Poornima Vijayashanker@femgineer poornima@femgineer.com

FEMGINEER FORUM: COMPELLING COMMUNICATION#femgineerforum

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INTRODUCTION

‣ Duke University - Electrical Engineer & Computer Science‣ R&D Engineer @ Synopsys‣ 2nd Employee/Engineer @ Mint.com‣ Femgineer.com

POORNIMA VIJAYASHANKER

CEO & FOUNDER

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FEMGINEER FORUM: COMPELLING COMMUNICATION

‣ Assessing the Environment‣ Communicating Concerns‣ Crafting the ASK

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AGENDA

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INSPIRATION 4

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MOTIVATION 5

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Myth: Tech is a meritocracy.

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Disrupting tech.

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IMPOSTER SYNDROME

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IMPOSTER SYNDROME 9

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USE CASES

‣ Interviewing in a male dominated team‣ Communicating concerns to team and supervisors‣ ASKing for a promotion, raise, or project

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Assessing the Environment.

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IS IT SUPPORTIVE? 12

Does it value everyone?

- minority of thought

- diversity in roles both employees and leadership

Is it open to change?

- have you witnessed it first hand?

- has someone else experienced it?

Speed of change?

- is there a plan in place that is being executed?

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Sometimes you have to move on to get what you need.

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Communicating concerns.

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Compassionate confrontation.

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Because you cannot operate in a dysfunctional team.

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Because some of us just don’t want to be a B*TCH.

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Storytime.

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BEFORE YOU PLAY THE VICTIM CARD 19

Your Part

Being Vague

Do your homework first.

No one can read your mind!

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Crafting the ASK.

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You are NOT ASKing for permission.

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1. KNOW WHAT YOU NEED

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Category Career Goals Lifestyle Goals What Do You Need?

What is unacceptable?

Long Term Goal Be able to work. Get married.Find a supportive

man who will let me work and travel.

Unsupportive man.

Mid Career Goal Be able to build products & companies. Start a family.

Company that encourages families and supports mom’s in leadership roles.

Companies where no one has a family or women aren’t in leadership roles.

Mid Career Goal Build a profitable business. Travel twice a year. Self-sustaining team. Me being the linchpin.

Early Career Goal Work on a project I am passionate about.

Take time off to recharge through travel.

Environment that will let me take 2 weeks vacation every 6 months.

Any culture where taking time off is frowned upon.

Early Career Goal Work for a startup. Pay off car & student loans. Challenge and $. Being paid below

market.

TIME FRAME MUST BE ALIGNED MUST BE ALIGNED

GOALS MATRIXNo Regrets!

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2. TELL THEM YOU KNOW WHAT YOU NEED

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FEMGINEER FORUM: COMPELLING COMMUNICATION

KEYS TO CRAFTING AN ASK

‣ Know what you need.‣ Point our reasons that benefit THEM (boss and company).‣ Always use active voice and words.

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Would it be possible...Is it ok if I...

I think...Is it alright with you if I...

I need... here’s why.

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Don’t muddle the message.

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28PITCH

Analyze

Apply

Assess

Take stock of where you are and where you need to be.Refer to the No Regrets Matrix.

Craft the ASK: know your needs, list benefits, and explain everything clearly.

Set a consistent frequency to review situation: weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually.

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Why we don’t ASK.

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Visualize failure.

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KEY OBJECTIVE(S) AGENDA

RESOURCESDELIVERABLE

EXERCISE

Learn to negotiate & get the offer you want!

15 minutes 1.Craft your ASK.2.Pick partner.3.Deliver the ASK.4.Switch.

Short skit. Use no regrets matrix and pitch steps.

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3. PROVE THAT YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU NEED

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To yourself.

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Don’t play the victim, value yourself!

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FEMGINEER FORUM: COMPELLING COMMUNICATION

‣ Assessing the Environment‣ Communicating Concerns‣ Crafting the ASK

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REVIEW

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What’s next?

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Office HoursFridays 2pm PST

Sign up for a 30 minute slot here!

Next Femgineer Forum January 10th!

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APPENDIX

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RESOURCES 39

BooksBasic Black - Cathie BlackSecrets of Six Figure Women - Barbara StannyNice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office - Lois P. FrankelYes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive - Goldstein, Martin & Cialdini4 Hour Work Week - Tim Ferris

GroupsWomen 2.0Femgineer Forum

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