Meet DELL’s MD: Angela Fox

Angela Fox, Managing Director, Dell ANZ

Majoring in zoology but ending up in one of the world’s most highly recognised tech firms? It may seem like an odd career decision, but for Dells boss Angela, her first step into the world of business came about so early that she didn’t have much time to be chilling out with Panda bears.

Growing up on a dairy farm near Turua, New Zealander Angela has risen from her rural roots to help reshape the Australian technology industry, swapping cattle for the channel across the Tasman.

“I was going through the education system in an era where graduate intakes were very prevalent. It was back in the generalist days … The private sector was coming onto the university campus[es] and looking to take the best and brightest from any faculty,” says Dell’s MD.

Fast forward to today and Angela Fox is the Managing Director in a global business.

“One of your key responsibilities is to have clarity about what is unique about this marketplace, relative to my peers around the globe,” she says.

“We’re fairly pragmatic cultures, and straight talking. The team generally wants to know what’s going on … but it’s more about using your leadership to create an environment that’s open to suggestions.” Angela says that Dell employ a lot of women in senior roles globally but there is always room for more.

“I read somewhere recently that when we’re at 50/50 we don’t need to have the conversation.”

Strength: “I try to be open in my leadership style, and go out of my way to ensure I stay in touch from the grassroots to senior leaders.”

Weakness: “[By having an open and inclusive style] you have to make sure that you’re not encouraging people to [stop] working on their own leadership qualities.” Management style and tips: “I want to set up my leaders to be the best they possibly can, and develop as business leaders.”

Work motto: “My best always. It was actually my primary school motto, would you believe?”

As someone renowned for embracing opportunity, Fox believes Dell has tapped into her inner psyche, allowing experiences to be broadened and capabilities enhanced, both locally and internationally.

Join Angela at ‘The Women in Tech & Telco Leadership Summit 2017’

In the ever-changing Tech & Telco industries, adapting and coping with organisational change is fundamental for leaders. Analysing what works and what doesn’t and planning for the future is imperative when leading your team. Angela will speak in an interactive panel, discussing obstacles faced and exploring strategies to overcome challenges, building resilience and seizing opportunities to effect positive change in the face of adversity.

Key insights from Fox will include

• Leading through challenging times

• Dealing with situations where you have limited information or knowledge

• Building resilience in yourself and others