Networking

When I spoke on Enhancing Your Executive Presence at the MASS Conference for Women, it was a blast 5,000 women under one roof. My cab driver wondered with amazement what 5,000 women could find to talk about. I think he was shocked when I said, "leadership, careers, finance." He probably expected me to say, "men, cosmetics and fashion."

Of the social media sites, the one I use almost exclusively is LinkedIn. It makes it easy to connect with other professionals for professional news, discussions and more. Recently a colleague asked me about how LinkedIn functions and while I'm no way near an expert, here are 7 ways I've used LinkedIn to nurture and extend my network and cultivate my online professional brand.

Kimball Hall is vice president and general manager of Amgen, RI, a Fortune 500 leader in biotechnology-based human therapeutics. Kimball is responsible for all operations at Amgen's 75-acre West Greenwich Ri campus where a staff of 1000 contribute to the manufacture of Enbrel® – a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. At a Leading Women Lessons in Leadership™ breakfast series this week, Kimball had much to say about leadership, career advancement and... networking.

Well, this isn't exactly a live blog (no wifi in the ballroom), but I've just left and am excited to share with you the networking wisdom of the fabulous panelists!

The phone rang. "Susan Colantuono," I said.

On the line I heard, "Hello, this is Jane Doe. I'm interested in participating in your branding teleseminar, but the website indicates that registration is closed." (Reframe your inner game and overcome barriers to networking.)

"Jane, thanks for calling. I'll give you the number of the woman you can call to sneak in. How'd you hear about us?"

You have a great networking ally in your email "forward" command! Here's what I mean.

This morning I received a LinkedIn event message from one of our Leading Women members who is offering a workshop on college tuition. (In case you live in Mass and are interested, here's the information on how to get into the college you want and save on tuition for Parents of High School Students.)

Victoria Waterman, president of Leading Women in Mass is a consummate networker. This morning she sent the following advice out to her local members. I thought you'd appreciate this advice from a real networking pro. First off, her email in and of itself is one example of how she "nurtures her network." Secondly, it contained practical advice."In my continuing effort to demonstrate strategic networking and share best practices, I am excited to share some thoughts and observations.

I'm of the Kennedy generation; enchanted by Jack, inspired by Bobby and advocated for by Ted. So, it's no wonder that I tuned in as often as possible to the tributes and testimonials about the life of Senator Ted Kennedy. Listening, I was struck by not only the grandeur of his legislative accomplishments, but also the consideration in his personal actions. Sure he had a staff to help him nurture his network, but it was his impulse and he extended it to people of importance as well as the common man and woman.

I hope the title caught your attention. It's a bit tongue-in-cheek because you really do need a network if you want to:

• Be successful in your current job
• Find a new job outside your company
• Learn about job opportunities inside your company
• Build your professional brand

According to a recent survey, Leading Women members use their internal and external networks differently.

One of the most important strategic relationships you can form is with a mentor. Ideally you will have several because as you advance in your career there will be things you need to learn, experiences you need to have and perspectives you need to gain that can't be provided by any single mentor. Successful women identify a variety of mentoring experiences as key to their advancement.