Networking

What do you do after you say, "nice to have met you?" Here's a great guest blog from Eileen Brown - originally posted at Sustainable Business.

"I’ve written about the death of the business card before, but I’ll say it again. How many business cards have you collected at a meeting and ignored?

Everyone you work with or for or who works with you is a member of your strategic network. So is anyone else, inside and outside the company who has a stake in your achieving your goals. That is beautifully illustrated in this video that features Pattie Sellers of FORTUNE moderating a panel that includes EVP, Worldwide Business Development and Innovation, Kristin Peck and Xerox Chief Strategy Officer Uta Werner.  My favorite quotes are from Uta when she spoke about the importance of managing up:

This headline from The Republic caught my eye this morning,

"Social media helps professionals break through gender barriers".

It's spring, and if you are like me your calendar is filled with networking events. Just last week, I attended five events in five days including, the Business Expo, the Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce Gala, a women in business award's luncheon, one retirement celebration and a going away party for a senor executive. It was a busy week, and yes, there were moments (more than one) I thought I'd opt out or skip the next event. However, after each event, I was reminded what a valuable business tool networking is and always will be. 

Last week, I was interviewed on a radio show called Positive Business about networking. The show's host Patricia Raskin, asked me to talk about networking when you are in transition.

Here are 5 apps that can help us build and maintain relationships. Thanks to MSNBC Your Business and INC Magazine for letting us in on them.

(click on image to watch)

"Acquaintances...represent a source of social power, and the more acquaintances you have, the more powerful you are."    Malcolm Gladwell in The Tipping Point

Two weeks ago we kicked off our four-month leadership series with a 3-day intensive retreat. The idea of a being “out of pocket” for three days often makes women very uncomfortable. Whether it is "out of the office guilt” or not recognizing the opportunities a retreat might offer, it is certain that many women will not even consider participating in one. So, what, if anything, are they missing out on?