Workplace Negotiation Skills

If we want to redress the balance of gender at the top, it means we need to be in roles that take us to the top.

Anita Ziemer, Managing Director of the Slade Group says this same understanding of what drives business needs to be translated to women's CVs as well. "I also find that women often write a narrative about their career when what we need to see are: what their responsibilities and what are their achievements, and they should be a bit more numerate about it."

Ziemer believes there is truth in the old adage that you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. She believes women need to develop a greater appreciation of their value to a company and become better at putting themselves forward for opportunities and promotions, because if managers don't know what you want, it makes it hard for them to give it to you.

"A lot of women think, 'If I'm really good, they'll tap me on the shoulder' and they don't. You have to put your hand up and say, 'I'm up for it' - and what's the worst thing that can happen? They say no, and you stay where you are; but more than likely they will think, 'Gee, she wants a move, I better look after her because I don't want to lose her, and now I know what she wants, I can help her."

Taken from Vive Magazine, October 2008
Interview with Anita Ziemer

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