CIM: You have recently been promoted to VP EMEA at HelmsBriscoe – what is your advice to women building a career in our industry?
Carole McKellar: I believe you should spend time analysing your personal strengths and focus on the type of work that interests you most and enables you to utilise those strengths. As I transitioned from a career in archaeology into training and development, I became aware of the importance of pursuing professional certifications to provide a solid foundation in my preferred area of work.
I would also recommend being knowledgeable about industry trends and developments and the best way to achieve that is to join a professional association like Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and become an active volunteer on committees, Boards and task forces. I gained a lot of experience as a volunteer that I would not have achieved in the usual workplace, and the knowledge gained helped me stay ahead of business competitors.
I also believe that you have to be consistent in your approach to your work and to other people so that you establish a personal reputation that is memorable.
Why is HelmsBriscoe a good place to work for you?
I found my dream role with HelmsBriscoe! It is a company that has the same values around flexible working, client service and integrity. As an entrepreneur, trainer and coach at heart, I have been able to build a team and work with a diverse range of people every day. I focus on recruiting the best sales professionals and creating an environment for them to succeed in delivering to our clients. And the team is growing every day across EMEA so there are new challenges as the organisational dynamic changes, and we introduce new leaders and Associates. After ten years with HelmsBriscoe, I still enjoy talking to people looking to change their lives and I value the freedom and flexibility that comes with being self-employed.
You have been nominated “Hall of Leaders inductee 2019” by the Events Industry Council – indeed, one of the first European women!
I feel very honoured to be included in the EIC Hall of Leaders and am grateful to MPI for nominating me. MPI and HelmsBriscoe have given me unique leadership opportunities which have been immensely rewarding and it is very special to be recognised by our industry for that work. I have been to many of the EIC Hall of Leaders events and been inspired by the stories I have heard there and, as a former archaeologist, I hope that I can inspire more people to transition into our industry.
What does the Events Industry Council acknowledge with the “Hall of Leaders & Pacesetter Awards”?
The EIC Hall of Leaders is similar to a Lifetime Achievement Award and is given to those who have made significant contributions to advance the meetings and events industry in a meaningful way. The Pacesetter awards are for those whose innovations are charting the course for a thriving future.
What is your personal-professional mission statement?
My Mission is to create a working environment where anyone can succeed with the right support and encouragement and to motivate and inspire others to give support where it is needed.
I do both of these every day through my role with HelmsBriscoe and through my volunteer role as Chair of the MPI Foundation. And giving support can be done by providing the right infrastructure, training, coaching, having a friendly chat when needed or fund-raising for others, including jumping in the Antarctic ocean!
In which areas has the business events industry need for improvement?
We are a very diverse industry already but there are still barriers that prevent people with talent gaining employment, in particular those with an Autistic Condition. The barriers can be from employers or because the individual with autism lacks confidence in the workplace. Over the past seven years, through our HelmsBriscoe HB Cares UK programme and funding from the MPI Foundation, we have been creating work experience opportunities for young adults with autism to improve employer perception of their value and to give them more confidence at work. As a result, there is now a school in the UK run by the National Autistic Society which has a classroom dedicated to employment in the hospitality industry. We hope to extend this in different countries over the coming years.
To make our industry more open and remove barriers, I would urge employers to review their recruitment processes including their advertising language, the interview process itself and the specific skills they really need for each role. Terms like strong communicator and team player can stop many people from applying and are not always precisely what is needed and the standard interview does not usually get the best from someone with the condition.
Thank you very much and best of luck, Carole!
