Thank you to our Newsletter sponsor: |
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Dear WWLF Members,
As the Great Resignation begins winding down with rumors of a recession on the horizon, many of us have begun reassessing our current roles. There could be a variety of reasons you are feeling this way – whether it's struggling with burnout or simply wanting a breath of fresh air – any reason is a good reason to reflect on your current situation, even if reflection doesn’t end with a change.
If the environment is toxic and you find yourself dreading going to work each day, trust your instincts. If you’re struggling to make the decision of whether you should stay or go, you may already know the answer; do not let fear stop you from making decisions in your best interest.
However, if you feel like you have just lost enthusiasm for your current role and are evaluating what is next, there are a few things to consider before you leave. It’s important that we remember that the grass is not always greener on the other side – the grass is greener where you water it. Communicate with your current leadership about how you have been feeling, and see if you are able to re-engage and reignite your passion.
If you have not seen any changes and still have that desire to look for something new, be aware of the current economic conditions. While the telecommunications industry is on fire and we do not see an end in sight, the labor market may be impacted by a recession. We may see layoffs and rising unemployment rates, making timing important. Waiting a year or two down the road to make a change could make things more difficult.
Now is the time to lean on your network and reach out to the people you trust to see what opportunities are available. If your vision for your career has you in a different seat than you’re in now, interview someone in your ideal role, learn more about their day-to-day, and see if it’s what you are looking for to bring back your passion.
Above all, remember to put yourself and your well-being first. In times of uncertainty, I remember verse 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Sincerely, |
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WWLF @ Connect (X) Harnessing the Power of Your Workforce written by Kristen Beckman |
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“We have a big problem in this industry, in this country and in the world,” said Carrie Charles, chief executive officer of telecom staffing firm Broadstaff, opening a panel focused on the wireless workforce at Connect (X) in Denver. “This is one of the most complicated times in the history of our world when it comes to the labor market. We have a labor shortage. People are leaving their jobs by the droves. They're going to different places. They're changing their minds. They're looking at what's meaningful for them.”
Charles noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the culture of work, creating new workplace environments and rules, spawning the Great Resignation, and amplifying the importance of diversity and inclusion. The panel, “Harnessing the Power of Your Workforce,” delved into the workforce challenges the industry is facing. Panelists included Blair Crawford, vice president of national accounts and marketing for Vertical Bridge and former executive director of industry relations at the Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum; Lynn Whitcher, general counsel at MD7 and WWLF’s director of education; Leslie Freeman-Kowalczyk, principal of the telecom engineering department at WT Group and director of membership at WWLF; Amanda Cahill, senior director of business development at Network Connex and president of WWLF; and Beth Martindale, vice president of WWLF and senior project manager for wireless at Mears Broadband.
Cahill noted that diversity and inclusion has been a hot topic for the past couple of years but asked what that really means for the telecom industry. Diving into research and statistics, Cahill said embracing diversity has been shown to increase revenue, attract and retain talent, and motivate existing employees. She cited a recent McKinsey & Company study that found highly inclusive and diverse organizations generate 2.3 times more cash flow per employee and 1.4 times more revenue.
Whitcher cautioned, however, that diversity has to be more than checking a box. She said the benefits of a wide variety of voices, experiences and backgrounds among a company’s employee base can yield new ideas and innovation. But achieving diversity can be difficult, noted Martindale. We naturally gravitate toward others who we have things in common with and that we can relate to, and finding qualified candidates who are different from us can be challenging, she said.
Whitcher, who shared that most of her department at MD7 consists of Asian females, said being open to candidates who don’t look like you is key. For her, that meant investing in a junior lawyer who grew up with a single mom and didn’t have a lot of businesspeople in his network.
“He looks very different than me,” said Whitcher, “but he happens to be a white male. It’s too easy in these diversity discussions to say, ‘Okay, let's measure against white male.’ Well, there isn't such a thing as a monolithic white male experience. That's not enough. We know the conversation has to be deeper than that.” Continue reading the full article on the WWLF website |
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WWLF Spotlight: Stella Bezabeh Verizon, Sr Engr Spec-Ntwk Reg/RE - Venue/IB/DAS Solutions Southern California Network
WWLF National Director of West Events |
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How long have you been a Rep for WWLF and what is your territory/region?
I have been with WWLF since 2012, I started as a City Rep and am now National Director of West Events
Why did you join WWLF?
I joined WWLF to learn about the many facets of the industry and network with others in different parts of the nation. A lot of my WWLF family have become very close to me and considered my work family.
How has being a part of WWLF impacted you personally or professionally?
WWLF has personally impacted my life by giving me confidence and resources on how to become a better leader. Professionally WWLF has strengthened my communication skills and allowed me to build a diverse network.
Where did you get your start in the industry? What is your current role?
I got started in the industry in 2004 working on the Nextel project as a permit expeditor. John Koos saw potential in me and gave me the opportunity since I had never worked in wireless. I currently work in Real Estate managing In Building and large Venues in the SoCal market for Verizon.
Read the full interview on the WWLF website
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Catching a Great Customer Experience Written by Debra Mercier, Comcast Business Sales Executive
WWLF Co-Executive Director of Programs |
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In an industry that is focused primarily on customer-driven satisfaction, creating the perfect customer experience is so much more than giving the customer what they want. It is about creating strong, lasting relationships. It’s about knowledge of the industry itself and providing real-time support. It’s about knowing their needs before they do and understanding future requirements that will assist in their growth as well as ours. I have always said, ‘love what you do, and it will show.’ This is another component of the great customer experience. The customer should be able to rely, not just on the quality of the work but the integrity of the team. Trust is a key factor as well. I suppose you could say that the telecom industry is much like a balancing act. On one hand, we have quality and needs. While on the other hand, we have speed and reliability. So many factors go into creating a great customer experience. For me, integrity and credibility are at the top. The customer has chosen you, now go out and give them the best experience they have ever had. Tell them what you are going to do, then go do it. After 20 years in the telecom industry, I’m not quite sure how to put my journey into words. Let’s just say, ‘be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.’ Ironically, I didn’t actively look for a position within the industry. However, the industry found me. Like many others my age, I put my career in the hands of employment agencies; starting first with a growing cable television company. This was a time before cell phones became as popular as they are today. I was then, as I continue to be, a very forward-thinking person. I knew what I wanted, and I simply went for it; headfirst. As I stated previously, I didn’t find telecom, it found me. Paging was where I really dug my heels in and grew as a salesperson. Surprisingly, successes came easily, and naturally. I was intrigued by how quickly the products and services evolved and all the training. I thrived on interpersonal connections, and, like a sponge, I gained as much knowledge as I could. Frankly, there was so much to learn. The different businesses and products were vast, and I took it all in. I wanted to know everything about the telecom industry. Read the full article on the WWLF website.
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Monthly Networking Events!
WWLF Members Only |
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Please join WWLF for our Monthly Networking Event: Motivation and Mugs
The 1st Monday of every month.
Although times are getting somewhat back to normal, we are still not quite there yet.
So, let's come together and connect while enjoying our morning ritual of coffee, tea, lemon water or whatever your choice of drink!
During this Monday Motivation and Mugs, each attendee will have one minute to introduce themselves and talk about what they are looking for/needing during these times: job opportunities, connections, friendly support, etc..
July 11 , 2022
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM (EDT)
Zoom link to be sent before the event
Registration closes the Friday before the event. |
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Quarterly Event: Book Read! |
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We will be reading and discussing “Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms”
Full of empowering wisdom from one of Silicon Valley's first female African American CEOs, this inspiring leadership book—named a Best Business Book of the Year by Fortune and Bloomberg—offers a blueprint for how to achieve your personal and professional goals.
Shellye Archambeau recounts how she overcame the challenges she faced as a young black woman, wife, and mother, managing her personal and professional responsibilities while climbing the ranks at IBM and subsequently in her roles as CEO. Through the busts and booms of Silicon Valley in the early 2000s, this bold and inspiring book details the risks she took and the strategies she engaged to steer her family, her career, and her company MetricStream toward success. |
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Shellye Archambeau will be joining the meeting for a Q&A session during the last 30 minutes of the Zoom meeting. |
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August 2, 2022
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM (CST)
Zoom link to be sent before the event Registration closes on July 29, 2022. |
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Monthly Networking Events!
WWLF Members Only |
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Please join WWLF for our Monthly Networking Event: Motivation and Mugs
The 1st Monday of every month.
Although times are getting somewhat back to normal, we are still not quite there yet.
So, let's come together and connect while enjoying our morning ritual of coffee, tea, lemon water or whatever your choice of drink!
During this Monday Motivation and Mugs, each attendee will have one minute to introduce themselves and talk about what they are looking for/needing during these times: job opportunities, connections, friendly support, etc..
August 1, 2022
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM (EDT)
Zoom link to be sent before the event
Registration closes the Friday before the event. |
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WWLF MWC NETWORKING RECEPTION |
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The Women's Wireless Leadership Forum (WWLF) will be hosting our Annual Event at MWC in Las Vegas on
Wednesday, September 28th, 2022 from 6:00-9:00pm
Location: Drai's Beachclub & Nightclub
3595 South Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89108
(REGISTRATION WILL BE CLOSED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 21st)
For more information on WWLF, please visit: www.wwlf.org.
Not a Member? Join today and attend this event for free!
*Membership must be in good standing as of the date of the event.
For questions about this event, contact: Stella Bezabeh or Laura Lora at events@wwlf.org.
Business Casual Attire is required and must be 21 and over to enter. |
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Thank you to our exclusive newsletter sponsor |
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Connect with WWLF
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WWLF is a proud affiliate of WIA
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Women's Wireless Leadership Forum C/O WIA
2111 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 210 Arlington, VA 22201
© 2022 Women’s Wireless Leadership Forum All Rights Reserved
WWLF is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diverse voices are welcome in all aspects of our organization. WWLF values the knowledge and perspectives that our members bring to our organization from their diverse backgrounds. While all members are welcome to participate in both regional and national events, WWLF remains committed to the design and delivery of content to support the development of women in the wireless communications industry. |
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