Exec Profile - Linda Hammil, HR director VMWare

1. What is your current role and what is your scope?
My current portfolio is HR Director, VMware Australia & New Zealand plus support for the APJ Marketing function. I am focused heavily on partnering with the business to drive change in the sales organisation and ramping up efforts around talent management and development, leadership capability and diversity. There is also a heavy element of change management, particularly as our business matures and manages some of the current organisational changes with the establishment of a new Cloud Services business and the Dell acquisition of EMC.


2. Tell us about the highpoints and lowpoints of your career?
Approximately nine years ago I was offered a great opportunity to live and work in Singapore.  Unfortunately at the time I had to say no as my family circumstances meant it wasn’t the right time to pursue it I felt really disappointed at the time as I thought I would likely never get the opportunity again. I was also worried it could stall my career. Approximately five years later an even better opportunity came along and this time, the stars aligned, so I did get the chance to live and work in Singapore.  It was definitely a highlight of my career and I was probably at a better time in my life to really enjoy and learn from the experience. It also provided a great cultural experience for my family.

3. What does work life balance mean to you?
Work life balance is really about having some flexibility around where you work and how you work.  Having been in ICT for so many years, I seem to have naturally embraced all of the technology we need to make it happen.  We are no longer chained to our desks but can be really mobile, anywhere and at any time.  It  really is a win/win scenario, as the business also gets what it needs when it needs it. The flip side to this is having some discipline around when you stop so unlike many who work in ICT, I do not wake up in the morning and check the phone in bed! I roll over and cuddle one of my kids who inevitably has snuck in during the night!

4. What attracted and kept you in the ICT industry throughout your career?
What initially attracted me to work in ICT was the technology. I feel really empowered when I have the right tools and systems that help me get the basics right, leaving me to concentrate on much more interesting HR work. What has kept me in the industry is definitely the people. They are really smart, innovative, can-do people who want to make a difference – they give me loads of energy, stimulate my creativity and I can honestly say I’ve established some great friendships that I will treasure for life.

5. What ambitions personal or professional do you still want to achieve?
On a professional note, I am keen to continue my work across the region and really contribute to growing VMware’s employment brand. I love the people I work with and the work I have before me really provides a great canvas to make a difference, particularly as we go through one of the IT industries largest acquisitions with Dell and spin off a new Cloud Services business – it’s exciting stuff!
On a personal note, I am busy raising two young boys and I’m really focused on how they can build personal leadership. I’ve got a great partnership with the school and I just wonder if all schools had leadership as part of the standard curriculum what the workforce of tomorrow would look like.

6. What’s the one piece of advice you'd give to yourself starting out on your career?
Be more proactive in networking very early on in your career and think strategically about how you manage that network over time.  Make sure you develop a 30 second elevator pitch on yourself as you never know when you may get a huge opportunity!

 

FITT Mentoring
Secure your place for 2016

The 2015 Mentoring program has officially come to a close.  With over 50 mentees participating last year, the close sessions in each location provided a great way for mentees to thank their mentors, share stories about what they had learnt and gained from the program and network with other participants.  See the ‘close photos’ on our website HERE. Thanks to Atlassian for hosting the Sydney event and Cliftons for hosting in Melbourne and Brisbane. 

The 2016 program applications are open now! We have had lots of great feedback from all who participated last year, so the FITT Mentoring team is excited to now be welcoming new mentees to the 2016 program. 

FITT’s Mentoring program has a specific focus on matching mentees and mentors based specifically on their prior experience, skills and personality traits. From the positive feedback we receive year on year regarding this program, this is what makes the FITT mentoring program one of the valuable programs in the industry when it comes actually getting a mentor that ‘fits’ with who you are, without having to do the looking yourself!

Applications must be received by Wednesday 3 February 2016. 

Check with your internal FITT contact if you are working for a FITT corporate sponsor. If you are independently looking for details, please go to the FITT website HERE

International Women’s Day 2016  - BOOK NOW

‘Empowering and Educating Women for Future Roles within ICT’

Melbourne – Friday 4 March, 2016
BOOK HERE
Sydney – Wednesday 16 March, 2016
BOOK HERE  
Go to our website to see more details of IWD 2016 Speakers HERE

We invite you to join with hundreds of women and men from across the ICT industry to celebrate International Women’s Day 2016. Not only will you enjoy a delicious lunch, you will also have the chance to hear a range of inspirational stories from industry leaders who will each share their life experiences and knowledge within the ICT sector.





We have some amazing speakers, which include:

• Pip Marlow - Managing Director, Microsoft
• Joanna Batstone – Head of Research, IBM
• Kate Burleigh – Managing Director, Intel Australia
• Margie Warrell – Author, Speaker & Forbes Columnist
• Sharryn Napier - Vice President & Regional Director Australia & NZ , Qlik
• Sue Bailey, Vice President of Yes, Optus
• Tara Commerford – Managing Director, GoDaddy
• Vanessa Sulikowski – Distinguished System Engineer, Cisco

This event is not to be missed - so get your tickets before they sell out!

Stay tuned to what’s happening with the 2016 IWD series by following us on Facebook & Twitter:
pages/Females-in-Information-Technology-Telecommunications-FITT/131291833615373
twitter.com/ FITT_AU
 
Go to our website to see more details of IWD 2016 Speakers and book your tickets today HERE

 

2015 Membership Survey –
Please give us your opinion

Each year FITT undertakes an annual survey in which we seek the opinions and insights from our FITT members and wider FITT community.

Given that there is such a wide spread of women across the IT and ICT industries, the opinions of this network are essential in helping to shape the direction of FITT as well as assisting our sponsors in driving their diversity strategies. 

You can start the survey HERE

TAFE NSW Short Course –
FITT Member Offer

The Northern Sydney Institute – part of TAFE NSW has a long-standing commitment to women in technology and they have extended an offer to FITT members to receive IT certification and short course training that is 100% subsidised, ie at no charge!

The courses will include leading official vendor courses taught by certified experts, with classes typically being delivered face to face outside of business hours on weeknights and weekends.

Participants will receive expert training for popular IT certifications and be granted a partial qualification with nationally recognised units, both completely free!

Be quick if you wish to take advantage of these subsidised courses as there are limited places for this special activity and some classes will be starting soon.
 
This offer is currently not generally available so you will need to contact John.Barnett9@tafensw.edu.au directly for more information about eligibility, the range of courses on offer and how to secure your subsidised IT short course placement.

FITT Sponsor – Paxus Interview Guidelines

Thanks to our Silver partner Paxus, we are pleased to be able to bring you a useful tool - ‘Interview Preparation Guidelines’. This document may be of assistance to you as you start the New Year and may be considering a new role or new company or new challenge of some sort.

Below is an extract and the whole article can be found HERE on the FITT website

Interview Preparation
Well done, your well-constructed and targeted resume has got you an interview with the client. Now it’s time to review your interview readiness. Preparation and practice will get you a long way.
Dress standards
Always err on the side of caution, so if you unless you’re going for a “creative” role, this will mean dressing in a suit/similar. Presenting yourself in corporate attire is still the best way to look the part.  

First impressions
First impressions matter, the first 30 seconds can really set the scene.  When your interviewer approaches you to introduce him/herself, a good firm hand shake, eye contact and warm smile will set you up for a good interview. Previously I have coached people on appropriate handshakes, so be mindful you don’t sit in the extremes of the “wet fish” or a “break my fingers” handshake. There’s nothing worse than the wet fish.

Interview content
Interviews are typically behavioural based ie past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour. Candidates are often asked the same questions, then are rated and compared at the end of the first round of interviews. Preparation and practice are essential.

Read more HERE on the FITT website

 

Melbourne Industry event –
Cisco Live 2016:
Career Progression & Connection Focus

The best opportunity to transform your career and expand your industry connections will occur at Cisco Live (8-11 March 2016). The event will feature interactive panels, keynotes, speaker sessions, a new IT Management Program and networking events including including the Cisco Empowered Women’s Network Lunch.  BOOK HERE






Cisco’s flagship customer and partner event Cisco Live will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, from the 8- 11 of March 2016, offering attendees and delegates the inspiration to advance their career.
With extensive technical and business sessions, including keynotes from industry experts, over a hundred exhibiting companies, walk-in demonstration labs and several social networking events, Cisco Live 2016 provides an unrivalled opportunity to benefit your professional future.
Cisco Live offers IT professionals an interactive forum to understand how innovative and market leading companies are building a competitive advantage through technology and anticipate emerging technology and communication trends.  New to Cisco Live in 2016, is a dedicated IT Management Program that is specifically designed to give IT Managers, Directors, VPs and CIOs the knowledge and skills to transform their IT organisations and drive positive change in their careers. This three-day event explores the most important technology shifts impacting IT organisations today and it provides a unique  opportunity to  network with peers and meet with Cisco IT executives.
Also featuring at this year’s event is the 3rd annual Cisco Empowered Women’s Network Lunch  taking place on Thursday the 10th of March. This event is focused on celebrating the impact of women for businesses globally and Dr Simone Ryan, former cardiac surgeon and CEO of One Life Live It, will share her perspectives on increasing ROI for organisations by investing in people and their health.
To find out more or register for Cisco Live 2016 click here.

 

Sponsor Diversity
Telstra and Origin named in report

FITT members may be interested in reading the diversity report created by the Australian Institute of Company Directors. This report, which includes FITT sponsors Telstra and Origin, focuses on more than just the IT and ICT industries and has some very interesting findings.  Read the report HERE

FITT Gold Sponsor Avanade
Leader in new report

FITT is delighted to share news that Gold Sponsor Avanade (along with Accenture,) together have been positioned as the clear leader in a new marketscape report by industry analyst IDC.
 
This study, the first of its kind on the Microsoft Enterprise Implementation Services ecosystem, evaluated 10 global Microsoft Services providers. In addition to being the overall leader, Avanade and Accenture also has #1 market share.  

According to IDC industry analyst Ali Zaidi, Avanade received the highest client reference scores in IDC’s Global Microsoft Enterprise Applications Implementation Services Buyer Perception Survey.


 

FITT Media
Social Media Summary

As always, our wonderful FITT community is enthusiastically active in our social media channels. We’ve again been on the look out for information that we think you’d like to hear about – and share with your networks. 
 
The top 3 ‘FITT Friendly’ posts from Facebook in December are:1. IBM Asks Women In Tech To Hack The Hair Dryer, Women Tweet Back To Let IBM Know It’s Not the 1950’s.
http://tcrn.ch/1PVOTV5
 
 
2. Silicon Valley V.C. Firm Can’t Find Any Women. The problem is you, not him. 
http://bit.ly/1Rqe9C2
 
 
3. Fresh calls for education overhaul and new targets for women in tech.
http://bit.ly/1NlKsvF