On the surface, increased life expectancies and lower mortality rates from many diseases might suggest that big pharma is doing its job effectively. However, it doesn’t take going more than a few layers deep into an industry tasked with both improving the quality of life and saving lives to uncover that big pharma’s reputation for deceptive marketing, monopolizing patents, price gauging, its role in the opioid crisis, and its fair share of scandals precedes it.

After spending decades in an industry aimed at prevention, Mr. Edalat even questioned naming his company Vivera, “Vivera Pharmaceuticals” due to the negative connotation oftentimes associated with the word “pharmaceuticals.” Not one to shy away from a challenge, Mr. Edalat is bringing a different code of ethics and a Benjamin Franklin saying commonly used during his time in the fitness and nutrition industry, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” with him to the pharmaceutical industry and Vivera Pharmaceuticals.

Mr. Edalat is a visionary industry disruptor driven by his desire to transform the pharmaceutical industry to better serve patients and consumers. Being the Chairman, Founder, and CEO, Mr. Edalat is new to the industry, and his mission is to challenge the industry to prioritize patients over profit.

Most recently, Paul was vetted and selected as a member of the Forbes Council by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his professional background in leadership, management, and growth.

Vivera Pharmaceuticals is an innovative, science-driven pharmaceutical company located in Southern California. The Company has global exclusivity to license the patented and patent-pending TABMELT sublingual drug delivery system for pharmaceutical use and holds its own issued patents on ZICOH, a smart, dose-controlled electronic medical device, and MDZone, a portable telemedicine station. With multiple divisions, including its technologies, biosciences, medical devices, and advanced diagnostics divisions, Vivera Pharmaceuticals is vertically integrated with patented technology, manufacturing capabilities, and distribution for its products.

The Company has made it its mission to support the needs of underserved communities and find new and innovative ways to assist patients and medical providers. From the opioid crisis to mental health and beyond, Vivera strives to fulfill its purpose and promise toward patient-centric research and development that puts the total health of the patient front and center.

In his own words, Mr. Edalat tells his story of entrepreneurship, loss, healing, and being a part of the solution.

Journey as a Business Leader

Before I ventured into entrepreneurship, I was an athlete. I played tennis throughout high school and was offered a scholarship to San Diego State. After deciding that professional tennis wasn’t the right path for me, I enrolled in a local community college to explore other career options.

One day, I picked up an issue of Muscle and Fitness magazine. It inspired me to start weightlifting, and it wasn’t long before bodybuilding became my new passion. Within a few years of strength training, I was recognized by Weider Global Nutrition and offered a sponsorship.

As a bodybuilder, I naturally grew interested in fitness and nutrition. When bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and founder of Weider Global Nutrition Joe Weider offered to be my mentor, I jumped at the opportunity.

With Weider’s guidance, I spent over 25 years in the health and fitness industry, developing over 300 nutritional supplements and over a dozen brands. During that time, I partnered with more than 135 athletes globally, including Tito Ortiz, Terrell Owens, Troy Tulowitzki, Tony Gonzalez, and Chuck Liddell, to name a few. I also secured deals with nearly every professional sports organization, including the MLB, NFL, MMA, and NBA.

A New Beginning

In early 2000, I developed one of the first sublingual vitamin B tablets utilizing the patented TABMELT delivery system, which enabled people to take a supplement by dissolving it under the tongue. This innovation was especially helpful to people who had trouble swallowing pills.

A few years later, I decided to bring my sublingual drug delivery system to the medical and pharmaceutical industries. I noticed that most drug companies focus more on the drug itself rather than how the drug is delivered to the patient.

With the right prescription medications, sublingual drug delivery can be incredibly advantageous. In addition to making them more accessible to patients with swallowing challenges, sublingual drug delivery also allows the drug to bypass the gastrointestinal tract, which can potentially enable faster absorption, smaller, dosing, and, in some cases, result in fewer side effects for the patient.

A Devastating Setback

Around this time, my younger brother was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, during which I learned a lot about our broken healthcare system. What pained me the most was how carelessly physicians prescribed opioids to my brother to help manage his pain.

They didn’t inform him of the potential dangers these medications can have on a person. Sadly, he ended up developing an addiction. At this stage, he was not only battling cancer, but he was also battling addiction. For years, my brother struggled until he finally lost his life to cancer.

Enhancing and Improving the Healthcare System

In 2016, disheartened by the loss of my brother and his addiction that could have been prevented, I sat down to meet with my dear friend and one of the most intelligent people I know, Dr. Mehdi Hatamian to discuss how opioid medications are prescribed and given to patients. Today, physicians give the patient a written prescription to take to their pharmacy. The pharmacist fills the prescription and gives the medication to the patient in an orange pill bottle.

Nothing prevents the patient from taking more pills than prescribed, giving them to friends and family, or selling them on the street.

With this realization, ZICOH was born. ZICOH is a patented smart drug delivery solution for prescription medications. It’s programmed to deliver preset dosages to the registered patient according to the provider’s orders. ZICOH continuously logs medication delivery history, so healthcare providers can monitor how well patients adhere to their prescribed medication regimen.

With a vision to improve drug delivery and TABMELT and ZICOH in the works, I co-founded Vivera Pharmaceuticals in 2018. Entering an Unwelcoming World Entering the medical and pharmaceutical industries has not been easy. Like many, they do not like change. There has yet to be a significant advancement in this sector since the insulin pump, and companies are comfortable with how things are. But one lesson I have learned through my experiences with entrepreneurship is that comfort doesn’t bring change.

On the surface, increased life expectancies and lower mortality rates from many diseases might suggest that big pharma is doing its job effectively. However, it doesn’t take going more than a few layers deep into an industry tasked with both improving the quality of life and saving lives to uncover that big pharma’s reputation for deceptive marketing, monopolizing patents, price gauging, its role in the opioid crisis, and its fair share of scandals precedes it.

After spending decades in an industry aimed at prevention, Mr. Edalat even questioned naming his company Vivera, “Vivera Pharmaceuticals” due to the negative connotation oftentimes associated with the word “pharmaceuticals.” Not one to shy away from a challenge, Mr. Edalat is bringing a different code of ethics and a Benjamin Franklin saying commonly used during his time in the fitness and nutrition industry, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” with him to the pharmaceutical industry and Vivera Pharmaceuticals.

Mr. Edalat is a visionary industry disruptor driven by his desire to transform the pharmaceutical industry to better serve patients and consumers. Being the Chairman, Founder, and CEO, Mr. Edalat is new to the industry, and his mission is to challenge the industry to prioritize patients over profit.

Most recently, Paul was vetted and selected as a member of the Forbes Council by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his professional background in leadership, management, and growth.

Vivera Pharmaceuticals is an innovative, science-driven pharmaceutical company located in Southern California. The Company has global exclusivity to license the patented and patent-pending TABMELT sublingual drug delivery system for pharmaceutical use and holds its own issued patents on ZICOH, a smart, dose-controlled electronic medical device, and MDZone, a portable telemedicine station. With multiple divisions, including its technologies, biosciences, medical devices, and advanced diagnostics divisions, Vivera Pharmaceuticals is vertically integrated with patented technology, manufacturing capabilities, and distribution for its products.

The Company has made it its mission to support the needs of underserved communities and find new and innovative ways to assist patients and medical providers. From the opioid crisis to mental health and beyond, Vivera strives to fulfill its purpose and promise toward patient-centric research and development that puts the total health of the patient front and center.

In his own words, Mr. Edalat tells his story of entrepreneurship, loss, healing, and being a part of the solution.

Journey as a Business Leader

Before I ventured into entrepreneurship, I was an athlete. I played tennis throughout high school and was offered a scholarship to San Diego State. After deciding that professional tennis wasn’t the right path for me, I enrolled in a local community college to explore other career options.

One day, I picked up an issue of Muscle and Fitness magazine. It inspired me to start weightlifting, and it wasn’t long before bodybuilding became my new passion. Within a few years of strength training, I was recognized by Weider Global Nutrition and offered a sponsorship.

As a bodybuilder, I naturally grew interested in fitness and nutrition. When bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and founder of Weider Global Nutrition Joe Weider offered to be my mentor, I jumped at the opportunity.

With Weider’s guidance, I spent over 25 years in the health and fitness industry, developing over 300 nutritional supplements and over a dozen brands. During that time, I partnered with more than 135 athletes globally, including Tito Ortiz, Terrell Owens, Troy Tulowitzki, Tony Gonzalez, and Chuck Liddell, to name a few. I also secured deals with nearly every professional sports organization, including the MLB, NFL, MMA, and NBA.

A New Beginning

In early 2000, I developed one of the first sublingual vitamin B tablets utilizing the patented TABMELT delivery system, which enabled people to take a supplement by dissolving it under the tongue. This innovation was especially helpful to people who had trouble swallowing pills.

A few years later, I decided to bring my sublingual drug delivery system to the medical and pharmaceutical industries. I noticed that most drug companies focus more on the drug itself rather than how the drug is delivered to the patient.

With the right prescription medications, sublingual drug delivery can be incredibly advantageous. In addition to making them more accessible to patients with swallowing challenges, sublingual drug delivery also allows the drug to bypass the gastrointestinal tract, which can potentially enable faster absorption, smaller, dosing, and, in some cases, result in fewer side effects for the patient.

A Devastating Setback

Around this time, my younger brother was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, during which I learned a lot about our broken healthcare system. What pained me the most was how carelessly physicians prescribed opioids to my brother to help manage his pain.

They didn’t inform him of the potential dangers these medications can have on a person. Sadly, he ended up developing an addiction. At this stage, he was not only battling cancer, but he was also battling addiction. For years, my brother struggled until he finally lost his life to cancer.

Enhancing and Improving the Healthcare System

In 2016, disheartened by the loss of my brother and his addiction that could have been prevented, I sat down to meet with my dear friend and one of the most intelligent people I know, Dr. Mehdi Hatamian to discuss how opioid medications are prescribed and given to patients. Today, physicians give the patient a written prescription to take to their pharmacy. The pharmacist fills the prescription and gives the medication to the patient in an orange pill bottle.

Nothing prevents the patient from taking more pills than prescribed, giving them to friends and family, or selling them on the street.

With this realization, ZICOH was born. ZICOH is a patented smart drug delivery solution for prescription medications. It’s programmed to deliver preset dosages to the registered patient according to the provider’s orders. ZICOH continuously logs medication delivery history, so healthcare providers can monitor how well patients adhere to their prescribed medication regimen.

With a vision to improve drug delivery and TABMELT and ZICOH in the works, I co-founded Vivera Pharmaceuticals in 2018. Entering an Unwelcoming World Entering the medical and pharmaceutical industries has not been easy. Like many, they do not like change. There has yet to be a significant advancement in this sector since the insulin pump, and companies are comfortable with how things are. But one lesson I have learned through my experiences with entrepreneurship is that comfort doesn’t bring change.

Read More: https://ciolook.com/paul-edalat-health-and-healing/

The business world is constantly changing; business leaders are adapting to new challenges and opportunities. They are flexible and open to new ideas and are willing to pivot their strategy when necessary. In the dynamic business arena, an inspiring CEO is true to themselves and their values. They are honest and transparent with their team and are able to build trust through their authenticity. A CEO who is empathetic and understands the needs of their team can create a positive and supportive work environment.

A successful business leader is often the driving force behind a company’s growth and success. A CEO possesses various traits that create a difference from the rest and can motivate and inspire their team to reach new heights. An inspiring CEO has a clear and compelling vision for their company’s future. They are able to articulate this vision in a way that motivates their team and creates a sense of purpose.

A leader who is passionate about their work can inspire others to share that passion. They are enthusiastic about their company’s mission and are willing to go above and beyond to achieve their goals. An excellent CEO is able to make tough decisions quickly and confidently. They weigh the pros and cons of each option and make a choice based on what is best for the company.

They listen to their employees and are able to address their concerns in a thoughtful and compassionate way. Building a successful company is not without its challenges, and an inspiring CEO is able to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward. They are tenacious and persistent in the face of adversity. A CEO possesses a combination of vision, passion, decisiveness, adaptability, authenticity, empathy, and resilience. These traits enable them to lead their team to success and create a positive impact on the world.

Spotlighting these charismas and their odyssey of excellence, the latest edition CIOLook, “Revolutionary CEOs To Watch in 2023,” features the CEOs who are making a positive difference in their respective industries in 2023.

These CEOs are not only successful in their businesses but also lead with purpose and have a significant impact on their communities and the world.

Read More: https://ciolook.com/revolutionary-ceos-to-watch-in-2023-april2023/

Defining the characteristics of a decisive leader, advocating for accelerated participation of African Women and Youth in Africa’s Power and Energy Sector, Ms. Bertha Dlamini has set herself as a foresighted entrepreneur.

As the Founder & Group CEO of the Rito Group of Companies Pty Ltd, Bertha directs and delivers marketing communication strategies, stakeholder relations, and established centers of excellence for change management for clients in the public and private sectors.

Bertha has an impressive track record as Stakeholder Management Strategist with exceptional campaign design and execution since 1999.

Let us know more about her journey.

Making the Mark

Bertha is the founding President of African Women in Energy and Power (AWEaP) (www.aweap.africa), an organisation she founded to accelerate the participation of African women entrepreneurs in the entire value chain of power and energy in Africa and contribute towards addressing the continent’s energy poverty.

Bertha is leveraging her experience and vast network in Africa’s power and energy sector to mobilize global stakeholders to work together to remove barriers that prevent effective youth and women participation in Africa’s power and energy sector.

Bertha is an astute international public speaker, conference speaker, and moderator with a proven track record in such international events as the BRICS Business Council, PowerGen Africa Conferences, African Utility Week Conferences, ABB Customer World, International Energy and Environment Fair, and Conferences, Zambia Entrepreneurship Summit, South African Power Pool Conference, Energy Storage Conference, Standard Bank Employee Engagement seminars, and AMEU Conferences.

As the Founding Chairman of Gen X Theatre Africa (Gen X) (www.genxtheatre.africa), an initiative geared towards accelerating youth participation in Africa’s power and energy sector, she has enabled 60 young professionals and students to present abstracts of their academic papers to an esteemed team of adjudicators at international sector events.

Awards & Accolades

Bertha is currently the recipient of the following awards:

• The Inaugural South African Institute of Electrical Engineers 2019 Women in Engineering Award.
• African Queens in Energy – The Judges Award, supporting women entrepreneurs in energy and power 2021.
• Women of Stature: Finalist CEO of the Year 2022

She holds the following industry roles:

• BRICS Business Council, South African Chapter: Energy and Green Economy Working Group – BRICS Just Energy Transition Center of Excellence Lead
• University of South Africa (UNISA) Graduate School of Business Leadership: Advisory Board Member
• ABB Education Trust: Trustee
• SALGA’s Energy Reference Group (ERG): ERG Member
• South Africa, Office of the President, Women’s Economic Assembly: Energy Sector Workstream Lead
• Non-Executive Director: Energy Drive Pty LTD

Ms. Dlamini is a highly rated and trusted industry player in Africa’s energy sector.

In March 2021, at the WVL SADC Protocol@Work Summit held in Johannesburg, AWEaP won the WVL SADC Protocol@Work Climate Change 2021 Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the promotion of gender equity in Africa’s Energy and Power Sector.

She holds the following qualifications:

• Energy Transition Diploma: Skolkovo Moscow School of Management, Russia;
• MBA in Executive Management – Graduate School of Business – University of Cape

Town, South Africa, thesis awarded with a distinction.

• Programme for Management Development (PMD 37) Gordon Institute of Business

Science; South Africa

• Management Advancement Programme (MAP) at Wits Business School, South Africa

The Foundational Pillars

The Rito Group of Companies Pty Ltd is a holding company that comprises start-up consulting firms in management consulting and the energy sector. The group also houses two non-profit companies supporting Women in Energy and Youth in Energy. The company was created to accommodate companies and ventures that seek to make a difference in South Africa and Africa’s economy.

Rito Consulting Services is an integrated marketing communication company founded in 2006. It provides solutions for private and public sector companies. On the other hand, Rito Energy Solutions is an energy consulting company that supports utility operational performance and is interested in project development in the renewable energy sector.

African Women in Energy and Power (AWEaP) is one of the non-profit companies established by the Rito Group of Companies. It is based on the conviction that commercially viable, multi-stakeholder-driven initiatives are needed to eradicate energy poverty in Africa. AWEaP aims to ensure women’s meaningful economic participation in the energy and power sector. The organization has 11 chapters on the African continent and targets to increase this reach to 22 countries by 2024 and 45 countries by 2025. The organization constantly seeks leading women in Africa’s energy and power sector to join their growing number of Country Chairpersons to advance gender equity in their domestic markets.

Gen X theatre is another non-profit company established by the Rito Group of Companies. It creates a platform for students and young professionals to share abstracts of their academic papers at international sector conferences. This offers them a lifetime opportunity to interact with industry leaders.

Adhering to Fundamentals

Bertha believes women are strong and consistent collaborators who operate with empathy and often work from an ecosystem perspective. Bertha acknowledges that this approach fosters inclusion and drives success. She believes collaboration, compassion, and contextual appreciation of market conditions enable women to work with industry players to identify and implement superior solutions to socioeconomic challenges.

Bertha’s business motto is “Moving beyond boundaries.” She emphasizes the importance of collaboration to break boundaries and enable success in all endeavors.

Read More: https://ciolook.com/bertha-dlamini-accelerating-participation-of-african-women-and-youth-in-africas-energy-and-power-sector/

Leadership is a highly sought-after attribute in today’s rapidly changing world. Leaders who are able to envision a better future and inspire others to work towards that future are more likely to succeed in achieving their goals. However, it is important to note that being a visionary leader is not just about having a grand vision. It also requires strong leadership skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively, build relationships, and manage teams.

Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that visionary leadership can also have its drawbacks. Leaders who are too focused on their vision may overlook important details or fail to adapt to changing circumstances. They may also be perceived as overly idealistic or unrealistic. Leaders must lead by example and model the behavior they expect from others. They must be ethical, honest, and transparent in their dealings with others and be willing to take responsibility for their actions.

Therefore, it is important for visionary leaders to balance their vision with practicality and flexibility. They must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and take into account the needs and perspectives of others. Overall, visionary leadership can be a powerful force for positive change, but it must be accompanied by strong leadership skills and an ability to balance vision with practicality.

Leaders are often at the forefront of driving innovation and change within the organization. They must be able to identify new opportunities and adapt to changing market conditions to stay ahead of the competition.

Leaders provide a clear sense of direction and vision for the organization. They set strategic goals and objectives and communicate them effectively to the team. Leaders must be able to manage resources effectively, including financial resources, human resources, and technology. They must be able to allocate resources to maximize their impact and support the organization’s overall goals.

Mapping the journey of these resolute leaders, CIOLook—through its latest edition, The 10 Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023—sheds light on the visionary leaders who are driving betterments and transformations in the dynamic business arena.

Read More: https://ciolook.com/the-10-most-admired-women-leaders-in-business-2023-march2023/

Rebranding companies for success, redefining portfolios based on market needs and reshaping corporate culture for the better, Isabella Drolz, Vice President of Product Marketing at Comet Yxlon, is out to change the world with her expertise. Her experience ranges from mid-tier to global companies, and she is a master in navigating operational and cultural challenges in the industry. Isabella is currently making waves in the tech industry with her adept handling of the market and empowerment of fellow women in the industry.

Comet Yxlon is driven by the belief that ‘good solutions start with good questions.’ Its strong curiosity and passion for technology are the drivers behind the company’s collaborative approach to product development. Based on customer feedback, it develops high-end X-ray and CT system solutions that enable non-destructive testing in the semiconductor/electronics, automotive, and aerospace industries – from R&D labs to production settings.

In an exclusive interview with CIOLook, Isabella Drolz shares the inspirational support that she received in her journey to the top and how she continues to make an effort to pass it on.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Brief us about your career path as a staunch woman leader up until your current position at Comet Yxlon. What were the challenges that you had to overcome to scale your progress?

There is a saying in German stating that “The first job chooses you, not the other way around.” I started as Business Developer at Siemens Mobility, for railway systems such as metro & light rail systems. Getting the opportunity to work on strategic projects, such as introducing a platform approach for metro & passenger coaches systems at an early stage in my professional career was an exceptional experience.

Next to the professional experience, I had strong female leaders who shaped and taught me how to navigate a conservative industry, belief in myself and be resilient. Quickly adapting to new environments, task settings, teams, and business cultures are just a few things you encounter in strategic consulting. You need to be quick on your feet.

When I moved to Jenoptik Advanced Systems, Jenoptik’s former defense business unit, the industry was in a state of upheaval and my task was to transform the project-oriented product business into a modular platform to be prepared for future requirements.

Basically, we had to break with old habits, advance technologically and open our minds to the new way ahead.

When you switch from corporations to medium-sized companies, you enter a different world. At a food machinery manufacturer, I took on the role of Vice President of Product Management & Marketing. positioning three different product brands from three different countries and cultures under one roof while facing a conservative management approach. It was an intense time, but I am very grateful for the experience, and it has made me a stronger leader when faced with headwinds and a very risk-averse environment.

Now, at Comet Yxlon, I am the Vice President in charge of Product Marketing, which includes Product Management, Marketing and Global Application Solution Centers. We also just rebranded, and it is always a unique experience strategically repositioning a company, bringing different cultures closer together, empowering teamwork and preparing for the road ahead.

Tell us something more about Comet Yxlon and its mission and vision.

Comet Yxlon is one of three divisions of Comet AG, a leading tech company in radio frequency and x-ray technology. Comet Yxlon designs manufactures, and markets high-end X-ray and CT systems, including data-driven services for non-destructive testing to assure product quality in labs, speed up ramp-ups, and enhance process stability in production environments for the semiconductor, electronics, automotive, and aerospace industries.

Our X-Ray and CT systems support our global customers to increase their productivity and sustainability by reducing product waste and, thereby, enhancing yield. In a nutshell, we provide our customers with the key to efficiency and innovation by seeing better, faster, more.

Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives your organization.

We put our customers at the center of everything we do. We strive to understand their needs and expectations and to exceed them by deeply understanding the market, its requirements, trends, and challenges to build long-lasting relationships. To succeed, we challenge ourselves to continuously improve by empowering our employees to take ownership of their work and to make decisions that will drive the company’s success.

All this can only be achieved through trustful collaboration: We believe that by working together as a team, we can accomplish more. Through our “Above and Beyond program,” we foster a culture of trustful collaboration and mutual support by sharing cross-divisional knowledge and resources. By embracing these values, we believe that we can create a positive and productive work environment that helps us achieve our business objectives. And by the way, it is fun to work at.

What do you believe is the significant factor for women in the tech industry, and what is the most important aspect of your success in adhering to these fundamentals?

It is tough to nail it down to one. However, one critical success factor is to believe in yourself and your abilities. Confidence is key to success in any field, and it’s especially important for women in male-dominated industries. In addition, building up a strong network of professional contacts and among your colleagues are crucial success factors to me, as also staying informed and educated.

I am trying to keep up to date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices by reading relevant literature, attending conferences and workshops. But most and for all, I do not let stereotypes or biases affect me. Everyone and especially women, encounter stereotypes and unconscious biases in their careers. The key is not to get discouraged by them or let them doubt yourself. Instead, use them to your advantage and as motivation to excel in your field.

Read More: https://ciolook.com/isabella-drolz-creating-empowering-solutions-for-success/

Leadership is a highly sought-after attribute in today’s rapidly changing world. Leaders who are able to envision a better future and inspire others to work towards that future are more likely to succeed in achieving their goals. However, it is important to note that being a visionary leader is not just about having a grand vision. It also requires strong leadership skills, such as the ability to communicate effectively, build relationships, and manage teams.

Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that visionary leadership can also have its drawbacks. Leaders who are too focused on their vision may overlook important details or fail to adapt to changing circumstances. They may also be perceived as overly idealistic or unrealistic. Leaders must lead by example and model the behavior they expect from others. They must be ethical, honest, and transparent in their dealings with others and be willing to take responsibility for their actions.

Therefore, it is important for visionary leaders to balance their vision with practicality and flexibility. They must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and take into account the needs and perspectives of others. Overall, visionary leadership can be a powerful force for positive change, but it must be accompanied by strong leadership skills and an ability to balance vision with practicality.

Leaders are often at the forefront of driving innovation and change within the organization. They must be able to identify new opportunities and adapt to changing market conditions to stay ahead of the competition.

Leaders provide a clear sense of direction and vision for the organization. They set strategic goals and objectives and communicate them effectively to the team. Leaders must be able to manage resources effectively, including financial resources, human resources, and technology. They must be able to allocate resources to maximize their impact and support the organization’s overall goals.

Mapping the journey of these resolute leaders, CIOLook—through its latest edition, The Most Admired Women Leaders in Business, 2023—sheds light on the visionary leaders who are driving betterments and transformations in the dynamic business arena.

Read More: https://ciolook.com/the-most-admired-women-leaders-in-business-2023-march2023/

Rebranding companies for success, redefining portfolios based on market needs and reshaping corporate culture for the better, Isabella Drolz, Vice President of Product Marketing at Comet Yxlon, is out to change the world with her expertise. Her experience ranges from mid-tier to global companies, and she is a master in navigating operational and cultural challenges in the industry. Isabella is currently making waves in the tech industry with her adept handling of the market and empowerment of fellow women in the industry.

Comet Yxlon is driven by the belief that ‘good solutions start with good questions.’ Its strong curiosity and passion for technology are the drivers behind the company’s collaborative approach to product development. Based on customer feedback, it develops high-end X-ray and CT system solutions that enable non-destructive testing in the semiconductor/electronics, automotive, and aerospace industries – from R&D labs to production settings.

In an exclusive interview with CIOLook, Isabella Drolz shares the inspirational support that she received in her journey to the top and how she continues to make an effort to pass it on.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Brief us about your career path as a staunch woman leader up until your current position at Comet Yxlon. What were the challenges that you had to overcome to scale your progress?

There is a saying in German stating that “The first job chooses you, not the other way around.” I started as Business Developer at Siemens Mobility, for railway systems such as metro & light rail systems. Getting the opportunity to work on strategic projects, such as introducing a platform approach for metro & passenger coaches systems at an early stage in my professional career was an exceptional experience.

Next to the professional experience, I had strong female leaders who shaped and taught me how to navigate a conservative industry, belief in myself and be resilient. Quickly adapting to new environments, task settings, teams, and business cultures are just a few things you encounter in strategic consulting. You need to be quick on your feet.

When I moved to Jenoptik Advanced Systems, Jenoptik’s former defense business unit, the industry was in a state of upheaval and my task was to transform the project-oriented product business into a modular platform to be prepared for future requirements.

Basically, we had to break with old habits, advance technologically and open our minds to the new way ahead.

When you switch from corporations to medium-sized companies, you enter a different world. At a food machinery manufacturer, I took on the role of Vice President of Product Management & Marketing. positioning three different product brands from three different countries and cultures under one roof while facing a conservative management approach. It was an intense time, but I am very grateful for the experience, and it has made me a stronger leader when faced with headwinds and a very risk-averse environment.

Now, at Comet Yxlon, I am the Vice President in charge of Product Marketing, which includes Product Management, Marketing and Global Application Solution Centers. We also just rebranded, and it is always a unique experience strategically repositioning a company, bringing different cultures closer together, empowering teamwork and preparing for the road ahead.

Tell us something more about Comet Yxlon and its mission and vision.

Comet Yxlon is one of three divisions of Comet AG, a leading tech company in radio frequency and x-ray technology. Comet Yxlon designs manufactures, and markets high-end X-ray and CT systems, including data-driven services for non-destructive testing to assure product quality in labs, speed up ramp-ups, and enhance process stability in production environments for the semiconductor, electronics, automotive, and aerospace industries.

Our X-Ray and CT systems support our global customers to increase their productivity and sustainability by reducing product waste and, thereby, enhancing yield. In a nutshell, we provide our customers with the key to efficiency and innovation by seeing better, faster, more.

Describe in detail the values and the work culture that drives your organization.

We put our customers at the center of everything we do. We strive to understand their needs and expectations and to exceed them by deeply understanding the market, its requirements, trends, and challenges to build long-lasting relationships. To succeed, we challenge ourselves to continuously improve by empowering our employees to take ownership of their work and to make decisions that will drive the company’s success.

All this can only be achieved through trustful collaboration: We believe that by working together as a team, we can accomplish more. Through our “Above and Beyond program,” we foster a culture of trustful collaboration and mutual support by sharing cross-divisional knowledge and resources. By embracing these values, we believe that we can create a positive and productive work environment that helps us achieve our business objectives. And by the way, it is fun to work at.

What do you believe is the significant factor for women in the tech industry, and what is the most important aspect of your success in adhering to these fundamentals?

It is tough to nail it down to one. However, one critical success factor is to believe in yourself and your abilities. Confidence is key to success in any field, and it’s especially important for women in male-dominated industries. In addition, building up a strong network of professional contacts and among your colleagues are crucial success factors to me, as also staying informed and educated.

I am trying to keep up to date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices by reading relevant literature, attending conferences and workshops. But most and for all, I do not let stereotypes or biases affect me. Everyone and especially women, encounter stereotypes and unconscious biases in their careers. The key is not to get discouraged by them or let them doubt yourself. Instead, use them to your advantage and as motivation to excel in your field.

What strategies do you implement as a leader to promote gender diversity for various positions at Comet Yxlon?

As leader but also as a management team at Comet Yxlon, we seek out a number of strategies to promote gender diversity for various positions within the company, starting with recruitment. I actively ensure to recruit from a diverse pool of potential candidates, as well as encourage our recruitment team to do the same.

In addition, our recruitment team works to create a diverse pipeline of potential candidates by reaching out to universities and organizations that focus on diversity. Furthermore, we established a more flexible work environment that allows for different working styles and schedules. In our mobile working program, we established that our employees could flexibly arrange where they want to conduct their work and when. Through this program, we ensure a healthy work-life balance. Transparency and open dialogue are key to success.

Therefore, we are reviewing and monitoring our progress on a quarterly basis. We review our diversity and inclusion efforts, establish metrics to track our progress and adjust as needed. It is important to make diversity and inclusion a transparent topic and part of the management agenda.

Finally, one topic and the most important topic to me is offering mentorship to women. When starting my career, I greatly benefited from having female mentors.

They shaped me into the leader I am today by teaching me how to navigate in a male-dominant industry, stay true to my beliefs, and see it through. Therefore, I also mentor female potentials across the industry to provide them with the support and guidance they need to advance in their careers.

What change would you like to bring to your industry if given a chance?

There are several factors that contribute to the underrepresentation of women in the tech & machine-building industries, including unconscious bias, lack of role models and mentorship, and a culture that may not be inclusive or welcoming to all. To increase gender diversity, it is important to openly address these issues and thereby create a more inclusive culture. This can be achieved through initiatives such as diversity and inclusion panel discussions at exhibitions and conferences and actively recruiting and promoting women in the field.

As mentioned before, mentorship programs are key to success for women in the tech & machine-building industries by providing guidance, giving networking opportunities, providing support on career development, helping break unconscious bias, and encouraging and offering exposure to new opportunities. Therefore, implementing sustainable female mentorship across the industry would bring tremendous change and potential.

Read More: https://ciolook.com/isabella-drolz-creating-empowering-solutions-for-success/

I love stories. Being a writer, that’s no surprise. But I think a good story can change the world more than a fact ever could. Stories, I believe, have the power of transformation – in both positive and negative ways. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the kind of stories you are telling yourself and the people you are identifying with.

The story you tell yourself is perhaps more important than the story you tell others. Are you the hero or the side character of your life? Are you the one to whom things happen, or are you the one who makes things happen? Do you write your story, or do you just read it? Your hero’s journey will be defined by the words you have chosen for yourself. 

The pages of this magazine are full of stories. Stories of painters, teachers, lawyers, and others. Stories of people trying to make a failing business successful, of losing a passion to find another, of struggling to be kind in an industry that rewards the cutthroat. Stories of overcoming challenges, finding hope, and dreaming about the impossible. 

In the latest edition of CIOLook, The 10 Most Empowering Women in Business, 2023, you will find stories of women who are leading the dynamic business arena. The starlets who have not let any obstacles come in the way of pursuing their dreams and women empowering others to do the same.

I hope that you see yourself in these stories. I hope you see that success is possible beyond the struggles you face, as these women have found. These stories will inspire you to dare and wish for more than you have.

These stories will teach you that doubts are just thoughts worth a penny, but dreams are infinitely precious, and failing is only a midpoint to winning. And remember, as the author of your life, you can, at any point, choose to rewrite your story.

Read More: https://ciolook.com/the-10-most-empowering-women-in-business-2023-march2023/