International Women’s Day Interview
Why do you think it is important to celebrate International Women’s Day? International Women’s Day is a historical day that we can now appreciate, women didn’t use to have the same right to work and vote, so we should remember the hard journey they went on for the lives and equality we have now in Europe. We should also take time to support and help those places who are not yet as fortunate as us and not be ignorant to the fact that many countries still do not have women’s rights and equality.
I would encourage both men and women to speak up and ensure their opinions and ideology is heard, no question is a bad question. Just enjoy yourself, if you don’t enjoy your job and want to get up and go to work, maybe its not the career for you. Everyone has different goals and values. I have always been confident in my abilities in the work place and personally have never felt any inadequacy with my gender. I understand that some other roles may have more resistance in this area but I would just always say, never doubt yourself even if you find yourself in a male orientated role. This goes for men in women orientated roles too, have confidence in your passion and abilities, ask questions if you are unsure.
Amelia Earhart: First woman to fly solo across the Atlantic and over the next five years continued to break speed and flying records. I feel in my past life this could have been me, If I wasn’t in business I would have been a pilot, I love to travel and am very independent.
What is the most important piece of advice you have been given? If you have enough passion and drive for what you want to do, you will get there. Never be scared to ask questions, no question is a bad question. Don’t be scared to make mistakes, the learning makes you stronger. Seek first to understand, then be understood. The expert was once the beginner, we are all always learning. Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you’ll be able to see further. Don’t live to work, work to live. Work life balance is key.
How can we encourage more women to pursue entrepreneurship or senior leadership roles in their career? It is actually difficult for me to answer this as I see no segmentation myself in men and women in leadership in the UK. I think personal life and the biological reasoning around career development halting due to child birth could affect it. However, I do think there are ways around this now and men and women are being given more opportunity to share this.
“Every day on the news, around a table with powerful men and even at home, it’s insidious and is more prevalent in France than in a lot of other countries. Like a lot of other women, I spent a long time believing that a woman’s only form of power was sexual, an idea which is encouraged by advertising and society, but it’s this type of power comes at the price of a lot of violence towards women.”
“Having created 200 jobs, becoming an independent entrepreneur, and continuing my production in France even though it is more expensive.”
“Yes, when I was first given responsibility, I paid the price for being a woman. I experienced threats, insults and all sorts of violence. One day when I’m brave enough, I’ll write about it.”
“I dreamt of being independent and to have a mans life in a womans body. I became the woman I wanted to be at just 27 years old.”
“The word ‘power’ can have more than just one meaning, one of those is an expression of authority, representing the masculine world, not men themselves, but a patriarchy which is scared to lose power. But there’s a more feminine notion of power, the “possibility of” an almost magical idea like a fairytale. One power suppresses, the other liberates, and right now everyone is concerned with the first and forgets the second.”
Strong mentorship programs help fuel women’s roles in marketing
In this interview, Suzanne Kounkel, Deloitte Consulting CMO, shares guidance and mentorship she’s received and provides advice for women as they progress in their marketing careers.
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is #BalanceforBetter, a reminder of the potential of a gender-balanced world. Across industries, in politics, and in institutions around the globe, women are challenging stereotypes, breaking down barriers, and shaking up the status quo as strong, successful leaders.
In the workplace, many women have attributed their achievements to strong mentorship. Suzanne Kounkel, chief marketing officer, Deloitte Consulting, discusses the power of mentors, the changes transforming the workplace, and guidance for emerging women leaders.
Q: What career advice have you received as a marketing leader that’s been particularly valuable to you?
Suzanne: In my almost 25 years at Deloitte, I have primarily worked in client service, and had many mentors over my career who have made a difference. Those mentors in client service have prepared me for my role in marketing, as they helped me develop a passion for the customer. In my marketing career I think some of the best advice I’ve received is around compassion and empathy. These traits help create a culture of care. They help you understand someone else’s position even when you might disagree. That’s huge when you think about the human relationships I believe we’re responsible for nurturing as CMOs in a period of extraordinary change.
Q: What do the rapid technological, social, and economic changes in the Fourth Industrial Revolution mean for women marketing leaders today?
Suzanne: I think constantly about the human-talent experience and how technology has enabled those areas to come together. The CMO needs to be the voice of the human. And consider the unique combination of leadership traits many women bring to the workplace—like empathy, flexibility, and risk-taking. Then combine those qualities with what Industry 4.0 means today. You have to have the brain and the heart to reach customers today.
Q: How can leaders provide useful mentorship to women to help them advance their careers?
Suzanne: I’ve long believed that part of helping women advance in the workplace is helping them remove any of the barriers that keep them from meeting their potential. People perform better when they can show up with their authentic selves. This month we’re holding the Deloitte International Women’s Day Conference at Deloitte University, for undergraduate students. It’s an opportunity for aspiring female professionals to meet industry leaders and start to build their own personal brand. I want to emphasize this because we’ve done research showing how mentoring can improve skill development in youth, and be as rewarding for the mentors as it is for the mentees. And we’re putting the resources of more than 285,000 Deloitte professionals across the globe into mentoring through programs like WorldClass. An initiative which seeks to prepare 50 million people to be better prepared for the future of work, in-line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Q: Anything else you’d like women to know as they embark on marketing careers?
Suzanne: Relationships are about connections, and trust and communication. But there’s more. I keep going back to the human element. Are you actively listening? Are you contributing to a greater good? But don’t be afraid of taking some risks. And be willing to speak up, to look for advocates. The more people in your corner, the better.
“In my marketing career, I think some of the best advice I’ve received is around compassion and empathy.” Loading content…
Suzanne is a principal in Deloitte Consulting LLP and the chief marketing officer (CMO) of Deloitte. As the leader of Deloitte’s integrated marketing and sales organization, Suzanne challenges her tea… More Did you find this useful?
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FAQ
What should I ask for International women’s day?
- What does IWD mean to you? …
- How would you address the cultural issues that form the background of the gender pay gap? …
- What are the most effective ways to counteract the negative stereotypes of feminism, especially in the workplace?
What is the main reason for women’s day?
What does International women’s day mean to you answers?
