Top 10 Inspiring Women Leaders To Watch In 2022 April2022

BreaktheSilence,Listento InspiringStories!

INSPIRATION!Atermthathashelpedmillions

spreadtheirwingsandacquirenewheights. AccordingtoGoogle,Inspirationistheprocess ofbeingmentallystimulatedtodoorfeelsomething, especiallytodosomethingcreative.

Interestingly,itisamuchconsumed,domesticated, andsecularwordforwhatactuallyisarevolutionary andaspiritualphenomenon.

So,whatactuallyisaninspiration,andwhatarewe talkingaboutwhenweusethisterm?

Assaid,thespiritualnatureofinspirationawakens humanstonewpossibilitiesbyallowingthemto transcendtheirordinaryexperiencesandlimitations.It stirsone'sstumpsandtransformsthewaypeople perceivetheircapabilities.

Hence,inspirationdoesn'tsolelycomefromsomeone whocanchangetheworldorwhohasaplethoraof

awards.Rather,itisastory,astruggle,orajourneythat manycanlearnfrom.

Historically,storiesandstrugglesofstructuralinequality havebeenpersistent.Suchstorieshaveinspiredanumber ofwomentochallengethestatusquoandtakeleadsinthe unfinishedbusinessofempoweringandinspiringmany womentotakeleadsandauthority

Moreover,havingwomeninthepositionofleadershipwill helptheworldbecomeamoreequalplace,butbydoingso, theycaninspiremanyyoungsterstostriveforgreatness throughtheir'breakingtheglassceiling'stories.Thiswill notonlymakethemendeavorforgreatnessbutmakethem aimandaspiretobecomeformidableleadersoneday.

Inthisedition,"Top10InspiringLeaderstoWatchin 2022,"weatInsightsSuccessarecelebratingincredible womenwhohavepavedthewayforgenerationstocome.

Inordertoreadtheirinspiringandempoweringstories,we urgeyoutometiculouslygothroughtheirprofileswhohave defiedtheoddsandcomeoutontop.

Whileflippingthroughthepages,glanceatthearticles writtenbyourin-houseeditorialteamandgaininsights aboutthemiracle'swomenhavemarkedthroughtheir leadershippositions.

Delveinandenjoytheread!

- Shrutika Khedekar

Chelsea Andrews

A Proud Leader in The B2B Influencer

Markeng Services

Space for the Technology Industry

Maria Papacosta An Astonishing Leader of the 21st Century

Michele Lee Malo Transforming Dreams Into Reality!

Stefanie Rollins An Inspiring Leader Bringing change in the Industry

Tuuli Pärenson

Empowering Businesses with Digital Transformaon

Editor-in-Chief Pooja Bansal

Anish Miller Senior Editor

Managing Editor

Sherin Rodricks Business Development Manager Bhushan Bhad

Art & Design Head

Co-designer

Art & Design Assistant Visualiser David King

Rohil Shinganapurkar

Paul

Mrunalinee Deshmukh

Marketing Manager Joseph D'souza

Business Development Executives

Kelly, David

Technical Head Jacob Smile

Assistant Technical Head

Technical Consultants Prachi, Rajeshwari

Digital Marketing Manager Alina Sege

Assistant Digital Marketing Manager Renuka Kulkarni

SME-SMO Executive Gemson

Research Analyst Eric Smith

Circulation Manager Tanaji Fartade

sales@insightssuccess.com

April, 2021

Featuring Brief Company

DailyPay dailypay.com

Gofore gofore.com

InnoLawGroup innolawgroup.com

MetaBytes metabytes.se

MicheleMaloConsulting michelemaloconsulting.com

JaimeMcDougall SeniorDirectorof GrowthProgram Strategy

TuuliPärenson CEO

LucyBassli FounderandPrincipal

Zara

Zamani HeadofDisruptive Technologies

MicheleMalo FounderandCEO

DailyPayisanAmericanfinancialservicescompanyfoundedin 2015,whichprovidespayrollservicessuchasearnedwageaccess.

Goforecreatestomorrow’sdigitalservicesandworkculture today–thecompnayleadsdigitaltransformation,aswellas designandbuildinnovativesolutions.Theorganizationwas chosenastheEmployerBrandoftheYear2020byDuunitori.

InnoLawGroupensuresthat it'slegalteamhelpbusinesses succeedbyoptimizingandacceleratinglegalsupportfor contracts.

MetaByteisanexecution-orientedmanagementand technologyconsultingfirm.Itsapproachcombinesprojectand programleadershipwithdeepdomainexpertisesupportedby technical,engineeringandanalyticexcellence.

MicheleMaloConsultingidentifies,strategizes,andadvances businessesbybreakingdownbarriersthroughcommunication.The ConsultancyFounder-Michelepullsfrom18yearsofFortune500 corporateexperienceandfiveyearsofbeingasuccessfulserial entrepreneurtohelpaccelerateyourprofitswithinayearoftaking onherprogram.

MSCMarketingBureau mscbureau.com

MariaPapacosta Co-founder

Presagen presagen.com

SandstoneTechnology sandstone.com.au

MichellePerugini

CEO

andFounder

JenniferHarris

Head

ofMarketingand BusinessIntelligence

SnapFulfil snapfulfil.com

StefanieRollins ChiefOperatingOfficer

MSCMarketingBureaufacilitatesSpeakerManagementand MarketingServicesforelitekeynotespeakers&thought leaders,ExecutivePresence&InfluenceCoachingforleaders andpeakperformers.BrandStrategy&PersonalBranding.

PresagenisanAIhealthcarecompanythatischangingtheway clinics,patients,andmedicaldatafromaroundtheworldare connectedthroughAI.Itsdecentralizeddata-centricAI platform,TheSocialNetworkforHealthcare,connectsclinics andpatientsglobally.

SandstoneTechnologyis leadingthecharge,innovatingand evolvingastheindustryevolves.Itshighclientretentionrateis theproudestachievementwith40+financialinstitutionsacross Australia,NewZealand,AsiaandtheUnitedKingdomplacing theirtrustinitssolutions.

SnapFulfilldeliverscuttingedgetechnologyatthecostof traditionalinstallationsand,unlikeotherwarehouse managementsystems, itsquickandeasytoimplement solutionsgivesarapidreturnoninvestment.

TechMode techmode.com

ChelseaAndrews Co-Founder

TechModehelpcompaniesconnectwithtechprofessionalsona massivescalethroughB2Binfluencerandbrandambassador programs;thoughtleadershipcontentproduction;channel growthandamplification;andeventproduction.

Jaime JaimeMcDougall

Driving the Wheels of Change in the Fintech Space

At DailyPay, we are flipping the financial system by building a financial technology platform that starts working the minute work starts.

Jaime McDougall Senior Director of Growth Program Strategy

"The art of communication is the language of leadership." – JamesHumes

Theargumentonwhatworksforeffectiveleadership hasexistedaslongastherehaveexistedleaders. Amongallthenumerousqualitiesthathavebeen debatedovertobeimperativeinaleader,everyonewould beonthesamepagewhenitcomestothequalityofhaving effectivecommunicationskills.

Perfectandprecisecommunicationisundoubtedlythemost importanttraitthatanindividualinaleadershipposition mustpossess.Thesimplelogicbehindtheemphasisonthis particularqualityisthateffectivespeechistheoutlet throughwhichapersonputstheirmessageacross.Ithasthe powertomakeorbreakthings.Itcaninspireandmotivate peopletoachievetheirpersonalandorganizationalgoalsat large.Whenutilizedoptimally,communicationcandrive thewheelsofchangeinanygivensector

Oneprominentnameamongsuchleaderswhohave recognizedthepotentialofthistraitisJaimeMcDougall, theSeniorDirectorofGrowthProgramStrategyat DailyPay.StartingoutastheDirectorofMarketingat DailyPay,Jaimeclimbedupthecorporateladderthrough herknackforinnovationandcreativity

WeatInsightsSuccesscaughtupwithJaimeinan interviewtolearnmoreaboutherprofessionaljourneyin thefintechspaceandherapproachtoleadershipasan individual.

Belowarethehighlightsoftheinterview:

Jaime,pleasegiveusabriefoverviewofyourjourneyas theSeniorDirectorofGrowthProgramStrategyat DailyPay.

MypathatDailyPayhasalwaysbeenonthemarketingand revenuesideofourorganization.IstartedatDailyPaywhen weweredirecttoconsumer,workingwithalotofour customers-UberandDoordashdrivers-andbuildingout aninfluencermarketingandreferralprogram.Iwas intimatelyfamiliarwithhowcustomersviewedDailyPay, challengesinthebuyingjourney,andthekeystrategiesthat droveacquisition.

WhenwepivotedtoB2B2C,Iledourinbounddemand generationeffortsattractingnewbusinessestoourplatform. Ilearnedsomuchabouthowtocommunicatetoexecutives thevalueofDailyPay.HowDailyPaydrivesvalueby reducingturnoverandimprovingemployeeengagement andrecruiting,whichhasadirectbottom-lineimpact.

The year 2022 is an exciting year for DailyPay and the Growth team. We have new products and services that will deliver value for companies and their employees.

Marryingthetwo,Iwasbestpositionedtothinkaboutour go-to-marketstrategyforlaunchingnewDailyPay programs.Iunderstoodhowweneededtocommunicateto companiesandtothecompanies'employees(ourend customer).Icreatedstandardizedlaunchplaybooksto createawarenessandconsiderationforDailyPayinsideof ourpartnercompanies.

TheB2B2Csideofthebusinessmakesmarketingtoour endcustomerlessstraightforwardthanotherconsumer brands.Companiesthatwepartnerwithvaryinsize, industry,andemployeepopulation,whichallimpacthow anemployeemightlearnorconsidertheDailyPaybenefit. So,Iamconstantlythinkingaboutcreativemarketing solutionsforreachingemployeesofourpartnercompanies directly.

TellusmoreaboutDailypay,itsofferings,andits strongholdinthefinancialservicesspace.

AtDailyPay,weareflippingthefinancialsystemby buildingafinancialtechnologyplatformthatstartsworking theminuteworkstarts.Foundedin2015,DailyPayisthe leadingon-demandpayserviceproviderthatenables employeestocontrolwhentheygetpaid.

Thecurrentpayrollsystemisafailingsystemthatkeeps employeesinapaymentcyclethatisdependentontheir employers.DailyPayischallengingthisoldwayofthinking byutilizingthePayBalancetogiveemployeestheirearned moneywhentheywantitwhilesupportingbusinessesby designinguniquelytailoredsystemsthatarerevolutionizing howcompaniespaytheiremployeesandinteractwithpay

WithourexistingPayBalancemodelinplace,which enablesemployeestohaveaccesstotheiron-demandpay, weexpandedourPayBalanceplatformandbuiltinnovative solutionsontoptoefficientlymanagepaytransactionsfor employers,employees,banks,andmerchants.

Forward-thinkingcompaniesacrosstheU.S.turnto DailyPaytohelpthembuildahappier,moreengaged workforce,whichhasbecomeespeciallyimportantasthe U.S.economyrecoversfromtheCOVID-19pandemicand subsequentworkforceshortage.

Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononhow theadoptionofmoderntechnologieslikeAIandMLhas impactedthefinancialservicesindustryandhowis DailyPayridingthetechnologywave?

Whilecompanieshavebeeninvestinginconsumer-facing technologytostayrelevantandtocreateaseamless experiencefortheirusers,manyhaveneglectedtheirown employees.Withthe'GreatResignation'sweepingthe country,manyworkersarenowleavingfornew opportunitiesandjoiningcompaniesthatinvestintheir people.Asaresult,manycompaniesareseekingnew benefitsfortheiremployees.

Withfinancesbeingatoppriorityformanyindividuals, companiesaresearchingandimplementingthebest financialtechnologiesandbenefits,suchason-demandpay, intothebenefitspackage.Thedemandfornewfinancial technologiescontinuestorise,andDailyPayhasbeen garneringmuchattentionintheprocess.Frombeing mentionedinFortune500businesses'earningscallstojob poststoincreaserecruitmentrates,DailyPayisakeybenefit thatmanycompaniesareleveragingtoremain competitive.

ConsideringtheexampleoftheCOVID-19pandemic, howdoyouplantonavigatethroughsimilarsituations inthefuture?

Thetwowordsthatcometomindareemployeesafetyand flexibility

Nobodylikestheunknown.Communicationandshowing empathyinatimeofcrisisisthebestthingaleadercando, aswellasprovidingatwo-waydialogueforemployeesto connectwitheachotherandfeellikethecompanyis listeningandhastheirback.

Employeesafetyhasmultiplemeanings—physicalsafety, financialsafety,andpsychologicalsafety.It'stheemployer's andmyresponsibilitytoensurethatmyemployeesare takencareofineverywaypossible.

Ifthepandemicisaffectingmyemployees'health,Ineedto makethecallforallemployeestoworkremotely.Ifmy employeesarestrugglingtomakeendsmeetonabiweekly salary,it'saboutfindingwaystogivethemaccesstotheir paydaily.Ifthepandemicistakingamentaltoll,Ineedto makesuretheyhavethehealthcarenecessarytogetthe medicalattentiontheyneed.

Onethingwe'restilllearningfromthepandemicistobe preparedfortheunexpected.Somanycompanieshavehad

tochangetheirreturn-to-workdatesandothercompanywideplansbecauseofnewvariantsandrisesincovidcases. Ifasimilarsituationweretoarise,Iwouldsaycreatea flexibleplanbecauseyoudon'tknowwhatmightchange.

Whateffortsdidyoutakeduringthepandemicto sustainoperationsandensurethesafetyofyourteamat thesametime?

ThesafetyofouremployeesisatoppriorityatDailyPay. Withtheconstantfluctuationofcovidcases,DailyPayhas decidedtoextendworkfromhomeandopenedtheofficeup forthevoluntaryentrance.

Toensurethatwemaintainournormalbusinesslevels,we incorporatednewtechnologiesintoourtechstackand emphasizedcommunicationthroughouttheorganization.As thecasesinNewYorkareslowlydwindling,we'renoticing thatmoreandmoreemployeesarecomingintotheoffice andgoingbacktoapre-pandemicworkstyle.

Whatisyouropiniononadoptinggenderegalitarianism fromabusinessleadershipoutlook?

IfoundedDailyWomen-thewomen'semployeeresource groupatourcompany-in2017becauseIknewhowcritical itwouldbeforaFinTechstart-uplikeDailyPay-whichisa verymale-dominatedindustry-toprioritizediversitygiven thatourcustomersarediverse.Somethinglike60%ofour customerbaseiswomen,soitisimperativetousthat DailyPayaimstoattractandretaintalentedwomenwith diversethoughtsanddifferentiatedexperiences.

Ÿ HowIthinkaboutadoptinggenderegalitarianisminthe workplaceisfirstilluminatingthedifferencesand potentialproblemswefaceasasocietyand organization.DailyPayactivelyfightsagainstsystemic biasesandfightsforgenderequalityinthefollowing ways:

Ÿ ERG-DailyWomenprogrammingencourages participationfromourallies.Wecontinuetodiscusskey topicslikementorship,sponsorship,andseeingdiverse perspectives.

Ÿ Payequity-Weusetoolstohelpusunderstandhow otherpeople(genderagnostic)aregettingpaidinsimilar sizes,industries,andlocations.

Ÿ Merit-basedrewards-Promotionsandreviewsare basedonastandardsetofvaluesandobjective performancemeasures.

Ÿ Goalsettingandindividualdevelopmentplans-Every individualatthecompanygoesthroughthesame processofdevelopingacareerplan.

Ÿ Blindresumescreens-Toeliminatethepotentialfor

biasintheinterviewprocess,wereviewresumesfor performanceandmeritandnothingelse.

Personally,Ienjoyspendingmytimementoringrising femaleleadersandhavefemalementeeswhomayhave facedsimilarchallengesasme.

Asanestablishedindustryleader,whatwouldbeyour advicetothebuddingentrepreneursandenthusiasts aspiringtoventureintothefinancialservicesindustry? Thereissomuchhappeninginfinancialservicesandalot ofdisruptionfromemergingFinTechcompanieslikeours. Whetherit'snewwaystoprovideaccesstocapitalfor employeesorcrypto,ourlegacyfinancialsystemisripefor innovation,andthere'salotofnoveltyinthespaceright now.

Iencourageleaders,enthusiasts,andentrepreneurstostay curiousbyconsuming,reading,andparticipating.Irecently startedusingAffirmasIwascuriousabouttheuser experienceandpointofsaleinstallmentloans.Ialsolove theintegrationofVenmo'snewcryptowallet.WhatIlove aboutthesecompaniesisthatthey'reempowering consumersanddeliveringnewvaluetogroupsthatmaynot havebeenabletohaveaccessbefore.

Someofmyfavoritepublicationsandpodcaststhatkeep meinformedareMorningBrew,TheMotleyFool, Finimize,AndrewSorkin'sDealBook,andPlanetMoney

HowdoyouenvisionscalingDailyPay'sservicesin 2022?

Ÿ Theyear2022isanexcitingyearforDailyPayandthe Growthteam.Wehavenewproductsandservicesthat willdelivervalueforcompaniesandtheiremployees. Ourscalingplaninvolvesthoughtfulgo-to-market executionandgreatcollaborationbetweenteamssothat wecontinuetodeliveragreatcustomerexperience.

Awards

Pleasegiveusafewtestimonialsofyour clients/customersandalistofawards/recognitionsthat accuratelyhighlightyourorganization'spositioninthe market.

Ÿ IntelyCare,whichhasabout30,000nursesonits platform,launchedDailyPay'sEWAproductinJune 2021throughapartnershipwithDenver-basedhuman resourcesoutsourcingfirmADP.Shortlyafter, IntelyCarereporteda300%riseinplacementsover 2020.EWAisnotsolelyresponsibleforthatgrowth,but itisaperkinalabormarketinwhichtheprofessionals haveanunusualmixoffinancialchallengesandburnout butlotsofoptionsforwheretofindemployment.

Ÿ TheDailyPayappwasawelcomereliefforKroger's 400,000-plusemployees;Montisaid:“Overall,the feedbackisextremelypositive.Peopleseeitas insurance.'It'sthereifIneedit;Ihavetheapp,I've downloadedit,Idon'tuseitallthetime,butIknowit's thereifIabsolutelyneedit,”shesaid.Theappwasalso abighelprecentlyduringthesnowstormsintheSouth. WithmanyworkersinTexashavingtroublegettingtheir paperchecksinthemailduringthestorms,many workersturnedtoDailyPaytogetpaid.

Ÿ TIMEMagazine:TheBestInventionsof2021Special Mention.

Ÿ Newsweek2021Top100MostLovedWorkplacesby MostLovedWorkplace.

Ÿ HR/WorkForce-BestInnovativeorEmergingTech Solution2021.

Ÿ GlobalBrandMagazine-MostTrustedEarnedWage AccessProvider,2021,NewYork.

Ÿ 2021CBInsightsFintech250ListofTopFintech Startups.

Chelsea Andrews

AProudLeaderinTheB2BInfluencerMarketing ServicesSpacefortheTechnologyIndustry

Peopledonotliketobefooled.Everyonewantsto choosesmartlythesedays.Directlytelling customerswhatthebestbuyisforthem—typically theformatoftraditionaladvertisingandmarketing—isno longeraneffectivestrategy.Withtheavailabilityof internet-enabledsmartdevices,peoplecanthemselvesdo researchontheproductsorservicesthattheyintendtobuy.

Insuchascenario,amoresubtlemarketingapproachis requiredtotargetpotentialcustomersandinfluencethemto chooseyourproducts.Thisiswhereinfluencermarketing comesintoplay ChelseaAndrews(Co-founder)has masteredtheinfluencemarketingspacewithherplatform calledTechMode.

ThroughtheTechModeagency,Chelseahelpsclients' companiesconnectwithtechprofessionalsonamassive scalethroughbusiness-to-business(B2B)influencerand brandambassadorprograms.

Inadditiontothis,heragencyprovidesthoughtleadership contentproduction,channelgrowthandamplification,and eventproduction.ItworkswithFortune500tech companies,leveragingdata-provenstrategiestoamplify clients'digitalfootprints,boostengagement,andincrease exposureandinfluence.

InaninterviewwithInsightsSuccess,Chelseasharedwith usherjourneyinestablishingtheagencyaswellasinsights aboutitsservices,whicharehelpinggeneratesustainable marketingsolutionsfortheclients. Belowaretheexcerptsfromtheinterview:

Chelsea,pleasegiveusabriefoverviewofyourjourney astheCo-founderofTechMode.

BeverleyEveandIfoundedTechModeintheinfancyof B2Binfluencermarketing.Whenwefirststartedouragency yearsago,littlewasknownabouttheB2Binfluencer

It'sbeenajoy toseeB2Binfluencer marketingflourish andgrow,andweare proudtobeleadersin thespace.

approachinthetechspace,butwesawanopportunityto mainstreamthoughtleadership-drivenmarketingandran withit.It'sbeenajoytoseeB2Binfluencermarketing flourishandgrow,andweareproudtobeleadersinthe space.

Tellusmoreaboutyourcompany,itsvision,andthekey aspectsofitsstrongholdinthemarketingand advertisingspace.

AtTechMode,wealwayssaywe'reinthebusinessof relationshipbuilding.Wefacilitaterelationshipsbetween brandsandthoughtleaders.Wesupportthoughtleadersin buildingrelationshipswiththeircommunityonbehalfof brands.

Chelsea

L.Andrews Co-founder

Peopleareattheheartofwhatwedo.Theprocessesand workflowswehavebuiltovertheyearshelpestablisha leveloftrustforallinvolved,whichisthesecretingredient tooursuccess.

Whatarethedistinctofferingsofyourcompanythatis makinganimpactonyourclients?

AtTechMode,weoffercustomthoughtleadership-driven marketingcampaignsexclusivelytotechcompanies.What setsusapartisour'peoplefirst'approach,ourdata-driven strategies,andtheworkflowswehavemasteredoverthe years.Therearealotofmovingpartsinourcampaigns,but ourmethodologyissecondtonone,andwetakealotof prideintheresultsweachieveforourclients.

Here is What Clients and Influencers are Saying

“It'sapleasureworkingwithTechModeon marketingcampaignswithEricssonDigital Services–greatteam,commitment, energy,andcreativity!"

–TreasaDovander,EricssonDigital Services

"Inshort,TechModeisfantastictowork with!"

–Prof.SallyEaves,SeniorPolicyAdvisor

"TechModetrulyunderstandsthewants& needsofbothinfluencers&clients...& theydeliverontime,everytime."

–RonaldvanLoon,TechInfluencer

"TechModecreateswin-wincampaignsfor theirinfluencers&theirclients.Ilove workingwiththem!"

–DianaAdams,TechJournalist

Whateffortsdidyoutakeduringthepandemicto sustainoperationsandensurethesafetyofyourteamat thesametime?

PriortoCOVID,wewouldfrequentlysendinfluencersand stafftophysicalconferencestocapturecontentandprovide liveeventcoverage.Wheneventshalted,wetransitionedto avirtualmodel,whichwasaseamlesstransition.

Asallmarketingactivitiesbecome100%digitallydriven,it hasbecomemoreimportantthaneverforourclientsto breakthroughanincreasinglycrowdedseaofonline content,whichisexactlywhatourcampaignsachieve.

Whatisyouropinionontheadoptionofmodern technologieslikeAIandMLinthemarketingand advertisingindustry?

Effectivemarketingstrategiestargetaudiencesmembersat therighttimeintherightplace.WhenAIandMLare deployedtoreachpeoplewheretheyare,Ithinkthatisan optimalapproach.Asaconsumer,IappreciateitwhenI'm servedadsforthingsI'mcurrentlylookingforanddespiseit whenI'mtargetedforthingsthatdon'tapplytomeorwhatI need.

Whatisyourviewonpracticinginclusivityanddiversity attheworkplace?

Inclusivityanddiversityintheworkplaceareabsolute musts.Beinginthetechsector,it'snotuncommonto witnessalackofculturalandgenderdiversity,but inclusivityistrulythepathtoamorejustsocietyandis somethingthatiscriticalintheworkplaceacrossallsectors andindustries.

Asanestablishedindustryleader,whatwouldbeyour advicetothebuddingentrepreneursandenthusiasts aspiringtoventureintothemarketingandadvertising industry?

Myadvicewouldbetothinklarge.Thinkonestepahead. Peoplemaytellyouthatyourvisionisunimportantorwill notwork,butifyourbusinessideaisgroundedindataand youknowinyourheartthatyourambitionshavepotential, goforit.Findmentorsthatcanhelpguideyouandworkto makeyourdreamareality

HowdoyouenvisionfurtherstrengtheningTechMode's strongholdin2022andbeyond?

2022andbeyondisallaboutgrowthforTechMode.Weare workingtomakeB2Binfluencermarketingastapleinthe marketingroadmapforallcompaniesacrossthetech industry

TOP Strategies to Infuse DIVERSITY, EQUITY,& INCLUSION in your Organization

iversityisawildprimitivestateuntouchedby Dcivilization.Infact,thesurvivalofthehumanrace ultimatelydependsonit.Imaginebeing surroundedbypeoplewhoareexactlylikeyou.Howeasy woulditbeforaminordiseasetocompletelyefface humankind?Quiteeasy,right!

Buthere'sakicker!Howmucheverdiversity,inclusion, andequitysoundappealing,itreallyisn'tatthe organizationallevel.The2018WomeninWorkplaceReport byMcKinsey&CompanyandLeanIn.orgpulledout strikingfacts.Thevastmajorityofthecompaniesincluded inthisreportemphasizedtheneedforgenderdiversityas theirtoppriority Thereportfurtherhighlightedtheneedfor implementingfairhiringsandpromotionalpracticesthat correctforbiases.Itadditionallyplacedaspotlighton activelyworkingtobuildaninclusiveandrespectful culture.

Thisclearlystatesthatthediverserepresentationinthe corporateworldisn'timprovinginleapsandbounds. Instead,itisnotevenimprovinginleapsandbounds.

Inordertoaddressthisage-oldquestionandbringabout institutionalchange,thisarticlereflectsonthevarious reasonstoinfusediversity,equity,andinclusionandhow theyareplayingasignificantroleincreatingamassive impactonbusinessesintheshortandlongterm.

Below are some tips for building an effective DEI strategy:

FirstandForemost,ConductPayEquityReviews

Eventhoughamajorityofcountrieshaveworkedon implementingtheEqualPayActformanyyears,thewage gaphascontinuedin2022.Thispaydisparityisevenmore prominentamongBlacksandLatinwomenwithrespectto theaveragesalaryofCaucasianmen.Asthewagegapis systemic,payauditscanbeaveryeffectivetoolinthe pursuitofpayequity.

Hence,organizationsshouldfocusonpayreviewsofthe employeesandensurepayparity.Quickactionsmustbe takentoidentifythesegapsandfillthemthroughthepay structures.

CreatingaRobustMentorshipProgram

Whenitcomestoinclusion,underrepresentedemployees canfacechallengesintheircareerprogression.Underthe guidanceofamentor,employeescanminimizethese challengesandmakeprogresstowardleadershippositions.

Formingastrategythatrevolvesaroundthedifferenttypes ofmentorships;Reversementoring,Careermentoring, Buddyprograms,andmentoringcirclescanhelpalign

withtheoverallobjectiveoftheDEIstrategyofthe organization.

EnsuringBenefitsandProgramsareInclusive

Anumberoforganizationshavesuccessfullyestablisheda diverseworkforce.However,thepracticeofincludingthe workforceinallsegmentsofworkstillremainsan unaddressedissue.Nottosideline,thereareseemingly innocuouspracticesthatmakeemployeesfeelalienor unwelcomed.

Hence,itisimperativeforeveryorganizationtostructure itsinclusiveplanandmakesurethatthebenefitsand programsrunbytheorganizationareall-inclusive irrespectiveofgender,creed,andethnicityofthe employees.

SettingupofEmployeeResourceGroups(ERGs)

EmployeeResourceGroupsarevoluntarygroupsledby employeesthemselveswhoaimtofosteradiverseand equitableworkplacealignedtotheirrespective organizations.Thefunctionofthisgroupistoprovide personalorcareerdevelopmentandcreateaspacewhere theemployeesgetanopportunitytothetablewithoutbring theirwholeselvestothetablewithoutanyfilters. Theorganizations'topleadershipshouldparticipateand leveragethemtosupporttheorganization.

ScrutinizingBoardandExecutiveTeamMembers

Organizationalandboardroomdiversity,especiallyinthe contextofwomen'srepresentation,hasbeenatopof discussionformorethantwodecadesnow.Forthefirst timein2003,Norwayintroduceda40%genderquotafor women'srepresentationoncorporateboardsinthecountry.

Suchacompositionofboardandexecutiveshelpsmirror thediversityofthegeographicalareas.

MakingLeadersAccountable

AnyDEIstrategythatanorganizationfollowswillonly workifthereisaspaceforaccountabilityandtransparency withintheorganization.Mostemployeeslookuptotheir

leadersforguidance,buttheywillonlybelievethemifthey arementorsaswellaschangemakersfortheorganization.

OnAFinalNote

Itistimeandagainproventhattheorganizationsthat followDEIstrategiesareinnovativeandthrivingbecauseof thecomprehensiveperspectivetheybringtothetable.This isnotjustwordofmouthbutratherastrategicallyproven fact.

Corporatesandorganizationsofallcompaniesneedto investinDEInotbecauseitistherightthingtodobut ratherbecausethat'showtheywillcreatesuccessinthe future.

Eventhoughorganizationsdifferinnature,theydohave commonalities;selectingtherightstrategiesmentioned abovewillhelpthemmovealongwaytowardsthepathof progress.DEIisnotjuststrategiesbutaratherajourneyto growandchange-individually,nationally,andglobally.Itis notjustaboxtocheckbutawaytooperate,anditwill requireplanning,commitment,andanopen,inclusive mindset.

- Shrutika Khedekar

MariaPapacosta

AnAstonishing Leader of the 21st Century

Sinceourchildhood,everyoneofusmusthaveheard thestoriesofgreatleaders.Theircourage,passion, anddevotiontothedesiredgoalinspiredeachoneof us.Theymotivateustoshootforthestarsandpersevere throughanychallengesthatlifemaythrowourway

Certainqualitiesthatsuccessfulleadersdemonstrateintheir personalandprofessionaljourneyincludeafocused approach,self-awareness,understandingtheexactneedof thehour,andmuchmore.

Sohereitisimportanttonoteisthatthesequalitiescanbe adaptedbyanyone,whetheritisamanorawoman.Asa result,weseethattheartofleadershipisneitherlimitednor biasedtoanyspecificgender

Today,womenhaveemergedasverysuccessfulleadersin everyfield,whetheritiscinema,politics,space,orindustry. Theyarenotjustleadingintheirprofessionalcareerbut alsoinspiringotherstoactandsetacourseforfuture success.

Thisedition,titled'Top10InspiringWomenLeadersto Watchin2022,'placesaspotlightonwomenleaderswho havebrokenallthestereotypesandmythsandhavesetnew benchmarksofsuccess.

Wearehonoredtointroduceonesuchlegendarywoman leader–MariaPapacosta.SheistheCo-founderof M.S.C.MarketingBureauLtd.

Inanexclusiveinterviewwith Insights Success,Maria shedslightonthecompany'sjourney,thecurrentindustry scenario,andhervisionforthefuture.

Belowaretheexcerptsfromtheinterview:

Maria,pleasebriefouraudienceaboutyourselfand yourprofessionaljourneyaswellasyourbusiness endeavorssofar.Whatinspiredyoutostepintothefield ofpresenceandinspiredleadershipcoaching?

Myprofessionaljourneystartedinthemarketingofservices field,whereIworkedforleadinginternationalcompanies andheldseniormanagementroles.Eachofthecompanies I'veworkedfortaughtmesomethingdifferentandhelped meevolveandbecomethepersonIamtoday

However,sincethebeginningofmycareer,myvisionhas beentocreatesomethingofmyown.Iwantedtoexperience thethrillofstartingsomethingfromscratchandtheagony ofmakingitworkandgrow

Thisledmetostartmyfirstbusinessintheevent managementsectorin2006andco-foundingM.S.C. MarketingBureauin2019.Sincethebeginningofmy career,Ihavebeenworkingwithprofessionalspeakers, authors,andconsultants.

We know what our clients' audience wants, what works and what doesn't, and as a result, we deliver on our promises.

Maria Papacosta Co-founder M.S.C. Marketing Bureau Ltd

Initially,asaclientinvitingthematourcompany conferences,laterasaspeakeragent(myfirstcompany representedoneofthetopspeakerbureausinmorethan20 countries),andeventuallyasaspeakermanagerand 'presenceandinspiredleadershipcoach.

Ithinkthatonethingledtoanotherinaverynaturalflow

Workingwithallthesewonderfulthoughtleadersand dynamicpersonalities,Irealizedthatalthoughtheyhad tremendousknowledge,uniqueinsights,andoriginalityof thought,inmostcasestheycouldnotcommunicatethese ideaseffectivelyandmakeanimpact.

Thisrealizationledmetostudyandresearchtheareasof presenceandinspiredleadership.Howcansomeonefind his/heruniquevoice?Whatdopeopleneedtohelpthem standoutfromthecrowdandmakeanimpactwhile maintainingtheirauthenticity,values,andintegrity?What makessomepeoplemoreinspirationalthanothers?These weresomeofthequestionsthatbecamemypassionand transformedmycareer.

KindlytellusaboutM.S.C.MarketingBureauandwhat ledyoutoinceptit.

AssoonasIrealizedthatmyinterestwasinhelpingothers standout,mymindstartedfocusingonopportunitiesto workwithindividualsthatneededsuchhelp.

You'dbesurprisedwhattheclarityofpurposecandoto yourlife.Ifyouknowwhatyouwant,thenitisasifyou're programmingandreprogrammingyourselftoachievethat goal.

Youstartaskingtherightquestions,suchas"whatdoIneed todotogetfromheretothere?"andyourfieldofview broadenstohelpyouspotmoreopportunities.So,Istarted workingwithacoupleofprofessionalspeakersandsenior executivestakingsmallstepsatfirst.

Mybusinesspartnersoonrealizedthattohelpothersstand out,itwasn'tjustabouttheirself-development.These peopleneededpracticaltoolsaswell,suchassocialmedia presence,websitedevelopment,andpublicity,tonamea few

ThisledtothecreationoftheM.S.C.MarketingBureau, whereourmissionistohelpprofessionalsstandoutand makeanimpactbynurturingtheirauthenticleadershipand buildingtheirbrandvoice.

Wehelpourclientsachievetheirgoalsbyofferingthemthe wholearrayofservicesandtoolsthattheyneedintheir journey.

Whatkindofservicesandspecializedofferingsdoyou facilitatetoyourclients?WhataretheU.S.P.(s)ofyour company?

Wetakeprideinbeingdifferentanddoingthingsourway. Ifyou'retryingtofitinyou'llendupcopyingwhatothers arealreadydoing.Wearecurious,setonanongoing journeyofrediscoveringourselves,learning,andrelearning toearnthetitleoftrustedadvisorsbyourclients.

Butaboveall,we'reveryselectivewiththeclientswework with.Thevastmajorityofpeoplewillneverbewillingto makethesacrificesrequiredtoreachtheirprofessional goals.Weworkwiththeonesthatarecommittedtotheir goalsandunderstandthehardworkinvolvedtoeventually standoutandmakeanimpact.

Thisapproachhasledustobecomealeadingboutiquefirm thathasreceivednumerousrecognitionssinceourfirstyear ofexistence.

Besidesourcorephilosophy,Itrulybelievethatitisthe levelofexpertisethathashelpedusdifferentiateandgrow insuchashortamountoftime.

Weareveryfocusedonourmicro-niche,andthisgivesus tremendousknow-howandcompetitiveadvantage.Togive anexample,therearenumerouscompaniesbuilding websitesintheworld,butwe'retheonlycompanythat buildswebsitesonlyforprofessionalspeakers,consultants, andauthors.

Thisistheareawe'reexpertsin,andbyfocusingour expertiseonsuchanichemarket,wegrowstrongerand moreexperiencedexponentially Weknowwhatourclients' audiencewants,whatworksandwhatdoesn't,andasa result,wedeliveronourpromises.

Ourservicesincludespeakermanagement,presence coaching,visioncoachingandtraining,presentationskills coaching,inspiredleadershipcoaching,personalbranding, websitedevelopment,andSEOoptimization,socialmedia managementandcontentcreation,ghost-writing,publicity andexposuremanagement,bookediting,booklaunch strategyplanning,storytellingcoaching,andprofessional servicesbranding.

Beinganexperiencedleader,sharewithusyouropinion onhowtheadoptionofmoderntechnologieslikeA.I., ML,andX.R.inthemarketingandadvertisingindustry hastransformedtheindustryandwhatmorecouldbe expectedsoon?

Technologyhastransformedmarketingandadvertisingin numerousways.Marketingcampaignsaremore personalizedandimmersiveforpeopleandecosystemsare moreintegratedandtargetedformarketers,tonameafew.

Butit'snotjusttheinteractionbetweenbrandsandpeople thataretransforming.Theadoptionofnewtechnologiesis alteringthecompanies'infrastructureasawhole,makingan integratedimpactontheconsumer.It'snotaboutmarketing oradvertisingdepartmentsanymore.

Thefuturewillbeabouthoweachdepartmentbecomesa well-oiledcogthatfunctionsinsynchronyandaboutthe otherwell-oiledcompanycogstoofferaholisticcustomer experience.Thistransformationwillbreakdownsilosand willgiveroomforfurtherinnovationandcreativity, pro-activeandreactivestrategies,andevenaredesignin workprocesses.

EnlightenusonhowM.S.C.MarketingBureauhas madeanimpactinthebrandawarenessspacethrough itsstrongholdintheindustry.

Brandtrustiseverything.Iamafirmbelieverthatloyalty canbebought,buttrustcanonlybebuilt.Althoughbrand awarenesshelpsestablishbrandtrust,it'snotenoughonits own.

Therefore,ourapproachincommunicatingourbrandis slightlydifferentthantheusualones.Ourfocussincethe beginninghasbeenonbuildinglong-termrelationships withourclients.

Ournumberonepriorityistobecometheirtrustedadvisors. Oncethisisachieved,thentheseclientsbecomeyour companyambassadorsanddevelopyourbrand'sawareness foryou.

Theinterestingthinghereisthatcustomerswillalways trustothercustomersmorethantheserviceproviders themselves.So,foranyonetryingtobuildorincreasetheir brand'sawareness,Iwouldstronglyadvisetofirstfocuson theirclients.

Thisapproachhasledustoreceivenumerousrecognitions, suchasranking2ndintheWorld'sBestBrandDevelopment Programsfor2022byGlobalGurus(movingupfrom#7in 2021).

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothemarketingand advertisingindustries?

Myadvicewouldbetoknowthemselvesandhaveaclear vision-knowtheirpurpose.Self-awarenessiscritical,and veryfewpeoplepayattentiontodiscoveringwhotheytruly are.Mosttendtoeitheroverestimateorunderestimate themselves.

Butifyoutrulyknowyourstrengths(andyourteam's),then andonlythencanyoucapitalizeonthem.Similarly,if you'rehonestaboutyourweaknesses(andyourteam's), thenyoucanturnthemintoopportunitiesfordevelopment.

Wheredoyouenvisionyourselftobeinthelongrun, andhowdoyouplanonscalingyourcompanyinthe future?

Inthelongrun,wewouldliketodevelopourpeoplefurther andgrowasateaminordertodesignmoreinnovative solutionsforourclients.

Personally,Iwouldliketodevotesomeofmytimeto empoweringothers,especiallythosewhocannotaffordor donothaveaccesstoeducationanddevelopmentprograms and,asaresult(amongotherfactors)faceamajorbarrierto theireconomicdevelopment,inequality,andofcourse riskingtheirwell-being.

Lee

Founder and CEO

Michele Lee Malo

Transforming Dreams Into Reality!

Hittingtheroads,COVID-19haschangedalotover thelastfewyears.Theworldhaswitnessedserial lockdowns,changingpeople'slivestectonically

Reconsideringtheircareerpathsandlifegoalsduetoan "anythingcanhappen"mindset,millionsofpeople worldwideresignedin2021topursuemoreadventurous andflexiblecareerpaths.

Weallknowthatlifeisallaboutchange.Still,whenweare makingchangesinourprofessionalorpersonallives,we mustconsultwithpeoplewhohavesuccessfullyovercome lifechallengesandarethrivingsuccessfullyintheirlives. Changingpeople'slivesusinghercareerandlifeexperience isMicheleLeeMalo,Founder,andCEOofMicheleLee MaloConsulting.

Oncethoughtofherselfasa"self-imposedsickperson," Michelewentthroughmanydifficulties.Butthenshe decidedtofightagainsttheselimitations,spearheadingthe wheelofchange.Usingherfreshlyfoundvictory,wisdom, and20+yearsofcorporateexperiencewithFortune500 companies,Michelehascarvedouthersuccessful10-year entrepreneurialjourney.Sheputherselfforthasareal successstorybeforeeveryoneanddecidedtogivereal experience-basedconsultingtothosewhowanttomake changesintheirrespectivelivesandcareerpaths.

Inaninterviewwith Insights Success,Michelesharedher entrepreneurialjourneywhileeducatingabouttheMichele LeeMaloConsultingPlatformanditsofferings,helping

manyindividualseffectivelytransformtheirpersonaland professionallives.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Michele,youarewidelyregardedas'The Change CEO'. Pleasegiveusabriefoverviewofyourinspiring personalandprofessionaljourneysofar.Whatwasyour inspirationbehindstartingbehindMicheleLeeMalo Consulting?

Iwasthesickest28-year-oldyouwouldhaveevermet,selfimposedsick.Ithrewoutmybackgettingoutofbed.How doesthathappen?Ithappenswhenyour5'5"framecannot support310lbs.Ihadtocallintoworkfat.AsIgotmylife backandlost170lbs,IdecidedIwasdonemakingmy bossesrichandmissingoutonfamilyandfriends.

IknewtheweightlossstruggleandknewIcouldhelp motivateothers.Ileftmycorporatecareer,whichspanned over20years,workingwithamazingcompaniessuchas Kraft,Kellogg's,andBarilla,tobecomeapersonaltrainer tohelpothersgettheirhealthback.

Afterworkingwithclientsthatgenerallycamefrompeers,I wasspendingmoretimehelpingwithcareerchange, businessstrategy,andhealth.Iexpandedmypracticeto includetransitioncoachingandbusinesslaunches.

Seeingmyclientsmakechangesanddealwiththehard stuffmakesmyhearthappy.Istandinapositionofpower, passion,andprofit

Tellusmoreaboutyourenterprise,itsvision,andthe keyaspectsofitsstrongholdinthebusinessandbrand developmentspace?

Overthepastcoupleofyears,manyofushavebeendealt somehardblows,fromsicknesstolosingjobsoreven businesses.Itisalsothetimetolookatthisasablessingor gift.

Nowisthetimeforreinvention,achancetochangethepath infrontofyou—anopportunitytofollowyourpassionand redefineyournextchapter Theoldrugwastatteredand torn,stainedbutcomfortableandsafe.

Iwanttobethepersonwhohelpsyoubuythatnew rug—walkingsidebysidewithyoutorediscoverallyour passionsandtohelpyoudefineyourpurpose.Youhave

If the rug gets pulled out from under you, buy a new rug.

skillsthataretransferable,brandable,andviable.Itistime tostepintoyourgreatness.

Whatarethedistinctofferingsofyourcompanythatare makinganimpactonyourclients?

ThefollowingarethedistinctofferingsofMicheleLee MaloConsulting:

· ProfessionalBrandingMenu

· ResumeandCoverLetterDevelopment

Ifyouarelookingforcareeradvancementorlookingto followyourpassion,itisimperativethatyoureposition yourskillsandyourtransferableskillssoyoucanfindyour dreamjob.Plus,youneedtogetpastthedreadedATS system.

Wewilldoadeepdivetogettotherootofyourpassions andskills,andthenIwillrewriteyourresumeandcover lettertogetyourfootinthedoor.Thisisonlystepone.

· SocialMediaMenu

· LinkedInOptimization

Inourelectronicworld,socialmediapresenceiskeyto buildingyourpersonalbrand.Thisiscrucialtobuildingup credibilityandtrust.Socialproofbacksupyourexperience. Iwilldoafullauditofyoursocialmediatoensureitisin linewithyourpersonalbrandmessaging.Iwillalsodoa fullauditofyourLinkedInprofileandoptimizeitbasedon yourgoalstopromoteprofileviewsandpositionitasa powerfultoolforyourjobsearch.

· CommunicationMenu

· InterviewPreparation

Theabilitytoexpressyourselfconfidentlyandsuccinctlyis atopdecidingfactorwhenemployersarelookingtohire.I willtakeyouthroughtheprocessofwritingyourSTAR storiesthatwilltakeyourexperiencesandbreakthemdown intothefollowing:Situation,Tactics,Actions,and Results Youshouldhaveatleast5-7STARstoriesatthe readysoyoucantackleanyinterviewquestion.

· ContentMenu

Yourcontentandmessageneedtobeheard.Youhavea message,butwritingisnotnecessarilysomethingyou enjoy.Iwilltakeoverthewritingofyourcontent,from newsletterstoemailstosocialmediaposts.Takingyour ideasandcreatingimpactfulmarketingmessages.

· PodcastMenu

· SparkingResults

Doyouwantyourmessagetobeheardbyactiontakersand businesstitans?Iamlookingforsuccessfulbusinessleaders tosharetheirsecretofwhatwasthesparkbehindtheir businessandleadershipsuccess.Howareyoulivingyour lifelikeyourhairisonfire?Tellmewhatkeepsthefire goingwithinyouandhowyoucaninspireotherstoignite.

· NetworkingMenu

· MastermindGroup

Yournetworkandwhomyousurroundyourselfwithwill determineyournetworthandsuccess.NapoleonHill showedusin"Think and Grow Rich" thepowerofthe mastermind.IfyouareaCEOorbusinessleaderinthe Phoenixarea,Vistagemembersgrowtheircompanies2.2x fasterthannon-Vistagemembers.In2020,non-Vistage memberrevenuewasreducedby4.7%,whileVistage memberrevenuegrewby4.6%.Iinviteyoutointerview withmetobeapartofmyVistageGroupandgetmore informationathttp://vistage.com/chairs/michele.malo

Pleasetellusaboutyourunique'TheSuccessMenus Program.'Howdotheyhelpinbringingaboutpositive transformationsinthepersonalandprofessionallivesof yourclients?

Iprovideasafeplaceformyclientstodigdeepintowhatis nextfortheminlife.Myproprietaryin-takeprocessgetsto therootofthechangethatisneeded,andthenwecomeup

withacustomizedstrategyandactionplantogetthemto theirnextstageinlife,inhealth,career,oranewbusiness opportunity

Webuildapersonalbrandingplanthatwillenhancetheir professionalandpersonalpersona,designedtoestablisha connectionwiththeirtargetmarketandsphereofinfluence.

Whatisyouropinionontheadoptionofmodern technologieslikeAIandMLinthebrand,business,and personaldevelopmentspace?Howhaveyouintegrated suchtechnologiesinyourbusinessoperations?

Thiswillbethefutureandneedstobeaconsiderationin themarketingmix.Itneedstoberesearchedtomakesureit workswithintheframeworkofthebusinessandisnotdone justbecauseeverybodyisdoingit.

Whatisyourviewonpracticinginclusivityanddiversity attheworkplace?

Diversityandinclusionareimperativetoabusiness's success.Differencesinthinking,race,gender,age,etc.,give lighttodifferentandcreativewaystomakebusinessand corporateculturesuccessfulandprogressive.

Asanestablishedindustryleader,whatwouldbeyour advicetothebuddingentrepreneursandenthusiasts aspiringtoventureintotheprofessionalandpersonal consultancyservicesindustry?

Searchoutthosethathavebeentherebeforeandseektheir counsel.Continuouslearningandself-developmentarenot onlycrucialtomasteringyourcraftbutalsokeepyou relevantinanever-changingworld.Havenofear

HowdoyouenvisionfurtherstrengtheningMichele MaloConsulting'sstrongholdin2022andbeyond?

Therearealotoffunprojectsin2022.Iwillbehelping manyclientswiththeirpersonalbrandingandcareersearch, helpingintherepositioningoftheirskillsetstogetthem thecareertheyhavealwaysdreamedof.

Mynewpodcast,titled"Sparking Results,"willbelaunched soon.Iwillbeinterviewingcorporatego-gettersand entrepreneursastheyunveilthesparkthatlaunchedtheir amazingresults.Mybookistitled,"Do it Anyway Lose 185 Lbs in One Day."

Closing the GenderPay Gap

The'genderpaygap'or'genderwagegap'arguably datesbacktothebeginningsofcivilization.Even so,itprominentlyemergedasanissueofpolitical discussioninthe1860sintheUnitedStates.Sincethen,the struggletomeetthewagegaphasbeenpersistentasmany socialreformistshavetirelesslymadeeffortstobringthe problemtolight,andthecorporatespaceisrecognizingthe same.Severalinitiativeshavebeentakeninthewayto ensureequalpayforequalworksincethestruggletooka headstart.Inthisarticle,wewillexploresomeoftheways inwhichthemovementtoclosethegenderpaygapcanbe givenaboost.

KeepingTransparencyinSharingSalaryInformation

Youcanabsolutelysharepayinformationbecauseitis legallyprotected.Manypeopledonotbelieveit,but accordingtotheDepartmentofLabor,itis.Asaresult,you cancertainlyshareitwithoneanother.Peoplebelievethat moreclaimsofunequalpayarecomingtolightbecause more[women]marriedtomenareworking,andwhenthey workinthesameindustriesoroccupations,theycompare theirpaychecksandnoticethewagedisparity

Thereismoreinformationavailable,andallofthese methodsofsharingyoursalaryontheinternetare extremelybeneficial.Andwhenyou'reupforaraiseor beinghired,youcancheckthosewebsitestoseeifyou're beingofferedsomethingcomparableforyourarea,job,or companysize.

SharingtheWorkloadatHome

Womenincoupleswithchildrenfrequentlytakeabackseat tomeninorderfortheirjobstobemoreabletobeon-call athomeandformen'sjobstobemoreabletobeoncallat work.Womenareoftenseencompromisingtheircareers aftermarriageandhavingkidsbecausethenorminsociety saysthatawomanshouldbetheprimarycaregiverofa child.So,theynotjusthavetoperformintheirprofession butalsohavetobeafull-timecaregivertotheirchild, whichistechnicallyunpaidlabor.Itisonlyfairforcouples withkidstosharetheworkloadathomeandsupporteach otherintheirrespectivecareers.

SturdierSocialInsurance

Paidfamilyleave;increasedpublicsubsidiesforthecareof children,thesickandspecially-abled,andtheelderly; legislationtodecreasepenaltiesforpart-timework;changes totheperiodoftheschooldayandschoolvacations; decreasedtuitionandfeesatpublicuniversities;and MedicareforAll.

Sure,allthesepolicieswouldcosttaxpayersmoney,but theywouldalsocutdownout-of-pocketexpensesformost families.Becausealmosteveryoneisatriskofneeding assistanceforthemselvesoralovedoneatsomepointin theirlives,socialinsurancebenefitseveryone.

IncreasingtheMinimumWage

Thisisanimportantstepthatneedstobetakentoward closingthegenderwagegapbecause,accordingtoseveral surveys,morewomenareemployedatthatlevelthanmen, andtheunwillingnesstoraisetheminimumwageistaking atollonwomen.

BeingAwareoftheLaw

Morewomenneedtobeawareofthelawsthatexist exclusivelytotackletheproblemofthegenderwagegap. Ifyou'reawomanworkingatanorganizationandyou noticethatyourmalecounterpartisgettingpaidmorefor thesameworkthatyou'redoing,youcanraiseaformal complaintaboutitbeforegoingtothelaw.Ifthe organizationfailstoacknowledgethedisparityand continuestopayyouless,takethehelpofthelawtoclaim yourequalshare.

FormulatingBetterStructurestoSupportCaregiving

Anotherstepnecessarytoclosethegenderwagegapisthat societyneedstohavebetterstructurestosupport caregiversandcaregiving.Theresponsibilitytotakecare ofayoungonealmostalwaysentirelyfallsuponawoman, beitaworkingwomanorastay-at-homemother This makesitdifficultforthewomantoexcelandprogressin hercareer.Morecommunitycarecentersshouldbein placetoassistworkingwomenintakingcareoftheir children.Thiswillensurethey'renotburntoutworkingfull timebothathomeandatwork.

TheBottomLine

Asaresultofthecontinuousstruggletomeetthegender wagegap,theworldhasmadesomeslowbutremarkable progressinthedirectionofachievingsocialequity.There stillneedstobeastrongerpushinthesamedirectionto ensurethatthegapisclosedbeforetheeconomistshave predictedittobeclosed.Thiswillnotonlyhelpempower womenbutalsofostertheinclusionofdiversetalentinany givenorganization.

- Shrutika Khedekar

An

Women-representing49.58%oftheworld population-arethemostbeautifulcreationof theUniverseonthisplanet.

Thepresentistheeraofwomenempowerment,andgender equalityisoneofthemostsignificantfundamentalhuman rightsforapeaceful,prosperous,andsustainableworld.

Today,womenarebringingaboutchangeintheworld throughtheirbrilliantperformancesinscience-tech, innovation,research,anddevelopment.Theyhaveemerged asinspirationalleaderstoallwiththeirremarkable leadershipapproach.

Leadershipisartwithgreatresponsibility Avisionary leaderalwaysunderstandsthedemandforanorganizational goalandcanacceptthechallengesandcounterthemina particulardirection,calledsuccess.

Today,successfulwomenleadersaresettingmilestonesand benchmarksofsuccessbybreakingthehegemony,setting remarkablehistorybyovercomingthechallenges,and takingtheorganizationontopofthesuccessladder

OnesuchinspiringandtalentedfemaleleaderisStefanie Rollins,whohasapassionforproblem-solvingofanykind foranysituationandencouragingothersaswelltobring changesintheirlives.

Sheunderstandsthethesupplychainindustry'sdemands, andhence,shehasbuiltcustomizedprocessesfromthe groundup,balancingcustomerandbusinessneeds,and heavilyfocusedonproblem-solving.

HerfirmSnapFulfilisalsosettinganewmilestoneinthis direction.SnapFulfilisrecognizedasthemostadaptable andscalableTier1warehousemanagementsystem(WMS) inthemarket,offeringfasterimplementationevenremotely duringthepandemicacrossmultiplesitesandlocations.

Inanexclusiveinterview,StefanieRollins,Chief OperatingOfficer,sheds lightonthecompany'sjourney, itsservices,andhervisionforthefuture.

Stefanie,pleasegiveusabriefoverviewofyourjourney astheCOOofSnapFulfil.

IstartedinSupport20+yearsagoandrosethroughthe company.Ihavebeenatester,supportagent,sales consultant,projectmanager,accountmanager,and implementer–soIamuniquelyplacedtoknowallthe areasInowrun. Ibuiltcustomizedprocessesfromthe

I built customized processes from the ground up, balancing customer and business needs, and am heavily focused on problemsolving.

groundup,balancingcustomerandbusinessneeds,andam heavilyfocusedonproblem-solving–itiswiredin,I cannothelpit. Iamalsopassionateaboutworkable processes,efficiency,andcontinuousimprovement–why wouldwecarryonbangingourheadagainstthatbrickwall whenwecanchangesomethingforthebetter?Ihavealso implementedseveralinnovativeprojectsandgrownthe servicedeskintothreedifferentteamstomanagecustomer requirements.Twoyearsago,Itookoverleadershipofthe UKImplementationsteamaswepioneeredremote onboardingthattangiblysavesclientstime,money,and resource.

TellusmoreaboutSnapFulfilandthedistinctofferings thatmakeitstandoutinthecutthroatmarket.

SnapFulfilisincreasinglyacknowledgedasthemost adaptableandscalableTier1WMSonthemarket.Itoffers fastimplementation–deployablein45-60daysorlessand evenremotelyduringthepandemic,acrossmultiplesites andlocations.Italsoimprovesefficiencyandproductivity byupto30percent,guaranteeingarapidROIforthose withambitionstooperateeffectivelyintheburgeoning eCommercespace.Bymeetingever-evolvingcustomer servicedemandsandinnovationsthattheestablished retailersarerepeatedlyintroducing,SnapFulfilhasthe capacitytoseamlesslyadaptandevolve.

SnapFulfilisaperfectexampleofaproductthatisinthe rightplaceattherighttime.Ourwholeethosisbasedon empoweringuserstoconfiguretheirsystemsinlinewith evolvingdemands.Thesuddenaccelerationintheshift frombricksandmortarretailtoe-commercehascaught manybusinessesoffguard.Theirchallengenowistohave thebraveryandforesighttoinvestinthefuture.

Whatarethecoreleadershipvaluesthathelpedyour teamgrowandachievesuccess?

Itisimportanttounderstandthatleadershipbringsgreat responsibility,notjusttoyourcompany,buttothepersonal livesandfamiliesofthepeoplewhoworkforyou. We cannotassumethatagoodmanagerisagoodleader,asthey arenotthesamething.Leadersinspirepeoplethatwantto followthem.

Forme,itisabouttotaltrust,beingopenwitheachotheron limitations,andfeelingsafetochallengethestatusquo.I workwithsomefantasticleaders,andwedon'tjusthearwelisten.Welearnhowsomeonethinksandliftthemupto shinewhenthetimeisright.Butweprotectthemwhenthey makeamistakebecausenoneofusareperfect.

Wealsopickthemupwhentheyfallandpaycloseattention toknowtherighttimetohelpthemgetbackonthepath. Havingbuiltthebond,wenaturallyrecognizewhen somethingiswrongandcanbetheretosupportthemwhen theyneedit.Thisishowwedeveloptrust;itisan evolution;youcannotswitchiton-itgrows.

Myteamisempoweredtochallengethestatusquo,soitis notabout'we'vealwaysdoneitlikethat'atSnapFulfil.Ifit

isstillrightthengreat,butifitisnot.lettheinnovation sparkandgrowbecauseitbreedsenthusiasm.Alwayslook forandthenusethetalentsinyourteamyouneverknew youhadandarriveatbettersolutions.

Ilovemyrole–therearesomanybrilliantmindstonurture andgrow,andinreturn,myteamteachesmesomething newallthetime. Afterall,50mindsarebetterthanone mindinisolationcouldeverbe-andifyoucanleadthem alltopullinthesamedirection,howpowerfulthatcanbe!

Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononhow theadoptionofmoderntechnologiesisimpactingthe logisticsandwarehousemanagementindustryandhow isSnapFulfilridingthetechnologywave?

Thereissomeresistance,Ithinktherearealotofscared peopleoutthere,frightenedthattheirjobswillbetaken awaybyrobotsandtechnologythattheydonotunderstand. Butwhencarscamealong,peoplewerenotstoppedfrom walking;itwasjusteasiertogetsomewherefaster,with lesseffort,carryingmorethings–andpeoplestillwalk! ThatishowIseetechnologyinWarehouseManagement Systems(WMS)evolvingtoo.

Ourpendingautonomousmobilerobot,SnapCart,isagood exampleofthisbecauseit'clusters'warehousepicksand createsthemostefficientroutetominimizethetraveltime andthenumberofpicklocationsvisited.Thismakesthe stafffarmoreproductive.

Digitaltechnologyisfastimprovingthespeedand uniformityatwhichwedosomethings,butwestilluse peopletomakedecisionsandperformcertaintasks. Plus, logisticsleaderswhocommunicateproperlyandprepare theirteamforthechangeshappeningtohelpthem,gainlots morebuy-infromtheirteam.

Whatweretheinitialchallengesthatyourorganization hadtosurpassandwhatarethechallengesnow?

Oneofourmainchallengeshasbeentacklingthegoliaths thatusedtodominatetheWMSspace.Potentialnew customerslikedusandwereblownawaybyourproduct, butconvincingthemtomoveawayfromalegacysystem waslong.Wenowhaveseverallong-standingmajor multinationalcustomerswhodidjustthatandaredelighted withtheresults.

Thedaysofslowandinflexibleon-premisessystemsand largeERPplatformsdominatingwarehousemanagement areover. Likeeveryotherindustry,customerscanvote withtheirfeetbecausemovingelsewhereisnolonger difficult.Ifasupplierisnotdoingagoodenoughjob,itis easyforacustomertochange-andtheyprobablywill.

Whatwouldbeyouradvicetotheaspirantswhoare willingtoventureintothelogisticsandwarehouse managementindustry?

Warehousingisnowanopportunitytogetinvolvedinjust aboutanythingyoulike,butgoodsystemsandautomated processesenableyoutokeepitmanageableifyoutake babystepsfirst.Despitetheplethoraofoptionsoutthere,

don'tbetemptedtotakethemostcomplicatedonejust becauseyoucan.

ThebestrunwarehousesIhaveseenhavesimplicityat heartandyoucanstillprovideexcellentcustomerservice runningyourbusinessonsimplestandardizedprocesses,so thatyourteamgetschancetoreallyfocusontheexceptions thatdelight.

HowdoyouenvisionscalingSnapFulfil'soperationsin 2022andbeyond?

Wewillcontinuetoembracechange-lookingfornew solutionstoourcustomers'problemsandnewtechnologies toimproveourefficiency Wewillcontinuetohire, bringinginnewvoices,newideas,andnewexperiencesto growourknowledgeandteam.

Pleasegiveusafewtestimonialsofyour clients/customersandalistofawards/recognitionsthat accuratelyhighlightyourorganization'spositioninthe market.

SnapFulfilWMSishelpingtopowerforwardanautomotive salvagespecialist'sambitiousfive-yeargrowthplan,which ispredictedtoboostturnoverto£1/4billion.CharlesTrent Ltd,basedinPoole,Dorset,isaleadingUKcarrecycling company,withathrivingonlinepartsbusiness,buttheir labor-intensiveandunreliablepaperpickingprocesswas notgearedupforquickexpansion.

Havinginvested£4millioninanew30,000sqft distributioncenterlastyear,theywantedanarchitecturally robust,highlyflexible,andeasilyconfigurableWMSaspart ofthedigitalinfrastructure. Theirhigh-techoperationhas beeninfluencedbyAmazonandistheonlyoneofitskind, whereyoucansourceaparticularpartonlineandhaveit deliveredthenextday

Despitetheongoingpandemicchallenges,SnapFulfilWMS hasbeenabletodrivehighlyaccuratestorage,putaway, picking,andpackingviatheRFscannersandmassively improvevisibilityforallpartiesacrossuniqueanddiverse productranges.Theyarenowabletooptimizeorderand returnaccuracywithSnapFulfil–andfulltraceabilityisa realbenefitinsuchavariablebusiness.Theygearedup from60,000to100,000+'green'recycledproducts processedinandoutduring2021,withforecastsof170,000 in2022.

Tuuli Pärenson CEO Gofore Estonia

TuuliPärenson

Empowering Businesses with Digital Transformation

Confuciusoncesaid, "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." Thisquote aptlydefinesTuuliPärenson,whoisresponsible fornumerouschangesleadingagileandleanprinciples.By undertakingtheactofnottakingoneselftooseriously,she conqueredoneofthemostdifficultobstaclesinherearly career

Frombeingondigitaltransformationjourneystobeinga partofnumerouslarge-scalereforms,Tuulihascomealong wayinhercareer.Currently,sheisservingastheCEOof GoforeEstonia,aninternationalsoftwaredevelopmentand consultingcompany.Inthisrole,herultimategoalistosee hercustomersflourishintheirbusinesses.

Tuulitakesonissueshead-onandmakesachange.At Gofore,sheisresponsibleforinternationalbusiness developmentwiththegoalofcreatingamoreethicaldigital environment.Currently,Tuuliisleadingthesubsidiary locatedinEstonia,butonadailybasis,herteamworksasa crewwiththeGoforegroup.

WeatInsightsSuccesscaughtupwithTuuliinour endeavortofind"TopInspiringWomenLeaderstoWatch" tolearnmoreaboutherjourneyandhowsheisdrivinga transformativechangeintheITsectorwithherexpertise.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

We believe in working together with our customers to help them achieve their goals.

Enlightenusonhowyourdiverseskillsetandexperience indifferentfieldshavehelpedGoforetoflourish.

IjoinedGoforeabout3yearsagotosupportGoforeonits internationaljourney.Ihavealongexperienceindriving changeandIT-relatedchangesindifferentcorporateand publicsectororganisations.Forexample,Iusedtoworkas adirectorofdevelopmentinthebankingsectorwhen Estoniatooktheeurointouse.Iledthechangeofreplacing thedataexchangesolution,thatwasusedbyallgovernment organisations.Ihelpedoneofthebiggest telecommunicationcompaniesinEstonia(Telia)improve businessagilitythroughleadingthedigitaltransformation.

Attheendoftheday,allchangesareaboutpeopleand helpingbuildapieceofsharedknowledge,whyarewe changingatall.NomatterifthesechangesareaboutGofore orhelpingourcustomerstotakethedigitaltransformation path.

Tellusmoreaboutyourcompanyitsvisionandthekey aspectsofitsstrongholdintheITservicesspace. Goforeisledbyagileandleanprinciples,andwetruly believeinthem.Webelieveinworkingtogetherwithour customerstohelpthemachievetheirgoals.Thatiswhywe haveconsciouslydecidedtobeapure-playconsultancy. Whenweoffermanagementadvisoryservices,thenthe consultancyapproachisprobablynosurprise.

Whathassurprisedsomeofourcustomersisthatweapply thesameprinciplestoeverythingwedo:mayitbethetask inthefieldofsecurity,data,design,orcoding.Ourexperts workhandinhandwithourcustomerstomakesure,that wefocusonwhatisimportant,andmakethedecisionsthat arebestforthespecificcustomer Weareproudthatinthe 2021customersurvey,ournetpromoterscorewas54.That issignificantlyhigherthanthemarketaverage.

Wetrulybelievethatisequallyimportanthowwedo things,notonlywhatwedo.Anditisimportanttoalsohelp ourcustomersgrowthecompetenciesandcapabilitiesthat theyneedtooperateinthechangingenvironment.Wecan dothatthroughdedicatedpiecesoftraining,butwealsodo itaspartofourdailywork–throughdiscussionsthathelp usmakethebestchoicestogetherandhelpourcustomersto understandwhywearepreferringoneoptionoveranother

ConsideringtheexampleoftheCOVID-19pandemic, howdoyouplantonavigatethroughsimilarsituations inthefuture?Whateffortsdidyoutakeduringthe pandemictosustainoperationsandensurethesafetyof yourteamatthesametime?

Wearetheleadingdigitaltransformationconsultancyand thereforewewerepreparedfortheworkinthedigital environmentonly.Wedidnotneedtoinventanythingasall thesystems,solutions,andworkingmethodswereinplace before.Wewerehappytosee,thatthesameappliedtoour long-termcustomers.Wehadpreparedtogetherforthe digitalera,evenifwehadnothopedittotakeoveralmost everything.

Asourcustomerswerewellprepared,thenwecouldafford tofocusonwhatwebelievemattersthemost.Itisthewellbeingofourexpertsandstayingmentallyhealthywhen workingremotely.

Pleaseshareyouropiniononhowtheadoptionof moderntechnologieslikeAIandMLisimpactingtheIT industryandhowisGoforeridingthetechnologywave?

Oneofthemostimportantaspectsofanagileandlean organizationisorganizingaroundvalue.Thatiswhatwe believeourselvesandthatiswhatwerecommendtoour customers.Nosolutionshouldeverstartfromselectingthe technology Thestartingpointfordesigninganysolutionis understandingthechallengethatweorourcustomershave andthenselectthebesttools.

Forus,asaconsultancy,itisofcourseimportanttobe awareofthemodernandemergingtechnologiesandmake

sureourexpertshavechancestolearnandexperimentwith themtobeabletohelpourcustomersmaketheright decisions.

Asanestablishedindustryleader,whatwouldbeyour advicetothebuddingentrepreneursandenthusiasts aspiringtoventureintotheITindustry?

IdonotliketotalkabouttheITindustry.Wedonottalk aboutmanagementorleadershipindustry,dowe? OrganisationsneedITastheyneedleadershipor accounting.Thesefunctionsareconstantlyneeded,and expertsareconstantlyneeded.

Thinkofitasaspooninthemovie"Matrix",wherethe Buddhistboysaid: "Do not try and bend the spoon, that's impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth… there is no spoon. Then you'll see that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself."

HowdoyouenvisionfurtherstrengtheningGofore's strongholdin2022andbeyond?

GoforeremainstobethebestpartnerinICTfor organisationswhobelieveinorganisingaroundvalueand wanttoimprovetheirbusinessagility.Ourstrongholdhas been,is,andwillbeourcustomer'ssuccess.

Pleasegiveusafewtestimonialsofyour clients/customersandalistofawards/recognitionsthat accuratelyhighlightyourorganization'spositioninthe market.

Icanshareonlytheremarquesthatareagreedtobeshared alsothroughourwebsite.Althoughwepartnerwithour customersforyears,thentherecanbesmallerprojects withinthecooperation.Wedohavealotofexperiencewith thepublicsectorinEuropeandworldwideindustries,but alsowithstart-ups.

Thebestpraiseforusiswhenweseeourcustomers succeedintheirbusiness.Ithinkthattheinnovation managerofelectricitydistributioncompanyCarunaMika Suomihassummarizeditverywell:"The number one thing was that the people from Gofore were not afraid to tell us if they thought our ideas were bad."