Be bold, ask questions – and you can be a top manager, too
THIS could be the year you move into management — and here’s how you do it.
Kate Collyer, now vice-president and business development leader for life sciences at Genpact
(genpact.com), a professional services firm delivering digital transformation, started work as an analyst for a company that sold submarine command systems.
‘As part of a team dealing with naval commanders, i learnt how to cope with all kinds of business situations, and listening and learning helped me develop management skills,’ says Kate.
She was promoted to managing a team building the systems, and later changed sectors, working in management in the drinks, water and business services industries.
The 48-year-old, from London, says: ‘i moved into management by being confident and letting my performance speak for me. it helps to be bold and inquisitive, to look for new ways to do things and be unafraid to reinvent yourself.’ Kate advises getting into business growth areas and choosing employers wisely. She says: ‘Digital technology and artificial intelligence are speeding up business growth, so it pays to know about it and work for organisations that understand it.’
Ben Graham, a partner at Triton-Exec (tritonexec.com), a global executive search firm specialising in technology, professional services and private equity, says: ‘Digital transformation in major global companies is bringing greater opportunities at senior management and director level.
‘Companies are looking for people with 12 to 18 years’ experience to become tomorrow’s leaders.’
Employers are desperate for skilled managers, so consider taking management training. Ask your employer or take a course yourself.
The Chartered Management institute (CMI) runs a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, open to school leavers and established workers, which involves studying for a degree (with no tuition fees) while working.
Employers offering the scheme include Nestle, Barclays, Boots, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s and Civil Service Learning.