No line for the women’s bathroom at CES, the world’s largest electronic trade show! At CES, attendees are exposed to top industry leaders, try futuristic products and enjoy listening to keynote speeches from the top echelon and most impactful change agents in our space. By now, I’m sure you’ve all read that there were NO women scheduled to give keynote addresses, BUT there were “booth babes” and young women in cheerleader uniforms. And the naked robotic women? Well, that was real, too (and also a discussion for another time).
My first thought was “wow, CES was launching the newest tech and has solved the issue of why women’s queues take so much longer than men!” Perhaps the industry is so cutting edge that we ended up creating a culture where progressive ideas have been accepted and change has occurred. Unisex bathrooms right? That was IT (pun intended). I even thought, “maybe one of the keynote speakers was going to address the ever present-global-bathroom issue and possibly be a woman!” I was on to it and I smelled change in the air!
Unfortunately, no. It’s simple. CES is a male dominated show (as are most tech shows). I could have given a keynote speech about this issue! How do you think that would have flowed? LOL. I mean we all have to use the bathroom right? However, I’m a woman and professional in the digital space, and shocking, I do use the bathroom!
I wasn’t asked to give an opinion about women being key to innovation or the impact that we have on shaping the future. However, I feel it necessary to share my thoughts. By now, it’s been documented that the uphill climb for women in tech has been challenging. The same goes for the challenges and underrepresentation that women of color face. They will not only encounter gender stereotyping, but also cultural biases that clearly pervade the digital work environment. I am no expert, however, I have accumulated more than 25 years of business development experience, or relationship management as I often call it. I took the opportunity to talk to other women of all backgrounds at CES and have conversations with them that sparked interest in the common thread that we as women were there!
How did we have time to chit-chat? Because we weren’t waiting for the bathrooms, duh!
The kicker of it all was that these women, me included, are thought leaders. We wouldn’t be there if we weren’t. I say this with confidence because in order to have made it into this space, and be at CES, we have to be leaders in some context.
This experience pushed me to become vocal and communicate my thoughts about why not wait for the line in the bathroom is such a huge deal!
Why? Because I’m deeply rooted in the business of creating change and want to infuse my professional endeavors with inspiration and enthusiasm for those that are considered a part of the movement. How can I do this being the Director of Business Development of O3 World? I can’t listen to the naysayers that tell me I am a lead generator and just open doors. Or, that I’m not “technical” so how can I be so successful? I’m about relationships and people, and developing rapports that span decades. And I want to continue building upon this platform that is slowly shifting to be more inclusive. I attended CES to meet people, talk about collaboration and share insights with those that are innovative. How fortuitous of me to now have the opportunity to chat about how women and men can’t only share a unisex bathroom…but can also share the digital space with equanimity.
I read that there’s a limited pool when it comes to women whose qualifications are commensurate with those needed to be a keynote speaker. Hmm…maybe shift those qualifications as well and think outside the box? Maybe sharing insights about how not replacing human interaction is the future, and instead how relationships/business development can help facilitate the knowledge brands need to know their space and audience on a more familiar level?
And to think that this conference comes months after the genesis of the #MeToo campaign. My perspective, regardless if I am a CTO or a Director of Business Development in the digital space, is important and necessary to paint a comprehensive picture of this industry. We as women can’t rest. We need to make room. And I mean we have no time to waste waiting in the restroom queue – period (all puns intended).
