Kate Ahlering’s Post

I received STAR OF THE MONTH at work this week 🌟 Here's a glimpse of me accepting my award 💁♀️ And it got me reflecting on how the little things matter, especially in a startup environment. At Up World, we might not have the typical "startup perks" like ping pong tables, monthly boozy socials or fancy office spaces 🤷🏻♀️ But what we do have is an open, honest and supportive environment that means we can get the work done (and there’s a lot to be done!) in whatever way suits us best. Instead of all of the normal ‘cool startup environment’ vibes 💩 we do have: 👉A Slack channel dedicated to shouting out all the small wins, from a community member sending us nice feedback to Han buying her first home (which isn’t a small win at all!) 👉Monthly ‘Star Of The Month’ awards, so we can highlight the hard work everyones putting in 👏 (this comes with a nice lil bonus too) 👉An environment where feedback is valued, and continuous improvement is encouraged 📈 👉Flexibility to get the work done however we want 👩🏻💻 Coffee shop? Paris? Evening owl? We don’t mind, as long as the work gets done and you’re supporting the team. While these things may not mean much to some, a little recognition and the trust to work flexibly, mean the world to me 🌏 And knowing that the entire company voted for me this month has honestly made my week (but maybe there’s something to be said about always needing validation which stems from school, but that’s for another day! 😅) Here's to a culture that celebrates success, embraces feedback, and thrives on support! 🚀

The Power of Career Lattices In 2007, I was nearing the end of my post-merger integration assignment in Germany when the Head of EMEA IT asked me to return to the Philippines for a temporary role: Interim Regional Director of IT Asia for six months. The Head of IT Asia was heading to Australia for a long-term assignment, and I was asked to fill the gap. As is often the case with these types of assignments, one of two things usually happens: 1) you complete the assignment and return to your previous role, or 2) the assignment becomes permanent, leading to the career progression you’ve been aiming for. I was hoping for the second option, thinking about my career ladder and wanting to move upward. My six-month assignment went well, and as it ended, I was eagerly looking for my next step. What came next, however, wasn’t what I had envisioned as the next rung on my ladder. I was offered a position in Mexico as a Process Analyst/Consultant at the company’s corporate headquarters. At that time, it didn’t feel like the upward career move I was hoping for. But then, my mentor-manager gave me some advice that changed my perspective. He said, “Think of where you are now as the minor leagues. We’re bringing you to the majors here at corporate. You might start on the bench, but you’ll be in the big leagues.” That advice convinced me to take a leap of faith. That move to Mexico was a pivotal moment—it eventually led me to the U.S., into a new industry in consumer packaged goods, and ultimately, to becoming a Chief Information Officer. I learned one important lesson: careers aren’t ladders—they’re lattices. Sometimes the most valuable experiences come from stepping sideways, not upwards. The journey is not just about climbing up; it’s about moving across, learning, and growing in all directions. What happens when that vertical path isn’t what you want? When your skills or interests shift? The truth is, most careers, especially in technology, are far from linear. We need flexibility, the opportunity to move laterally, to take on different challenges, and to develop new perspectives. That’s the lattice! I’m excited to join our third MAG IT LEAD PACK cohort in Vancouver next week for a week-long tech leadership boot camp. Based on the success of previous years, I’m confident it will be an incredible learning experience, being surrounded by a talented group of IT leaders at Mark Anthony. I’ll be kicking off with a perspective on how to achieve career fulfillment in technology by understanding and navigating different career journeys: (a) Career Movement: Lattice vs. Ladder, (b) Career Tracks: Technical or Leadership, and (c) Career Development: Skills and Competencies. In a world that’s evolving as quickly as ours—especially with advancements like AI—the most successful leaders will be those who embrace the lattice approach, blend technical expertise with leadership, and commit to lifelong learning. MAG IT LEAD PACK 2024, here we go! #tech #leadership

🎉 I’m celebrating 3 years in business this month! It's been quite the journey going from fully employed all my working life to being in charge of my own work! But I wouldn't change a thing! Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, and I love the variety that comes with working with different people and businesses. And I’m truly grateful for those that have put their trust in me to let me into their business so that I can help them grow. 👀 Being self-employed has been an eye-opener for me. It's put an end to the idea of a linear career path that I grew up with, opening my eyes to the endless possibilities within the world of business. Plus, it has reinvigorated a sense of creativity and a drive to continually develop my skills. I'll never forget the moment when a former manager commented on one of my posts, noting the transformation from the quiet, shy individual they once knew. It's moments like these that remind me of how much I've grown, both personally and professionally. One of the biggest lessons I've learned about myself is the importance of clarity. I thrive on specifics and struggle with ambiguity, so I've become adept at asking the right questions to avoid misunderstandings. And as for self-promotion? Well, I’ve never been good at this and I'm still learning to blow my own trumpet, but it's a necessary skill in the business world. Time to be my own cheerleader! 🏆 And hey, guess what? I recently won an award! Stay tuned because there's more excitement to come. Perhaps the most rewarding part of this journey has been the balance it's brought to my life. More quality time with my family, less rushing around, and a noticeable improvement in my overall health and well-being. 🙌 So here's to 3 years of growth, learning, and discovery. I love what I do, and I'm feeling incredibly positive about what the fourth year of business has in store! #virtualassistantbirmingham #virtualassistantservices #techassistance #businessbirthday #businesscelebration

In the early days, we prided ourselves on the deep, personal connections we had with each member of our team. Longer meetings allowed us to stay closely connected with every individual. However, as we’ve grown, we’ve come to realize that maintaining this level of connection with each person isn’t feasible. To adapt, we've focused on establishing better processes and increasing visibility across our organization. These changes are not just about keeping up with growth—they're about ensuring that we remain connected in a meaningful way. With these improvements, we can better understand what’s happening across the company and provide a clearer, more promising career path for everyone. By embracing these new processes, we’re not only scaling our operations but also ensuring that our team members continue to grow and thrive along with us.

How to Become More Visible at Work By Nicole D. Smith and Angela Cheng-Cimini Published in Harvard Business Review - August 18, 2023 Early Career   It takes more than hard work to grow in your role and build credibility. The impact of your hard work also needs to be visible to others. Workplace visibility is vital to getting your name mentioned in the room where decisions are made, being included in career-shaping projects, and eventually, landing a promotion. If other people don’t know what you’ve accomplished, you’ll never achieve your full potential for advancement. Here’s how to become more visible at work: ·      Make a move. Being a visible employee requires purpose and intention. It takes action. If you’re normally someone who doesn’t talk in meetings, start speaking up or follow up immediately afterwards with the meeting host. Remember, humility doesn’t equal silence. ·      Deliver quality work. It may seem obvious, but be visible for the right reasons. Do good work. When people can count on quality work from you, you’ll earn the reputation as a reliable, trustworthy, and valued, needed member of the team — all which leads to more visibility. ·      Know what’s top of mind for key stakeholders. Be able to help and add value to the work of powerful decision-makers in your organization. When you demonstrate that you have a skillset that can be a valuable resource to them and their work, they’ll be more likely to pay attention to your work. ·      Love to learn. Look for, ask about, and volunteer for learning opportunities that will expand your skills. All the better if those opportunities benefit key stakeholders. Does your company offer cross-departmental job rotations? Does your manager need an extra hand for a time-sensitive project? Can you volunteer to represent your team in cross-functional meetings? Seek learning opportunities that have urgent and promotable tasks. #EarlyCareer #HowtoBecomeMoreVisibleatWork #MoreVisibleatWork #Workplacevisibility #buildingcredibility #qualitywork #Lovetolearn #potentialforadvancement #careergrowth

🎉 14 Years and Counting 🎉 Time flies when you’re... well, constantly evolving. 🚀 14 years ago, I stepped into a company that was already in full swing with some great clients, I knew my stuff, but somehow, it still felt like the Wild West. Imagine trying to catch a wave in a storm—exciting, unpredictable, and a little bit crazy. And I loved (most) every second of it. In this crazy ride of a career, I’ve worn a lot of hats. I’ve been the designer with mouse-callused fingertips, the strategist mapping out labyrinths of ideas, and the leader rallying the troops for the next big project. It’s been a whirlwind of late nights, aha moments, and the occasional “What have I gotten myself into?” But through it all, there’s been one constant—growth. 📈 What I didn’t expect, though, was how this journey would shape me, not just as a professional, but as a person. The lessons I’ve learned go beyond the pitch: resilience, creativity in the face of chaos, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge you, inspire you, and make you laugh when the chips are down. So, here’s to 14 years of transformation, innovation, and maybe just a little bit of stubbornness. 🍀 Here’s to the clients who’ve trusted me, the colleagues who’ve challenged me, and to all those individuals who’ve pushed me past my own limits time and time again. Here’s to the mistakes that turned into lessons and the successes that turned into stepping stones. And most importantly, here’s to the next 14 years—because if the past is any indication, the best is yet to come. Cheers to the future, and all the wild, wonderful, and unpredictable moments ahead. 🥂 #WorkAnniversary #GrowthJourney #NextChapter

🌟 Celebrating Milestones: A Journey of Growth and Gratitude 🌟 Today marks another year of the day I came up with idea of ‘The Vertical’ and what a journey it has been! Reflecting on the past year, I’m filled with a sense of gratitude and accomplishment. Each project, challenge, and success has been a step on a path of immense learning and growth. (Why this celebration is more than just a date on the calendar) Every year, this date is a milestone that symbolizes more than just tenure. It represents the challenges we’ve faced, the obstacles we’ve overcome, and the knowledge we’ve gained as a team. It’s a testament to the resilience, dedication, and hard work that each day requires. But here’s what truly makes these milestones worth celebrating: • The People: From mentors who’ve guided me, to colleagues who’ve become friends, it’s the people I’ve met along this journey who’ve made every challenge worthwhile and every success sweeter. • The Growth: Both personal and professional growth that came from pushing boundaries, embracing new ideas, and stepping out of my comfort zone. • The Impact: Knowing that the work we do makes a difference, contributes to our team’s goals, and aligns with my personal values and career aspirations. (And here’s to many more) As I celebrate this day, I am reminded that the journey is far from over. There are more challenges to face, more to learn, and even more opportunities to make an impact. The Vertical

If I hear “you’re just not strategic enough yet” one more time… Of all the feedback to get as to why you’re not getting your promotion, “you’re just not strategic enough” may take the cake. Next to… there’s not enough budget available this year. Anyways. While that kind of feedback can sometimes feel like a cop out - there’s a big piece of it that is rooted in truth. Truthfully, many of you aren’t thinking strategically enough at work. Partially because you’re heads down focused on your current job. Partially because back to back meetings run your life. And most importantly, the last thing you want to do is devote another brain cell to your job right now. I totally get it because I lived this reality once (and I was on the damn strategy & planning team lol). But over the 6 years that I was on S&P at Uber – I learned a few things that helped me earn 2 promotions and become a team leader at the company. This  week on Strategic & Promoted (my weekly newsletter to help women in the Tech industry be more strategic… duh! so you can get promoted, all without burning out) - I’m breaking down:  how to learn the market dynamics of your company how to study the competition strategically  and why it’s important to really understand your customers. I’m even sharing some super tactical tips from when I was responsible for US & Canada competition while I was working at Uber and how it helped me become the go-to person for all things competitive insights (a big part of how I got promoted). You can sign up for tomorrow’s newsletter --> https://lnkd.in/gVpXHVpv

Over the past two years, we've grown from 15 to 150. Tremendous growth — which I’m extremely thankful for. But it’s made me realize how incredibly important culture is. Because, as your team grows, the odds of entropy increases— Inefficiency between 5-10 people doesn’t hurt too much, But between 150 people? Millions of dollars are on the line. So every month, in our global call, we zoom out. We take a step back from the daily grind, To not only tell new recruits what we're working towards... But to remind seasoned Prezentians why they're here, too. And every quarter, we spotlight those who embody our values, Through value-specific awards — because it's all about alignment. Our mission is huge … way beyond one person's reach. So, this emphasis? It's crucial. It reminds us of the power of pulling together. Because “teamwork” isn't just a buzzword here. It's what makes our company possible.

Over the past two years, we've grown from 15 to 150. Tremendous growth — which I’m extremely thankful for. But it’s made me realize how incredibly important culture is. Because, as your team grows, the odds of entropy increases— Inefficiency between 5-10 people doesn’t hurt too much, But between 150 people? Millions of dollars are on the line. So every month, in our global call, we zoom out. We take a step back from the daily grind, To not only tell new recruits what we're working towards… But to remind seasoned Prezentians why they're here, too. And every quarter, we spotlight those who embody our values, Through value-specific awards — because it's all about alignment. Our mission is huge … way beyond one person's reach. So, this emphasis? It's crucial. It reminds us of the power of pulling together. Because “teamwork” isn't just a buzzword here. It's what makes our company possible.