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Automated Intelligence was delighted to celebrate International Women’s Day yesterday, Tuesday 8th March. International Women’s Day is a global day which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year’s theme focuses on ‘breaking the bias,’ which looks at how we can work towards a world free of stereotypes and discrimination that is diverse, equitable and inclusive.
At Automated Intelligence, we’re thrilled to support achievements within our female workforce not just today, but every day. We have a range of roles that are led by women within the organisation ranging from COO, Head of Engineering, Head of Customer Success, HR Manager, Marketing Manager, Product Owner and that’s something we’re proud of.
One of International Women’s Day’s missions is to celebrate digital innovation advancement and champion the women forging innovation through technology. As a software company, we feel we’re leading the way to achieve and deliver on this mission. In the second of our two part series blog, we chat to some of AI’s lead roles within the business to find out a little more on their chosen career paths and how they think the role of women within the technology and software industry has progressed. Take a look at our short interviews from Edyta and Kerry below.
If you’d like to find out further information on Automated Intelligence, contact us today at info@automated-intelligence.com
Edyta, Head of Customer Success
What’s your role in Automated Intelligence?
My role is Head of Customer Success, responsible for heading Delivery and the Managed Services function.
How did you start your role in AI and have progressed / why you wanted to work in IT / software industry?
Simon Cole (CEO) and I started talking about me joining the business with the aim of enhancing the delivery function. (At this stage I had accepted another really appealing offer). After exploring Simon’s plans and speaking to other executives I was attracted by AI’s flexibility, openness, and drive towards innovation. Having been involved in transformation programmes over the years with the responsibility of building scalable and sustainable delivery models, or process optimisation etc. I found technology to be a progress enabler across many industries, it inspires and drives the way for the world to function.
While heading the delivery function I enjoy the opportunity of working across verticals, with many interesting accounts /clients including government bodies and councils such as Swindon, Bexley or Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, as well as great banking and retail providers like Sainsbury’s.
Do you think there’s more of a drive for women to work in IT roles today? Why?
I believe we still broadly deal with a misunderstanding around what IT roles are, one doesn’t need to possess purely technical skills typical for coders, or engineers to start their career in the IT industry.
Technology businesses just like any other require a high variety of skillsets, starting from marketing, through project management to HR experts, those skills ore often transferable. However, IT businesses should still be aware of a significant imbalance between male and female in tech.
Having said that, I am an optimist, I feel that women are more encouraged to join the industry as we realise that it offers more flexible and portable career opportunities with significant benefits. We are also seeing more young women in the apprenticeship programmes that we run here in AI.
Would you encourage women to join the industry or a similar role?
Absolutely yes, I’d encourage everyone, women and men to follow their dreams and aspirations. Regardless of gender or their background, we know that this still is a problem in many regions in the world and we forget sometimes how difficult a road one must go through to even complete education. I’m a big advocate of promoting talent and paving the way for more women to benefit from performing leadership roles. I would like to see more of an inclusive workplace culture to prompt a thought-provoking and forward-thinking dynamic.
I believe businesses should still be doing more to diversify the industry and retain the female demographic, we still see few and far between women in leadership teams, execs positions etc.
Why do you like working in AI?
I have the privilege to collaborate with many driven and dynamic individuals, dedicated to business growth and long term future. Also, acting as a member of the leadership team offers a great opportunity to partake in forming the strategic vision and plan for business development while preserving its culture nourished over the many years.
During interviews conducted by three females, AI COO, HR manager and I, one candidate told us that it’s rare to see three women on high positions running interviews, he felt it was an indicator of a forward thinking, modern company. When we shared this feedback with Simon our CEO, his response was exactly what every talented individual would expect.
Kerry Boden, HR Manager
What’s your role in Automated Intelligence?
My role is HR Manager – running the HR function including recruitment, employee relations, reward and recognition and Learning & Development.
Do you think there’s more of a drive for women to work in IT roles today? Why?
At Automated Intelligence, we have a range of roles both now and in the past led by female’s, including COO, FD, Head of Engineering, Head of Customer Success, Principal Software Developer, Marketing Manager and Senior Consultants. In a relatively small organisation, I think that is something to really be proud of. I know even through recruitment processes previously, having an all-female panel (by virtue of the role being recruited) surprised candidates in a positive way.
Would you encourage women to join the industry or a similar role?
Absolutely. Organisations today, especially tech companies, are becoming much more forward-thinking and changing the way we work from the traditional 9-5 must-be-in-the-office to ‘work where (or how) we work best’. This in itself organically attracts and retains more female employees for the way that work-life balance is met more favourably – tech industries really lead the way in showing how we can work differently to suit the best talent.
Why do you like working in Automated Intelligence?
I like the people and the working relationships I have across the business. I feel heard as an employee and as a manager and as an individual. The flexibility in this role especially over the last couple of years has had a huge positive impact on me mentally during a time when things in the wider world were hugely unpredictable. I love the fact that the CEO wants success for the company and every individual within it, no one is just a number in AI.
