During Women’s Month, Samsung put some of its female-employees’ front and centre in celebration of the crucial role that women play within the organisation. In an effort to highlight the incredible value that each female employee has added to the company, these women were asked to share their personal experiences about the challenges they have faced over the years, the lessons learnt and the wisdom they have gained throughout their careers.
This time, Samsung shines the spotlight on Neroshnee Marimuthu, Senior Marketing Manager at Samsung Mobile Experience. Here’s what she had to say about being a woman in leadership.
We have just celebrated Women’s Month – what is the significance of this month to you?
I think National Women’s month is an opportunity for me to reflect on the incredible women we have in our society and in my inner circle. It’s a time for all of us to acknowledge and appreciate women’s efforts. I believe that the celebration of women in general should be every single day, but to have a month dedicated to women is great!
How does it feel to be a successful woman of colour in leadership?
I am extremely humbled and proud to represent women of colour in leadership roles. It is important for me to show up every day in my full capacity and authentic self, take ownership and pave the way for our future leaders.
Throughout your career, have there been any challenges that you have faced as a woman in the workplace? How did/do you overcome these setbacks?
I do not see challenges in the workplace as a result of being a woman. I consider myself an equal to my peers and prefer to manage challenges logically, practically and objectively.
What advice can you give to other women struggling to balance their careers with home and family responsibilities?
My philosophy is that you work to live, not live to work. As challenging as it may be to find the right balance, it’s important to set your own boundaries and stick to them. Creating a routine or ritual can also be beneficial in trying to create a harmonious work-life balance.
What do you love most about your role as the Senior Marketing Manager at Samsung?
My role allows me the opportunity to create magic every day! Samsung is such a dynamic environment that each and every day is fundamentally different. Each with its own opportunities and challenges, allowing me to really flex my muscles. I love working on a globally loved brand and being able to influence our consumers and enable them to break boundaries with the latest technology innovation.
What have been some of your career highlights while in this role?
I have been fortunate enough to work on both consumer electronics and mobile during my time at Samsung – allowing me to have a diverse perspective of the organisation. I led the launch of the new Galaxy S22 Series this year and played an integral role in launching the latest foldables smartphone last month. I am also very excited to be leading the brand partnerships on behalf of Samsung – Galaxy 947 Move and Dstv Delicious……exciting times ahead!
What does a typical day look like for you?
My day starts with a bowl of coco pops (yes, that’s right!) and a good cup of tea. We are generally required to sit in a lot of meetings. Our environment is very fast paced, so I have to be agile and ready to juggle multiple priorities at once.
As a woman, we wear many hats and are always pouring from ourselves into others. How do you like to practise self-care?
I have developed my own daily personal routine and I try to stick to it as much as possible. I generally make sure that I have enough family time every evening – this is really important to me and gives me that extra boost that I need to kick start my next day. My weekends are also reserved for spending time with my husband and family. We love exploring the outdoors and going on adventurous hikes in the summer or having a good old-fashioned braai.
Who do you look up to?
Definitely my parents! I grew up in a very humble home. I was taught the value of hard work, being dedicated and committed to the cause. My late dad in particular helped shape my sassy personality – he always encouraged me to stand my ground and to never be afraid to speak my mind. I always reflect on my actions to make sure that I make them proud!
Do you have words of advice, inspiration, or motivation for other women trying to build their career?
It’s important to always be open to learning. Be curious all the time and never be afraid to ask questions – you will be amazed at just how much you can learn from those around you. Have a willingness to get involved in all aspects of the organisation – it provides great learning opportunities and allows one to become well rounded and highly skilled.
