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Why did you choose a career in IT?I studied engineering and applied for a place on the IT Christmas Course to understand what the job was all about. In those days we had a different name, but the roles were basically the same as now. After a week of intensive assessment, not only did P&G get to see me but I also had the opportunity to see what a role in Information & Decision Solutions was all about. What I loved then, and still love now, is that I’m not heavily in the technology; my key skills are project management, client management and business transformation. We are deeply embedded in the business, identifying opportunities on and how technology can drive business results. Then working with our third party suppliers to deliver it.
Do you think that there are obvious differences between what men and women have to offer an IT department?Having worked in Information & Decision Solutions at P&G for 13 years, I have never thought of it as a male environment. We have a highly diverse organisation: gender, culture and styles. For me the key is to know yourself: focus on and leverage your strengths, not just on improving the areas you don’t do as well. Be clear on your own principles and values, never stray from these but be prepared to flex your style according to the situation.
If you could give young women looking for a position in the IT market place a single piece of advice what would it be? Don’t just focus on the technology; looking to how you can apply the technology to drive business results is key. Therefore having grounding in business studies is a huge advantage.
How would you describe the work environment / culture at P&G?Work hard/ play hard. We are a young organisation; I truly value the people that I work with for their energy, passion and commitment. Our environment, like the world around us, is continually changing. The agility of our organisation to adapt whilst consistently delivering business results is outstanding.
How has P&G's stance on women impacted you personally?I am very fortunate that I have been able to balance my career alongside bring up a young family (two children, aged 3 and 5). The flexible work arrangements at P&G (open for both men and women) have enabled me to have a 60% work schedule and work from home. I can still have quality time with my children whilst continuing to develop myself and my career on a professional level. I have also taken advantage of P&G’s maternity policies, having taken a year off work after the birth of my second child.
Describe your background and career at P&G.I’ve worked for P&G for 13 years, rotating assignment every 2-3 years. I have spent most of my career working in Newcastle, with a three year assignment in Frankfurt starting in 1999. I have predominantly worked on regional system implementations and client management but across a wide range of platforms and business areas: finance, R&D, customer solutions to name a few. Throughout my career I’ve also been able to satisfy my passion of organisational and people development: whether this be through recruitment, coaching, community building. My latest role is as a regional service manager, building one of P&G first ever commercial services: people rather than systems based.
In your experience, what value and emphasis does P&G place on women's initiatives?P&G’s flex work policies are for the whole organisation, not just women. P&G has strong women's networks in place across the globe and a high number of women role models at different levels within the organisation. Although sceptical at first, I have truly been able to utilise these networks and appreciate the support that they offer. Becoming a working mum has its challenges (nobody will say it is easy) and it is a huge life change, but being able to reach out to others who have already been though that process as helped immensely.
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