August in South Africa is inevitably a month that calls for reflection and introspection on the options facing women for meaningful, career-long employment opportunities.
By Anusha Ramraj, chief financial officer of CCI South Africa
As I reflect on my journey, I am pleased to share some of the key learnings that have shaped my path to leadership.
My entry into the BPO industry wasn’t planned. Despite having a university degree that gave me an advantage, I found myself – like many others – looking for available job opportunities. It was after a prolonged job search that I came across the job of a call centre agent and decided to take it on. Whether you join through an entry-level position or via a different path, I have always maintained that what matters the most is one’s ambition to rise and succeed.
When I began my career in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, there was little representation of women in the sector, let alone women of colour. Thankfully, this landscape has evolved significantly, and today, the sector offers tremendous potential for women looking to build meaningful careers.
Embrace every opportunity
My advice to anyone starting out in their career is to be an active agent in your own future. With a background in law and a passion for business, I was determined to make my mark and whenever possible, I would voice my goals and ambitions to managers and business leaders. But opportunities don’t always come knocking, you must be prepared to seek them out or create them yourself.
If presented with a chance, you should embrace it – take a leap of faith into a new position, try working in different departments, volunteer for projects with unfamiliar and new teams, even if it’s just a short-term project. If the opportunity you desire doesn’t exist, create it by offering ideas to your manager, sharing insights, and taking on additional responsibilities. Every new task is a learning opportunity that might open unexpected doors.
Strive for continuous growth
One way to create opportunities for yourself is to build the skills and capabilities that are required across the business that you’re in. I backed myself and my ambition to climb the corporate ranks with a conscious decision to improve my knowledge base by seizing every chance to learn new skills, master emerging technology and tools, and to take on different roles.
Through determination and proactive learning, I successfully transitioned from my starting point as an outbound sales agent to my senior role today in the organisation. This was not an easy journey. it required considerable effort and countless hours of additional effort and study.
To this day, I continue adding to my qualifications – currently working toward my Governance certification embracing my commitment to lifelong learning.
Take advantage of in-house training programs or company-sponsored education opportunities. Investigate what resources your organisation offers, and whenever there’s a chance to enhance your skills, seize it – even if it means extra hours at day’s end.
Remember that education extends beyond formal qualifications. Read widely. Choose topics that interest you – whether leadership, emerging technologies, or another subject – and become more informed. The internet provides endless opportunities to build expertise with minimal financial investment.
Broadening your knowledge and developing additional skills is never something you’ll regret – it’s critical to continuously upskill yourself in an evolving corporate landscape.
Find the people who will support you
One of my career’s most valuable assets has been the people who have mentored and sponsored me. Connecting with the right individuals can profoundly impact your professional career. Seek out mentors that you admire, who have the skills that you aspire to develop, and who are willing to offer guidance and support to help you to grow. Find and join mentorship programmes and professional groups, build your networks and interact with others who have walked your desired path.
Equally important, is finding sponsors in your business, and be mindful that mentors and sponsors are not one and the same. They serve different functions. Sponsors advocate for you in business settings, recommend you for suitable opportunities and will frequently push you out of your comfort zone.
A good sponsor may challenge you with uncomfortable truths about your performance and tell you things about yourself that are uncomfortable to hear. It is therefore crucial to remain open to critical feedback.
Remind yourself that critical feedback offers you the chance to develop, both as a professional and as a person. I am grateful for the sponsors throughout my career who sometimes recognised potential in me that I didn’t see myself, and who not only encouraged me to grow, but who pushed me to succeed in many new areas.
Be prepared to break stereotypes
In any industry, there are stereotypes and biases in the workplace that must be navigated. By remaining humble, demonstrating perseverance and challenging gender-based limitations, we will create a more tolerant, open and diverse workplace.
I believe that one such stereotype that we need to abandon is the notion of work-life balance. I don’t believe that there is a perfect recipe or flawless formula and based on my own life experiences, I have found it challenging to strike that right balance.
Rather, we should acknowledge that the two are inherently interconnected, with one occasionally taking priority over the other. Family might need to be prioritised when dealing with a sick child, while work may require more focus during major projects or when pursuing promotion opportunities
For me, success comes from maintaining flexible priorities so that you can rise to the occasion where you need it. It’s up to the individual to decide when to step back and when to lean in. Women must own their destiny.
Show up for each other
Nothing disappoints me more than seeing women positioned as competitors. No! When we rise, we rise together. We can have our own dreams and aspirations and still celebrate the wins and successes of our colleagues and compatriots. We diminish ourselves when we fail to find joy and pride in the successes of others.
By recognising and celebrating the achievements of the women in our networks and communities, we perpetuate the practice of lifting others as they rise, fostering an environment of encouragement.
We must also showcase, promote and encourage diversity in the industry, by assuming leadership roles, thereby increasing the visibility of women leaders. Participate in events, speak on panels, share your stories – I believe we have a responsibility to leverage our positions for the benefit of others.
The more that young women see female role models in leadership positions, the more they will believe that such achievements are a possibility for them too.