BREAKING THE GLASS CEILING
Entering into a corporate “man’s world” after college in the 1980s and 1990s, Allison quickly learned how to build allies, find solutions and value her worth when negotiating. Her “Pearls of Wisdom,” “Velvet Glove for Women,” and “Lucy Moments” all contributed to her career success story.
In her self-help memoir: “Playing for Keeps – How a 21st century businesswoman beat the boys,” Therese Allison openly shares her success secrets for becoming financially independent at age 38 when her company (McKenna & Associates) was sold to AON, and retiring at age 43 after working 5 years for AON as an EVP to spend quality time with her children. Her mission is to empower women and men to succeed in business and life by sharing her lessons learned.
Using these self-taught skills, Allison broke the glass ceiling as the first female producing Partner in an insurance brokerage company tied to Lloyd’s of London where for 300 years, women weren’t allowed on the underwriting floor.
And as someone who had to learn early how to fend for herself and won competitively in sports, Allison learned early the importance of winning.
PEARLS OF WISDOM
Based on her 20-year career, Allison’s new book uncovers her “16 Pearls of Wisdom” or “lessons learned,” including “people do business with people they like.” When people tried to walk away from major deals with big companies, Allison’s “Pearls of Wisdom” helped her influence key stakeholders, build allies and get promoted. Together, her “Pearls of Wisdom” all contributed to her inspiring career success story.
VELVET GLOVE
In Allison’s self-help memoir, the author openly shares how she achieved success using a “Velvet Glove for Women.” Having opposing traits…feminine but firm, funny but smart, graceful but strong, all help a woman navigate through the world of business.
LUCY MOMENTS
Hollywood Native, Author, Mom, and Successful Businesswoman Therese Allison features her “Lucy Moments” (based on Lucille Ball’s business success skills) at the end of each chapter. These fun stories show the importance of being authentic, making people laugh and building allies in business by being likable.
In “Playing for Keeps,” Allison explains how Lucy learned to bounced back from failures and defeats, similar to her experience in sales. And when Allison shared her “Lucy Moments” at work to be more relatable and make friends by showing that she could laugh at herself (like Lucy), it advanced her career.