Women in tech: OPPO’s Lucy Aziz

Despite challenges experienced by all industries, we are grateful to say that OPPO flourished in 2021. We saw a 300 per cent increase in pre-orders of our Reno6 series, compared with its predecessor and were also ranked first in global 5G smartphone shipments among Android manufacturers in H1 2021.

Canalys, a global technology market analyst, also revealed that in the Middle East and Africa, OPPO has climbed to the fourth place in market share with a 106 per cent growth. Additionally, we had a clear presence in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup which took place in the UAE and Oman with OPPO as the global partner. OPPO also hosted a gaming tournament in collaboration with PUBG MOBILE following a long-standing partnership with the gaming platform and had a strong presence at Gitex.

Personally, it’s been a remarkable year with OPPO. From launching two iterations of the Reno Series that were received exceptionally well by the media and influencers, and winning OPPO’s ‘Best Dedication Award of the Year’ in an annual event, I am more excited than ever to see what 2022 will bring.

Regionally, we are witnessing the economy bounce back following the pandemic. Through 2022, we will see the resurgence of industry events like Mobile World Congress, which we are taking part in, as well as optimism about what the year will bring. It’s an inspiring time, especially in the technology industry. Underpinned by our brand mission ‘Technology for the mankind, Kindness for the world’, in 2022 we will actively roll out unique campaigns and initiatives to convey our message to a wider audience. Additionally, we’ll continue to provide impeccable customer service and strengthen our brand presence with our premium product offering.

From a personal perspective, I am thrilled to continue my journey in the industry with OPPO. I’ll be working on even more exciting campaigns with a goal of leaving a lasting impact on the industry as a woman passionate about technology. As a woman leader, I am grateful to have found a company and live in a country that works hard to ensure that highly influential female business leaders are at the forefront of its business model to share their valuable contribution.

The UAE is a standout country to work in as a woman, especially for traditionally male-dominated careers like technology and corporate services which have seen a 2.5 per cent year-on-year growth of female talent joining the ranks. Even more promising this year in media and communications, 51.95 per cent of new hires were women, in education 56.42 per cent and in healthcare 45 per cent were women. However, an increasingly feminised digital media environment means that smartphones must be manufactured with female customers in mind, and this can only be done with more women at the helm of the industry. Gender diversity must become a core component of hiring, not an afterthought. Consider what women are looking for from their employer and not just the role that is advertised. For example, while we see much more of a cohesive parenting approach, women are still the predominate primary caregivers in most instances, so flexible working would take some of the pressure off juggling work and home.

My biggest piece of advice to women in the industry is to support one another, champion each other’s successes and lean on one another for support. As women, the biggest asset we have in the sector, is each other. Making a conscious effort to network with other female leaders, understanding their struggles and triumphs and using their experiences to grow and learn will help you build a thriving career.