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According to the latest Yahoo’s Diversity Report 2014, women are a significant minority in Yahoo’s overall global workforce. In fact, when it comes to leadership roles, women make up only 23 percent and men compose 77 percent. While the data is disappointing, we are witnessing an increased recognition for female leaders in the channel. For example, CRN Power 100: The Most Powerful Women of the Channel 2014, recognises executives such as Nicole Enright, Avnet Technology Solutions, for enabling Avnet's partners with new capabilities to offer more complete solutions around converged solutions, cloud, mobility; Jennifer Anaya, Ingram Micro, Inc., for having launched the Agency Ingram Micro (AIM) to the IT channel.

In addition, many companies in the channel are now offering career acceleration programs for women. These companies include Avanade’s Accelerator Program, dedicated to help their female employees progress their careers and Microsoft’s Pink Cloud, targeted at training and providing young women with more job opportunities in IT.

As a women in the channel, how do you then leverage the opportunities available and use them for a brighter future? Below are some advice and resources we have put together for you:

1. Get Connected: Just as how most B2B sales are generated as a result of the affinity and trust between staff and customers, our personal career success is often built based on the camaraderie that is nurtured by personal contact. Networking events such as the recently launched, Microsoft’s WPC Women is a great program that expands opportunities for women at the WPC conference. Female attendees enjoy exclusive space on the expo floor where women can gather, network with leadership teams from both Microsoft and the channel partner organizations. 
2. Be Visible: According to the IBM 2012-2013 Advancing Women at IBM Executive Search Study, research tell us that while high job performance is important, establishing visibility is equally important. In order for you to demonstrate your leadership capabilities, it is helpful that you take on critical, visible roles that will stretch your potential. With your achievements in place, you need to establish your presence both online and offline. Promote yourself on social media sites like Linkedin, Twitter or Facebook and get access to like-minded professionals.
   Here are some social media groups for references:

• Women in Channels (WiC)
• IBM Partnerworld Women Network
• Microsoft WPC Women Group, & the dedicated hashtag (#WPC15women)
• Cisco Empowered Women Network

3. Think Education: Continuous learning is one of the key to success for any female leaders in the industry. You can enhanced your industry knowledge by attending sharing sessions and workshops such as CRN Women of the Channel Conference, to hear valuable insights from key executives, find mentors and invest in self-awareness and development. Find out more about this year’s CRN Women of the Channel Winter Workshop 2015 .

Channel is no longer perceived as a ‘boys-club’ industry. Women are stepping into stronger roles in the channel organizations and this is only the beginning of the road to diversity. Thus, embrace your skills and be prepared to be recognized as the next Women of the Channel!