What can Powerful Women from Fashion and Champagne Teach Us about Focus?

As a little girl from a small town in Australia (some might still say I am little at 4 ft 10!), I have always been fascinated by bold women who could get things done, doing big things in the world!

Women who were creating incredible experiences, true icons; powerful examples of productivity, innovation, and creativity. My mum was my best role model for this as she was a single mum, raising two little girls in a caravan (in America we call that a Trailer Park). She demonstrated to me the importance of focusing on what matters and how paying attention can lead to extraordinary achievements.

This fascination has driven my passion for helping leaders achieve big results leveraging their attention and energy and creating exquisite experiences for their clients .

Let’s explore strategies from some of the historical figures that inspire me (and maybe you) so we can prioritize our priorities and invest attention using my 15-minute system. If you have a copy of Attention Pays , you know I write about this in more detail! If you don’t have a copy, you can buy it here (hint hint) or on Amazon from your country, my publisher thanks you!

Embrace Innovation Like Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel revolutionized women's fashion by introducing comfortable, chic designs, including her iconic little black dress. Chanel paid attention to the evolving roles of women in society, creating practical yet elegant fashion.

Her Strategy: Innovate by paying attention to societal shifts and addressing emerging needs. Can you dedicate 15 minutes this week to brainstorming new ideas and solutions for your organization based on trends you see in your industry?

Empower Others Like Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg (DVF ) designed the iconic wrap dress (and my smarty-pants-stylish-bestie, Tamsen is always dressed in DVF and she looks amazing and everyone knows this is part of her brand, she chooses to associate herself with one of my favorite business heroes). DVF used her dress to symbolize independence and femininity. Her focus on empowering women through fashion led to timeless designs.

Her Strategy: Focus on empowering your team. Could you spend 15 minutes in strategic appointments with yourself to develop ways to support and elevate your team members this week?

Balance Multiple Roles Like Jeanne Lanvin

Jeanne Lanvin balanced her roles as a designer and businesswoman, creating luxurious designs.

Her Strategy: Develop the skill of balancing multiple roles by setting clear boundaries. Could you review your current meeting commitments and determine ONE meeting you don’t need to attend? Could you choose to delegate it to someone else or remove yourself from attendance and ask for the minutes?

Push Boundaries Like Elsa Schiaparelli

Elsa Schiaparelli introduced avant-garde designs and collaborated with surrealist artists. Her focus on creativity led to groundbreaking fashion.

Her Strategy: Encourage creative thinking by challenging conventional norms. What is one unconventional idea you could explore this week to grow your business? Could you host an ideation meeting with your executive team to do some brainstorming on how to finish this year strong with unconventional ideas?

Challenge Norms Like Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood played a significant role in the punk fashion movement (even though I’m not into punk, her legendary designs are famous world-wide), challenging societal norms.

Her Strategy: Focus on challenging the status quo in the industry. Could you allocate an agenda item to your next team meeting or 1:1 to ask your team if you have any outdated practices in your organization that need to be innovated?

Pay Attention to Detail and be Relentless Like Madame Clicquot

Madame Clicquot turned her husband’s champagne business into a global brand by inventing the riddling rack. If you have been in an audience where I have shared Attention Pays or Luxury Leadership, chances are you know my deep love and admiration of Madam. I share her story in my keynotes and how she SAVED the Champagne industry — and YES I am beyond excited they made a movie of her life!

Prioritize Quality Like Laurent Perrier

Her Strategy: Focus on producing high-quality work regardless of what everyone is doing around you. Could you ask yourself where you need to refine and enhance the quality of your deliverables for your team and your clients?

Dedicate to Excellence and Expansion Like Lily Bollinger

Lily Bollinger managed the Bollinger champagne house, ensuring its reputation for excellence and she explored global expansion for her brand.

Her Strategy: Commit to excellence by setting high standards and explore expansion opportunities. Can you conduct an ideation session with your team about expansion opportunities into new verticals, new markets, or new segments?

Adapt to Market Trends and Be First Like Louise Pommery

Louise Pommery transformed her champagne house by introducing the first commercially successful brut champagne.

Her Strategy: Stay ahead by adapting to market trends. Can you create a daily action item to read the trades, be aware of global news, and find one conference you could attend this year to learn more about future trends in your industry?

Maintain the Highest Standards Like Elisabeth Salmon

Her Strategy: Focus on maintaining high standards in all aspects of your work. Can you challenge yourself today to provide consistency in quality everyday? This one is harder than it sounds!

Challenge Yourself

Do any of the examples stand out to you? Make you want to rethink your strategy? Do you have an example that you would like to share? Send me an email!?

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