Philippa Snare, director, Windows Live Business Group, Microsoft Ltd
I have been in the ‘IT industry’ for over 15 years and yet when I left university I really didn’t know that’s what I would be saying. All I knew was that using computers, software and services gave me the ability to find information easily, get stuff for friends that they couldn’t find and to connect with people. I could really see the internet’s potential and I wanted everyone to benefit from that capability.
Even if you want to be the CEO, remember to enjoy the journey, no matter what pace you go at
My current role
All the roles I have done in Microsoft and before have been about helping people gain from using the internet to enhance their lives and businesses. My current role is about using web technologies and building them into the services that Microsoft provides. I help our sales people find the right solutions for customers; I help our marketing teams use the web to connect with people in a more emotional way; and I help executives in the business understand and embrace the power and positive effect of encouraging people to use the web.
Technology is much more than a tool. For example, Hotmail helps people share memories, Google helps people find things, Facebook helps people stay in touch, and LinkedIn helps people to find the right role. Modern technology has an emotional tie-in.
My biggest influence
A really big career influence was my first boss, a chap called Duncan Mackillop. He took a risk in employing me, gave me huge encouragement and taught me through letting me have a go that experience is important but attitude is vital.
To put this into context, I could really see the potential of the internet when it was still in its early stages being used in academia. I wrote my final-year dissertation on how extensively the internet would be used in the future for communication and to connect people – I was told it would never happen! I really believed passionately that the web could change the way we work, live and interact. Duncan liked my attitude and this, along with my A level art portfolio, secured me the job in his start-up company.
My experiences have been important too. I believe that life is a journey, not a race and I am just collecting experiences – good and bad. I try my hardest to learn from the bad ones and enjoy the good ones every day. On my way up the tree I like to sit on the branches and look around, and I feel much richer for it.
I also love meeting new people, getting to know them and learning about their perspective on life. From the graduates I mentor to top-level execs, I find I learn from people young and old – that’s something I love about working.
Technology of the future
Touch technology. OK, it’s not entirely new, but the future will see evolutions of technology based on what people want to do. For instance, search on the internet isn’t new – it’s just more convenient and robust than it was when we used to use libraries or the yellow pages.
When a touch screen become intelligent, recognises who and where you are and what objects are being put on it, then it gets exciting. Imagine being on holiday at a ‘touch’ swim up bar. You login, check your hotmail and send your family some of your photos by just putting your mobile on the bar.
Advice for graduates
First understand what you are good at. Learn as much as you can about yourself, so you know your strengths and weaknesses and you are clear about the people you like to work with and the environment you like to work in. Treat everyone with the same respect as you would like to be treated – what comes around goes around, and one thing is true, you will meet people time and again. Don’t forget to enjoy the ride. Even if you want to be the CEO, remember to enjoy the journey, no matter what pace you go at.
