Norma Lovhaugen is Head of Product Marketing, Strategy and Design for Neat‘s innovative and elegant video collaboration devices and unique, rich and inclusive meeting experiences.
She has been part of the leadership team at Neat since June 2020, previously serving as Head of Products. Norma has extensive experience in the video collaboration space, with previous leadership and product development roles at Cisco and Tandberg.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
In 2020, one of the leaders of Neat reached out to ask if I’d be interested in being Head of Products. I saw this as a huge compliment and was so honoured to have been considered for the role that was offered by the former leaders of Tandberg – my previous company – who I really respected. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that came out of the blue, and so I took the jump despite enjoying my current role. I’m so glad I did as it led to several amazing experiences and opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise had.
What are the key roles in your field of work, and why did you choose your current expertise?
Neat’s mission is to create beautiful devices that support today’s hybrid workplace. To achieve this, we need, and have, a strong design team with experience in visual and industrial design. We also have a highly competent cross functional engineering team with expertise in audio, video and cameras, platform development and electronics, compliance, supply chain managers, project managers and product managers. Essentially, we need a wide range of experts who can balance their niche experience cross-functionally.
Initially I chose technology because I knew someone that worked in the industry and found it fascinating. Since starting in tech 28 years ago, I have remained loyal to the industry and specifically in video conferencing because I thrive in a work environment in which no two days are the same. I’m constantly finding new and interesting opportunities which require being creative, learning new things and working closely with others. What truly fascinates me is how technology makes it possible to have authentic human connections wherever we are in the world.
Did you (or do you) have a role model in tech or business in general?
No single person springs to mind, but I have many in my day-to-day life and am mostly inspired by the people I work with. I like to think of myself as a good listener and one of my strengths is seeing how great people around me are. Ultimately, I am fascinated by people. I am lucky that I can learn from a diverse pool of colleagues across the teams at Neat.
What are you most proud of in your career, so far?
I am proud of what I have accomplished and the opportunities that I have been given, and that I am still standing in my values and beliefs. I feel like I have proven to myself that hard work, passion and doing the right thing in the end is what is noticed.
What does an average workday look like for you?
I usually start my day at home both because of traffic and because I’ve started to find that 1-2 hours working at home in the morning allows me to focus, catch up on emails and make a priority list. Afterwards, I’ll drive into the office where I attend meetings, catch up on projects and, most importantly, collaborate with others.
Are there any specific skills or traits that you notice companies look for when you’re searching for roles in your field?
I’m not sure about other companies, but when I interview, I have three points I keep in mind, with the first being the most important factor for a new team member:
- Passion (I believe people with passion will drive and build amazing products)
- Integrity (I believe people with integrity will constantly do what is right and collaborate well with other people. They will also bring out the best in others)
- Competence (do they have enough relevant competence?)
Has anyone ever tried to stop you from learning and developing in your professional life, or have you found the tech sector supportive?
I think we all experience ups and downs in our professional life, but we need to remember that if we are not feeling supported at times it might also be a misunderstanding as opposed to a barrier. When a situation becomes difficult, my mantra is: “Do the right thing, stay positive, find solutions. Focus on doing a good job in the role you have, look for the positives and help other people shine”. I have always found that this attitude works, and triggers support from people around me. My main source of learning is by saying yes to new challenges and being inspired by people around me.
Have you ever faced insecurities and anxieties during your career, and how did you overcome them?
Yes, all the time. I overcome them by saying to myself: “Norma, you can only do your best, they trust you so do what you can.” Then I seek guidance from people in my network. Lately I have also been asking AI for suggestions, and I often get some good perspectives there as well.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed?
Be open and dare to be vulnerable. Seek advice and feedback, do your best, make sure to pat yourself on the back and acknowledge when you’ve done a good job. Remember that you can do everything and if you are asked to do something you’re unsure of, then it is only because you have not learned it yet. Remember the keyword “yet” when faced with something new but dive in and learn as you go. If someone asks you to do something, it is because they trust you and believe in you. So, believe in yourself and say yes!
What advice would you give other women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
You will learn a lot as you go. What helped me was focusing my time on my current role. This way I’m seen as a positive, driven and focused worker, and from there new opportunities have arisen.