IWD 2021: Loretta King - Empowering Women in Innovation

As part of International Women’s Day, we interview Loretta King on her role at Alert Technology Ltd, her views on women in business and what a more gender-balanced world-view means to her.

Tell us about your role? 

I am COO and a Director at Alert Technology Ltd and also a Director of The Select Group of Companies. As COO of Alert my role is multi-faceted, particularly as we are still a small start-up. One week I may be pitching to a room of investors or writing bids for funding, the next day I’ll be working on R&D tax credits, dealing with shareholder administration, writing PR, recruiting new engineers, sitting in on Technical meetings with our team or presenting our products to companies anywhere around the world via Zoom or Teams. One day is always different from the next. 

What do you enjoy most about your job?  

Probably the fact that my job is so varied. I couldn’t imagine doing the same thing all day, every day. There are definitely parts of my work I enjoy more than others (can’t say I’m a huge fan of working on spreadsheets!) but what I really like is the interaction with people from all professional backgrounds. I’m a bit of a magpie – I am drawn to interesting “sparkly” people and by that I mean people who are great and enthused about what they do whatever that job may be.

Working with people like that, be they my colleagues, suppliers, professional associates or consultants, inspires me to be better and I really value the opportunity to learn from others.  

And what are the most challenging aspects? 

For me, it is being a non-technical person in a highly technical business. It is not unusual for me to be in a room with people (normally middle-aged men) who hold multiple degrees, masters or doctorates in subjects like physics, particle science, mathematics and engineering. 

I studied politics at university and my professional background is marketing. At first it was incredibly intimidating being surrounded by all the brains (and testosterone) and I have definitely had moments of ‘imposter syndrome’ where I’ve looked around and thought “I shouldn’t be here” and felt at any minute they’ll turn around and say the same thing! 

What I’ve had to learn is that it’s OK not to know everything. I don’t have a degree in particle science or engineering, so if I need it breaking down in layman’s terms or have to ask a “silly question” that’s alright, because there is no such thing as a silly question. It is amazing how many times one of my silly questions has hit on a pertinent point that hadn’t been considered.

I realise now it gives me an advantage of looking at certain technical challenges from the outside, so to speak, which quite often provides a helpful perspective. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve dropped the odd clanger here and there but I try not to let it rattle me – I shake it off, hide my blushes and carry on.

Most importantly, and I think this comes with age and experience, I have learnt to value what I do bring to the team. I possess skills which they often lack. I have a drive and ability to get things done, which in turn enables the team to do their valuable work. We all have our place at the table, we’re all of equal value and all of our voices should be heard. 

What 3 things do you think you need to progress as a woman in business?

1. Resilience – as business leaders (female or not) resilience and determination are key. Anyone running a business, especially one focused on R&D, knows the sailing is often far from smooth. When you hit a problem, one that can seem insurmountable initially, you have to give yourself a moment and then move forwards – you either face the challenge head-on or find a pivot that still gets you to where you want to be, or as close as possible. 100% success is unrealistic. It’s through our “failures” that we learn our most valuable lessons that make us better for next time. 
2. Self-worth – appreciate your skills and know what it is that you offer your team. In appreciating your own talents and possessing self-worth, I believe it makes you so much better and able to see the worth in others. In providing them with the support they need using your own talents, you create a collaborative environment where they in turn will be willing and able to offer their own support and skills to you when the time comes.
3. Humour – For me this is key for life as a whole. Everything is better when you can see it with an element of humour. No one needs to take themselves so seriously that they’re unable to laugh at themselves or find even a little bit of light even in the darkest of situations. Sharing a laugh can help with so many things – it eases stress (yours and your colleagues), it puts people at ease encouraging them to speak up and be creative and is generally a great way to build relationships. Sharing a laugh with others (not at the benefit of others) is one our best human traits. 

What are the biggest challenges the future generation of women in business face?

Balance. I wholeheartedly believe that women can achieve whatever they set their sights on. Sure, we still deal with gender bias and inequalities, but we are in a much better position now than we have ever been before. So, for me it is about finding balance. 

Whatever your ambitions are, whether that includes family (or doesn’t), finding that balance between professional and personal growth is hard. Too much focus on one is inevitably at the expense of the other. 

I am from the generation of women who were told as little girls that we could have it all and we could do it all. The big question now is, what do we want? We must accept at times that more focus must be given to one element of our lives over another, but that focus will need to ebb and flow. It is not actually possible to have it all and do it all – at least not all at the same time, not if you want to do any of it well (and live beyond 50)! 

So, find your balance, set your boundaries, protect yourself and don’t feel like you have to apologise for prioritizing what is most important to you, whatever it may be. Whilst I believe this is a huge challenge for many women in business – I think it’s a challenge that everyone faces. 

What can the next generation bring to business that previous generations may not have?

Same answer as above – balance. Let’s hope our daughters (and sons) learn that whilst you do get back what you put in, it is not ok (or necessary) to be sending or answering emails at 10pm or on a Sunday.

Find a job that challenges you and make it work for you. Hopefully as a result of lockdown and homeschooling our “COVID-kids” will have actually witnessed their parents working hard but also seen that it is possible to manage flexible working which allows for family life, personal interests and a successful career. 

What does a more gender-balanced world-view mean for you?

To me it would mean that the question of gender is no longer a consideration when reviewing a role or a person’s ability to fulfil it. Positive action is to be supported but positive discrimination not so. I don’t want to get a job just because I am the right sex and I help fill a quota, I want it because I’m the best person for it. 

How can we enable more women to take a place at the board-room table?

Through education – from primary through to our professional development programmes, business schools and universities, we need to instill the belief that obtaining a place on the board for women and men is an absolute possibility for those driven to work for it. To young women, I would encourage them to expect it. Voice their desire for it from the very beginning of their time with a company, make sure their manager knows it and helps to provide you with the opportunities to prove you deserve it.

We had a young man join our family business in his early twenties with little business experience, but bucket loads of enthusiasm - at his interview he told us his ambition was to make his way to the Board. He’s been with us for 12 years now and a Board Director for two – he set out his stall, worked hard and got what he wanted – I have huge respect for that.

Know what you want, know that it won’t be handed to you on a plate (and it definitely shouldn’t be given to you just to make the stats look good) and know your chances are equal to the chap sitting next to you, if you work hard. Also, if you can, find a mentor either in your company or elsewhere!  

How can businesses evolve to be more gender-balanced?

By placing equal value on the so called soft-skills. Whilst certain jobs obviously require very specific skills sets that must be taught (calling all Doctors and Rocket Scientists), so much else in the business world can be learnt on the job if you have the appetite to learn, a positive attitude, the ability to promote yourself and good teachers.

It also helps as a people manager if you can remove your blinkers and look past a person’s skills on paper and the role you recruited them for. What are they achieving, where do they excel, what do they bring to the team – if you see potential for more than they’re currently doing - make sure to let them know you see it and help foster that with them.  

What advice would you give to young women and men starting out in business today in context of promoting a more diverse world-view?

Look for businesses that excite you, those who promote a balanced and equal workplace. Be prepared to start at the bottom but make it clear you’ve got your sights set on the top. And if you can’t find that kind of business try your damnedest to instill it wherever you do work, or better yet make plans to start your own venture. 

What women inspire you and why?

I find all women inspiring in a multitude of ways, but one who stands out for me is Michelle Obama. As a professional woman, mother and wife she appears to have navigated all the challenges we women face (just in the limelight) and she is happy to confess when she hasn’t got it right. She faced the realisation early in her career that it isn’t possible to have and do everything 100%, something has to give and that it is imperative that you put yourself on your list of priorities too.

She was never afraid to stand up to those in the wrong and to protect those in need. She kept her dignity whilst those around her slung dirt. She knew what she wanted (and more importantly what she didn’t) and despite huge popular support she said, “No thank you very much” to becoming a politician herself after Barrack left the White House.

On top of all these strengths, I really love that she can take a joke, she appears to laugh freely and often, and boy does she know how to rock a power suit. Michelle Obama, I salute you and I think we could be mates – Call me!