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 What do you think of the womenintechnology website?
I find the website very informative, well structured and visually “catching”
Do you think enough is currently being done to counterbalance what has become an obvious lack of women in technology?We are far away from making a real impact. A special report published by The Economist on November 26th 2011 “ Women and Work” recognizes that women have made huge progress in the workplace but still get lower pay and far fewer top jobs than men. In male dominated industries (for instance IT and Telecommunications and any technology industry) the situation is even worse as there is widespread dominance of men at executive level positions (as well as below C-Suite) and the industry is also affected by a shrinking number of women pursuing academic study in computer science or engineering.
There is no easy solution to a problem that is multifaceted. Gender diversity is to be achieved via a number of measures which cover corporate policies and culture, HR processes, the education system (both at graduate and post graduate) as well as the development of competencies that help women master the dominant codes of the technology industry and nurture their ambitions. A lot is in our own hands.
Why did you choose a career in IT in the first place? e.g. was it a choice or a natural progression from something you'd done previously?Totally by chance. Even if I did my MBA thesis on Competition and Cooperation in the Telecoms industry and was interested in telecoms and IT as I understood nothing of those domains!
Are you aware of any preconceptions or stereotypes of women in IT, and if so what do you think of them?
There are many. I have become aware of them via observing them in day-to-day job life or via experiencing them in my own life. For example, that if you do not have an engineering degree you will go nowhere in ICT or that technology is “too complex for women”, I have heard that soo many times.
How would you describe the work environment / working culture at Colt Technology Services SA?Colt is a relatively young company (16 years old) and its size (approx.. 4000 employees in Europe and India) makes it agile. Decision-making can be quick if you find the way to navigate the political maze.
How has Colt's stance on women impacted you personally?
We are 4 women at VP level in the whole company and I am the only one in a customer facing, revenue generating function. It is quite shocking. I used to wok for USA Verizon for many years and we used to have many senior female leaders so I Colt I had to get used to a different set up. For the rest, it is a company that provides you with the autonomy you need to create value in your role.
Can you share a few words of wisdom for those people who are thinking about joining Colt?
“No matter what the job description looks like when you sign the contract of employment…rest assure it will change within weeks (but do not be afraid of it)!”
Describe your background and career at Colt (how long you've worked there, the roles and responsibilities you've held etc.)I am an Economist although my base education was in Humanities (including ancient Greek and Latin languages and literature!). I achieved my MBA in the USA and it is the education experience that shaped my thinking more than any other. It prepared me for a career in international management and it gave me a “big picture” thinking absolutely necessary to navigate technology. I joined Colt in 2009 after having lived and worked in different countries in Europe and the USA. My current responsibilities include:
• Establishment and management of the Consulting and Solutions organisation across Europe and India (235 employees)
• Provision of the leadership role in transforming the professional services function from a country based model to a pan European functional model
• Responsible for the complete pre sale cycle for ICT solutions to enterprise customers: industry vertical and consulting solutions, service design and integration, bid management, deal pricing, order management.
• Alignment of all job roles, compensation and performance management to create a truly professional organisation
• Coaching and Mentoring women junior managers
What have been the highlights of your career at Colt and what do you like best about working there?The highlight has been the creation of a truly international organisation with multiple talented men and women in key positions.
How would you describe Colt's approach to diversity in its work force, in particular women's initiatives?Colt has just started an informal network of women and we are taking baby steps. Gender diversity is not yet on the CEO agenda and until this happens, progress will be slow.
What are your tips for success at Colt?
Ambition, competence, self-belief and lots of stamina!
In your experience, what value and emphasis does Colt place on women's initiatives? Can you give us any examples?Up until very recently there were some sporadic women initiatives at local level (i.e. in France or in Germany) but nothing bigger than that. Emphasis on women initiatives is growing but it is still at infant stage.
What are your career aspirations at Colt?
Contribute to drive Colt back to growth in the enterprise European market
What do you think could be done to actively encourage more women to join the technology market place in general?Women need to hear the stories of other women who are in technology, they need to connect to the experiences of those women, they need to be aware of the tolls and the rewards a career in technology brings. This “awareness’ should start at the age of 17-18, before the choose “what to do next” in their education and should then continue throughout their careers.
Tell us a little about your life outside of work.I do have a life! I live in Normandy with my partner in a house of the XVIII century, in the country. I am a sportive person (running and gym) and practice Yoga. I spend as much time as I can with the people I love and who are important in my life. I also love shopping and fashion…and pizza ,I must admit!
Do you think it might have been a different story, of "how you got to where you are now", if you'd been a man?Probably. It would have costed me half the pain and I would have had to make easier compromises (including with my private life).
How important do think your education or background has been in influencing your career choices?They are very important. My background and education are quite international and “open minded”, they have shaped many choices that I have made, choices that people would find “odd” or “crazy” at first.
Do you think that there are obvious differences between what men and women have to offer an IT department?Yes, absolutely, they are two different types of talents and a winning team must have both.
What books / websites would you recommend to others?www.theglasshammer.com, “Through the Labyrinth”, by A. Eagly and “The Prince” by Machiavelli (company politics!)
If you could give young women looking for a position in the IT market place a single piece of advice what would it be?Study the industry at macro level, the market, the big trends, not just the product and solution portfolio. It is essential to understand what technology does to the business of the clients who use it. In itself technology has no value. The value is in the solution it offers to a business problem. Understanding the business problem is paramount. Many people in our industry still do not understand the clients’ problems. Also, learn to find and use mentors and sponsors (two different things), both important to “make it” to the next step. Last but not least: you must be passionate about it. Without passion, why do it?
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