- Introduction by Women of NATE Committee Member Lymaris Pabellon
- WON Profile: Amanda Hernandez-Lawler
- Where will you find the Women of NATE?
- Upcoming Events
- Recent Event Highlights
- Feature Article: Twitter's New CEO Keeps Repeating 1 Word. It's a Brilliant Lesson in How to Create Change
- Book Recommendation
Release:
December 6, 2023
Women of NATE Today Newsletter
Volume 5, Issue 12
Happy December! As we wrap up another year, it is hard to believe how swiftly time passes. It feels like just moments ago we were ushering in 2023, and now here we are, ready to welcome a new year. December, with its festive spirit and holiday cheer, always holds a special place in my heart. The twinkling lights, the joy of giving, and the warmth of family gatherings make this month truly magical.
This year in telecommunications has been an exciting journey, filled with advancements and challenges. As we reflect on our achievements and learnings, I'm reminded of the resilience and dedication that each of you bring to this dynamic industry. The growth and innovation in areas like fiber optics, small cell technology, and Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) have not only enhanced our field, but also empowered women to play pivotal roles in shaping the future of telecommunications.
As we step into the holiday season, it is a time for gratitude and celebration. Let's cherish the moments with our loved ones and take time to rejuvenate. It is also a period of reflection, an opportunity to look back at our personal and professional growth over the year. Despite the cold and shorter days, December radiates warmth and hope, reminding us of the bright future that awaits in the coming year.
In this issue, we'll dive into some groundbreaking developments in cable technologies, share success stories, and provide insights to help you stay ahead in this ever-evolving industry. Let's continue to support and inspire each other, as we navigate the complexities and triumphs of our field.
Here's to a joyful December and a prosperous New Year! May this season fill your homes with happiness, your hearts with love, and your minds with new ideas and inspiration. Cheers to ending the year on a high note and welcoming 2024 with open arms and endless possibilities!
Lymaris Pabellon is a Digital Marketing Specialist for Learning Alliance Corporation and is a member of the Women of NATE (WON) Committee. She can be reached at lpabellon@mylearningalliance.com.
WON Profile: Amanda Hernandez-Lawler
Amanda Hernandez-Lawler is the VP of Business Solutions at Teltech and a veteran sales leader in equipment and distribution within the telecommunications space. With over 20 years in the industry, her success comes from being a champion for her customers and OEM partners.
She spends her free time with her loving husband Joshua, and two children - Sloan and Rowan.
What do I want to experience?
I hope to one day experience the Northern Lights with my family. It has been a bucket list trip for a long time.
How do you want to grow?
I want to be more intentional with my actions and grow stronger in my faith.
Who inspires you?
My father is my biggest inspiration. He would have given the shirt off his back to anyone in need and never met a stranger. He loved BIG. We miss him daily.
Are you named after anyone? If not, how did your parents think of your name?
I was told Amanda by Boston was playing in the delivery room, but who knows. 😊
If your life were a song, what would the title be?
Heart like Mine – Miranda Lambert
What do you like most about your present role at your company?
Getting to work for a company that values diversity and getting to work for a phenomenal leader like Lisa Hanlon.
Who motivates you on a daily basis?
My littles.
Where are you in your family birth order?
First born out of four and the only girl. 😊
What is the best gift you have ever received?
My children.
What are you passionate about?
My whole world is centered around my family. They are my purpose in life.
What do you want to contribute to your community?
My contribution to my community is to raise God loving, free thinking, hard-working, thoughtful humans.
Where do you go when you want to be alone?
It is never a bad day when I can get away for a massage or mani/pedi.
What is one rule you live by?
If you are going to do something, do it right. Never half ass.
What is "your" song?
Neon Moon - Brooks & Dunn
What is the best live event you have ever been to?
Took my daughter to her first concert: Taylor Swift Era’s Tour.
Would you ever want to work outside of the wireless industry if so, what industry?
Even with the industry’s ups and downs, I love this industry and my wireless family.
What do you find works when you are having a bad day to turn things around?
Being grateful for what I have and knowing that God has a plan for me.
Which holiday is your favorite?
4th of July.
Where will you find the Women of NATE?
Take Women of NATE with you!
Are you traveling for work or taking a leisure vacation?
Take a creative photo holding a Women of NATE (WON) logo in front of a landmark that lets us know where you are.
(Above) The NATE Staff participated in the 2023 Feed the Need food drive sponsored by KXLG Radio for the third consecutive year. Donations were taken to the Salvation Army for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Submit your photos along with your name and location to nikki@natehome.com for a chance to be showcased in an upcoming newsletter or social media post.
Upcoming Events
Register for NATE UNITE 2024 Today!
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association invites you to attend NATE UNITE 2024, February 19-22 at the Renasant Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
NATE UNITE is widely regarded as the premier conference and trade show in the diverse tower and wireless communications infrastructure, construction, service, and maintenance infrastructure industries focused on safety. The NATE UNITE lineup consists of an impressive array of educational sessions, networking receptions, luncheons, and speakers. NATE’s tower stage area in the exhibit hall will host several opportunities for attendees to see the latest in new safety equipment and techniques. The newest exciting addition to the exhibit hall, the Drone Zone, is an innovative showcase for drone technology and will host educational sessions as well as sponsor demonstrations.
Visit natehome.com to register to attend and view further details regarding NATE UNITE 2024. Information regarding the educational sessions featured at NATE UNITE 2024 can be located in the Pre Show Planner. For further information on how to become an exhibitor and showcase your products and services to NATE UNITE attendees, the Sponsor and Exhibitor Planning Guide and the booth space contract are also available on the NATE website. Contact Shari Wirkus, NATE Events and Meetings Manager, at 605-882-5865 or shari@natehome.com for additional information on exhibiting or sponsoring NATE UNITE 2024.
Headquarter Hotel
Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel
250 N Main St, Memphis, TN 38103
If you are planning to attend NATE UNITE, you will want to make sure to have your hotel room booked. The Sheraton Memphis is the headquarter hotel for NATE UNITE 2024. The room rate at the Sheraton Memphis is $184 for single or double occupancy.
There are also five additional hotels with various sleeping room blocks for NATE UNITE.
Those hotels include the Crowne Plaza Memphis Downtown, SpringHill Suites Memphis Downtown, Moxy Memphis Downtown, Courtyard Memphis Downtown, and the Peabody Memphis.
All hotel reservations will be made through the ConferenceDirect link on the NATE website.
NATE utilizes ConferenceDirect for hotel reservations. ConferenceDirect is the ONLY APPROVED housing agency for NATE UNITE 2024. Make your hotel reservations today by clicking this link.
Exhibitors who need 10 or more rooms will have the opportunity to request sub-blocks.
Hotel reservations are due by Friday, January 28, 2024. Once the NATE room block has been filled, which could occur prior to Friday, January 28, 2024 the hotel will not guarantee availability. Subject to availability, rooms may be reserved at the Group Rate for the three days before February 19, 2024 and the three days after February 22, 2024.
*BE ADVISED ANY SOLICITATION FROM A VENDOR TO MAKE A HOTEL ROOM RESERVATION FOR NATE UNITE IS A SCAM. NO VENDORS WILL BE CALLING YOU TO MAKE ROOM RESERVATIONS. YOU MUST GO THROUGH THE NATE WEBSITE OR CLICK ON THE LINKS ABOVE TO ENSURE YOUR BOOKING TRANSACTION IS VALID AND SAFE.
Women of NATE Announces 2024 Education Scholarship
Women of NATE (WON) is pleased to announce the 2024 WON Education Scholarship. The scholarship was designed to encourage and inspire more women to enter the tower and communications infrastructure construction, service, and maintenance industry or advance their current roles within the industry. Women currently in or looking to join the telecommunications industry through university degrees, technical schools, or furthering education programs are welcome to apply.
Women play a prominent role as leaders and visionaries in the advancement of wireless and broadcast communications. Through the establishment of the WON initiative, the Association is delighted to recognize the vital contributions of women in the diverse tower and communications infrastructure industry. Two scholarships valued at $1,000 each will be awarded to two different applicants.
Women of NATE Chairwoman Andy Page Lee of Lee Antenna & Line Service, Inc. stated, “In the present era, there is a wealth of opportunities for female students passionate about telecommunications industries. Women of NATE is proud to offer women a platform to further their educational goals. Through the WON Education Scholarship, they can break barriers, foster diversity, and pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.”
“In today's ever-changing world, it is critical that we as an industry not only adapt to the new norms, but also support historically underrepresented people in participating in and leading that change. The Women of NATE Scholarship offers that support to women who are driving the future of telecommunications by pursuing an education for themselves,” added Women of NATE Committee Member Areanna Sabine of Birdzoff.
Application documents must be received in the NATE office by January 19, 2024. In addition to the one-page application form; applicants must provide an essay answering: why they believe the WON Education Scholarship will help them achieve their career goals in the telecommunications industry; proof of acceptance or enrollment in college, technical school, or continuing education program; and a letter of nomination from a current NATE member company. Click HERE to apply today!
To find out more about the WON Education Scholarship, please visit http://natehome.com/women-of-nate/won-education-scholarship/. Award recipients will be announced on February 19, 2024, in conjunction with the annual NATE UNITE 2024 event in Memphis, Tennessee.
Join Us for a Live NATE Webinar
How to Speed Up Technician Learning Curves to Accelerate Fiber Deployments
On Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 10:00 AM CST, Jason Kraker and Giuseppe Lipari, both Application Engineers at EXFO, will conduct a live NATE webinar titled How to Speed up Technician Learning Curves to Accelerate Fiber Deployments.
In the ever evolving and complex 5G landscape, attracting, training, and retaining fiber technicians is a huge challenge. Given the intricacies of today’s high-fiber count networks, employing innovative new testing strategies is paramount for enabling technicians to do their jobs faster—and better.
In this NATE webinar, discover how streamlined, automated test processes empower new and experienced tower technicians to accurately assess and validate the performance of 5G cell sites during installation, activation, and maintenance phases.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Recent Event Highlights
(Above) NATE Director of Safety, Health & Compliance Kathy Stieler and Chief Operating Officer Paula Nurnberg toured ANCO Wireless and visited with COO Eric Rodenborn. Then they toured VIKOR led by President Jonathan Eastman and CEO Craig Snyder on November 9, 2023.
(Right) NATE Members Joey Deuer of Deuer Development, Loui McCurley of Pigeon Mountain Industries, JP Jones of Safety LMS, Heather Robertson of Harken Inc., and Doug Mercier of SKYLOTEC North America, LP attended the Z359 Fall Protection Code meeting in Schaumburg, Illinois.
(Above and Below) Vice President - Engineering, Operations & IT Jake VanDewater and Operations Engineering Supervisor Conrad Carson lead the NATE Staff in an informative tour of the SDN Communications data center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
(Above) South Florida held the first national Broadband Careers Awareness Day, supported by Junior Achievement of South Florida and NEPTUNO USA Corp.
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and NATE Workforce Development Consultant Dr. Gemma Frock attended with Sean J. Lewis of Florida Commerce. Attendees saw a PPE demonstration by Vertical Freedom movie cast member Sean Gilhooley and heard opening remarks from Leticia Latino-van Splunteren of Neptuno USA Corp.
'Tis the season to purchase gifts for your team and NATE has something for everyone!
• Passes to #NATEUNITE2024 https://bit.ly/3RYxMHp
• Rise and Climb and Almost Home prints benefitting the Tower Family Foundation https://bit.ly/3xVRI0O
• Military of NATE Challenge Coins https://bit.ly/47xfT7J
• New NATE Apparel https://bit.ly/3T1o73q
• Subscription to Tower Times Magazine https://bit.ly/3uC49lP
• Safety Resources and Stickers https://bit.ly/47yr5kB
• Purchase the new ANSI ASSP 10.48-2023 Standard https://bit.ly/3G5AbJq
Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday!
Twitter's New CEO Keeps Repeating 1 Word. It's a Brilliant Lesson in How to Create Change
A lesson in emotionally intelligent change management, courtesy of new Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino.
Twitter's new CEO has her work cut out for her.
In a matter of weeks, Linda Yaccarino will be taking over as Twitter's chief executive. She'll be tasked with keeping multiple stakeholders happy, despite those people often holding opposing views.
People like:
- Elon Musk (her new boss)
- Advertisers
- Everyday users
So, why was Musk convinced that Yaccarino was the right person for the job? And how will Yaccarino get Musk, advertisers, and users on board for the new, reinvented Twitter?
Yaccarino hinted at the answer in a recent series of tweets (which she repeated the next day on LinkedIn):
I've long been inspired by [Elon Musk's] vision to create a brighter future. I'm excited to help bring this vision to Twitter and transform this business together!
Your feedback is VITAL to that future. I'm here for all of it. Let's keep the conversation going and build Twitter 2.0 together!
In this series of messages, one word sticks out. Yaccarino repeated it four times (including the second, LinkedIn post):
Together.
On the surface, you may not consider this word special. But when it comes to change management, the word "together" sends a powerful message. It also teaches a lesson in emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and manage emotions.
As a business owner, what can you learn from this message? And how you can apply it to your own workplace? Let's find out.
Change management, emotional intelligence, and the Ikea effect
People hate change.
That's one reason why Musk has encountered so much resistance since taking over Twitter. It's also what makes Yaccarino's work cut out for her, as she will likely attempt to change the way Musk prefers to handle some things at Twitter, too.
But there's a method for helping people overcome that natural resistance:
You have to empower them to help create the solution.
This is where the Ikea effect comes into play.
The Ikea effect was popularized by a Harvard Business School research paper. In one study, two sets of subjects were asked to price a set of Ikea storage boxes. The first group had built the boxes themselves; the second group simply took a look at the furniture before coming up with a price.
The result? The persons who built the boxes placed much higher value on the product, leading to an insightful conclusion:
When you participate in the building process, you value the result more.
This is what makes Yaccarino's message so powerful. By confirming that she is willing to work together with Elon to create Twitter 2.0, Yaccarino assures Musk that she's committed to including him in the building process.
Yaccarino then repeats that message to Twitter advertisers and users. By inviting them to contribute their feedback on how to improve, she again creates buy-in, which increases their emotional attachment to Twitter.
So, how can you apply this lesson to your workplace?
If you're trying to create change, don't start by proposing solutions. Instead, present your people with clearly-defined problems--and ask for ideas on how to solve them.
Once you've actually considered what they have to say, give them the chance to beta test your new path forward--or at least give them a preview. You can then use further feedback to help tweak your process and product. (Of course, you have to communicate that you're doing this, to make sure they feel part of the process.)
Employing the Ikea effect may seem to take longer, but it will save time in the long run--and greatly increase your chances of success. Because, as Linda Yaccarino knows, the only way to create successful change is to do so together.
Justin Bariso is an author, speaker, and consultant who helps organizations and individuals develop their emotional intelligence. His thoughts on leadership and EQ draw over a million readers a month, and LinkedIn named him a “Top Voice” in the field of management and workplace culture three years in a row. His new book, EQ Applied, shares fascinating research, modern examples, and personal stories that illustrate how emotional intelligence works in the real world.
This article was previously published on inc.com.
Book Recommendation of the Month
