You are here:  Home  Community  June 2010 Update

Thursday 9th February 2012

Wednesday 2nd June 2010 - Update from Maggie Berry, Managing Director, womenintechnology.co.uk

June is shaping up to be just as busy a month as May (as someone posted on Twitter this morning, who stole the first five months of 2010?!) There are lots of events; courses and conferences to get along to - where we can, we've negotiated a discount for womenintechnology members so please take advantage of this - and there are a number of awards to enter. Roehampton University wants to hear from you if consider yourself a geek and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, would love you to vote for your top Information Pioneer (there are two women in the top five and it would be great to see one of them win). As ever we hope you find this email useful and please get in touch with the relevant contacts directly if you have any queries - thanks so much!

  1. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, launches celebrity film campaign to raise profile of the IT industry

  2. Would you call yourself a ‘geek’?

  3. Computer Engineer Barbie is the guest blogger on the UKRC website

  4. Positive Politics for Powerful Female Leaders - Thursday 15th July 2010, 9am to 5pm

  5. womenintechnology's June training courses - Wednesday 9th, Friday 18th and Wednesday 23rd June 2010

  6. The Financial Times Non-Executive Directors' Club Event: Boardroom Diversity - Monday 14th June, London

  7. Cyber Security Forum 2010 - Thursday 17th and Friday 18th June 2010, London

  8. Women's Engineering Society Conference - Call for Papers

  9. "Clients, creativity and connections – the future of work for knowledge and creative businesses", Tuesday 6th July 2010

  10. Women in IT: Staying Technical and Getting to the Top, Thursday 8th July 2010, 5.30pm-8pm in New York

  11. Leadership in Turbulent Times workshop, Tuesday 13th July 2010, London

  12. Calling all stylish women over 40 - Mary Portas needs you!

  13. Can you help “Close the Gap” to inspire the female scientists of tomorrow?

  14. The 2010 Remote Worker Awards

  15. Launch of Top Employers for Working Families 2010

  16. Introducing the Eve Appeal and 'maketimefortea'

  17. Wellbeing of Women's Support of Haiti Campaign for Mums and Newborn Babies

  18. Survey on Breaking Gender Stereotypes

  19. The Women's Leadership China Challenge 2010

  20. And finally, do you know anyone who would be interested in working for us?



1 - BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, launches celebrity film campaign to raise profile of the IT industry
Who will you vote for?! BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, has launched a campaign of five short films highlighting the achievements of the often forgotten and unacknowledged Information Pioneers. The five pioneers profiled in the films were chosen from a list of 150 IT Greats and they are Ada Lovelace, Alan Turing, Sir Clive Sinclair, Hedy Lamarr and Sir Tim Berners-Lee. The BCS want to celebrate the achievements of these Information Pioneers and demonstrate their contribution to today’s Information Society. They want to encourage everyone to visit the Information Pioneer campaign website and join in the debate as to who should be the greatest Information Pioneer of all time - you can vote for your favourite pioneer - it would be great to see Ada or Hedy winning but vote for your favourite!

The five short films star:
Ortis Deley from The Gadget Show presents the achievements of Lord Byron’s daughter, Ada Lovelace, who has been regarded as the first computer programmer.
BBC Click reporter Kate Russell celebrates Alan Turing, the father of artificial intelligence and the man who created a machine to crack the Enigma Code during the Second World War.
British actress Miranda Raison tells us about Hollywood A-list star Hedy Lamarr who apart from her successful acting career also co-invented an early technique for spread spectrum communications, making the use of mobile phone communications possible today.
Phil Tufnell, ex-England cricketer, represents Sir Clive Sinclair the father of gaming who brought computers into the home and made them affordable to the masses at £99.95 each in 1979 with the ZX80. In 1982 the iconic ZX Spectrum was launched complete with sound and eight colours, which marked the birth of the UK gaming industry.
Finally, British comedian, actor and author Dom Joly acts as the advocate for Sir Tim Berners-Lee, the man who created the World Wide Web. Sir Tim Berners-Lee came up with the idea of linking all documents together in one place when he was suffering from information overload.

The list of 150 IT Greats can be viewed on the Information Pioneers site where people can change the ranking by posting comments about who they believe is the greatest and regular updates and commentary are available on Twitter @infopioneers.



2 - Would you call yourself a ‘geek’?
Judith Glover and Yvonne Guerrier are social scientists who have done research that looked at the issues of getting more women into technical roles in professional IT.  They have become interested in movements that reclaim the word “geek”. What does the term “geek” mean to you? Do you mind being called a “geek”; are you proud to call yourself one or don’t you care? If you are a woman in a highly technical professional IT job, they would be pleased if you would contact them in order to arrange a short face to face or telephone interview. Please contact j.glover@roehampton.ac.uk



3 - Computer Engineer Barbie is the guest blogger on the UKRC website
In February, Mattel announced that Barbie is going to be a computer engineer. Barbie designers worked closely with the US Society of Women Engineers and the National Academy of Engineering to ensure that computer engineer Barbie met the standards of her title. She is going to be on sale in the USA from the autumn and she arrives in the UK next January but you can have advance contact - find out how and why she chose her latest occupation and outfit and send in your comments and questions. You can read the blog here and you can see Computer Engineer Barbie here. We hope that Barbie’s appearance on the UKRC's blog will be an opportunity to raise awareness of the acute lack of women in computing.



4 - Positive Politics for Powerful Female Leaders - Thursday 15th July 2010, 9am to 5pm

Please note: The date of this workshop has changed since we sent out our update email.

Workshop presented by Michelle Brailsford; cost £475.00 but we have negotiated a 10% discount for womenintechnology members so places would cost £427.50 (please quote WIT when booking).

Many women under-estimate the ways that their attitudes and actions about power and politics impact their career success. They define power differently than men, disliking power which is positional or autocratic. They are less likely to promote self and team assuming that their work speaks for itself. They fail to understand how corporate "buzz" or gossip can  be harmful to their mobility and fail to manage the language and behaviours that result in labels that hold them back or even make them targets of sabotage. Positive Politics for Powerful Female Leaders will help female leaders identify their power source, how they are perceived, and to read the organisational politics in situations.  We’ll also help them to develop strategies to gain power, build alliances, manage perceptions about themselves and their teams and to be "political whilst maintaining their ethics".

Who Should Attend
Female Leaders who realise the danger of having “political blind spots” and want to remove the blinders
Female Leaders who want to re-frame the existence of organisational politics in a healthier way
Female Leaders who underestimate the way that power and politics can impact their career satisfaction and success
Monday 7th June 2010, 9am - 5pm, Wallace Space, 22 Dukes Road, London, WC1H 9PN
For more information, send an email to: info@JupiterConsultingGroup.com



5 - womenintechnology's June training courses - Wednesday 9th, Friday 18th and Wednesday 23rd June 2010
We've got three training courses coming up this month before we take a break from training activity for the summer.

Women Don't Ask - Wednesday 9th June 2010:
When Linda Babcock, a professor at a US university, asked why so many male graduate students were teaching their own courses and most female students were assigned as assistants, her dean said: "More men ask. The women just don't ask." It turns out that whether they want higher salaries or more help at home, women often find it hard to ask. Click here for more information.

'Managing multinational virtual teams - workshop for female IT managers' - Friday 18th June 2010:
Managing virtual teams is a science as well as an art. Building trust and engaging teams who are based in different locations requires an in-depth understanding of cultural norms as well as highly-tuned leadership techniques. Women’s leadership skills are sometimes put to the test, particularly with cultures which may have a different perception and acceptance of women in business. Click here for more information.

Maximising Your Personal Image - Wednesday 23rd June 2010
A key aspect in business is to have a good personal image when you meet clients, bosses or colleagues and to portray yourself at your best. First impressions are judged within seconds on the way you look, sound and behave. Presenting yourself consistently creates a powerful and winning message. This workshop will give you an understanding of what is required to create an appropriate professional image in context with the business environment and yet add your individual style. Click here for more information.

If you're interested in coming along to any of these course please contact Sarah Lilley at slilley@womenin.co.uk or on 020 7422 9213.


Back to top


6 - The Financial Times Non-Executive Directors' Club Event: Boardroom Diversity, Monday 14th June, London
Monday 14th June 2010, London from 4pm to 7.30pm
This event will bring together current and prospective non-executives, their recommended recruitment associates and others interested in the selection and training of non-executives, providing a unique opportunity to hear and meet key players in the non-executive area.

Topics & Speakers:
Non-Executive Directors' and the Public Sector: Andrea Sutcliffe, Chairman, Appointments Commission
Getting your first Non-Executive Director role: Peter Reichwald, Senior Consultant, Harvey Nash
Three personal perspectives: Dr Chitra Bharucha, Vice Chair, BBC Trust; Dipesh Shah, Portfolio Chair and Non-Executive Director and Kevin Carey, Chair, RNIB and humanITy

The talks will be followed by a networking drinks reception. The venue will be confirmed on registration (nearest tube is Moorgate).
Fee for Members of the Financial Times Non-Executive Directors' Club £95 + VAT. Fee for Non-Members £125 + VAT. Click here for more information.



7 - Cyber Security Forum 2010 - Thursday 17th and Friday 18th June 2010, London
Common Responses to a Global Challenge - 10% discount for womenintechnology members
With critical information infrastructures, data and personal information, children and even freedom of expression on the internet coming under threat from various quarters, resilient and robust cyber security frameworks are increasingly becoming important to governments, businesses and individuals. Countries around the world are doing everything they can to meet the challenges of cyber threats. The challenges are not insurmountable but they require the right technological, technical and strategic capacities in order to be dealt with. In light of this, the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), supported by the UK Office of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), and the UK Office of Cybersecurity (OCS), is organising the Cybersecurity Forum 2010 on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th June 2010.
The conference fee is £450 but we have a 10% discount for womenintechnology members - please use the discount code cto-wit-10 when booking. More information can be found here.


8 - Women's Engineering Society Conference - Call for Papers
Making Digital Britain - Inspiring future changes, Friday 19th to Sunday 21st November 2010, Sheffield. The WES Annual Conference is the premier event in the UK connecting and inspiring women at all career stages in engineering, technology and science. You will hear from the leaders in the field of engineering, science and technology on tackling change and how to plan for a digital future.
The Call for Papers deadline is Wednesday 30th June 2010 and WES invite you to submit an abstract of 200 words outlining how your talk will address their theme and help to inform and inspire other technical women about how they can play their part in Making Digital Britain. More information can be found here.


9 - "Clients, creativity and connections – the future of work for knowledge and creative businesses", Tuesday 6th July 2010
Special discount rate for members of womenintechnology.co.uk: £250 + VAT (instead of £350 + VAT) - members should quote “WIT special rate” when booking.

A Working Families conference in association with the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising and Skillset on Tuesday 6th July 2010 - 9.00am to 4.45pm
As the economic cycle moves forward towards an expected period of recovery there is a growing sense of moving from a financial crisis to an innovation crisis due to the increasing pressure to do more with the resources we have. The need for creativity and innovation in the wider economy has never been greater and the return on talent in our organisations has never been more important. As we look forward to the next 10 years, the need to provide greater flexibility in how we design our work, how we design our careers and, consequently, how we design our organisations will be a primary challenge to retaining and growing our talent base. Can we continue to rely on approaches that were designed in the 1950's or do we need to consider new ways of working? What might this look like and how will it be structured to be of mutual benefit to both clients and organisations in a more connected world? This conference takes up this challenge and looks at the implications for job design, career design and work design.
For more information please click here.


10 - Women in IT: Staying Technical and Getting to the Top, Thursday 8th July 2010, 5.30pm-8pm in New York
I don't know how many of our members are in the New York area but if you are (or you know someone who is), please read on!
Why stay technical? Join theglasshammer.com for a lively debate around the roles of women in the technical field. Why do so many women leave technical roles to pursue a management path? The panel will explore different career paths for women in technology and discuss the reasons for women to remain technical experts, as well as the pros and cons of project management roles. They'll look into the differences between those who code and those who don’t; the ability to move between IC roles and manager roles throughout your career; the path to promotion and the corner office (how to become CTO, COO or CEO) and the reasons you need to stay technical to raise capital as a tech entrepreneur. The event is sponsored by Goldman Sachs and Accenture.
The moderator is Avis Yates Rivers, President & CEO, Technology Concepts Group and the panellists are Dr. Caroline Simard, Vice President of Research and Executive Programs, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology, Wendy Stops, Global Managing Director of Quality & Client Satisfaction, Technology, Accenture and Inna Pomeranz, Technology Fellow & chair of the WIT Technical Pillar, Goldman Sachs. To register please click here.


Back to top


11 - Leadership in Turbulent Times workshop, Tuesday 13th July 2010, London
20% discount for womenintechnology members so the cost is £300 + VAT for the day's workshop
What should the leader really be doing?
In this highly interactive workshop Jeff Grout will examine various aspects of effective leadership including:
- The leadership demands in turbulent times
- Setting Clear Goals & Objectives
- Leading Effective Change
- Creating a Motivating Environment
- Coaching for Performance
- Effective Communication
More information can be found here.


12 - Calling all stylish women over 40 - Mary Portas needs you!
Are you stylish and over forty but fed up of what’s on offer on the high street? When you shop for fashion is it not as much fun as it used to be? Retail guru and television presenter Mary Portas is about to start filming a new Channel 4 TV series and wants to speak to you. The series will follow Mary’s quest to fill the gap in the fashion market for fabulous, forty-plus women. Mary believes that women like her – strident, confident forty-plus women – have dropped off the fashion and retail industry’s radar. Mary wants to put them back at the centre of the retail industry and give them the same fabulous shopping experience of women half their age.
As part of the television series Mary is looking for a group of opinionated women to act as her focus group, advising her on anything from where to buy the best fitting dress to road testing whole fashion collections.
If you’re interested in being involved please email maryportas@optomen.com with your name, contact details and why you’d like to be part of the show.


13 - Can you help “Close the Gap” to inspire the female scientists of tomorrow?
Close the Gap are running an exciting campaign this year targeted at young people aged 11-14. The ‘Be what you want’ campaign aims to highlight one of the key causes of the gender pay gap, occupational segregation, with a view to encouraging young people into non-stereotypical careers. In particular, it is hoped the campaign will encourage girls to consider choosing science subjects at school.
As part of the campaign they are looking for women who are studying or working in male dominated occupations e.g. science, engineering or trades (joinery etc.) who can provide a short case study for our campaign website. They are looking to hear about what inspired you to study SET subjects and a bit more about what your chosen career involves. It is hoped the collection of case studies will provide much needed role models for young women in Scotland and perhaps inspire the next Mary Fairfax Somerville! 
If you would like to find out more or provide a short case study please contact Suzanne Motherwell, Development Officer, Close the Gap - smotherwell@stuc.org.uk or 0141 337 8139 - www.closethegap.org.uk


14 - The 2010 Remote Worker Awards
In order to find the country’s best remote-home based workers, Remote Employment have just launched their Remote Worker Awards in association with BT Business. The Awards are also looking for inspirational home based businesses and companies who use home based workers.
The Awards are unique as the only business awards recognising employers for their flexible working solutions and employees for showing that remote and home based working can improve business productivity, improve work life balance and help the environment. The 10 award categories will appeal to a wide variety of organisations applying flexible working practises plus millions of freelancers, contractors and home businesses across the country.
Judges include Karen Darby, Richard Alvin, Debbie Bird, Claire Young and others to choose companies and individuals who champion this modern way of working.
Categories include the Microsoft Remote Worker Award, the Babyworld Parentpreneur Award, the OfficePOD Award and the BlackBerry Remote Employer Award. For more information or any other enquiry about the Remote Worker Awards please call 0844 800 8355 or go to www.remoteworkerawards.com


Back to top


15 - Launch of Top Employers for Working Families 2010
Organisations that implement the best family-friendly policies are to be recognised in the ‘Top Employers for working families’ awards organised by leading work-life balance charity, Working Families. The winners will be recognised at a gala lunch and awards ceremony in London in October, with shortlists announced in September. The judging panel will include Prof Cary Cooper CBE, Mary Mercer, Principal Consultant, Institute for Employment Studies and Sarah Jackson OBE, Chief Executive, Working Families. The Top Employers for working families list will be validated by the Institute for Employment Studies and listed employers will be provided with a powerful tool for recruitment and retention of the best talent.
Why is it important to recognise family-friendly employers?
40% of the workforce has responsibilities for dependents – either children or parents – and forward-thinking companies that take a holistic approach to employing their staff often get the best from them.
In a global economy, 24/7 culture and a technological age, the typical 9-5 is not always best for companies, clients or staff: flexible working often makes the best business sense all round.
Growing phenomenon: half the UK workforce already works flexibly (14 out of 29 million) and 95% of companies offer some form of flexible working. 
Entries are open until the 30th June 2010 and you can find our more here.

 
16 - Introducing the Eve Appeal and 'maketimefortea'
The Eve Appeal fund raises for world leading research into gynaecological cancers and raises awareness of the diseases. Every year a million women are diagnosed with a gynaecological cancer worldwide. In the UK, 18,000 women are diagnosed and nearly 7,500 women die every year. And yet, awareness and funding of gynaecological cancers remains low. The Eve Appeal is determined to change this by funding vital research focused on developing effective methods of prediction, detection, treatment and care that will help save women's lives not only in the UK but throughout the world.
'maketimefortea' is their ongoing campaign, sponsored this year by The Redbush Tea Company and spearheaded by Lorraine Kelly. They ask women to simply host a tea party, however big or small and send the money to The Eve Appeal. They also encourage women to break down the wall of embarrassment by talking about the taboo subject of gynaecological matters at these tea parties.
They would love to see some womenintechnology members hosting one of these tea parties so if you would like to get involved and help raise vital funds and awareness of gynaecological cancer by making time for tea and a talk then order your free tea pack today – email tea@eveppeal.org.uk; for general enquiries please call 020 7299 4430 or email office@eveappeal.org.uk


17 - Wellbeing of Women's Support of Haiti Campaign for Mums and Newborn Babies
Following the devastation of the earthquake in Haiti in January, Wellbeing of Women is responding to a further critical situation as more than 70,000 women will be having their babies in the next 8-9months. The maternity units in Port au Prince and the surrounding areas simply cannot meet that demand. Already with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, the need to provide facilities for these safe deliveries is critical.
Wellbeing of Women is working with our partners at La Société Haitienne d’Obstétrique et de Gynécologie in Haiti and at the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada to urgently expand comprehensive maternal and newborn services. Some success has been achieved already but there is still a significant amount to be done to support the required medical supplies and running costs without which facilities cannot function. Wellbeing of Women is supporting the overarching appeal to raise $500,000 USD by June and specifically they have committed to raising an urgent $20,000USD for a month's costs for day to day medical supplies and staff. The ability for the local economy to revive and for local medical staff to remain employed is dependent on the provision of these funds.
WoW know that many people have already donated to Haiti when the earthquake first struck but if there is any opportunity for you to support of this urgent campaign, it would be greatly appreciated! You can donate online here.


18 - Survey on Breaking Gender Stereotypes
Are you a professional woman that has left the corporate world and is now an entrepreneur (or running a portfolio career)? Then we want to hear from you! International leadership development firm, Aquitude, is investigating the increasing trend of women leaving their corporate careers to delve into entrepreneurship. Take the survey here.


19 - The Women's Leadership China Challenge 2010
Challenge yourself and change young lives! The Prince's Trust has launched a challenge designed to bring together professional and business women - The Women's Leadership China Challenge taking place from the 9th to 17th October 2010. This is a great opportunity to challenge yourself physically, meet like-minded people and raise money to help the UK's most vulnerable young women to turn their lives around. The Women's Leadership China Challenge is an exhilarating five day adventure trekking along the ancient wall and ramparts of the Great Wall of China. You will journey over 80km, trekking far off the usual tourist paths and experiencing local life and culture. The final day is spent where old meets new in the colourful metropolis of Beijing. To find out more go to: www.princes-trust.org.uk/china or contact Laura Johnson, Challenge Events Manager on 020 7543 1334 or laura.johnson@princes-trust.org.uk


20 - And finally, do you know anyone who would be interested in working for us?
We are currently looking for a new business development executive to join the womenintechnology team. This is a newly created position for a pro-active new business developer to take responsibility for selling both online recruitment advertising solutions / sponsorship packages and traditional contingency recruitment services to major blue chip companies, RPOs and media buyers. We believe this position has the potential to be a really exciting and rewarding sales role. As well as a competitive basic salary and an uncapped bonus scheme, there are real career development opportunities that could possibly see the successful candidate growing and further developing the sales division of womenintechnology. The position is permanent, full time and will be based in central London - travel may be required to visit potential clients as well as some evening work. The full job spec and application process can be found here.


Back to top