Entrepreneurship lessons from Zume Pizza's co-founder

Suzy's Swirl looks to grow, promote women in leadership | Data is critical, Land O'Lakes CEO says | Drop these unproductive habits, female execs advise Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( May 29, 2019 [WFF Leadership SmartBrief]( [WFF Leadership SmartBrief]( Advancing and Empowering Women Leaders [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [FORWARD]( [] A Leader's Edge [] [Suzy's Swirl looks to grow, promote women in leadership]( The team behind Suzy's Swirl, which sells frozen desserts with flavors inspired by alcoholic beverages, is focused on pursuing retail expansion while empowering women in the industry. "We truly want to show that at any stage of a career -- 16 to 70 -- we all can raise and strengthen our voices together," said founder Kathleen Wood. [FastCasual]( (5/28) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Career Progression: Developing Leaders [] [Data is critical, Land O'Lakes CEO says]( Data is critical, Land O'Lakes CEO says (Mike Mozart/Flickr) Land O'Lakes maintains data regarding aggregate farm output, which it then shares with farmers so they can use the insights to operate sustainably. The key to a thriving food economy in the future is "data, data, data," said CEO Beth Ford. [The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model)]( (5/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Drop these unproductive habits, female execs advise]( Female executives say they gave up unproductive habits on the way to the top, eliminating the urge to micromanage or assume that every situation has one right solution. Renee Dunn of Amazi Foods notes that industry experts don't necessarily understand her or her business, and this realization "has given me the confidence to build the business that I want to build and make decisions that I feel in my gut." [Fast Company online]( (5/28) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Self-awareness is key to a positive professional image]( Many people fail to realize that their professional image is suffering, writes Rebecca Koenig, who lists nine indications an employee lacks self-awareness. Consult with someone you trust to give you honest feedback about how others perceive your competency and social skills. [U.S. News & World Report]( (5/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [A better approach for one-to-one meetings]( One-to-one meetings with direct reports may fall flat if you ask generic questions or use them merely for status updates on projects. Make these meetings more productive by putting an agenda in place and prioritizing employee development, advises Erin Urban, founder of UPPSolutions. [Forbes]( (5/23) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] SmartBrief Originals [] ["Bleisure" lets travelers combine business with pleasure]( Business travelers are increasingly adding leisure components to their itineraries and enjoying wide support from employers who acknowledge the benefits for morale. A SmartBrief survey in 2017 found nearly 80% of traveling executives opting for "bleisure." [SmartBrief/Food & Beverage]( (5/29) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Read the latest food and travel coverage in [SmartBrief Originals](: [] - [Plant-based foods, off-premise tech solutions stood out at restaurant show]( [] - [Investing in underutilized talent pools can strengthen the restaurant workforce]( [] - [Teens in the kitchen: Gen Z's independence in food and cooking choices]( . SmartBrief Reader Survey us what you think]( feedback on how we can improve our newsletters? SmartBrief is interested in hearing from you! Click the following link to take a 10-minute survey and help us advance our newsletters. [Start the survey now!]( [] Diversity and Inclusion [] [People analytics can help with hiring, culture]( Blendoor uses people analytics to reduce bias in hiring, while Humu applies technology to nudge people toward a better culture. Unconscious bias is an ingrained part of hiring, and failing to acknowledge that hampers companies' diversity efforts, Blendoor CEO Stephanie Lampkin says. [Knowledge@Wharton]( (5/23) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [The problem with "checkbox" diversity strategies]( Organizations can't take a "checkbox" approach to diversity if they hope to make a real difference, according to political economist Nicole Anand. Instead, companies "must internally embrace people's different approaches to problem-solving that are shaped by their unique lived experience," she says. [Fortune]( (5/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] Women and Innovation in the Workforce [] [Entrepreneurship lessons from Zume Pizza's co-founder]( Julia Collins, co-founder of robotic pizza firm Zume, now runs Planet Forward Ventures, a food business working to cut greenhouse gas emissions. Her experiences as a black woman and mother in the startup world compel her to advise female entrepreneurs to stay strong in their own identities, because "[i]f you're a founder, you're a fighter, and you're uniquely positioned to take on the challenge." [Chicago Tribune (tiered subscription model)]( (5/22) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [Why grocery delivery gigs appeal to moms]( [Why grocery delivery gigs appeal to moms]( (Remy Gabalda/Getty Images) Women make up about half of grocery and food delivery drivers for companies including Instacart, DoorDash and Postmates. The jobs are typically side gigs to cover a few expenses, and they can appeal to moms because they're flexible, offer the chance to make quick money and don't require letting strangers into the car. [National Public Radio]( (5/25) [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( [] [] What I have found is that it's not just about having a seat at the table, it's about using your voice once you are there. Kathleen Wood, founder of Suzy's Swirl, as quoted by [FastCasual]( [LinkedIn]( [Twitter]( [Facebook]( [Email]( Learn more about the WFF: [About the WFF]( | [Join the WFF]( | [WFF Programs]( [Sign Up]( [SmartBrief offers 200+ newsletters]( [Advertise]( [Learn more about the SmartBrief audience]( Subscriber Tools: [Manage Subscriptions]( [Update Your Profile]( [Unsubscribe]( [Send Feedback]( [Archive]( [Search]( Contact Us: Advertising - [Chris Warne](mailto:cwarne@smartbrief.com) P: 646.462.4647 Editor - [Amy Sung](mailto:wff@smartbrief.com) Mailing Address: SmartBrief, Inc.®, 555 11th ST NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20004 © 1999-2019 SmartBrief, Inc.® [Privacy Policy (updated May 25, 2018)]( | [Legal Information]( Â