Joan Westenberg, Author at SmartCompany

Opinion: The Aussie VC environment is like watching Groundhog Day

The Australian VC scene is caught in a paradox of its own making. On the one hand, it desperately wants to be seen as forward-thinking, innovative, and a worthy player on the global stage. On the other hand, it seems unable — or unwilling — to break free from the comfortable patterns of the past.

networking

“Absolutely poisonous”: Why networking is a waste of time

At the end of the day, networking is about trying to work a group of people, and their contacts, in order to get something from them.

Joan Westenberg

“Ping-pong is not a value add”: COVID-19 has killed co-working. Does anyone care?

She knows why we started it. She knows why we loved it. But the co-working model is dead and buried, says Joan Westenberg.

Joan Westenberg

Stay small: Why growth at all costs is not a universal goal

When growth is all that matters, the craft — and the love of it — can get lost. Sometimes, it's better to stay small, writes entrepreneur Joan Westenburg.

Joan Westenberg

“A world where I could make the rules”: Inside Joan Westenberg’s journey to entrepreneurship

Joan Westenberg saw her career opportunities dry up when she transitioned. But instead of letting it break her, she began her journey to entrepreneurship.

women

“We want the same”: How cis women can support trans women at work

Supporting trans women is easy. It’s rather like supporting every other woman. We want the same life, the same work, the same experience as everyone else.

Joan Westenberg merit

My client didn’t have a plan, so I fired them

If you want to achieve anything with your business or project, you need to have a plan in place, writes startup adviser Joan Westenberg.

Joan Westenberg merit

Why the straight, white cis-man’s meritocracy is a fantasy

In the Australian startup ecosystem, meritocracy does not exist. We lack diversity at the angel, fund, founder, senior leadership and engineering levels.

Joan Westenberg merit

Developing without coding: Our robot chickens are coming home to roost

Coding has brought automation to everything from babysitting to dog walking, and before long it will come for the coders themselves.

Why Up’s transgender controversy shows there can be no separation between founders and their companies

"I think we all have to ask what standards we walk past when it comes to founders behaviour and viewpoints," writes Joan Westenberg.

Joan Westenberg merit

What it’s like being a trans woman in Australia’s startup ecosystem

Joan Westenberg shares her experience coming out as a trans woman at Sydney-based HR and payroll technology startup Flare.

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