SSOW Women's Day: How GBS Can Launch Your Career

Today, marked the start of SSON’s largest meeting of shared services and GBS professionals, opening with the SSOW Women’s Day.

Hosted by Deborah Kops, Principal, Sourcing Change and Angela Mangiapane, Former President, GBS, Mars, the first session explored the career path of Bianca Martinez, Executive Director of GBS Transformation & Strategy at Warner Bros. Bianca shared how her GBS career has been characterized by continuous learning, leadership, and a commitment to mentorship. Her journey is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities, raising one’s visibility, and fostering flexibility in both professional and personal growth.

A Career Shaped by Global Experiences

Bianca’s career path has been driven by her strong desire for global experience and continuous learning. With an MBA focused on global management, she embraced the opportunity to study in multiple countries, broadening her perspective and deepening her expertise in international business. Warner Bros played a pivotal role in supporting her pursuit of an MBA, enabling her to maintain a flexible work schedule while advancing her education.

However, this journey was not without its challenges. Bianca had to advocate for herself, raising her hand and initiating discussions about her ambitions. With the guidance of a mentor, she was able to frame these conversations effectively, leading to doors opening in strategic roles and global assignments.

Paying It Forward: Mentorship and Flexibility

Today, as a leader, Bianca is committed to creating the same opportunities for her team that she once fought for. She actively supports flexible work arrangements, ensuring that her team members can balance professional development with their responsibilities.

Mentorship plays a central role in her leadership approach, particularly in the Global Business Services (GBS) hubs in India. She believes in the power of guidance and support in helping others navigate their career journeys, just as her mentor once did for her.

Raising Visibility: A Key to Career Growth

One of Bianca’s key takeaways from her career is the importance of visibility. Hard work alone is not enough—professionals must also take proactive steps to showcase their ambitions and capabilities. Her own career trajectory demonstrates the value of expressing interest in global roles, which ultimately led to her move to Amsterdam.  By stepping forward and making her career goals known, Bianca was able to transition into a strategy-focused role and contribute to the transformation of Warner Bros’ shared services. To add to this, Bianca emphasized the importance of women upskilling themselves in AI to stay relevant and ensure your skills evolve alongside the business needs.

Three Words That Define Working in Shared Services

To outsiders, GBS is often seen as a place where repetition, standardization, and transactional work are prioritized. However, when asked to describe her experience in shared services in three words, Bianca chose:

• Opportunity – GBS presents endless possibilities to influence company strategy and collaborate with teams worldwide.
• Experience – The dynamic nature of GBS has enabled her to work in diverse global environments and continuously learn.
• Evolution – Both her career and the shared services industry have evolved significantly, adapting to changing business needs and technological advancements. 

In summary, Bianca’s advice focused on three themes: the importance of embracing opportunities, seeking mentorship, and advocating for oneself. Her leadership in GBS at Warner Bros showcases the power of transformation, innovation, and strategic thinking in driving business success. Through mentorship and a commitment to flexibility, she gave some great examples and inspiration for those looking to reach the next step in their GBS career.