Lydia Vladamirskaya
Lydia Vladamirskaya is the founder of BRIC Magazine - a bold international business and lifestyle magazine that's focused on the BRIC nations.
With an interesting past and some great advice on how to get involved in the world of business and media as a woman, we exclusively interviewed Lydia.
Would you say there's still a double standard when it comes to men and women in the world of business and media?
I believe there is. There is huge disparity and discrimination. The discrimination becomes more obvious, when a woman tries to behave like a man in business. Whenever she takes the role of strong leader rather than a creative person, by being intimidating rather than funny, caring heavy bags instead of asking for help, "winning deals" instead of letting the team to take over she always ends up losing. I would say that when a women is trying to look like a man in business, she is only taken on as an "inferior man". And that's what most of women in their business careers do, so life is tough for them.
How difficult did you find it to break out and become a female success story?
My main difficulty was breaking through stereotypes and not to lose my own style and personality. Being seen as a young woman coming to the office wearing trendy outfits and not acting seriously and meeting clients and affiliates the same way always gets a question mark in people's eyes. However I am a perfectionist and take all work that I am taking on very seriously. In the 21st century I believe people pay more attention to the output rather than your style. Also looking calm, relaxed and attractive helped me to get through many doors. So I can't complain.
Tell us a little bit about your life, and what it took to rise through the ranks.
I was never rising through any ranks. I have always been a "playing my own game" person. Since childhood, I was creating games that friends loved playing in. When I grew up nothing changed. The good thing, is that in spite of working really hard everyone in my team is also having fun. That's the most important criteria.
You're now the founder of BRIC Magazine - what can people find in that magazine?
BRIC is a London based magazine sharing outstanding stories of success, debating big ideas, narrating about arts, culture, love and business arriving to the world from emerging superpowers Brazil, Russia, India and China. Through inspiring features about leading individuals from BRIC and engaging stories about lifestyles, arts and culture we give a rare insight into this new and dynamic world. London, being the melting pot of the international business and cultural stage, gives us an independent perspective not only to explore the on-goings of the exclusive BRIC communities domestically, but also their global ventures. BRIC magazine is committed to bringing you an amalgamation of the best imagery, extraordinary experiences and useful advice on culture, love and money like never before.
www.bricmagazine.co.uk
What would you say to or what advice do you have for driven and passionate women who want a career similar to yours, but aren't sure how to go about getting it?
Being a woman myself I should say that many girls actually talk more than trying to do something. Let’s say, many of us do not have any main financial responsibilities or opposite responsibilities are so high that we merely are not able to take any risks on with the distrusted cash flows, people leaving your business after getting the experience and friends behaviour changing when it comes to money. At the same time I should say it is much more rewarding to have your business indeed. You see the world exactly how it is without having any illusions and financially and times wise it may become more rewarding.
My main four advices:
1) To ask for help. Do not ever think you may do anything in this life by yourself without help of others. This is impossible.
2) Do not neglect men in business. Many girls think it would be more comfortable to be in an all woman environment because they may feel more authoritative or less intimidated. This is a big mistake. Men know things and can do things that we cannot. The same way as we know many things that they don't even have a close idea about.
3) Always find time to look after yourself. Especially at the start of the business career there is barely any time for the gym, hair or nails. However does not matter what’s happening always bare in mind that those should be strong priorities. Nearly as much as client meetings or staff meeting. Learn how to plan your day and have your meetings shorter. The way we look is the way we get perceived not only by the opposite gender but also by own gender. That is the rough reality in-spite of what many feminist movements talk about. It is easier to change yourself than to change the world that is been formed through thousands of years.
4) Never get discouraged by someone saying that this is impossible for you. One specific challenge that a woman unlike a man will be bound to have throughout all her life is listening that apparently "everything is impossible" or getting comments like "you're busy bee" or "hmmm… I wish you luck a little ambitious girl". You would start hearing this more often when you'd be becoming more successful. Do not listen, just ignore, stay friends and keep doing what you doing.
5) Do not "flash" your success when you already successful. Increase your ability to be doing things, increase your influences rather than demonstrating your success to the world. Power is in power and no one needs to see it.
BRIC Magazine specialises in entrepreneurial successes stories from the four big growth nations: Brazil, Russia, India and China.
It is designed as a striking black monolith stamped with a gloss embossed hexagon that has already secured an impressive distribution network at venues and hotels such as Claridges, The Dorchester, Ivy Club, The Ritz, and The Savoy in London, Paris, St. Moritz, New York, Geneva, Vienna, Milan and New Delhi.