TGt Meets...Liz Hutchings, Managing Director ofTotal Guide to Ltd - IWD Special

On March 8 it will be the annual day to celebrate women across all walks of life and all over the world. This year's day has the theme #choosetochallenge. We've invited women from across the UK - including Swindon - to take part and share their views. Some have also been kind enough to donate to some fundraising in honour of IWD 2021 we've done in several of our areas including Swindon and Dorset. Many thanks to those who have spared a few pennies to support a local charity at this challenging time.

By Liz Hutchings, Managing Director, Total Guide to Ltd which provides local online information hubs across the UK aimed at bringing communities together and “helping businesses to succeed, people to thrive and places to come alive”. The teams behind the hubs offer full service digital marketing service supporting businesses with graphic design, video, email marketing, social media marketing and content marketing.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #choosetochallenge – what would you choose to challenge?

Although on the whole I feel gender inequality in the UK is improving, I sadly find it hard to see that women will ever truly be equal – as long as we are still wanting to have children and a career!

In general, the childcare/parenting and work juggle is more on the women than men. It seems women are the ones juggling a million balls in the air whilst men can really focus on their work. I know there are many amazing working Dads out there too but I’d say this falls on the female more often than not.

Thinking of your own experience in the world of business – which inequalities, if any, have you experienced personally or witnessed around gender? 

I still find many (not all) professional services can be condescending to women and the networking events they organise can be very much ‘men in suits/a bit of a boys club”. Not all, but I still experience this.

Have you during your career ever challenged a situation where you felt a woman (even it’s yourself) has been disadvantaged by gender? 

I don’t feel as though I’ve been disadvantaged by gender, I feel I have been patronised but some professional services (as above) and potentially ripped off a bit but I wouldn’t say I’ve been disadvantaged by my gender. I wouldn’t let that happen.

What do you think women offer in particular to the world of business? 

Women tend to more analytical and emotional and lead more with their heart and passion than their heads. I think this passion is then passed on to team members, clients and suppliers. I think women can be more open and honest and therefore offer and deliver a transparency to their work and business. I like to think that women can be empathetic.

Again, I know many men who lead with these traits and many women who lead differently so this is a generalisation.

Is gender important when it comes to success in business?

Success is derived from grit and hard work – not your gender. The only way gender is important is by men and women inspiring others of the same and different sexes to be successful, and to be all you can be in and out of work.

Can you name up to three women in business or in your organisation or in the wider business community that you admire? 

Bethany Hamilton – a child surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack and against all odds, begun surfing again within a month and to spend her life being at the top of her game, raising a family and writing books, films and public speaking to help motivate audiences worldwide to live their life with more tenacity and courage

Rachael Booth our Sales Director – Rach has always been a positive, kind and hard working person but this has never been more evident and important than through the Covid pandemic. Rach has continued to crack on and smile throughout.

Fiona Scott – who again has remained positive and provided a community of like minded individuals to support each-other through business and this challenging time.

Do you think women who start their own business experience more challenges than men? 

The only real challenge anyone in business will face is a lack of self belief. Once you crack that and believe in your business and the people around you, the rest will fall in to place.

However, a massive challenge which I and many women I know are currently facing is the juggle! I love my children, husband,  family and my work but trying to find the balance of having quality time with them, being the best Mum I can be along with the working as hard and smart as I can is a lot to take on mentally. 

When you run your business there is no 'off switch'. I have to achieve a lot in limited hours and make up time when the kids sleep meaning there’s little ‘me time’. Luckily I enjoy my work though!

What do you think about the gender pay gap? 

I personally haven’t experienced it nor witness it but I know it is still an issue. I have read that the research surrounding the gender pay gap do not factor in workers' demographics so there are so many variables. Do men and womens’ career and lifestyle choices make a difference? I think this is a factor and it’s not black and white.

What do you think about the International Women’s Day movement? 

Honestly, I used to roll by eyes a bit at this and any women's only networking events, but now I’m a mother I can absolutely see why it is necessary.

It’s important to champion women and acknowledge our strengths and the challenges we face. We need to shout about our successes to inspire others to do so. Women can achieve great things and can take such enjoyment from their work and being surrounded by likeminded people.

And now during the pandemic women need recognition and support for everything they have had to juggle. I think that IWD will become more popular following the pandemic as it’s evident are respecting and supporting each other more and more.

And finally: 

The Covid pandemic has really highlighted the importance of women coming together to support each other and it’s been heart-warming to witness and experience this. I’m proud to be a woman in business and grateful to work with such inspirational characters.