Nikki Rowbottom & Rachael Legg
Nikki Rowbottom
Head of Supply Chain Management
British Library
What’s the biggest challenge you have faced as a woman in business to date?
My first job graduating was in construction, as were the few that followed and I found that working in a male dominated environment meant I had to work so much harder to get the credence I deserved.
What difficulties do women still face in business?
I think everyone experiences the same difficulties to a certain extent. One of the key skills anyone needs to learn in business is confidence; in your own view, skills and experience. I know so many women who don’t speak up in meetings despite having something valuable to add, because they are too shy or don’t think their view or offering is right or they feel intimidated by the job titles in the room. I regularly tell anyone who will listen that no question is a silly one, if you’re thinking it, chances are someone else is too.
Who has inspired you (male or female)?
That’s quite a hard one as I’ve worked with some incredible people. I would probably say my parents though. They always encouraged and believed in me and my siblings to go and be whatever we wanted to be. They supported my decision to go to university and encouraged me to get a job to help with the expense of it. That taught me the value of money and gave me a good work ethic. Dad also gave me a job in his office after my GCSE’s and A-levels so I could see how businesses work and all the different roles and skills that are required. Both Mum & Dad worked hard and balanced family life with their professional careers and that really inspired me to know that you can have it all but you have to work for it and it’s all a huge juggling act. I wouldn’t have had the ambition and drive to succeed that I have and the confidence to balance that against being a working parent without them as role models.
What is your biggest achievement to date at work?
That’s a difficult one. I’m so proud of some of the significant contracts I’ve placed that were troublesome and difficult to get across the line but I think I would have to say that getting this job, my first ‘Head of’ position, while I was on maternity leave is my biggest achievement. As any working mother will know, your brain turns to mush on maternity leave and is filled with nappies and feeds and all things baby related instead of targets and improvement and tenders. To not only have the confidence to go for such a senior role but also to impress enough to get it while on maternity leave is quite an achievement!
What do you love about the profession that keeps you going when times are hard?
I love the feeling I get when we’ve placed a contract that has been difficult to make work. We had a major contract recently where we had to change procurement routes half way through from Restricted to a Negotiated tender (under Public Contract Regulations). This was a massive challenge, my colleague and I had to work incredibly hard not only to convince our internal customers that this was the right move for the Library but we then had to prepare at short notice for a significant negotiation exercise against other competing priorities. On the whole, the contract is a huge success and we made a nice fat saving out of it too!
I also love the feedback I get from customers about my team. It’s not an easy job, despite the traditional thinking that we just shop all day long! So a little compliment like thank you for a project completed, or feedback on the wonderful customer service makes my day.
What advice would you give to young women starting out in procurement?
My advice would be the same to anyone starting in the profession. Know your industry, partner with your customers and learn to be confident, even if you have to fake it (I still do sometimes!) Building relationships is absolutely key to what we do and a good relationship can make getting what you need much easier. A difficult talk is easier to have when you have credibility with that person and that comes from building a really strong relationship with them and having the knowledge to fall back on. Confidence is key to everything in this profession, it is my top skill I look for when I’m interviewing. It gives you resilience which is paramount for dealing with customers who don’t want to listen or try to blame you for everything. Negotiating is all about preparation and confidence, having the guts to sit in front of a supplier and ask for discounts or call them out for poor performance and find a solution. My advice is always to learn those skills and learn your markets and you will get credibility with your customers and suppliers and your once faked confidence will start to come naturally.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out and/ or what advice would you give your younger self?
That it’s ok to have a bad day. It’s part of being human, you simply cannot operate at the top level consistently all of the time. The number of times I’ve beaten myself up for not feeling like I’ve been at my best is huge! I have to remind myself frequently that work, while I love what I do, is there so I can live my life, I’m not here just to work. That’s huge to realise when you’ve just started out working and you feel you need to do it all and be it all but it is so important to take care of yourself and your mental well-being and understanding that you will have off days really helps your mental resilience.
What regular habits do you accredit to your success?
- Having a good work/life balance is critical. I am a working mum and I am responsible along with my husband, for picking up or dropping off our two children for school and nursery. There are times when I have had to get up and walk out of meetings at 5pm, making apologies of course, because the meeting is running late and I have to get back to pick up my children. I have no choice but to be disciplined in that because my children are the ones who will suffer, work can wait and if there is something incredibly urgent, I see if my husband can pick up or ask a close friend. There are times when I’ve arrived at work only to get a phone call 10 minutes later that one of my children is sick and I have to go and pick them up. In that situation, I have to be Mum and not Worker.
- Being brave enough to challenge; my customers, my suppliers, my boss, my colleagues! It takes a lot to speak out but a well worded question can reap huge benefits in terms of getting the most suitable outcome for everyone.
- Having an appetite to be successful will also drive success. I make no secret of the fact I am ambitious and that I want to be the best at what I do. It’s what made me apply for this job while I was on maternity leave. In everything I do, I try to push myself to be better and go further and get feedback to work on those aspects that aren’t so good and there are plenty! If you want to be successful, you have to be willing to work hard, no one is going to give you your dreams on a silver platter, and if they did would you feel you had deserved them without the journey you take to get there?!
What are the character traits of successful women and/ or what do you think makes a good
leader?
A good leader is someone who listens and takes a collaborative view, someone who is part of the team and shares their vision and objectives so others can buy in. I’ve worked for managers who have a ‘my way or the highway’ attitude and it is so de-motivating, I swore I would try my best not to be that way.
Do you have a favourite quote or statement that sums up your approach to life?
No question is too stupid. If you want to know something, ask the question. How else will you find out the answer!
Rachael Legg
Chief Procurement Officer
Johnson Matthey
What’s the biggest challenge you have faced as a woman in business to date?
Not knowing when it is my gender that has 'got in the way'. Gender bias, like other characteristics such as age, ethnicity and sexual orientation, is a hidden challenge which needs surfacing and addressing.
What difficulties do women still face in business?
Depending where in the world you are, in what industry and at what stage of your life, women
experience different opportunities and difficulties in business. From accessing the job market and
fulfilling careers, taking a break to create a family and finding a way back to progress your career;
being taken seriously; balancing parenthood and a career; and just when you think you are coming
into the pinnacle of your career, facing serious illness or loss of a parent and dealing with the impact
of grief…oh and then for many of us women there's the fall out of the menopause to deal with!
As individuals, managers and leaders we all have a role to recognize the value and contribution of having equal, diverse and inclusive organizations, and create practical pathways to make this a reality.
Who has inspired you (male or female)?
It is difficult for me to pin-point any one person. I have been shaped by many people throughout my life… if I did have to narrow this down, I am most inspired by those individuals who see a change is needed and are moved to action to make a positive difference. One such person is Ali Stunt. In 2007 Ali was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Unlike 90% of the patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer Ali was lucky. Her illness was detected early enough to allow a life-saving operation. Pancreatic cancer is the UK's 5th biggest cancer killer, soon to overtake breast cancer as the 4th. In the UK, 5 year survival rates are less than 7%, this rate having barely changed in decades compared to other cancers. If a patient is diagnosed early and able to have surgery, their 5 year survival increases to around 30%, but there are no early detection (screening) test available for the disease. Ali was one of 10% of the lucky ones and today has survived 12 years. Shocked by the statistics, Ali took action and in 2010 founded Pancreatic Cancer Action, a charity with the mission to 'save lives through early diagnosis'. Today, the charity is going from strength to strength driven by Ali Stunt, one woman who was moved to action to make a positive difference.
What is your biggest achievement to date at work?
I've had many typical achievements as a CPO and change agent…but my biggest achievements and pride comes when I have helped others have an 'ah-ha' moment, grown in their own self-confidence, taking the next step on their journey. My biggest achievements are in those smaller moments when what I have said or done has inspired another to think or act differently about themselves or the world around them for positive impact.
What do you love about the profession that keeps you going when times are hard?
I am passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of others - knowing your purpose and how you contribute can sustain you when times are hard. As Johnson Matthey CPO I'm accountable for transforming procurement’s strategic contribution and positive impact on the business and wider society. We are enabling JM’s vision for a world that is cleaner and healthier now and for future generations. Procurement has a wonderful vantage point across any organisation and value-chain, so we have a significant contribution to make both in what we do and how we do it.
What advice would you give to young women starting out in procurement?
Be curious. I get asked to coach and mentor young women, particularly in Procurement…when asking what their goals are often it is to increase salary or get a higher grade or 'more impressive' job title…and 'quickly'. Whilst I recognize these are a factor, I would encourage individuals to think about the value they can contribute and what they will learn from that role to build your capability/competency/leadership muscle. 'Think laterally'…breadth and depth is important, take lateral moves to broaden out your experience. Embrace the change and the challenge.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out and/ or what advice would you give your younger self?
Often conditioned in us in childhood, perfectionism can drive your ambitions, but, it can also be an unhelpful trait that can cause stress, anxiety and feelings of 'not being good enough'. It is important to understand where any perfectionism comes from, recognize that it will only serve you to a point and learn when 'good' is 'good enough'. “Don't aim for perfection, aim for better than yesterday.” - Izey Victoria Odiase.
What regular habits do you accredit to your success?
Values-led leadership - Thinking, speaking and act true to my values. Being clear of my values provides an internal compass to help navigate me, my team, my organization and family through uncertain or unchartered waters in particular.
What are the character traits of successful women and/or what do you think makes a good leader?
Having a 'successful mindset':
- Know that you have an equal right as anyone else to share your thoughts, ideas and opinions, and get comfortable sharing an idea even if it’s not totally thought through - you are short changing your business if you don't speak up and share these.
- Stepping out of your comfort zone will help you grow - it's ok to feel the 'fear', but do it anyway.
- Challenge and disagreements are part of creative discussions.
- There are times when being direct and self-promotion are appropriate - know what you want and tell people; your work won't speak for itself, so find a way to share my successes that isn’t bragging and is helpful to others.
Do you have a favourite quote or statement that sums up your approach to life?
I have a two favorite quotes:
“Change will not come if you wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for. We are the change we seek.”- Barack Obama
“If you want to walk fast, walk alone. But, if you want to walk far, walk together.” Ratan Tata