Last week was a very
exciting week! I was invited to speak at the European women in Fintech and
payments network (EWPN) annual conference and award dinner. My panel discussed
funding and alternative lending. I participated in many clinics ranging from
leadership, branding, financial inclusion, innovation, eyes on Africa,
Technology, customer delivery among others. I was also part of a wonderful
award dinner where ZidiCircle was among the startup of the year award nominees-
Congratulations to the winners!
Here are my key
observations;
#1. Belonging
There was a sense of
family during the two days we were at the #EWPN2019. Everybody was jolly and
wanted to reach out including the lady who fixed my dress in the ladies. I was
just standing by the mirror struggling to fix my belt (which was pulled down by
my bike’s wheels. Yes, I know what you are thinking but in the Netherlands, we
cycle everywhere, even to global conferences such as this one or to job
interviews. So while I struggled to get my belt on the loop, one lady
immediately jumped in to fix it, the other walked in and was so disappointed
that she didn’t carry her safety pin to fix it, eventually lady number one
fixed it -most grateful! This is among the many instances that I observed great
women step up and do great deeds because they cared. There was a sense of
moving forward. The men were not left behind, I bumped into this gent minutes
before the award dinner, and he wanted my opinion about his bow tie. All these
instances and many others made it feel at home for everyone, and together we
were venturing into deep Waters of ensuring everybody feels included in this
fintech revolution. And I mean a revolution because we can’t do without it, and
we have a duty to develop impactful infrastructure that will be easily adopted
by generations to come.
#2. Support
It wasn’t surprising
that everyone I met wanted to be helpful and supportive even before I explained
what it is that I was working on. These highly talented women want to be the
solution rather than complain about being excluded from this, missing that
promotion or lucking that funding round. They want to create practical
solutions using the knowledge, skills, network and all other resources at their
disposal.
#3. Sharing
So I met this wonderful lady, who within 2
minutes of our meeting dug into her emails and was forwarded to me really
helpful links in between our talks. I didn’t ask for help, but during our
conversation, she identified areas that she could support me and my network.
Then I met another in my next interaction and she was very receptive in fixing
a call to discuss a partnership. What an inspiration this was. That most of our
mindsets were set to give first even before we received, without strings
attached, without looking at our achievements or academic credentials. Isn’t
this beautiful!
#4. Reaching out
It was easy to pass by
two or more conversing women, and they openly asked for help? Asking doesn’t
demean us or show a level of weakness. No… it is okay to ask and even if the
other party has no direct solution, they can direct you to possible leads. They
can say no, or I know of this, or I can introduce you to so and so. That’s the
beauty of reaching out. In my personal capacity, this is how I have grown, this
is how I have learned, this is how I continue exploiting my full potential.
#5. Freedom
The freedom to choose, the freedom to be who you are without being judged harshly. That’s what most women enjoyed. So many times I overheard a lady telling the other that this is our space to be who we are, to share with the world what we are, to make mistakes. Yes, what is wrong with going on a podium and forgetting your key points because last night the baby was up all night, or because of jet lag. Every average human being makes mistakes ( even your boss btw). But the difference is dusting up and fixing the situation as soon as possible. Generally speaking, it felt so at home to try the unthinkable. When you are free, when you free your mind, you exploit your full potential, that works for me (Not a bad recipient:-)
#6. Comfort Zone
I know most women felt
at home here, especially I did. But what I am talking about is actually moving
out of your comfort zone. In the leadership clinic, we were told we have to
earn it, we have to go for it, we need to ask. So I observed the body language
of most successful women I met, they were going for the Gold, nothing less.
When you start talking to them, they know the price and they aren’t afraid to
ask, but they also are very quick to tell you how. When I get this I will do
this and that, I will solve this, I will deliver this. That’s the mindset that
ticks.
#7. Earning it!
Yes! Nothing will be
given to us for free as women. We have to earn it. That was the vibes in the
air. Whether it’s that promotion or the funding round. We have to demonstrate
our capabilities and deliver. Then we can be accountable and demonstrate how it
was denied from us. I have made a commitment to work for it, towards it and for
it, and when I don’t get it, I will ask why, I will request for feedback. I
want accountability moving forward. When somebody out rightly tells me that I
cannot get it because I lack flexibility being a wife and mother, I will hold
them accountable too, that’s our level playing ground. Especially in these
times.
#8. Rocking it!
Yes! They rocked, they
had confidence, they spoke out, they were focused, they were easy, they were
optimistic, they claimed their space!
I decided to highlight
these behavioral skills that I experienced and observed but there were other
invaluable lessons both on innovation, technology and Fintech in
general.
As I concluded my panel discussion
I ask us women to take advantage of all those good qualities and our numbers muscle
to change the Funding scene. And that’s why I believe in the peer to peer
funding model of Zidicircle.
I would like to hear your feedback 🙂 (info@zidicircle.com)
By Fridah Ntarangwi
Founder
@ Zidicircle
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