How I stay relevant to the industry after 30 years in the business.

So I shared the following with him:

'Remaining relevant in my industry at 48 when I have had quite a varied career involves leveraging the holistica toolkit of my skills and experience while also staying current with industry trends, generational differences and continuing to grow professionally.

How do I do that and how can others later in their career continue to grow?

1. Be a Continuous Learner -

? Advanced certificates - Relevant fintech certificates, diversified training (Product Mgt or HR qualifications), Agile Ways of Working

? Courses and Workshops - Attend industry-specific courses, online workshops, or executive education programs

. ? Stay Updated: Regularly read finance white papers and blogs, subscribe to industry newsletters, and follow thought leaders in finance.

2. Network genuinely and not just for personal gain! -

? Join Professional Associations: Join and actively participate in professional associations such as CFA Institute, Financial Planning Association, or local finance clubs. I joined the Institute of Directors (IoD) during Covid and expanded my network across sectors.

? Attend Conferences and Seminars: Attend industry conferences, seminars, and webinars to meet peers and stay informed about the latest trends.

? Online Networking: Use LinkedIn to connect with other professionals, join relevant groups, and engage in discussions.

3. Mentor, Coash and Share Your Experience - something that I find really rewarding

? Mentor Others: Offer to mentor younger professionals. This not only helps them but keeps you engaged with new perspectives and ideas from the next generation.

? Seek a Mentor or Coach - I have a few of these who are my go to and as I meet new impressive people I learn from them: Even at the Director level, having a mentor or executive coach can provide guidance and help identify areas for growth.

4. Adapt to Technological Changes

? Fintech and Digital Finance: Gain knowledge in fintech, blockchain, AI, and other technologies transforming finance.

? Data Analytics: Learn about data analytics tools and techniques as they are increasingly important in decision-making processes.

5. Leverage Your Experience

? Consulting: Consider consulting roles where your extensive experience can help businesses improve their financial strategies.

? Board Memberships: Seek positions on advisory boards or committees where your expertise can guide organizational strategies.

6. Personal Branding

? Thought Leadership: Write articles, give talks, or create content that showcases your expertise.

? Public Speaking: Engage in public speaking opportunities to enhance your visibility and reputation in the industry.

? Social Media Presence: Maintain a professional presence on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to share insights and stay connected.

7. Remain Flexible and Adaptable

? Be Open to Change: Be willing to adapt to new roles, industries, or geographic locations if necessary

. ? Have a Lifelong Learning Mindset: Maintain a mindset of continuous improvement and adaptability. - You are never the finished article!

8. Be Aware Of Your Health and Well-being

? Create Work-Life Balance: Ensure you maintain a healthy work-life balance to sustain long-term productivity and job satisfaction. I know that I am the most creative when I have more balance in my life.

? Manage Stress: Develop strategies to manage stress effectively to remain focused and motivated.

? Have Boundaries - Something that I have learned from the two generations behind me and possibly a little later than I should have done. To have personal boundaries does not mean that you are not dedicated to your work. It means that you have become self aware and know exactly what the right formula is to be the best you can be in all parts of your life. I only managed this when I was 100% supported at home to be able to be great at work, but knew that I had to be present at home as well to keep that balance and positive mental situation alive.'