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Women In ERP
Profile Elevation (feat. Em Lovs)
Season 1, Ep. 2
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In the 2nd Episode of WERP, Abi & Steph are discussing social networking. Network Marketing guru Em Lovs joins the panel to advise listeners on how to elevate their online social presence. Learn how to leverage your LinkedIn, ditch the mum guilt and project your personality to increase your online social presence. Steph and Abi explore the immediate impact and future possibilities of personalised ERP systems.
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21. Charting a Path through the Technological Revolution: Stephanie Poore's Inspiring Rise to MD
42:42||Season 2, Ep. 21Join us as we sit down with the remarkable Stephanie Poore, now the MD of IFS, who shares her captivating journey within the ERP industry. Stephanie opens up about the personal and professional hurdles she has overcome and how redundancies led her to an unexpected crossroads between software and pharmaceuticals. Her eclectic background, spanning economics to e-commerce, offers a unique perspective on her rise to success. The panel also delve into the inspiration behind the Women in ERP podcast and how it has been an eye-opener for women's experiences in a predominantly male sector.Listen in as the panel tackle the complex topic of gender diversity in the tech industry. Stephanie, Emma and Abi discuss how growing up in a gender-neutral environment contrasts sharply with the stark realities of the tech world, where the imbalance in gender representation is glaringly apparent. We touch on the power of visible female leaders in shaping the future for aspiring women in tech, debunk the myth of needing a "Prince Charming," and celebrate the significant career milestone of stepping into a managing director role. Our conversation also extends to the importance of a strong company culture and the challenges the ERP industry faces, from AI integration to data security.Wrapping up this insightful discussion, the panel reflected on the pivotal moments and failures that have sculpted their careers. From tales of resilience and adaptability to the transformative influence of supportive relationships, they underscore the profound impact of authentic leadership. Stephanie imparts wisdom for those eyeing leadership roles in ERP, emphasising the necessity of maintaining engaging dialogue and offering actionable insights. Tune in for a thought-provoking episode that not only highlights the challenges within the ERP industry but also offers encouragement and guidance for the next generation of leaders.20. From Business Systems to Body Confidence: Julie Weirs Wellness Journey in a Demanding Industry
35:25||Season 2, Ep. 20Could you strike the perfect balance between a dynamic career and a fulfilling personal life? Julie Weir, the passionate Head of Community Development for the UK and Ireland SAP User Group, is a testament that it's entirely possible! Join us in an enlightening conversation with Julie, where she shares her unique journey into the world of ERP, and how she deftly balances working in a demanding field with her personal commitments.We all need a community that uplifts us, encourages us, and makes us feel seen and heard. The UKISUG does exactly that, particularly for women in the ERP sector who often require a distinct level of support. Hear about the group's commendable initiatives to champion both women and men. Julie also delves into how she fosters diversity and ensures a work-life balance, despite the extensive travel her role entails.Your fitness and body confidence needn't take a backseat while you navigate the challenges of a demanding job. Julie's dedication to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is sure to inspire you. Tune in as we discuss tips on establishing an easy exercise routine, the importance of creating new habits for staying fit, and how to strike the right balance between work, family, and fitness. This final episode of series 2 is a treasure trove of valuable advice and a source of motivation for anyone seeking to thrive in a fast-paced industry.19. The Journey of a Female Leader in ERP: Ann Blakely's Unconventional Path
41:48||Season 2, Ep. 19Raised as the youngest among five siblings in a family with deeply committed parents, particularly a father who transitioned from the priesthood to IT, life was always dynamic. Ann Blakely of Milwaukee, USA, joins us to shed light on how this unique family backdrop paved her path, leading her from the University of Wisconsin to becoming a pivotal figure in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) domain.Ann's passion for creating a profound societal impact shines through in her leadership role in a child welfare information system project in Alaska. This significant undertaking was aimed at enhancing the prospects for at-risk children. While juggling professional demands with parenting her two kids, Ann has adopted the principle of establishing clear boundaries and refraining from guilt for being a working mom. This philosophy has notably shaped her children's ambitions.Currently, as the Managing Partner of Baker Tilly Digital at Baker Tilly, Ann champions the causes of gender diversity and adaptability in work setups. She's a staunch advocate for diverse viewpoints within consulting groups and is on a mission to foster a more inclusive workspace. As our conversation with her unfolds, you'll discover that this episode is not merely a narration of Ann's story but a motivational roadmap for all Women in ERP.18. The Ascent of a Tech Mogul: A Candid Conversation with IFS's COO Michael Ouissi
41:25||Season 2, Ep. 18Join us for an inspiring discussion with our special guest, Michael Ouissi, the Group Chief Operating Officer at IFS. Listen in as he shares his unique journey from growing up as the son of an immigrant in Germany to becoming a leading figure in the tech industry. Hear about the profound impact of his parents' values of hard work and self-determination on his life, and how his early exposure to technology sparked his interest in the field. Michael also reflects on the unconscious bias he faced and the importance of seizing opportunities to create change.Our conversation with Michael takes a fascinating turn as he talks about his tech career transition and his day-to-day role as COO at IFS. Hear about his strategies for navigating challenges, dealing with unconscious bias, and having a seat at the table. Learn about the demanding nature of his customer-facing role that requires discipline to juggle different global time zones. He also sheds light on how IFS Cloud has revolutionized the upgrade experience for customers, turning it into an incremental update process rather than a major release cycle. We discuss the shift in customers' mindset and how IFS Cloud is tailored to meet their unique needs.In the final part of our conversation, Michael takes us through IFS's commitment to promoting gender equality in the workplace. Listen in as he talks about the importance of openness and integration in enterprise architecture, and how IFS Cloud is making it easier for customers to integrate into larger infrastructures. He further examines the inequalities that exist in the workplace, especially in terms of gender and the steps IFS is taking to ensure fair opportunities for everyone. We conclude with a powerful discussion about the need for more diverse teams and the importance of taking the initiative to seize opportunities, both globally and locally.17. Insights into Fostering Women in the Tech World (feat Kate Waterton, EY)
29:31||Season 2, Ep. 17Ever dreamed of a career that encompasses global travel, technology and sociological studies? Meet Kate Waterton, the SAP Alliances Lead and Associate Partner at EY, who has lived this dream and more. From an early life of global travel to a successful career in tech, Kate's journey is a testament to adventurous spirits and the power of adaptability. This episode captures her unique life trajectory, providing a glimpse into her passions for diverse cultures, recruitment, and SAP consulting.Can women truly have it all? This question often comes up in discussions around work-life balance, and Kate Waterton has some powerful insights to share. As a successful professional and mother, she shares her strategies for juggling high-profile alliance roles with motherhood. Reflecting on the influence of both male and female mentors on her career, she provides a candid perspective on this oft-debated mantra. Whether you're a working mother or aspiring to be one, Kate’s insights are nothing short of inspirational.Finally, we talk about promoting women in alliances and careers. With Kate’s involvement in the EY EMEA Women for Alliances Communities, we get an insider’s look at their initiatives to empower women in the field of alliances, providing visibility, role modelling, and a safe space for learning and sharing. We also delve into early development influences, examining how parents and teachers can inspire kids to pursue careers in tech. And if you've ever wondered about the actions taken by such communities to ensure progress, tune in for a robust discussion on this and more. Prepare to be inspired and empowered by Kate's remarkable journey and the exciting opportunities within the tech alliance space.16. Involve in order to to impact, the importance of a workforce lead ESG strategy (feat. Vicki O'Neill-King, Sapphire Systems)
33:48||Season 2, Ep. 16On the sixth episode of Women in ERP series 2. Abi and Steph are joined by an Award winning woman in ERP, Vicki O'Neill-King, COO of Sapphire Systems. The panel discuss inequalities in the workplace and learn how having supportive peers can make all the difference to a successful career trajectory. Vicki tells her tale from being a PMO resource to COO. As a single parent Vicki had worked incredibly hard to build an amazing life for her family, she has broken stigmas whilst breaking the glass ceiling. Vicki has a huge appreciation for the day-to-day challenges women face and has been a driving force behind female centric policies such as a groundbreaking Menopause policy, developed by men and women, that aims to alleviate the business impact when an employee or employees partner is going through the menopause. Vicki's dad clearly had a profound impact on the family as Great Britain's Olympic rowing coach as Vicki tells us all about her competitive family of sisters, all whom are working in ERP. There a certainly a few laughs a long the way as well as some experiential advice for listeners, including the direct correlation between baby Guinness and being barefoot at The CRN Awards... Not one to miss!15. Van life, a home away from home (feat. Kayleigh Brown, IFS Consultant)
28:16||Season 2, Ep. 15On the fifth episode of series 2, Abi and Steph are joined by Kayleigh Brown, an Independent IFS Consultant and Director of KDI Consulting Ltd. The panel discuss project management and working with difficult personalities. They discuss techniques to help deal with trauma in the workplace, such as having a good mentor. Kayleigh hails from the North East and doesn't mince her words, she advises the panel on her experience in the workplace and her success with therapeutic solutions such as the Havening technique. Kayleigh spends large amounts of time on customer sites across the UK and so she devised a solution to take a piece of home away with her, she bought a camper van. Now Kayleigh takes her home with her to wherever she may be working and has found a network of other women on the road supporting and keeping each other safe. The panel discuss the trials and tribulations of being a woman in unfamiliar locations and how best to keep safe. This is such a fun episode, a real inspiring, eye opener and you'll probably end up browsing eBay for a vintage VW camper afterwards...14. LIVE from IFS for International Women's day. #embraceequity (Feat. Emma Chambers, NATS)
49:54||Season 2, Ep. 14For International Womens Day 2023 Abi & Steph hosted a live recording of WERP for Linkedin at the IFS UK Head office. The WERP co-hosts were joined by Emma Chambers, Head of NATS Integrated Business Systems (NIBS), UKISUG Director and co-chair, SAP S/4HANA an Women in SAP SIG's. NATS is the UK's leading provider of air traffic control services. In a typical year pre-Covid, they handle over 2.5 million flights and 250 million passengers traveling over the UK and across the North Atlantic. If you’ve been a passenger on a commercial aircraft flying in UK airspace then it's highly likely that they’ve handled your flight. The panel discusses Emma's journey into ERP and her experience as a female leader in a male dominant field. They explore Emma's initiatives to drive positive change within the ERP community, her personal drivers, and how Emma actively supports and promotes inclusivity and diversity in the workplace.For International Women’s Day this year the theme was Embrace Equity. Equity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have and a focus on gender equity needs to form a part of every society's DNA. The panel will help you to understand the difference between equity and equality. This live Episode is sponsored by leading independent ERP Advisory, Resulting IT.Resulting IT have made a substantial donation to Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust for International Women’s day, the UK’s leading cervical cancer charity.13. Knowing your worth (Feat. Fiona Warburg, Dwr Cymru Welsh Water)
33:54||Season 2, Ep. 13On the third episode of series 2, Abi and Steph are joined by SAP Centre of Excellence Manager, Fiona Warburg from Dwr Cymru, Welsh Water. The panel discuss their experience of gender pay disparity and why it is still an unconscious bias within the industry. Fiona tells the panel how she found her path into ERP, following in her fathers footsteps from Accountancy to coding within SAP. They discuss the trials and tribulations of being a minority and the conscious effort Fiona makes to help to improve the diversity within her own organisation and the wider ERP network. The panel explore the importance of the SAP user group and user groups in general. It's clear that strong networks and having the right support in and outside of work are imperative to career consistency and progression and Fiona places a huge importance on people. Being our first female guest working within SAP, Fiona gives her key tips for effective project management within an SAP project setting, moving to Azure and future planning for S/4 Hana. The highly driven Fiona certainly knows her worth, the importance of equality and the value of the team around her. An episode that truly empowers and makes a leap towards positive change and real impact within the ERP industry by calling out inequality.