Feedback on recent event

What a fantastic launch event – many thanks to SJ Berwin for being brilliant hosts last Thursday. With over 70 people in the room the atmosphere was awesome, and we were incredibly lucky to have as our guest speaker Alison Davis, RBS Group non-executive board member and mum of 5. Alison spoke energetically about her personal life and the challenges she has faced in raising a large family whilst reaching a succession of increasingly powerful roles. One topic that really stuck with me was Alison’s discussion of the important of PIE – Performance, Image and Exposure – in achieving career progression. Whilst we typically believe that performance – i.e. being excellent at your job – is the key to getting ahead, research has shown that in fact Image (how you present yourself) and Exposure (who knows about you and what you do?)  together are significantly more important. Of the 3, Exposure is in fact the single most important factor. So there was much food for thought here – I know that I went straight back to the office afterwards, and signed up for a couple of internal events I wouldn’t have previously thought of attending, because they offered a good opportunity for greater Exposure. Certainly, Citymothers itself is benefiting from greater exposure – we now have over 200 members  - and Laura, Germaine and I are actively planning the schedule of events for later in 2013. The next meeting will be in Canary Wharf in March (hosted by State Street) – we will be joined by Ruby McGregor-Smith, CEO of Mitie Group and the first Asian woman to be appointed as CEO in the FTSE 100. Registration for this event is open now - please see the Members' Events page. Hope to see you there!