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08/08/12 | Uncategorized

7 Tips For Accelerating The Rise Of Female Business Executives

From Mojiva’s women executives, tips for success in the world of go-getting business.
By Amy Vale (VP of Global Research and Strategic Communications, Mojiva)

There’s been a lot of conversation around Marissa Mayer’s CEO appointment at Yahoo! Beyond her pregnant status or predictions on performance, one trend seems to be taking root – the glass ceiling is being chipped away at an accelerating pace these days with high profile positions leading the way. But, what about the everyday achievements of women in tech?

Mojiva, a mobile-first global advertising display company offering both a mobile ad network (Mojiva), and a mobile ad-serving platform (Mocean Mobile), is a company that has not one or two, but seven female executives at the helm.

These female executives, including myself, hold senior-level executive roles. We touch all areas of the business including marketing, product management, business development, human resources, operations, finance and sales. We advise and manage client campaigns, lead business development and sales, develop industry-leading research and global marketing strategies, define product development roadmaps, develop and foster corporate culture, manage finances and lead daily operations. Each one of us brings something unique and relevant to the table.

The mantra that I have always held myself to, along with the teams I have led is if you earn your stripes, and build value in everything you deliver to your business, your “stock” will rise regardless of whether you are male or female. It becomes a question of skill, knowledge and expertise, not of gender. I have always looked at it that way and it seems to be a trend that is catching on throughout the business world and especially in tech.

Nevertheless, while we’re all proud of our individual accomplishments, simply pointing to our executive titles is not nearly enough. An open and continuous dialogue on how women execs rise to these roles is where the real breakthrough and changes will begin to really shift the perceptions in the executive-level landscape.

Here are seven tips that may help inspire other women in their paths to success:

Tip #1 – Do the work no one else wants to.

“The most challenging and rewarding work isn’t always the most glamorous. It is, however, the type of work that will set you apart from your colleagues and position you as a team player who is interested in bettering the company, as well as your own professional development.” – Justine Gaeta (VP of Finance, Mojiva)

Tip #2 – Be a problem solver.

“Whatever the problem, identify the areas for improvement, hire the right people and adjust processes to deliver better results from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective. Always have solutions ready before communicating an issue to your peers and team – it’s the fastest way to a resolution and will show your ability to think on your feet. It’s always easy to point out what others are doing wrong, but to provide a solution in the following sentence makes you a real asset.” – Amy Vale (VP of Global Research and Strategic Communications, Mojiva)

Tip #3 – Lend your expertise.

“Spare whatever time you can to help a charitable organization. They often have small budgets; they’re run by small teams. Not only is it a great exercise in collaboration, but it is also a smart way to cultivate new relationships with industry peers and innovators who could very well become your future clients, partners and even fellow panelists, not to mention helping a worthy cause.” – Anna Nguyen (VP of Operations, Mojiva)

Tip #4 – Think outside the box.

“Think outside the box to increase productivity. Even if you don’t sit in a sales position, you still have the power to add to your company’s bottom line. Think of programs or initiatives that will help teams collaborate, focus, and ultimately deliver exceptional work through flexible work environments, health and wellness program, etc.” – Denise Fiore (VP of Human Resources, Mojiva)

Tip #5 – Lead the way.

“Push your employers and personal network to create more positions and start leading the way. Don’t accept the status quo at your company. Look inside your company and see what new positions can be created.” – Carrie Coffee (VP of Sales, West Coast, Mojiva)

Tip #6 – Work with an A+ team that you trust.

:What good is a team if you can’t rely on them if, and when you’re out of the office? Hire people who not only know what they’re doing, but will also ask questions and learn what they don’t know.” – Julie Preis (SVP of Product Management, Mocean Mobile)

Tip #7 – Prioritize your goals.

“Be cognizant of internal and external deadlines. Don’t wait for others to ask you for updates on a project. Be proactive, always.” – Laura Buchman (VP of Business Development, Mojiva)

This is an ongoing dialogue and we invite other execs – both women and men – to join us in sharing their own experiences and tips to help more women rise to the top.

Editor’s note: Got a question for our guest blogger? Leave a message in the comments below.
About the guest blogger: Amy Vale is VP of Global Research and Strategic Communications at Mojiva, a leading global advertising display company. The mobile ad network reaches over 1.1 billion unique devices globally each month. Mocean Mobile, the mobile ad-serving platform, powers mobile revenue opportunities for publishers, developers, ad networks and app stores by giving them the ability to serve display ads to all mobile devices including smartphones and tablets. Follow her on Twitter at @amyvale.

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