Interview with Dr. Marzena Nieroda, Lecturer in Marketing and Commercialisation at UCL GBSH

Dr. Marzena Nieroda, a lecturer in Marketing and Commercialisation for Healthcare at UCL Global Business School for Health (GBSH), brings a wealth of expertise to the field. Having previously served as a Lecturer in Marketing at Alliance Manchester Business School at the University of Manchester and having obtained her PhD in Marketing from the same institution, Dr. Nieroda is a respected authority in her field.

What qualities do you think are essential for women to succeed in the business world?

I would emphasise on confidence, courage, and perseverance. It is very important to cultivate self-confidence. From my experience, I have been to different meetings with many fantastic women who were hesitant to speak up. Sometimes it is difficult for women due to different circumstances, however, I would say, keep going and do not get discouraged.

I believe that all individuals, regardless of gender, confront distinct obstacles. It is imperative to discover what motivates you and remain steadfast in pursuit of your objectives. Set your goals and with virtues like confidence, courage, and perseverance you can accomplish extraordinary feats.

How do you balance your personal and professional life and what advice would you offer?

A well-rounded perspective on life is essential for achieving a healthy balance between personal and professional life. My advice would be to focus on the importance of communicating and negotiating one's roles in the familial and occupational responsibilities to achieve a good balance.

In your experience, how can businesses benefit from having more women in leadership positions?

Having a more diverse leadership team can result in significant benefits. More diversity in leadership positions could bring a different perspective and understanding of the work environment and could lead to positive changes.

What advice would you give to other women who are interested in pursuing a career in business?

My advice would be to pursue your curiosity and dreams with dedication, while embracing the possibility of failure. Do not let failure bring you down. It is common to set career goals that do not necessarily unfold exactly as envisioned.

However, setbacks and missteps offer valuable opportunities for learning and growth. Fear of failure can be a significant obstacle in achieving success, particularly for women, who, sometimes may experience heightened sensitivity to perceived judgment or criticism. By reframing failure as a natural aspect of the journey towards success, we can adopt a more resilient approach towards careers.