Top Women event brings out the best
CHICAGO—Energy and enthusiasm were the order of the evening during the third-annual Top Women in Hardware and Building Supply awards event, which drew to a close Thursday.
A night of celebration and networking was followed by a morning of education and inspiration – mixed with doses of cold reality – for those working to elevate the role of women in the industry.
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The US LBM team celebrates ‘Top Women’ in Chicago. -
Talia McKinney of Bravo's “Million Dollar Listing” delivered a keynote address. -
A popular post-award activity: step-and-repeat at the logo wall.
”We had a record number of Top Women nominations, a record attendance and an amazingly talented collection of industry leaders join us here in Chicago to support women in the industry,” said Amy Grant, associate publisher of HBSDealer, host of the event. “There is work still to be done on the road to equity, but we are excited to see the industry come together behind the mission of the event with such an incredible enthusiasm.”
That enthusiasm was apparent during the opening night awards ceremony, as well the fast-paced Thursday morning of mini-panels, Ted (like) talks and keynote speeches.
Concepts were shared that could improve individual careers, as well as improve corporate teams. Do it Best’s Allison Flatjord, vice president of ecommerce, shared a handful of ideas for leaders. Among them: Know your numbers.
“It is crucial for your credibility, for you being a positive leader that you know your numbers,” she said, even for those not in dollars-and-cents sales roles.
“Everybody has numbers,” she continued. “How did your last email perform? How productive were you on creative design? How many customers did you reach with the beautiful portfolio that you put together? You must know how the work that you're doing is impacting your business.”
Other topics included male allyship, dealing with stress, work-life balance and recruiting and retention.
Karen Jones of NextUp, a non-profit organization dedicated to diversity in the workplace, shed light on challenges facing the movement. She described the pandemic as a setback for women in the workforce.
“We have to ensure that we have inclusive policies and practices in our workplace,” she said. “And I can’t overstate that the things that worked for us pre-covid are not necessarily the things that are going to work for us after covid.”
There were also voices of future leaders in a panel discussion titled “Fresh Look.”
Jordan Paeth, of Franklin Building Supply, described her efforts advocating in her company for a maternity and parental-leave policy– a program slow in materializing, she said, but one which she is hopeful will eventually help attract more quality employees.
Asked what it what take to move the needle forward for women in the industry Alisha Gray of Orgill, a participant on the Fresh Look panel, echoed ideas expressed by other speakers throughout the day: “Women have to be good leaders,” she said. “And a good leader is willing to help, willing to train. And show that you care as a leader.”
