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How women can move up the corporate ladder

Speaking on how businesses can climb the corporate ladder, Airtel boss, Lucy Quist advised employers to prioritize on getting the right and excellent team who are experts in their respective fields.

 

Managing Director of Airtel Ghana, Lucy Quist has blamed the slow pace of some African businesses to the lack of integrity on the part of leadership.

She said this during her interaction with some women entrepreneurs at #SheHiveAccra powered by She Leads Africa on Sunday.

According to her, the difference between working in the West and in Africa is the cultural background of the two.

"We have to call a spade a spade. When you are in the western culture, at least some degree of integrity is taken advantage. I can wholeheartedly expect that the person in a certain position is not about to take money off the vendor or trying to undermine the company. You cannot take those things for granted here, which is a very sad admission," she said.

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She added that the situation is hindering corporate institutions from achieving excellence, as additional burden is placed on cost of doing business.

"This is something that as we grow as leaders we need to kick out of Africa. It is holding us back. It is undermining another value which I call excellence," she observed.

Speaking on how businesses can climb the corporate ladder, Lucy Quist advised employers to prioritize on getting the right and excellent team who are experts in their respective fields.

"You have to pick the right people with the right motivation. Don't pick someone who just wants a job and wants to earn an income.

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"You must create opportunities for interaction, even if it is just for an hour. Let them feel that you are human as they are...Consciously make time to speak to people and groom them. Pay attention to them," she added.

The Airtel Ghana boss further called on women not to turn work into a social activity, adding that "People are so busy being nice to each other. When it is time for business, it is not time for niceness.

"We won't make the impact we want by smiling and being nice."

On her part, business coach, Ruka Sanusi advised women to adopt transformational leadership style in their fields of work.

Ruka, who is also the founder of Alldens Lane, a boutique business strategy consulting firm debunked the idea that access to funding is a major challenge for women in entreprenuership.

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She believes women can acquire the necessary funds for their businesses if they are able to convince bankers and other sources of funding of their ability and worth.

Meanwhile, Development Consultant, Roberta Annan encouraged women to network and share ideas for the growth of their businesses, adding that "You have to change your leadership style to suit what the market needs."

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