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What do you currently identify as the major areas of investment in your industry ?
Sustainability and reducing energy costs is a top priority . With industrial power costs escalating and energy security still a big issue , there is an increased focus on bringing bills down and also a realignment with net zero goals . In telecoms , 5G is another focus . We are working with network providers like Nokia and Ericsson to help them deliver 5G networks . We ’ re prioritising these partnerships to foster innovation within the market . By working together , we can find the most efficient ways to integrate emerging technologies that support 5G ’ s roll-out .
Heavy research and development investment is also going into electric vehicles ( EV ) and the technology required for retaining power in their battery management systems ( BMS ). This is a major focus for Analog Devices , and we are developing BMS that closely monitor , control and distribute the reliable charge and discharge of EV batteries .
If you could go back and change one career decision , what would it be ?
My progression into management could have been faster . If I had asked for more mentoring and advocacy support within the organisations where I spent the earlier part of my career , I could have stepped up with confidence sooner . My husband tells me I would have advanced to C-suite level 10 years sooner if I ’ d been a man , and part of me agrees .
What advice would you offer somebody aspiring to obtain a C-level position in your industry ?
Sponsoring , mentoring and asking for honest feedback can help massively . Be sure to be seen acting on every scrap of advice given and be willing to take a risk . Too often , capable women fail to rise up the ranks because they don ’ t feel ready to make the next move until they have perfected every aspect of their current role . If you wait too long , you will miss opportunities .
Unfortunately , carrying out brilliant work and assuming others will notice isn ’ t enough .
What behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success to , and why ?
I ’ m fearless . You have to be confident and vocal as a female leader in sectors like IT and automotive , and I have been able to develop that behaviour through sheer determination and drive . I ’ m not deterred by minor setbacks . I firmly believe aspiring leaders need strong role models for this strength of character to bed in , which is why I ’ m so committed to leading by example – supporting , coaching and mentoring others .
What changes to your job role have you seen in the last year and how do you see these developing in the next 12 months ?
At Analog Devices , we are focusing on tighter collaboration as a means of breaking up silos and working more efficiently and purposefully . I ’ ll be collaborating very closely with the solutions team and the ecosystem team to create human communities focused on key topics in EMEA , such as sustainability and energy security .
In the next year , a lot of effort will be going into monetising our latest software innovations and commercialising AI and Machine Learning capabilities . My division ( EMEA ) is now worth US $ 13 billion and is equivalent to a quarter of the business . With a target to increase annual revenue by US $ 5 billion by 2027 , it ’ s incredibly important to have the right team of passionately engaged sales and marketing professionals to grow new business and up-sell to existing clients on a massive scale . Of course , this ambitious growth journey means we are hiring . We are hiring more than 30 roles within EMEA now .
People are excited about our journey , and without them , those essential sales and profits will not be forthcoming . So , a personal focus for me will be to ensure everyone feels valued and empowered to achieve the incredible success we ’ ve envisioned for the business . x
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