How to get on in business in these uncertain times was very much on the minds of the 250 women who attended Network Ireland’s recent national conference and awards.

Whether it was about the shape of work to come, the need for women to network or the age-old dilemma of how to balance work and family, there were first-class speakers who had been through it all and who were willing to share their experiences.

The event, which took place in the Celtic Ross Hotel, in Rosscarbery Co Cork had as its theme #StepUp and women were encouraged to value themselves and what they had to offer to business.

Let go of the past

In a rare insight to the workings of the Irish Stock Exchange former CEO Deirdre Somers described what it was like to be at the helm when the financial crises struck.

“I’d taken the job as CEO in 2007 and by January 2008 we knew there was something strange happening. But how to respond was the question. I got the management team together and held a four-hour meeting with the doors literally in lock down.

“I had two flip charts. One was for everything we could control and the other for everything we could not control.

"After four hours I tore up the second flip chart. Concentrating on what we could do re-focussed the team, we were less afraid. We were re-energised and it was super clear what we had to do. Everything else was noise.”

She went on to explain the need to remain relevant when things are changing quickly in life or business.

And who survived? It was those who let go of the past

“In 1913, the Irish Stock Exchange was in great shape. The British Empire was at its height and Dublin was the second most important financial centre in that Empire. But in 14 short years things changed beyond recognition.

“We had WWI, The War of Independence and Civil War and with a new State and Government everything was up-ended. And who survived? It was those who let go of the past. That reality was gone. That business was dead. What I take from that is that change has happened before, we survived and we will again.

Women need to be themselves

When it comes to business, Deirdre advised women to be themselves. “I recall going for a promotion and before the interview I asked for advice from a couple of successful women I admired.

Then I received some great advice. Be yourself and give them what you have

"They told me I should learn to speak like a man. I tried doing this and I was appalling, it made me even more disillusioned and a day before the interview I could feel my confidence ebbing away.

“Then I received some great advice. Be yourself and give them what you have. If they don’t want you, well you don’t want them. Women must remember that 200 years of business theory books and studies are fundamentally based on masculine management rules. That’s what women are up against.”

Marry well

She says that for women in work or business who have a family, work is white and family is black and so they live in a constant shade of grey. The question women must ask of themselves is what shade of grey are they prepared to live with.

“You can’t be everything. Grey is the best but what shade will you tolerate? Her biggest tip for women is ‘to marry well’. “If your partner in life wants to be given a parade for supporting your choices that’s no good. Choices around work and family are collective, mutual and your choice together so marry well.”

One of the biggest dilemmas facing women is what to do about work when children are young and childcare costs are extortionate.

“All I can say here is that life is a marathon and not a sprint. The childcare costs will go and you can continue to have a fulfilling career.”

Network Ireland is Ireland’s longest established nationwide organisation for the professional and personal development of women in business. It has 1,200 members in 15 branches right around the country. For more email enquiries@networkireland.ie

Modesty doesn’t help

Helen Smyth is Facebook’s head of Ireland for Small and Medium Business and she had some interesting points on women’s approach to interviews.

“I’ve found that more women say ‘we’ when talking about work they’ve done while more men say ‘I’. During the interview it emerges that there could have been 10 people working with the man whereas the woman did everything herself. But it takes time to dig this out so my advice is that modesty doesn’t help you.”

Helen Smyth Head of Ireland, GBG Scaled, Facebook speaking at the recent Network Ireland Annual Conference and Awards held in West Cork.

rds

Helen advised women to ‘own their time and not to take on more and more work. “You can find yourself knee deep in 50 projects but its far better to be impactful working on five.”

Quotes from the day

Change has never been so fast and it will never be as slow again

– Peter Cosgrove, future of work expert.

Four years ago 23% of board appointments were female. Today 36% of applicants and 51% of appointments are female. There are 33 AIB branches in Cork county and city and 24 – or 73% – of them are managed by women

– Michelle Noone, head of search & state boards Public Appointments Service.

Winning recipe

The winner of the Small and Medium Enterprise award for small businesses at the Network Ireland event was Noreen Doyle who with her husband John is owner of the Irish Biltong Company. Based in Co Kildare this family-owned business makes high-protein beef snacks.

Deirdre Somers formally head of the Irish Stock Exchange speaking at the Network Ireland Conference

Biltong is a traditional South African high-protein snack made with beef. Initially the snacks were made using the silverside cut from beef raised on the Doyle family farm, but demand increased and the beef is now also sourced from local abattoirs.

“Our snacks can be bought in mainstream retail and specialist stores as well as online. We are not in the UK market but we are piloting in Germany and the Czech Republic.”

I’ve been a member for three years and it’s been a great help to me

The Doyle’s work with rugby, golf and running clubs and promote biltong as a healthy beef snack suitable as a pre- and post-workout snack.

Noreen is a member of Network Ireland and says it is a really supportive network for women.

“I’ve been a member for three years and it’s been a great help to me. It’s so important to have someone to talk to for advice and mentoring. The membership is diverse and there’s a good age spread. Every woman who is running a business, whatever its size should be a member.

The Irish Biltong Company can be contacted at www.irishbiltong.ie or call 045-856 021.