Working for a progressive company was also key to Vicki’s success. IHG, a global organization with operations in 100 countries and a TIAW corporate sponsor, provides the same opportunities for its female employees that it provides for the male. For example, everyone has to create a personal/professional development plan that they work on with their supervisors and managers to identify areas for growth.. Training and development opportunities are then customized to that individual to facilitate their growth.
A critical lesson that Vicki has learned in her career is, “Stay focused on the business and don’t allow yourself to get involved in corporate politics. Be true to your own beliefs and just stand behind those. Don’t try to second guess what others expect you to say, or want you to say. Act and do in accordance with your own standards and what you truly believe is best for the business.”
So why did IHG become a Platinum sponsor of TIAW?. According to Vicki, “The organization is a good match for us. Like TIAW, IHG is an international organization - we are very much global in scope and in our view of business. The development of female senior managers is an important objective for us so it was natural that we align ourselves with an organization that has depth and breadth, and offers development opportunities for executive women.”
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