National Women’s History Month: Channel Women’s Advice for Newbies
The ladies have boiled down “been there, done that” (or “don’t do that”) to its essence.
![Channel Women Voices - Day 6 Channel Women Voices - Day 6](https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blt10e444bce2d36aa8/blt5f0d2a9786375a46/6524018359401ea2872029b8/Channel-Women-Voices-Day-6.jpg?width=700&auto=webp&quality=80&disable=upscale)
Amy Bailey
Founder
Unusually Unusual Consulting
One piece of advice I would give women starting out in the channel is to meet as many people as they can. This is a small community; you never know who will be your next boss, partner or employee. Volunteering on a committee for the Alliance of Channel Women was a great way for me to meet a variety of people quickly.
Meredith Caram
Chief Revenue Officer
JS Group
Create and maintain female friendships. If you want friendships, you have to be intentional. You really have to work at it and pursue the person you want to be friends with. Sometimes one person is putting in more work than the other and it’s confusing. It could be due to a lack of trying on the other person’s side, but it could also be that person’s going through something. Be understanding and be intentional because you are going to need and want those friendships. It’s important to have kind, smart and emotionally supportive women in our lives. I have friendships scattered all across the country and cherish them! Even though we all get super busy, don’t let your friendships fall down.
Kelly Danziger
General Manager & Vice President of Channel
No question is a stupid one, if you don’t know something, ask for clarity. The channel is known for its use of acronyms, and they seem to increase by the day. It’s likely another person in the room will have the same question that you have.
Hilary Gadda
Co-Founder
Alliance of Channel Women
Always be learning. Put yourself out there for new opportunities. It’s ok to be scared — most people are at some level, whether they show it or not. And maintain a sense of humor. It can break a lot of ice.
Sheila Hara
Director, Product Management, Application Delivery
Barracuda
To encourage more women into technology, we need to cultivate curiosity in little ones, so they are not afraid of technology when they are older. Talk science at home and run experiments (that do not destroy your home, for the most part). Cultivate courage – let girls jump off structures, swing on the monkey bars and bruise their knees so they feel brave and strong.
Michelle Kadlacek
Vice President, Enterprise Partner Program
Spectrum Enterprise
Go all in! Attend partner engagement events and volunteer to work at industry trade shows to meet new people and learn the industry. Seek out a mentor outside of your company and gain valuable feedback and insights that enable success.
There is value in mentoring and participating in mentorship programs within your company but also with organizations outside the company such as the Alliance of Channel Women or The WICT Network (Women in Cable Telecommunications).
Take advantage of technical and career training opportunities offered by your own organization or externally. Gaining more industry knowledge and education is a great way to improve your confidence and belief in yourself. I’m continuously learning within my own role leading the Spectrum Partner Program to ensure that we’re able to help our channel partners every step of the way.
Merium Khalid
Senior SOC Manager, Offensive Security
Barracuda
I’d advise other female professionals to always speak up and share their opinions but also be willing to collaborate and learn from the people around you. Being a team player is essential in the world of technology and cybersecurity.
Sue Kozak
CEO
MNJ Technologies
Have good processes in place. Establishing strong systems and processes will make your life much easier.
Shani Mahler
Director, Product Management
Barracuda
To encourage more young women to consider a career in cybersecurity, I would appeal to their “vigilante spirit.” From Nancy Drew to Olivia Benson, there are famous fictional female detectives whose main role is to help those who cannot help themselves and stop the bad guys. The popularity of these characters suggests many women identify with such a role — and a career in cybersecurity can offer exactly that. Cybersecurity isn’t just about tracking down your local criminals, though. It sends you after attackers found around the world. The impact you can have with a career in cybersecurity could be significant as a result.
Sarah Marsh
Director, Partner Channels
Workday
When you are new, don’t feel like you should know everything. You belong exactly where you are, and you are there to learn. Don’t be shy. Stay curious, speak up, ask questions and soak up as much as you can!
Jasmina Muller
Vice President, Global Channel Sales
ScienceLogic
It takes time to form relationships, but it is the best part of the job, learning about the individuals you will be working with, building trust and an understanding of how to work together. In the end, you are an extension of the partner’s business and it’s the best feeling knowing that the trust is there to help them scale!
Darcee Nelan
CEO
IQ Wired
Don’t doubt yourself. Many people are afraid to move into the channel based on a variety of concerns, most of which are unfounded. Having been in the channel for 20 years, I’ve seen hundreds of agents achieve great success and experience failure. Based on what I’ve seen, the bottom line is that if you work hard, like to learn and are able to focus, you will be successful.
Now is not the time to be on an island. Find an environment where you can collaborate and feel supported by your peers and your leadership.
There is huge potential in the channel and with the changing market conditions, customers want to work with a trusted advisor who can help them solve their business problems. Be part of the solution and you will thrive.
Michelle Ragusa-McBain
Provider Elevate, Leader for the Global Partner Organization
Cisco
Don’t overthink it; everyone has imposter syndrome, and learns on the job. Throw your hat in the ring, interview for the job, request the highest position and negotiate your salary. Be your best advocate and find mentors, champions and allies along the way who can help you be the best version of yourself, then do that for someone else.
Mayka Rosales-Peterson
Senior Manager, Partner Marketing
Intelisys
Work hard for your partners, they are the reason we do all that we do. They are the hero in all of our stories.
Getting involved with organizations outside of your job within the channel is a very rewarding experience.
The channel has a lot of work to do when it comes to increasing the representation of women. When you get into a leadership role, make sure to bring other women up behind you.
Janet Schijns
CEO
JS Group
Say no more than you say yes about everything related to your channel work. It is so easy to get drawn down a rabbit hole in the channel, distracted by small things that will make no impact. Then, as a result you never achieve the success you’re after because you let those small things steal your time. Write down your goals, write down the big rocks regarding how to achieve your goals and wherever possible then say NO to anything that doesn’t align with your goals.
Heather Tenuto
Chief Revenue Officer
Zift Solutions
This applies to women starting out in any career. Confidence is key to getting ahead. Consider where that confidence comes from. When I look back, I wish I had spent less time and less money on how I looked, what I wore, etc. Nothing makes you more confident that having dollars in the bank. It allows you to take the risks necessary to get ahead. Rethink those $600 shoes or that luxury vacation. Nothing looks better on you than independence.
Heather Tenuto
Chief Revenue Officer
Zift Solutions
This applies to women starting out in any career. Confidence is key to getting ahead. Consider where that confidence comes from. When I look back, I wish I had spent less time and less money on how I looked, what I wore, etc. Nothing makes you more confident that having dollars in the bank. It allows you to take the risks necessary to get ahead. Rethink those $600 shoes or that luxury vacation. Nothing looks better on you than independence.
The last chapter of women in the communications and IT channel telling their story is all about advice for newbies.
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The channel is filled with incredible businesswomen who are making an impact, inspiring and uplifting others. Last September, as part of the Channel Partners Leadership Summit, Channel Futures partnered with ACW to present the inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit. The summit was designed to equip women with the tools to increase their leadership impact, providing current and future channel with tools and tips to advance their careers. Channel women are all about inspiring and uplifting their colleagues.
It was in that spirit that we posed our last question, “What is the one best piece of advice you have for women who are starting out in the channel?” You can read the responses we received in the gallery above.
Did you miss an installment in this series? Click on the link below to catch up.
Want to contact the author directly about this story? Have ideas for a follow-up article? Email Buffy Naylor or connect with her on LinkedIn. |
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