Tag Archives: Business

These “She Matters Lines”! #SheMatterLines

Posted on by

0

IMG_6922.JPG

It is known that women in tech is a minority. One common challenge that women in tech often faces is the hostile communication style of their male colleagues. This includes being talked over to the extent that you lost your voice and your presence; or being ignored completely when you hold people accountable; or being belittled or have your point being stolen by others as if it was theirs.

Some did that intentionally, a combat from the feeling of being taken-over by women. Some did that as a response to their hurt-ego, feeling threatened. Most did that unintentionally, unaware of the effect of their style of communication on the woman counterpart. Regardless of the reason, out of basic respect for each and every individual, no woman should tolerate such bad behavior. While one may feel victimized, unseen, unheard and unwanted, it is so important to wake up to the fact that only you get to decide who you are and what is the limit of your potential. It is empowering to know that no one has permission to define you without your agreement. Staying in this victim mindset does no one any good as it only diminishes you and your full potential while enables the bad behavior to continue.

So how should women respond when thrown in such a situation? Know that these bad manner reflects on the lack of character of the person speaking and has nothing to do with you or your ability. Stop the natural reaction of self-doubts and wanting to hide. Instead, Invest in yourself in knowing your worth so you can carry yourself in confidence. Establish a space to give grace. You respond but refuse to react. Under no circumstance do you allow yourself to degrade your civility because of what others did.

This collection of “She Matters lines”, when said in a manner that is calm and collected and respectful, can be very powerful. I have to admit that it does not come naturally. Rehearse, practice, rehearse and practice and rehearse again before such situation comes up; not just for self-defense, but to build skill to help other women, and to cultivate a more positive working culture based on respect.

These “SHE-MATTERS LINES”:

“Please will you respond to my question.” “Why you didn’t bother to respond to my question?” “Reclaiming my time.”  the House Financial Services Committee hearing July 2017    Maxine Waters, Congress Women, July 2017

“Please do not interrupt me.” Response to Google Anti Diversity Memo  Susan Wojcicki, CEO of Google unit YouTube, August 2017

“Do the women get to talk around here?”   White House Dinner Sept 2017 Nancy Pelosi,  the Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, September 14, 2017

What are some of the “She Matters Lines” that you use and find effective?

Please share in the comments!

IMG_6382

 

Advertisement

Clarity in Execution is Key in Driving Innovation

Posted on by

0

womeninbusinessMKM

Women In Business Markham Event at IBM Canada Software Lab, 8200 Warden Markham site, December 3rd 2014.

#WomenInBusinessMKM

I capture my Lightning Talk at the Markham December 3rd, 2014 event of Women Cultivating Innovation for Business Success in this blog entry.

Henry Ford once said, “Innovation without execution is hallucination.”

I confess that I can’t stop “hallucinating” in that sense all day long. When I first took on this job as the Head of Research for CAS, IBM Canada Software Lab, my calendar was filled with back to back meetings. I met with many distinguished academics, researchers and technologists. We talked about innovations in various technology areas. Many brain storming ideas had great potential. I was greatly energized with my head filled with innovative ideas that had I switched my schedule to a twenty four hours work day, it wouldn’t have been enough to process them all.

How can great ideas in people’s heads be transposed into external reality that leads to business success?

The key to execute innovative ideas into business success is CLARITY. 

I highlight in particular the clarity in definition of success and the clarity in definition of relationships within the innovation Eco-system. The benefits are priceless. Such clarity:

  • Establishes shared goals
  • Establishes common understanding of roles and rules of engagement
  • Provides path for participation 
  • Motivates contributions

from all parties within the innovation Eco-system.

Clarity in Definition of Success

4P

Academics and researchers value citations of publications. But to the bottom line of IBM’s software business, publications, while important, by itself alone is not enough to justify the return on research investment. We cannot possibly rest just by publishing how to make cars academically while people are traveling by horses, until people are actually given cars to drive. Innovation has to hit home run by bringing positive transformations in real life.

On the other hand, products built without harvesting research outcome may not be as solidly grounded on validated assumptions, with proven technology established through methodical approaches.

Leading an organization of applied research for commercialization, we clearly define success as measured in the four-P languages of innovation  namely, by patents, publications, prototypes and productization.

Clarity in Definition of Relationship

There are many parties and many people we work with within the Eco system of innovation. Clearly defining the relationship is key to a productive and mutually beneficial partnership. Examples of Key relationships in my world of technology innovation include (but not limited to):

  • Research Partners:
    • Are they partners from whom I consume their research outcome?
    • Are they partners whom I share my research agenda with as an invitation to new research areas?
    • Are they partners as co-innovator?
  • Customers
    • Are they sources of problem statements validation?
    • Are they early adopters of technology in proof of architecture, to provide feedback?
    • Are they purchasers of our technology?
  • Industrial partners
    • Are they competitors?
    • Are they collaborators?
    • Are they co-researhcers and/or co-innovators?
  • Business investors
    • Are they funding sources (e.g. venture capitalists)?
    • Are they business partners to take the technology to market (e.g. marketing and sales etc..)
  • Public communities
    • Are they advocates and influence-rs?
    • Are they crowd-sourcing? validating?

One partner can be in multiple relationships or change relationship from one type to another at different point in time.

Clarity in definition of success and definition of relationship accelerates efficiency and provides focus in innovation execution, greatly facilitating the transposing of great ideas internal to people’s heads into external transformed reality that brings positive impact and benefits.