Women of Influence Conference, Ogden, Utah, April 5th, 2013 Co-Presenter: Mary Ann Holladay.

1. Strategic
Networking
Skills for
Women
10 Keys to Success
Presented By: Mary Ann Holladay
&
Vicki Whiting, Ph.D.

2. Why Strategic Networking
Matters
 Harvard Career Services reports that between 65 and
85% of all jobs are obtained through networking
 Learning is experiential, we learn from the experiences
of others
 Women are behind the eight ball. We‟re not making
progress – we‟re gaining in education, but not in
earnings. Think about networking powerfully to gain
ground
 You never know what the next contact will mean, what
the next person will bring into your life

3. 10 Keys to Success
 Know your purpose  Master communication
skills
 Make yourself
memorable  Diversify your network
 Play to your strengths  Listen, listen, listen
 Manage your online  Make new friends, but
reputation keep the old
 Choose the right  Nothing
communication ventured, nothing
approach gained

4. Know Your Purpose
Reflective questions:
 What are my objectives?
Keeping it real:
 What is the benefit of this networking
opportunity? Alignment vs. Dissonance
 Is there a fit for me? Give vs. Get
You don‟t always have to
say YES
Tips for Networking Success:
 When invited to join, assess the
cost/benefit ratio
 Test drive before you buy
 Don‟t burn bridges

5. Efforts and courage are not
enough without purpose and
direction
- John F. Kennedy

6. Make Yourself Memorable
Reflective questions:
 Who was the last person you met who
really stood out? Keeping it real:
 What them unique? Do something that sets you
apart
Keep every commitment
you make
Tips for Networking Success: Give as well as take
 Make yourself memorable
 Differentiate yourself from the rest of
the pack
 Remember details about others

7. ”In order to be
irreplaceable, one must always
be different.”
- Coco Chanel

8. Play To Your Strengths
Reflective questions:
 What are you best at?
Keeping it real:
 What first impression do you make?
Do what comes naturally
 What risks are you taking?
Be aware of first
impressions
Example:
Tips for Networking Success:
Diet Coke Man
 Offer your talents and skills
 Leverage other‟s strengths to offset
your weaknesses
 Be natural, authentic

9. What will people
remember about you?

10. Manage Your Online
Reputation
Reflective questions:
 What comes up when you Google
yourself?
Keeping it real:
 What do your social media accounts say
about you? You have to give online
love to get online love
 Are you in charge of your on-line activity, or
does your on-line activity manage you? Emphasis has shifted to
content, not merely
presence
Tips for Networking Success: Remember, everyone can
 Create a strong LinkedIn account learn about you on-line
 Think before you post
 Add content through all relevant social
media channels

11. The Dangers of On-Line
Mismanagement

12. Choose the Right
Communication Approach
Reflective questions:
 Call vs. text vs. e-mail vs. face-to-face Keeping it real:
 What are your rules of thumb? Strategically choose your
method
Example:
The power of a hand-
Tips for Networking Success: written note
 Timeliness trumps indecision
 Make course corrections
 Always respect people‟s time!

13. Master
Communication Skills
Reflective questions:
 How well are your thoughts organized?
Keeping it real:
 How often do you leave a conversation and
think about what you should have said? Remember, you can speak
without saying a word
 How willing are you to open a
conversation? Ask non-defensive
questions (avoid „why‟)
Tips for Networking Success: Let someone else be the
expert sometimes (the
 Identify the right time and the right power of “I don‟t know”)
place for an exchange
 Be courageous – Speak up!
 Practice what you will say

14. Diversify Your Network
Reflective questions:
 What does your network say about
you? Keeping it real:
 Mirror image or panorama view? We like people who are
like us
We learn through our
differences
Tips for Networking Success:
Jungle gym vs. ladder
 View your network as an investment
portfolio
 Branch out at meetings
 Get to know someone different

15. Listen, Listen, Listen
Reflective questions:
 How much of a conversation do you
control?
Keeping it real:
 What perceptual biases do you have
when engaging in a conversation? Don‟t match their story with
one of your own
 Do you physically engage in dialogue?
Listening makes others
feel valued
Tips for Networking Success:
Listening has the power to
 Maintain eye contact save lives
 Ask clarifying questions
 Be aware of your perceptual biases
 Admit if this is a bad time for you to
focus – and arrange a better time

16. The more I listen,
The smarter I get
– Benjamin Franklin

17. Make New Friends,
But Keep the Old
Reflective questions:
 Who has been most influential in your Keeping it real:
success?
There is never a bad time to
 What new perspectives could you gain reach out to an old friend
from meeting new people? New friends bring new
perspectives
 What direction do you see your Don‟t overcommit to too
interests and expertise heading? many relationships
Tips for Networking Success: Know the difference
between an acquaintance
and a mentor
 Reach out to past colleagues that
truly stand out in your memory
 Bring new connections into your
network

18. Nothing Ventured,
Nothing Gained
Reflective questions:
 What‟s the worst that can happen?
Keeping it real:
 Who would be a „stretch mentor‟ for
you to reach out to? “You can‟t get anywhere
unless you‟re willing to take
a risk” dates back to
 What network is most beneficial for Chaucer (1374)
your growth and development? Six degrees of
separation, you know
someone that knows
Tips for Networking Success: someone
Don‟t take it personally if the
 Leverage your connections response is less than
favorable
 Connect for connection‟s sake
 Say „hi‟ first

19. Only those who risk going too
far can possibly find out how far
they can go
– TS Eliot