There are no insurmountable obstacles for women in business and life, no matter how steep the barriers.
This was the overarching message from the recent inaugural Bytes Technology Group Women's Day Celebration, held at the Johannesburg Country Club, in Auckland Park.
"Women form more than 50% of our employees, and there are no glass ceilings anywhere in our group," says Rob Abraham, CEO of Bytes Technology Group. "We are the most empowered ICT group in South Africa, and one of the most women-friendly places in the country. So when I was approached to run a Women's Day Celebration, it made perfect sense."
The speakers' panel featured a top array of women from around South Africa:
* Dianne Radley, current finance director of Old Mutual and CEO-Designate of Old Mutual Investment Group. She was formerly CFO of Altron;
* Haydee Antezana, CEO of Professional Impressions, a world-class professional image consultant with two decades' experience;
* Deirdre le Hanie, MD of Bytes Managed Solutions; and
* Seara Macheli-Mkhabela, group executive director, corporate affairs at Altron.
Radley drew on the metaphor of her climb last year up Mount Kilimanjaro: "You need the support of others to get to the top. There were times I did not believe I could scale the summit, but my fellow climbers got me there. Success is about people: how you support them and they support you. It is vital to have a mentor, someone from whom you can learn, and that you can trust."
As a woman in the workplace, she emphasised the need for a balance between family and work life, and "flexibility in time to ensure achievement and enjoyment".
After Kilimanjaro, Radley is planning an ultra-marathon cycle around Lake Malawi.
Antezana presented the concept of the "Chief Breakthrough Woman", one who projects herself as a brand in all she does. She noted: "Your image is a measure of your standards and a prediction of your delivery."
A person is a brand, and a brand, Antezana said, is made up five elements, each of which needs to be present for the brand to work: "Memorability, integrity, consistent quality, adaptability and likeability." She gave a number of practical tips for success in business, including appropriate dress codes, projecting visual success, a 30-second checklist before going to work, the top 10 must-haves in a well co-ordinated wardrobe, and the correct way to shake hands.
Le Hanie charted her career, from studying finance while a full-time mother at the age of 30, until she secured her first job as a financial manager at Bytes. She rose through the ranks until today she is MD of Bytes Managed Solutions. She has transformed both the revenue and profitability of the company, primarily by focusing on the importance of customer service. She highlighted how persistence and perseverance over a number of years had won back a customer all had considered to be lost for good.
Le Hanie observed: "You need three factors to succeed: Initiative, focus and preparation. You need initiative to activate talent; focus to direct talent; and preparation to position talent.
"Focus is vital in business: it helps you generate incredible energy and exceptional performance. And preparation always leads to exceptional results.
Le Hanie drew on her own example to show that anything is possible. When she announced that she would do the Pick n Pay Argus 109km cycle marathon this year, colleagues laughed and scoffed, as she was not in remotely the right shape and carrying too much weight.
"But I did it in just under six hours. When I got to the top of Chapman's Peak, I was sure I had broken the Argus, but I had not factored in Suikerbossie. I cried when I reached the top."
She added: "If I can get where I have after starting so late, anyone can do the same."
Le Hanie echoed the theme invoked by Radley, noting: "People who believe in you are a critical ingredient for success."
Machelie-Mkhabela charted her career from its beginnings at Spoor & Fisher to her current position at Altron, where she is responsible for customer alliance strategy, human capital strategy and transformation, and presented on "unlocking your full potential".
Feedback from delegates was positive: Moya Botha, a manager with the Gauteng Department of Education, who was one of the invited guests, said she found the overall event "very inspiring and motivating".
GDE colleague Leonere Hermanus echoed these sentiments: "Inspiring and insightful. I will take some of these learnings and ideas back to my colleagues."
Share