IT Ladies Farida Dadajanova: “IT is my life”

Women in the IT industry continue to combat outdated stereotypes that suggest IT is not for women. They successfully advance businesses, as is the case with Ms. Farida Tal’atovna Dadajanov, the Director of Business Development at “FIDO-BIZNES.”

“FIDO-BIZNES” is one of the largest developers of information systems and solutions in Uzbekistan, operating since 1993. The company undertakes projects in various sectors of the economy, including government, banking, industrial, and others.

About the beginning of journey in the IT industry

From a very young age, I comprehended how the IT sphere operates, the challenges it presented, and what aspects demand primary attention. Even in the fifth grade, I was certain that I would enroll at Tashkent University of Information Technologies (TUIT), become a programmer, and lead a company. These were my ambitious aspirations, and I can proudly say that I have successfully achieved them and continue to work in my beloved company.

In 2009, I graduated from the Faculty of Applied Informatics at TUIT, after which I pursued my studies at the master’s level. This year, I graduated from the Skolkovo Business School with an Executive MBA degree. Presently, I hold the position of Business Development Manager at “FIDO-BIZNES.”

IT is my life. Why, you might wonder? My father, Mr. Tal’at Karimovich Dadajanov, is an alumnus of the Institute of Cybernetics. He was a talented programmer, which served as a great source of inspiration for me. Moreover, I had a natural aptitude for leadership from a very early age. In school, in the absence of a teacher, I was entrusted with taking charge, and my classmates always listened to my guidance. All of these factors ultimately determined my destiny and led me into the field of IT. Importantly, I have never questioned why I’m here. IT is my calling.

Why IT, in particular?

The realm of IT captivates me not only with its technical aspects but also with the necessity, in software development for organizations, to deeply immerse oneself in the core of their operations. This significantly broadens oneʼs knowledge and professional skills. For instance, despite not being a financial specialist, I comprehend the internal workings of financial institutions and how the financial sector functions. Collaborating with colleagues, we developed a program for Central Clinical Hospital No. 1. Now, I possess insights into processes related to patients’ medical history, as well as analyses and other aspects.

My thesis was dedicated to an Enterprise Management Information System in the leasing sector (“ISUP Leasing”). Thanks to this research, I have a clear understanding of how leasing organizations operate.

Thus, I realized that IT is the future. In the contemporary world, to remain competitive, businesses must be prepared to respond swiftly to market changes in real-time, requiring a robust IT platform.

Regarding challenges and stereotypes

When I became the General Director, I was aware that some top managers had doubts about the capabilities of women in this role. Perhaps they perceived us as too delicate and uncertain, doubting our ability to achieve significant results. However, I set a goal for myself: to prove that I am capable of successful leadership. And I succeeded.

My initial negotiations were with the Pension Fund, with which our company had struggled with resolving an issue for a long time. However, I managed to resolve it, and at that moment, everyone began to understand that a woman can achieve success and make decisions just as well as a man. Now, I feel comfortable in the office, as we have eliminated gender inequality and fostered a favorable atmosphere for everyone.

Regarding difficulties, they are inherent part of work. It can be especially demanding to explain certain project aspects to clients. Sometimes, we may spend 3-4 hours on this, but the results and the mutual understanding we achieve are undoubtedly worth the effort. Occasionally, I notice a lack of IT literacy among specialists, but overall, I don’t perceive any other significant issues.

About achievements and plans

I consider our company and team to be significant achievements. Our product portfolio is expanding, workforce is growing, and stability prevails. Furthermore, we harbor ambitions and plans, including venturing into international markets. This signifies that our company is on the right path.

Currently, we are experiencing rapid growth, and our primary task is adapting management processes to accommodate the increasing number of our specialists. The company has scaled significantly, with a substantial increase in employees, products, and projects. Consequently, the implementation of new management models has become imperative to effectively manage this growth.

About key skills

As the leader of an IT company, it is crucial for me to comprehend industry trends, stay informed about the ongoing developments in IT. I dedicate ample time to the analysis and study of these trends, regularly perusing analytical reports from Gartner, focusing on areas with the highest activity and prospects. For success in IT, continuous learning and development are paramount. Therefore, I consider the ability to delve deeply into a subject and exhibit perpetual curiosity as the most crucial skills.

I undertook training at the Skolkovo School of Management. The first module was dedicated to crafting a companyʼs strategy. Right on the first day, I realized that I spent the majority of my time on operational activities. However, leaders and company owners should allocate more time to strategic business development, which generates revenue, rather than getting bogged down in operational tasks. This realization allowed me to judiciously redistribute my resources.

Currently, my primary task is to redirect the entire teamʼs focus from operational processes to achieving results.

The importance of a team

Achieving success alone is nearly impossible. It is essential to create a team of like-minded individuals rather than just a collective. A team is like yin and yang: if you lack certain competencies, you gather those whose experience and skills complement yours. Itʼs like solving a puzzle — you place each element in its place and then collectively engage in intellectual brainstorming, conduct strategic sessions, and devise various development strategies.

I am frequently asked, “Who are your partners?” My response: in the IT industry, our partners are IT players from around the world. We cannot and should not limit ourselves to one country. We look at the world more broadly and perceive it as our competitive environment. At the same time, we aim for mutually beneficial agreements with other companies, so as not to reinvent the wheel repeatedly. Understanding who already has a working engine and contemplating how to collectively accomplish specific tasks is precisely what the market demands today.

The role of women in IT

I firmly believe that a young age is the ideal time for a girl to focus on education, career development, gaining life and professional experience, and finding herself. Without this experience, it is much more challenging to establish a career in any field.

A few years ago, our company had only 20 women, but now their number has tripled. I want to see even more women in our team. To achieve this, it is essential to realize that working in the IT field is not as complex as it may seem; on the contrary, it is highly multifaceted, interesting, and captivating. From a young age, it is crucial to convey to girls that IT encompasses more than just programming. Today, there are numerous creative specialties in this industry, such as testers, UX/UI designers, business analysts, PR and marketing specialists, HR professionals, and the list goes on. Therefore, one should look at the IT field more broadly and not hesitate to become a part of it.

I can confidently say that women leaders in IT are wonderful. Unlike men, women often possess greater empathy, the ability to focus on tasks, and attentiveness to the emotional state of colleagues. Leading a team without empathy is challenging, especially given the demands of todayʼs young professionals. Women, typically by nature, have this ability, so I believe it is more comfortable to work with them.

By the way, not long ago, I was among the nominees for the International Global “Women in Tech Award” (in the Arts Awards category for the Women in Tech Caucasus Awards — Recognizing women who effectively integrate technology into life and business using innovative methods and platforms – editor’s note), which brings together the most outstanding women from around the world. I was pleasantly surprised. I certainly do not regret not becoming a winner. On the contrary, I realized that we should prepare better to undoubtedly win in the future.

Advice for women who aspire to build a career in IT

Each individual is unique and talented in their own way. Therefore, one should develop their own development plan based on personal qualities, preferences, desires, and, most importantly, dreams. Why is this so important? Because without a clear plan, there is a significant chance of veering off the intended path. When a person has a visual map of their desires, a clear understanding of what they want to achieve and what products they want to create, it provides them with clarity of purpose and endless motivation.

Itʼs important to determine the areas and directions of interest and then actively engage in networking and learning from leaders in the field. Networking is highly motivating. When you interact with others, you see that success and wealth are not achieved in a matter of days, and this inspires you to continue working on yourself, and it works. You realize that you are on the right path.

Itʼs also essential not to be a perfectionist. Thereʼs no need to berate yourself for mistakes. On the contrary, itʼs vital to reward yourself for every small success. When a person can appreciate their own achievements and doesnʼt get disheartened by mistakes, their growth becomes inevitable.