Networking

What a list! A recent report from the Society for Human Resource Management identified a variety of networking sources and the percentages of SHRM respondents that use them. It's very interesting and you can find the results at the end of the survey. That only 22% of respondents use professional societies and trade associations surprised me since SHRM is all about networking for professional development. Evren Esern, manager of SHRM's survey program said about the results, "It's the face to face, it's the who-you-know that counts in business."

"Do you know what is the most common question men ask at business networking events?" one of the participants in my leadership program asked. She went on to say that she had been conducting informal research and learned that men most commonly start conversations with, "How's business?"

Since then, I've noticed that a woman who was the CEO of a large financial institution will often lead with that question – rather than reconnecting about our children.

It's a huge asset to have in your network a "first response team."

When you prepare for a networking event, you probably dress in a way that projects the "brand" that you want to be known for. I know that I am thoughtful about how I outfit myself, but my colleague Victoria Waterman recently brought my outfitting awareness to a new level. She emailed me an outline for a Business Etiquette workshop that she was preparing for a client. In the outline was this topic: "Must-Have Networking Wardrobe and Accessories."

So, you've gotten over your "fear of flubbing" and added some wonderful people to your network. Now what? Well, we've already determined that networks only work when there is reciprocity... and reciprocity means you have to Nurture Your Network™.

Yesterday was our local business journal's annual tribute to women. Over 350 men and women mingled for 45 minutes before we were seated for lunch and the ceremony. Because I knew many of the honorees, sponsors and attendees I was looking forward to attending.

Driving to a client meeting my colleague, Mona (fictitious name) complained about an email she had received. Sally (fictitious name) had emailed Mona asking if she would be willing to talk with her daughter (a recent college grad) about career options in HR.

"Another 'helicopter parent,'" Mona complained. "Why doesn't she make her daughter do the work?"

I'm always on the lookout for great tips on networking to pass along (after all networking is all about reciprocity). This one comes via @feistywoman on Twitter and Harvard Business Publishing.

London-based Gill Corkindale recently offered 6 tips for networking and I particularly liked tip #3 on using STAR. If you're one who isn't comfortable with self-promotion, you'll benefit from Gill's advice about letting your STAR shine.

Hope that title caught your attention, because I'm going to use this post to confront one of the major differences between the way men and women network. It lies in the concept of the "weak tie." Here's what I first read about the concept.

Through Twitter I learned that Lena West has a great guest blog at Lipsticking. It's called "Rules of Social Media Engagement for Women". She writes,"I see so many women getting it wrong and they pay the price accordingly. It is what it is.