Sometimes the tech world can seem dominated by men. It’s important for us to recognise this and for women to start supporting women. 

In March, Operatix kicked off their first networking group in EMEA for all of our female employees, we’ve decided to do this once a month to give our women the opportunity to speak to one and other, and to discuss topical issues – both personal and professional related. 

Our first session’s topic was ‘Confidence’. 

We were joined by a guest speaker, Anna Cobbett, who has been working in the B2B Tech industry for over a decade and is currently on a career break from her role at Vice President U.K Enterprise Sales at ‘Skills Matter’.

Sharing her story, Anna expressed how she started her career in her early 20’s as a personal assistant, she thought that the ‘proper’ jobs were for those who had degrees and studied at University, so didn’t really think to aim high for new roles.

It was only until her manager at the time expressed that he saw the potential in her, and how she ought to have the confidence to excel in her career. Anna expressed, “When working as a consultant at Ernst &Young I started to see I was putting lots and lots of effort into the work I was doing, and then a sales guy would come and sell before driving off in his Porsche. I realized I could do that too, I wanted to be the one driving the Porsche!”.

Taking this advice on board, she stayed at the company for 7 years, progressing into new roles, before landing at Gartner, where she stayed for 10 years, with 3 promotions on her journey there. 

I realized I could do that too, I wanted to be the one driving the Porsche!

Anna Cobbett – Vice President U.K Enterprise Sales at Skills Matter

During this time, she and her other female colleagues decided to set up a group for the women in the company to have a space to talk through any issues they may have, ask for advice and it also doubled up as a social therapy session!

When we asked Anna if she felt she was actually confident, or if it was a bit of a front, she explained that although her theatrical background may have contributed, she would often go into work with her high heels and ‘lippy’ on, as an ‘armour’. 

It comes back to the saying, ‘you have to fake it until you make it’.

Izabelle Stephenson – Sales and Marketing Assistant at Operatix

The takeaway was that everyone should feel confident with who they are and what they do, with no comparison to one and other. Even if you are naturally more introvert or extrovert, you can still succeed and be confident.

If you are a woman looking to get into the B2B Tech word, check out here our careers page. We will make sure we offer you the best support and environment to succeed in your career.