Manju Mathew, the Channel Marketing Manager at StorIT Distribution talks about her passion for IT, the opportunities for women in the Middle East’s IT sector and the challenges she faces on a day-to-day basis
Please tell us something about yourself.
I am an IT engineering graduate from St. Josephs College of Engineering, India. I began my professional journey with KPMG, as IT Support staff. The three year tenure gave me great exposure to work in a multi-national organization.
I started working with StorIT Distribution as Product Specialist (Networking and Connectivity division). This was my exposure to the Channel Sales in the Middle East. I am currently the Channel Marketing Manager for StorIT.
Apart from being a career woman, I am also a wife and a mother of a 7 year old boy. Though my job is very challenging, it is also exciting and rewarding. StorIT has always given me the platform and independence to excel in my career.
What made you choose IT / IT channel industry as a career choice?
Being an IT graduate, my passion was to work in IT industry from a very young age. I always felt I had the aptitude and skills to excel in this industry. Coming from a technical background, ‘new technologies’ always used to excite me.
I was very happy when I got my first break in StorIT as a ‘Product Manager’ for QLogic. The exposure I got in this role was phenomenal. I learnt how the IT Channel works in the Middle East. I am very excited to be part of this dynamic industry. It’s challenging and equally rewarding.
What sort of opportunities are present for women in the IT channel industry?
In recent years, Middle East market has opened lots of opportunities for women in the IT domain. Women have taken mid-to-senior management position in various professions; Channel Marketing, IT Consultants and Product Management.
There are growing opportunities for fresh graduates (IT and telecommunication) to work as ‘Interns’ with leading corporates, vendors, distributors and system integrators in the fast growing region.
Is it easy or difficult working with male co-workers especially in the day-to-day trading environment?
It is comfortable to work and compete with male co-workers in the IT sector. Most corporates in the Middle East employ people from diversified backgrounds; culture, nationality, gender etc.
UAE being one of the most liberal countries in the region has a great mix of multi-cultural people employed in the work force. The government encourages women in both public and private sectors. Employees are judged based on their performance, skill set and qualifications. The open door policy in most corporates allows women to freely communicate with male co-workers.
What challenges do you face on a day to day basis?
Several, to be honest. This is why my current role as ‘Channel Marketing Manager’ is so exciting. There are challenges in planning, organizing and executing marketing activities. The nature of the job itself is very demanding.
I have to coordinate with vendors (to align our marketing plans), channel partners ( to understand their training requirements), PR, IT Publications and Event management agencies. In addition, there is day-to-day coordination with the internal Channel Sales and Product Managers.
Who is your role model? Why?
My father is my role model. He is one person I have seen work with more than 100% commitment at work all his life and at the same time gave 100% time to our family.
What would you term to be one of your biggest achievements in your career?
My biggest achievement so far was to achieve my revenue target in my first year of working as Product Manager in StorIT. Being in sales for the first time was a huge challenge. I am glad with the support of my channel sales team and partners; I was able to succeed in this new role.
How easy/difficult is it juggling family and work life?
It is difficult to try and maintain a balance between my professional and my personal life especially when I have a young child at home vying for my attention. I have a very supportive husband and that helps tremendously if I have an incredibly busy day where he fills in for me.
Overall I try to ensure that I work efficiently from office itself and spend quality time with my family at home.
What is your advice for young female professionals?
“Believe in yourself and change your life”. My advice to young female professionals would be to follow their dreams in both personal and professional life. Give their best in whatever profession they chose to work in and never underestimate their capabilities.
Opportunities are huge, especially in this region and gender is never a criterion to excel in the professional industry. Women just need to empower themselves, believe in their capabilities and work with passion and sincerity and success will be theirs.
What more do companies need to do in order to encourage women to take up top jobs?
Companies need to promote talent and recruit based on merit and not gender. I am incredibly lucky to work with StorIT, a company that has helped me grow and experience new roles.
