Phoenix Software MD calls out channel's diversity issue

'Whether it's data mining or fantastic applications and platforms, how can we be so good at that but when it comes to the fundamental human stuff, we're not so good?' Sam Mudd tells CRN

Phoenix Software's MD, Sam Mudd, has told CRN that the channel should see the current state of affairs surrounding diversity as an opportunity to come up with more innovative solutions.

"I am very perplexed at the disparity between how innovative we are as an industry, and the diversity statistics," she said.

"We're able to drive such fantastic ways of changing the world. Whether it's data mining or fantastic applications and platforms, how can we be so good at that but when it comes to the fundamental human stuff, we're not so good?"

Mudd (pictured) has been the MD of Phoenix Software since 2009, and has 30 years' experience of leadership at reseller businesses as an entrepreneur.

As one of CRN's Women in Channel judges, she believes that one of the ways to encourage more innovation is to raise awareness that there is an issue.

"It may seem like a bit of a soft issue, but I truly believe it's about considering your staff first, and that this will become increasingly recognised as a more prevalent business theme," she said.

The deadline for nominations for the CRN Women in Channel awards is this Friday.

Mudd manages a team of more than 203 staff, 34 per cent of whom are women.

While that exceeds the sector average of 20 per cent, Mudd wants to try to equalise that number as part of her efforts to "provide a supportive and enjoyable work environment for everyone to thrive in".

"To do that you've got to have diversity. You need to be able to think and be emotionally supportive around both male and female issues," she said.

"If not, the outcome will be that some people will probably not reach their potential in terms of success."

She added that she believes there is momentum surrounding the issue, which means there will be consequences if senior exec teams continue to be complacent about representation.

"If we don't try to address or rebalance the gender ratio, I think the industry would keep growing and people would still be successful, but there will be a shift," she said.

"The change will be that emotional intelligence will increasingly come into play. It's about recruitment; attracting the best talent as an attractive employer, but also about companies fundamentally realising that to be successful you really have to put your staff first."

Visit the CRN Women in Channel hub here.