Inspiring Women of the Web & Technology
In light of March being women’s history month, I thought it was time for us to take a break from the recession and quickly reflect on great women who have made strides in the web industry. May these women motivate and inspire you to create cutting edge technology, leverage the web to create a new business, or continue to strive for excellence every day.
Naomi Simson - Founder and CEO, Red Balloon Days
From marketing to entrepreneurship, Naomi has taken her passion for pleasure seriously as a career option, creating the #1 Gift site in Australia and New Zealand four years running.
Marissa Mayer - VP Search Products and User Experience, Google
Ten years after becoming Google’s first female engineer on staff, Marissa now leads product management on all search related products - web, maps, desktop, earth and more. Marissa is an example on how sticking with a company willling to groom and train their employees can create shining stars.
Esther Dyson - Independent Investor and Entrepreneur
From writing for then flipping EDventures to CNET (thought reclaimed the name for personal business), becoming the founding chair of ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) to publishing a book on how the Internet affects individual lives, she has influenced a lot of people on the web. She now dabbles in many different companies, often becoming an early investor or board member of online startups, which have included Flickr and del.icio.us.
Alex Beauchamp - Independent Consultant, Girl at Play
Alex is noted to be one of the first females to create a personal web site back in 1995. She now owns a prosperous design company, having completed projects for many well known brands, including Disney, Washington Post and Anthropologie.
Lynne D Johnson - Director, Social Media, Fastcompany.com
Lynne is a professional journalist and blogger, having won numerous awards for her work, including the 2006 Black Blogger Achievement Award. Before Fastcompany she held the position of General Manager of new media for SPIN, VIBE and VIBE Vixen.
Who are other Women of the Web Leaders who, famous or not, creating the technology supporting it or leveraging the web in new ways, have inspired you?
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What it takes for women to get to the top
In light of Yahoo!’s recent announcement of Carol Bartz being selected to take helm after Jerry, and then Internet rumors on whether other senior executive women at Yahoo! stay or go, I thought it was time to take a deep breath, sit back, and see what it takes for women to get to the top.
1. They’re Results Oriented
Women not only do they focus on achieving, if not beating, bottom line goals, they are able to consistently meet if not beat results year after year. They don’t talk big then not deliver, they deliver with a team willing to help them make those goals.
2. They’re Pragmatic
They do things that are logical, not emotional. They look at facts and historical information to make decisions and judgment calls.
3. They’re Strategic
They don’t just think about the operational side of the business. They are creative and think big. They connect dots with what the market needs to what the business could deliver to fill that need. They identify opportunities that are good strategic decisions for the business before other leaders see them, and then steer the business in that direction.
4. They’re Efficient
They have a system of processes, people and technology in place to filter the important from the not so important. They delegate effectively so progress can continuously be made. They pay attention to what matters the most so ensure balls don’t get dropped.
5. They’re Responsive
No matter how much they have on their plate, they are responsive to the needs of the organization. They are known to not sit back and let things happen, but take action.
6. They’re Out Spoken
They are willing to go out on a limb and speak up when things don’t seem quite right, or, stick up for an idea. They will fight for what is right for the business.
Are you results oriented, pragmatic, strategic, efficient, responsive and out spoken? Do you have role models at your office or in your community you look up to? Is there an area you feel you could work on to help you get to the next step in your career? Have you asked your local women executives to mentor or coach you?
Identify one of the above characteristics, find a mentor and improve on skills to help you move to the top in 2009 - if you have what it takes to get there, then what’s holding you back?
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It’s 2009! Now What?
Guess what, you survived 2008!
No matter where you are right now, you will probably agree that we may have some more shaky times ahead in 2009 before we completely see the bottom. It’s predicted that CIOs will look to help companies save money by cutting consulting, hardware and software expenses. This means some software purchases may go on hold or less licenses maintained, equipment being returned or refurbished, and staff members taking on work consultants normally take on for longer hours for staff and less work for consultants.
But, there are also lots of opportunities and more to come. Here are some things to consider looking into so you stay off the reduction list:
1. Refurbish any equipment lying around
While it may not be of use to you, others will more likely be on the market for cheaper yet equivalent technology in older hardware skins. See if you can add more memory or a better processor to make it more appealing to a new more expensive equivalent.
2. Focus on where you add value
What are you excellent at? Continue to focus on and find opportunities to apply and show off your talents to show you are one to keep around when the next RIF occurs. When your boss, company CEO and/or clients present you with their 2009 goals and objectives, determine where you fit in the picture and ask to take on a particular role or responsibility beyond what you are already assigned to do to help demonstrate your talents and capabilities being part of the team.
3. Gain new skills
Why wait any longer - look to enroll in either local college, training program or online options to obtain new skills. Before doing so determine how you are going to apply those skills either on the job or on side or volunteer projects so you can prove to someone looking at your resume you really can apply what you learned in the classroom. Also check to see if your company will pay for your education before enrolling - many do. This will also show your employer or clients you are constantly willing to grow and learn.
Don’t forget about “indirect” skills you can apply on the job - for example I took a few creative writing classes last year to build up to writing a novel. While I do have the longer term goal of publishing a novel at some point, shorter term I can apply the techniques I learned to write a novel to how I tell a story via a presentation to a prospect or sales audience about how my team did a great job adding value to a client of ours.
It’s 2009 - go have fun and stay ahead!
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Inspiring Women Series - Female Internet Heros
Recently I wrote about my experience at the all things media venture capital forum where I was inspired by women being who presented their companies to venture capitalists. Are you a woman who is or wants to start a business and venture into the UK & European markets? Make sure you check out the Inspiring Women series: Female Internet Heroes event in London on December 3.
The event will include talks on setting up an online business, business models, raising finance, pitching your business and developing the UK and European market. The event will offer an overview of internet companies led, founded and funded by businesswomen.
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Inspirational Technology Programs
Around this time every year I am fortunate to attend the annual World Congress of Junior Chamber International (JCI), which is held at a different city each year - this year, New Dehli, India. Besides great networking activities, workshops, competitions, board meetings and evening socials, we recognize other young leaders around the globe who are making a difference in the arts, business, community and many other categories. This year’s honorees were astounding individuals, motivating me to look for more ways to give back in life after hearing each of their inspirational stories.
One winner struck a cord with me is Dr. Sam Prince, who by day is a doctor, but by night continuing to forge technology in new regions of the world via a non-profit he started, Emagine Foundation. But Dr. Prince is not alone in bringing technology usage to those in both established and developing countries around the globe. Here’s my short list of ventures to watch and get involved in:
Continue Reading “Inspirational Technology Programs”
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