, but it changes every year. I keep up to date with the changes through my professional associations, publications and subscriptions. RSM also provides monthly sessions on the latest changes to taxation in Australia. It is vital to keep abreast of these changes that may impact my clients’ businesses.
What qualities do women require to excel in their careers?
TK: As a woman in a male dominated industry, I’ve differentiated myself by listening to my client needs, being empathetic to their circumstances and putting myself in their shoes. In accounting, with the client services sector, we need to value and acknowledge our employee contribution to the workplace. Employees bring a diverse culture to the workplace and their own unique contribution to the team. In addition to that, we need to nurture the team to their full potential. Find a mentor or coach who can further assist you to develop you in your future career.
What are your thoughts on mentorship and its role in career development?
TK: There was a female partner at RSM who I looked up to and she has been my mentor over many years, I often bounce my ideas off her. A mentor should be someone who you can trust and bounce your ideas/career aspirations off.
Accessing coaching throughout your career will provide leadership skills which will enable for you to become a confident leader. A coach will make you accountable for your progression.
To learn more about RSM Australia, visit rsm.com.au or call 02 6217 0300.
