Introducing Vanessa Vallely, OBE

Vanessa talks candidly in her interview about her business, her influences growing up and her personal brand style.

Vanessa is MD and Founder of WeAreTheCity, Gender Networks, the RisingStar Awards, WeAreTechWomen, TechWomen100 Awards and a Global Speaker, andwas recently awarded an OBE for her services to women and the economy.

Vanessa's corporate experience stems from a 25-year career in banking, holding roles such as head of governance, business management & COO. WeAreTheCity has 120k professional female members in the UK (40k in India). WATC also works with over 120 corporate clients enabling them to attract, retain and develop their female talent.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Please start with telling us more about what you do?

I'm managing director of the leading women’s website, WeAreTheCity.com. WeAreTheCity is a free resource portal used by women who want to accelerate their careers. We cover interest stories for working women alongside promoting what everyone else is doing in the world of gender progression, eg events, training, networks, returnships etc. We also run our own inspirational Rising Star and TechWomen100 awards and two skills-based conferences, WeAreTechWomen and WeAreFutureLeaders, as well as our job board and a careers club for women. Alongside these activities we also help over 120 corporate organisations to attract, retain and develop their female talent.

Prior to WeAreTheCity I was in banking for 25 years working across nine different banks up to a senior leadership level. I started working in the City when I was 16 after leaving school with a handful of GCSE’s. I have recently received an OBE for my services to women and the economy.

What were the biggest influences in your life that have helped shape who you are and what you do today?

My greatest influence was growing up in Hackney in a fairly socially and economically challenged environment. Despite its difficulties, I wouldn't change it for the world. I learnt life skills in east London that no university or college could have taught me. I also learnt the value of appreciating difference and the importance of being part of a tight knit community. This has shaped who I am in so many ways. I have seized every opportunity that has ever come my way, I am forever mindful to help others.

I am also eternally grateful to those who helped me when so many had already pre-judged what I would or wouldn't be. I will always pay this support forward.

What are the areas of your personal development that you really had to focus on improving to help you progress in your career?

I believe in continuous learning. We are never done when it comes to self-improvement. There are a few skills that I felt I needed to hone as I climbed my way into senior positions. I had the people skills (again which I attribute to where I grew up), I had the ability to get things done and influence others, however sometimes there were technical aspects to the roles I held that needed to be learnt. I went back to business school aged 38 to complete my corporate education as the scope of my roles had started to shift from being a doer on the ground to being more of a strategic and commercial leader.

What motivates you to keep doing what you do?

I thrive in a creative environment where I can turn an idea into something that creates impact. Leading WeAreTheCity gives me so many opportunities to shine a light on so many phenomenal women through our awards and events. Just being in a room with women who want to achieve more is hugely inspiring and motivating. I also think my momentum has had a huge boost over the past five years given the ever-increasing focus on the progression of women in business. When I started ten years ago, there was just me and a handful of other organisations. This is a massive motivator for me as I feel I am no longer alone in my quest to see parity for women.

SOCIAL VISIBILITY

How has social media helped you in your business / work?

I was petrified of social media back in the day. I honestly didn't see the point, how blinkered was I? I set up my Twitter and LinkedIn accounts within a year or two of their launch, thinking it was a fad albeit a fad that I needed to be part of. These days, from both a business and personal perspective, I couldn't be more of an advocate. Through social media I get to promote the activities of others alongside my own initiatives. I can call for expertise, connect individuals and contribute opinion. My social media channels are a lifeline to both me and my business. The first thing I check in the morning, even before the news, is what is trending on twitter. You have to have your fake news filter on, but by and large it's a good indicator of what is going on in the world.

Are there any ways in which you think social media has held you back or not supported your goals?

Not that I can think of. Social media has only ever supported my endeavours. I did get trolled once for speaking out against a TV programme that I believe lacked diversity. That was interesting and a bit scary! I do think a lot of individuals fear having an opinion on social media due to the trolling incidents. This needs to be better policed by the social media providers.

Which channels do you use the most to improve your online visibility?

LinkedIn for business and connections as it is a more structured environment and one where I can provide multiple pieces of information. Twitter for daily interactions, sharing and connecting. I am not a fan of Instagram and am yet to get my head around Snapchat. The only attraction I see there is fun with filters.

How important is social media in connecting you with your audience and building your influence?

100% important. It is how I communicate with my community on a daily basis. I don’t get up each morning and think how will I expand my influence today, I just have my own methods of social media management which seem to foster interactions. E.g., I retweet/share items that I feel will be of interest to my followers. Occasionally if I have time, or if I feel strongly enough about something, I will add a comment but often I just share.

PERSONAL BRAND IMAGE

When you think about your personal brand style (fashion, beauty, body image etc), how would you describe yourself?

I am a creature of habit. My dresses are made by the wonderful Maggie Semple in various colours, I wear a variety of Louis Vuitton scarves to match and Louboutin heels. This is my brand style and uniform. Over the years the heels are getting lower and there is more material in my dresses, definitely a sign of middle age.

On body image as I have got older, and post kids, my shape has definitely changed. I have learnt to embrace my curves and love who I am. I have struggled with my weight for years; however, I am now of the opinion that as long as my clothes fit, I am eating well and getting to the gym a couple of times a week, I am happy and balanced.

Is there anything about your style that you think makes you stand out and if so what would you say that is?

Most people comment on my shoes. They are an integral part of my brand and even feature prominently on the cover of my book; heels of steel. I am also a lover of capes; I think there is something very classy about a dress with a matching cape (perhaps this is my version of superwoman!). Over the past year I have worked with Maggie Semple to design capes that match my dresses. I absolutely love the way they swing when you walk, an absolute must have for those autumn months.

Do you have any tips for people who are shy about putting themselves ‘out there’ and being the ‘face’ of their brand?

I think it is really important to do what works for you. A LinkedIn profile is a must have. Take time out to make this the best it can be. Your LinkedIn profile is your shop window! In terms of other socials, pick one channel and do it well. You may just choose to be a sharer, never commenting, and if this is the case, then that is absolutely fine. If you are shy, start with the LinkedIn profile and just watch others on socials until you work out what is going to work in terms of your own profile-raising activities.

What areas of your personal brand style do you think works for you the best in terms of your attraction and visibility (i.e., do you get more attention from your images or video or do they both work well for you)?

I don't really use that much video, but I will always include an image in most of my posts (regardless of channels). I believe this captures attention. I am lucky in the respect that I get to speak at a lot of events. Some are paid (a girl has to eat) and some I do because I am passionate about the cause. This is a wonderful way of reaching people en masse. I also get to tweet about those events, connect with people at those events, take photos and build relationships. I also regularly share content on social media; again this provides a number of opportunities to promote discussion which can turn into dialogue and opportunities.

FINAL QUESTION

When you think about all of the elements that make up your personal brand (mindset, social visibility and image), why is your personal brand important for building an authentic persona with your target audience?

You have to be you, whether that is face to face or on social media. It is pointless building a persona that isn’t a true reflection of who you really are. If you are tempted to create a different personality on social media, be warned. It is impossible to keep up and most importantly people will see through it and then they won’t trust you. I think there is also a really important piece around behaviours in terms of your brand. Those behaviours/characteristics also have been consistent.

Follow Vanessa & We Are The City on Social Media

twitter.com/WATC_Updates twitter.com/WATC_girl facebook.com/WeAreTheCity4U/ instagram.com/watc_hq/

Interview: : Dionne Smith

Photography: Emma Marshall

Styling: Shyla Hassan9