Vicki Batka ─ building transformational bridges and creating new growth opportunities with partners and customers in the most diverse area in the world...
November 17, 2020 • 3 Minute Read
Updated October 2022
Vicki Batka
Senior Vice President Sales, APJC
Trellix
(Previously—Vice President, Partner Organisation, APJC
Cisco)
Are you looking for a global leader that knows how to build bridges with partners and customers, respect and create unity in the most diverse area in the world, and continually look to create new growth opportunities for the market? We know the person—Vicki Batka!
Vicki is currently the Senior Vice President of Sales, Asia Pacific, Japan for Trellix. She has enjoyed a long career in the technology industry, starting at the age of 17 while working in the channel. Over her 30+ year career, Vicki has built a global network across leading tech brands like Cisco, SAP, VMware and Adobe and has enjoyed various APAC or country channel leadership roles in sales and marketing.
Please meet this IT Wondrous Woman™, Vicki Batka!
Our 10 Questions for this IT Wondrous Woman.
Fun Facts
1. What’s the one thing about you that your business colleagues don’t know about you?
When I was much younger, I was an Australian state Touch football champion (similar to flag football).
2. Before the pandemic, how many air miles/KMs did you flying annually?
Wow – too many! Honestly, I don’t track it as it just means more days away from my family/home.
3. What is the most adventurous food you have eaten and what city/location did you eat it?
Snake in Cambodia. It was probably my most adventurous meal and still gives me creepy shivers!
Your Career
4. What are the top two experiences, achievements or failures that shaped your journey as a successful leader?
I am very fortunate to have had many moments that have shaped my journey. The fact is, I live in a diverse part of the world. Every day I get to experience different cultures, business style, and various strategies and I love that no two days are the same, so too many experiences to list here!
I have also experienced failure in my career, and it used to really eat away at my confidence…I was passed over for promotions and missed out on roles that I thought I was ready for. Due to that, I have a philosophy that I allow myself 24 hours to dwell on it, then I need to pick myself up and move forward. I can’t change the past, but I can take control of my own destiny.
Of course, winning large deals, taking on new challenges and getting promoted and watching my partners succeed also really motivate me to bring my “A-game” every day.
5. Did you have a mentor in the early part of your career and, if so, what is the biggest lesson you learned from your mentor or influencer?
Very early into my career, I had a great manager/mentor who taught me a lesson about listening – it helped me immensely, even though at the time I really struggled to understand the importance. Learning to be a good listener has continued to be something that has helped me lead with empathy and authenticity.
Walking In Your Shoes
6. What is one piece of business or career advice you would give to your younger self?
Build your network – in channels, our network is everything. I have partners that I have known my entire career and I work hard at making the time to keep in touch. You should also never burn your bridges – the channel is like an extended family; there is always someone, who knows someone else, so your reputation is critical and stays with you, so remember to treat people like you wish them to treat you. Sorry – but I guess that is 3 pieces of advice (I couldn’t help myself!)
7. As a leader, how do you remain a resource for people early in their careers?
I love coaching & mentoring sessions and always try to approach them in a practical way. Selfishly I also try to learn new tricks and gain a different perspective, from my mentees, as I believe we are always learning.
Today’s Business Environment
8. What is the most interesting project you have worked on in the last few years?
Diversity and Inclusion has been core to my career and has been part of my innate DNA…over the last few years I have really stepped up my desire to give back by mentoring more females in Tech. I am fortunate to play an active role at Cisco with being the Executive sponsor for ‘Women of Cisco’ across APJC and it’s a role that I truly relish.
9. What skills are you currently developing or refining (in yourself) that will make you a more successful leader in the digital economy?
COVID has taught me that we need to get more efficient in sharing our ideas/thoughts and strategies as our attention span during meetings has been sorely tested, so, I have been trying to focus on getting to the point and being more concise, in a more effective way.
10. What is your greatest business challenge today?
It has been a tough year for so many of our partners and I suspect 2021 will continue to see us remaining on alert, so we need to lead & support others with empathy. We also need to listen to what our partners as well as customers need, and to be agile (Yes! We need to do what we always ask our customers to do and look for new ways to succeed). This might mean adjusting business plans to really focus on industries like healthcare or start up a peer-to-peer business relationships/partnerships with others that have skills your company doesn’t, so that together, you can keep servicing your customers in more relevant ways. Lastly, we need to take care of our people, as best we can. Communication is key; keep talking to them, be flexible and give them time & space to get the job done and that definitely doesn’t mean having a ‘9-5’ mentality.
