Finding female speakers is proving difficult

Hello, its Steve here,

I'd like to discuss a challenge we're currently having in finalising our speakers' faculty for our Map & Territory procurement leadership program.

Specifically, finding female speakers is proving difficult, and some professional speakers are quoting high fees for short online talks, adding unexpected hurdles.

Why It's a Challenge: Traditionally, there's been an association of leadership and public speaking with men, a theme that aligns with our program's exploration of systemic bias in the context of a new system of work, skills, and care.

Unfortunately, there are fewer professional women on conference stages, whether digital or in-person, perpetuating unfair gender ideas.

Common Themes I've Noticed:

• Doubts and Nervousness: Some of the women I've chatted with in exploring their contribution to Map & Territory have quickly expressed doubts about their abilities and fear being perceived as impostors.

Additionally, some speakers with less experience, especially women, appear to feel excited but nervous about public speaking - kind of understandable, right?

(We're actively offering support through coaching and advice to boost their confidence).

• Money Matters: Drawing from my own experience as a speaker, I understand the importance of fair compensation.

The industry tends to overlook this aspect, so we're openly discussing payment to build trust and ensure fair treatment for our speakers.

• Altruistic Behaviour: Some women in our chats are boosting other speakers rather than accepting the opportunity themselves, giving chances to others, not just because they're women.

(We're listening and acting on women-led recommendations, promoting inclusivity).

Action: please share your recommendation in the comments - and ideally not professional speakers (if only for the fact I can't pay outrageous fees to everyone).

At Map & Territory we want speakers open to contributing broad, diverse, optimistic, playful, and pragmatic contributions - nurturing new perspectives and challenging the status quo.

Our target program participants tell us they want provocative ideas and to invite activists, rebels, makers, breakers and contrarians with a passion for changing minds. You don't need to be a seasoned presenter or corporate executive to participate :)

Some steps to address these challenges:

1. Open call for speakers: Express your interest in being a speaker by DMing me or set an intro call through my Calendly. Or add details in comments below. or connecting with me?
2. Transparent Compensation: Ensuring everyone knows what they'll get paid.
3. Diverse speaker selection: Actively seeking speakers from diverse backgrounds - like this post aims to encourage :)
4. Support for new speakers: Guiding and supporting new speakers to feel more confident. You've got this!
5. Building Connections: Creating spaces for both new and experienced speakers to connect. We've invested in the Cvent platform, which has a dedicated private speaker resource center for sharing collateral, discussions, and networking.
6. Seeking your Recommendations: Currently seeking recommendations for women speakers. Your input is invaluable. Please recommend in comments below or, if you wish to have a chat about considering a speaker role, see point 1 above.

How you can help: I'd love your suggestions on potential speakers, prioritising experience, perspective, and passion over titles.

Our program welcomes all voices.

Let's collaborate to create a better and more supportive platform for all speakers ??

Thanks,

Stephen Ashcroft

RESKIND

Co-Founder and Strategy Lead

About Map & Territory: a program for procurement leaders hosted by RESKIND.

Map & Territory Overview: A professional development program for procurement leaders, exploring sustainability, culture change, digitalization, generational activism, and systemic bias. It features a hybrid format, blending online webinars with an in-person hackathon in Timisoara, Romania.

Why Present at Map & Territory? This is a chance for your authentic voice to shine, offering professional growth, visibility, networking, collaboration, and a broadened perspective.

What We Seek: We welcome diverse, optimistic, playful, and pragmatic presentations that challenge the status quo. You don't need to be a seasoned presenter to participate as a digital online speaker.

Next Steps: Express your interest in being a speaker by DM'ing Stephen Ashcroft or set an intro call through my Calendly.

May be give some thought to your preferred topics, and date(s)?

Compensation and/or a charity donation to Trees for Cities will be proactively offered.

Looking forward to your participation & collaboration.

More detail on RESKIND?

Please follow at RESKIND

See more details below or express your interest in being a speaker by DMing me or set an intro call through my Calendly.

Or add details in comments section - or open to connecting with me?

• Mission and Vision: RESKIND is driven by a mission to revolutionise the global discourse on the future of Procurement. This ambitious goal is bold and essential for enabling Procurement to effectively respond to significant challenges in the economic, environmental, supply chain, social, and cultural landscapes.
• Map and Territory Programme: Building on this mission, we're progressing well in assembling a diverse group of speakers and contributors for our upcoming Map and Territory Programme. This landmark initiative seeks to explore and challenge current perceptions and practices, emphasising Procurement's key role in organisational transformation.
• Gender Balance Challenge: One of the specific focus areas of Map & Territory is addressing the gender imbalance in leadership roles within the procurement functions of major enterprises. We acknowledge the historical over-dominance of male leaders, recognising the need for change to unlock a full spectrum of diverse potential and talent to address future procurement-related challenges.
• Influence and Change: In line with these goals, influencing and changing the diversity landscape is a prominent theme of the Map and Territory. However, as organisers, we are currently facing a dilemma - details enumerated above.
• Call for Female Contributors: While striving for a diverse range of contributors, we're encountering challenges in finding female contributors for the Map & Territory program. We invite contributors to partner with us, and bring different thought leadership, diverse experiences, and new perspectives to this dynamic initiative.
• Engaging Process: We assure an engaging and energising process and format to showcase your valuable professional perspectives alongside other equally challenging contributors.
• How You Can Contribute: If you are a female procurement professional with compelling stories or know someone who fits this description, we encourage you to contact us confidentially. We will share more about the program, explore how you can make a valuable contribution, and provide support and flexibility to accommodate your preferred mode of engagement.
• Spread the Word: Additionally, please let us know if there is anyone else in your network of contacts who might have a valuable contribution to make. We look forward to hearing from you and anticipate your valuable contributions to our initiative.
• ACTION: Express your interest in being a speaker by DMing me or set an intro call through my Calendly. Or add details in comments below. or connecting with me?