(Author: Natalie Singh is a PGPX student at IIM Ahmedabad)
I had taken a couple of years off work to take care of my infant son when one night I caught an episode of Undercover Boss on TV -
(http://www.channel4.com/programmes/undercover-boss/episode-guide/series-3/ )
This story made me cry. And then smile. And then laugh out aloud. It made me walk up to my unused writing table and start chalking out plans for myself. If Nikki King could start her life at 40, out of no choice, then what was holding me back? This was very inspiring for me, because many women miss the leadership race once they have children and lack adequate family support.
Nikki King was a secretary most of her early career. She had four kids and was 40 when her husband left her. She started work at a Ford Dealership and in seven years had risen to Managing Director. She then went on to become National Fleet Sales Director at Lex Plc. A few years later, Isuzu Trucks, Japan, chose her to set up distributorship for its entry into the UK market. In 2004, Nikki led the company into a successfully negotiated market buyout from RAC PLC in 2004. She is the first woman Chairman and Managing Director of a commercial vehicle manufacturer in the UK. She held this position until mid-2014.
Not only is she an inspiration to women who have taken career breaks for personal reasons, but also for women who are apprehensive of entering male dominated industry. She has gone on to break every stereotype quite successfully. She was been awarded the OBE in recognition of her services to her country and women all over the world.
Nikki believes that one of the reason there are not many women in boardrooms is that it is not easy enough for young women to combine family commitments and a career. Encouraging the female staff at Isuzu to change their hours to suit, work from home wherever possible, and bring their children to work where necessary helped her retain all the talented women who comprised 50% of her management team. In India, we have a strong family support system. However, lacking that system, I was quite certain I would not be able to pick up my career again. Watching her on the late night show of Undercover Boss made me realise, that it was possible. And, here I am today, sitting in a class of 85 talented PGPX students at IIM Ahmedabad, on my way to earning that long dreamt of MBA. Nikki King has inspired countless women dream and work towards realizing them. Nothing is impossible if you really want it. Thank you Nikki King!
References:
http://www.isuzutruck.co.uk/about.php
http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/go/iwiblondon
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/events/graduation/2010/honoraries/nikki_king/index.jsp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17099321
I had taken a couple of years off work to take care of my infant son when one night I caught an episode of Undercover Boss on TV -
(http://www.channel4.com/programmes/undercover-boss/episode-guide/series-3/ )
This story made me cry. And then smile. And then laugh out aloud. It made me walk up to my unused writing table and start chalking out plans for myself. If Nikki King could start her life at 40, out of no choice, then what was holding me back? This was very inspiring for me, because many women miss the leadership race once they have children and lack adequate family support.
Nikki King was a secretary most of her early career. She had four kids and was 40 when her husband left her. She started work at a Ford Dealership and in seven years had risen to Managing Director. She then went on to become National Fleet Sales Director at Lex Plc. A few years later, Isuzu Trucks, Japan, chose her to set up distributorship for its entry into the UK market. In 2004, Nikki led the company into a successfully negotiated market buyout from RAC PLC in 2004. She is the first woman Chairman and Managing Director of a commercial vehicle manufacturer in the UK. She held this position until mid-2014.
Not only is she an inspiration to women who have taken career breaks for personal reasons, but also for women who are apprehensive of entering male dominated industry. She has gone on to break every stereotype quite successfully. She was been awarded the OBE in recognition of her services to her country and women all over the world.
Nikki believes that one of the reason there are not many women in boardrooms is that it is not easy enough for young women to combine family commitments and a career. Encouraging the female staff at Isuzu to change their hours to suit, work from home wherever possible, and bring their children to work where necessary helped her retain all the talented women who comprised 50% of her management team. In India, we have a strong family support system. However, lacking that system, I was quite certain I would not be able to pick up my career again. Watching her on the late night show of Undercover Boss made me realise, that it was possible. And, here I am today, sitting in a class of 85 talented PGPX students at IIM Ahmedabad, on my way to earning that long dreamt of MBA. Nikki King has inspired countless women dream and work towards realizing them. Nothing is impossible if you really want it. Thank you Nikki King!
References:
http://www.isuzutruck.co.uk/about.php
http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/go/iwiblondon
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/events/graduation/2010/honoraries/nikki_king/index.jsp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17099321