2019 in review and 2020 plans ahead

At the end of 2019, I spent some time during my break disconnecting, recharging and reflecting on the year gone by and making plans for 2020. I've captured some highlights below:

Public Speaking

Those who know me, know I love public speaking. In 2019, I had numerous opportunities to speak as part of my Technical Specialist role for Microsoft Teams including delivering a session at UC Expo with Kerri Hollis, keynoting at the Call & Contact Center Expo, delivering Voice workshops for UK Policing customers with the National Enabling Programme, presenting at the Microsoft 365 Club, co-presenting the first FY20 Microsoft Teams Training Day with Dan Fernandez-Cao and supporting customer events with partners like Logitech.

In October, as I started my new role in Marketing, I delivered a session on Mental Wellbeing in the Modern Workplace at Future Decoded with Elena Cordova Russ, Lily Marston, David Brown from Phoenix and Mark Williamson from KPMG. In 2020, I'd like to pursue further speaking opportunities around diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

In 2019, I attended Toastmasters meetings to improve my speaking skills and successfully completed Pathways Level 1. While it can be challenging to make the time, in 2020, I'm committing to attending at least one Toastmasters meeting a month with the goal of completing Pathways Level 2 this year.

In 2020, I'm also committed to supporting those that want to find their own voice and improve their speaking skills. In January, I'm running an internal public speaking skills workshop at Microsoft.

Blogging

In 2019, I became a Microsoft Blogging Champion and published my first blog post on 7 Tips for Managing Mental Wellbeing in the Modern Workplace. Writing is not something that comes as naturally to me as speaking does but I'm committed to writing more LinkedIn and Microsoft blog posts in 2020.

Volunteering

At Microsoft, we have a minimum of 3 volunteer days a year to use however we wish. I choose to use these days to support the Microsoft DigiGirlz programme which is designed to inspire Year 8 girls to consider careers in technology. In December, we set the girls a challenge of solving problems in their homes, schools and communities using Power Apps. As one of the judges, I had the privilege of listening to each teams presentation and awarded those with the best impact, best creativity and best pitch. In 2020, I commit to continuing to inspire the next generation to consider tech careers.

Outside of work, I've been a member of the TEDxLondon volunteer tribe for the last 2 years, helping spread world-changing ideas. In December, I volunteered for my fifth event and am proud to be one of the longest serving tribe members. In 2020, I'm committed to continuing to support these events.

My goal is to eventually deliver my own TEDx talk.

Diversity & Inclusion

Early in 2019, I had the privilege of leading the Diversity and Tech tracks at the Microsoft Ignite The Tour London. Over 2 days, 8 sessions were delivered covering Culture Change, Responsible AI, Early in Careers, Mental Wellbeing, Diversity & Inclusion, Accessibility and a panel discussion with Cindy Rose OBE (Microsoft UK CEO).

For more detail, read my write up of the event here.

In November, I was incredibly fortunate to attend the Microsoft Ignite 2019 conference in Orlando supporting converations around Diversity and Inclusion and the Humans of IT community. I've captured highlights of the event here.

In January, I will be leading the Humans of IT track at Microsoft Ignite The Tour London. Stay tuned for a post detailing these sessions shortly!

As part of my role as the Women in Tech lead on the Women@Microsoft UK Board, I delivered two TechHer learning events with Jane Pitt to over 200 women and kicked off a technical professional development series with Heather McLeish.

In 2020, I'm committed increasing the number of TechHer events, launching TechHer Training Days with free certification and developing deeper engagement with our growing internal and external communities.

Mentoring

Throughout 2019, I delivered a number of group and individual mentoring sessions, particularly with those that are early in their career. One of the topics I really enjoy talking about is Personal Brand. In group sessions, I typically cover considerations around what you want to stand for and what makes you stand out as well as examples of how this is done well through professional platforms like LinkedIn. In individual sessions, I love helping people work through the discovery and execution of their own personal brand. In 2020, I'm committed to working on my mentoring and coaching style. I've had some great mentors in the last year as I've navigated my career but will be seeking additional mentors to help me develop further in my new role.

Recognition

In 2019, I was completely overwhelmed by the external recognition I received around my efforts around diversity and inclusion and championing women in tech. I was shortlisted for the Women in Business "Spotlight in STEM", CRN Women of Channel "Role Model of the Year" and WeAreTechWomen's #TechWomen100 awards. Whilst I didn't win any of these awards, I was so proud to be a listed as a finalist amongst well deserving winners. This recognition reinforces the importance of continuing these activities in 2020.

Professional Development

I'm one of 300 individual contributors at Microsoft participating in a two year Senior Technical Leadership Program (STLP). In November, we spent a week in Bellevue learning about the importance of being authentic, sharing bold ideas, the art of storytelling and how being vulnerable is an important step to courageous leadership. Highlights from the week definitely included hearing from some of my Microsoft tech idols like Dona Sarkar, Mark Russinovich and Jeffery Snover. One of the biggest benefits of the program I've found is the network of like-minded individuals I've met from around the world who have become a great career sounding board and I look forward to working closer with them in 2020.

Outside of work, a friend of mine put me onto the HowToAcademy, an organisation that invite the world’s most influential voices to London to share new ideas for changing ourselves, our communities, and the world. In 2019, I attended events with Matthew Syde on his new book "Rebel Ideas", with Viv Groskop on her new book "How to Own the Room" and with Brad Smith on his new book "Tools and Weapons". I walked away from each of these events incredibly inspired and with a growing collection of new books. In 2020, I'm committed to attending more of these events but will also dedicate time each day to reading (to get through my pile of books!) in order to continue learning and be inspired.

Career

I'd be remiss not to talk about one of the biggest changes in 2019 which was to do with my career! In October, I joined the experiential marketing events team as a Marketing Communication Manager for Executive Engagement. This was a huge change for me after a decade of technical sales experience within five organisations and across three countries. But anyone who knows me well knows that this new role is perfect for me. I'm incredibly excited and energised to be apart of the UK events team and the broader central marketing organisation (CMO). In 2020, I'll be focused on leading high-visibility, impactful events and programs to engage executive and business-level customers and partners.

Well that just about sums up what was an incredibly busy year full of highlights, lots of learnings and plans for the New Year! Have you had a chance to do the same? Would love to hear about your plans and any ideas that you think would be useful in ensuring success in 2020.