4 pieces of advice from Payoneer on International Women’s Day
March 8th 2016 marks International Women’s Day, where women around the world and from all walks of life are commended for their achievements and efforts towards equality.
We reached out to 4 influential women within Payoneer, from a variety of backgrounds, to bring four pieces of business advice to women, from women who have been there and done it. Read on to discover their keys to success…
Melisa: Social Media Team Lead
Q: Every day you communicate with people from different countries and cultures. What is the most important element for women looking to find a ‘common language’ with foreign clients/partners?
Being in constant communication with a global community of professionals from different parts of the world is definitely one of my favorite parts of my job. But, working with men and women from various cultures has taught me a lot about the differences in how we communicate and what that means for our careers.
Body language is the one language we all speak. There are some cultural differences that should be taken into consideration (In America, there is a standard greeting: “Hello, my name is..” with a handshake. In Japan, people bow. In Argentina, people kiss cheeks) however, for women working internationally with many cultures, there are a few important things to remember:
Speak up: If you want to be heard, you have to make yourself heard
Stand straight: The way you carry yourself can speak louder than your words- pull your shoulders back and widen your stance rather than hunching over your smartphones
Make eye contact: Looking someone in the eye as you meet and talk with him/her shows you are paying attention and helps make a connection.
Keren: Product Manager Team Lead
Q: You are leading the product innovation at Payoneer yet, historically, technology is a heavily male-dominated field. What advice do you have for women looking to succeed in the world of tech?
The best way to make your mark is to be so good at what you do that no one can knock you down. Sometimes working in a male-dominated arena can be intimidating, and women often feel that their opinion doesn’t matter. It does. Use your difference in perspective as an advantage. This means speaking up during meetings and contributing your point of view. It means promoting yourself and your skills so you don’t miss out on opportunities or salary increases. Don’t be shy about what you want and where you want to get in your career. In the words of Sheryl Sandberg, “We’ve got to get women to sit at the table!”
Also, learn to take risks and let go of perfectionism. An unfortunate byproduct of perfectionism is that you end up not doing anything at all or that you waste energy apologizing for a job well done (in the eyes of others). Write imperfect code. Run an imperfect meeting. Write an imperfect speech. Don’t be fooled, everyone successful person does the same. Whatever challenge you are facing, I promise it will not be perfect, but it will likely be really great…and we need great women in tech!
Mollie: Director of Sales & Partnerships
Q: You are working hard each day to grow Payoneer’s user base. What advice do you have for female entrepreneurs looking to “sell themselves” in a competitive global market?
Be confident and BE YOURSELF! I feel like so many women try to be this “standard” of what they think the “business woman” should look, be and act like. The strongest women I know are those who are comfortable in their own skin and who know that a genuine smile can be the best selling tool. If you’re proud of the work you do, the product you sell, the position you’re in… Let that shine as you introduce yourself. Don’t be shy to be proud; be strong, open to conversation, idea sharing and whatever the person opposite you may have to offer. I believe that women who exude a positive self-image and confidence in their role and company are those who attract the business deals and the professional connections that make the big differences.
Adi: Strategic Account Manager
Q: Account management is all about juggling priorities and trying to meet the needs of many people at one time. Juggling personal life and career while keeping ourselves and our families happy is something women do every day. What advice would you offer women looking to build their career while managing many competing priorities?
Learning how to successfully manage tasks is like learning to juggle. You don’t pick up three balls at once…you first perfect the flight of one ball. Know where and how to throw one, practice, build your confidence, and then add something else to your plate.
When it comes to career and family we don’t always have this luxury, so be realistic about what you can accomplish and more importantly be compassionate with yourself! I start by creating a list of priorities and then dividing my list into level of difficulty. I start with the simplest ones so I feel immediately that I have achieved something. Next, set time frames for important tasks. Without a committed date, you are likely to push it off ‘til the end of time. Use tools to help stick to your goals, like your email calendar and mobile phone reminders…friends and family can help too, if you ask!
Speaking of family, be sure to schedule this time into your calendar as well. It may sound silly, but this will help you create space for quality time with loved ones. I also like to schedule in short breaks for myself to take a breath…and eat some chocolate. Hey, it’s good for the soul!