Don't go to networking events on your Period!

Networking works both personally when making new friends and in the professional world when meeting new clients or career opportunities.

It is a great way to build rapport and enhance relationships by having conversations with like minded contacts, sharing ideas and finding common interests.

During my 20+? years in the media industry my skill sets would be redundant if it wasn’t for building relationships with others. I have built long lasting relationships from attending events, in office environments and investing in my knowledge.

?I worked with a fabulous production executive? who would keeps me posted on any juicy projects worldwide in her new role, company or anywhere else!?Build and nurture those work relationships with the same energy you would your personal ones!

?When’s the best time to network in your cycle??As women we have an advantage in the networking field our cycle is our feedback system to support us in our daily activities and maximise your productivity.?

The Ovulatory Phase (approx 15 – 17 days) - You are in “The great communicator” Mode ?Communication and collaboration skills are at the highest all month. The brain chemistry you have during this phase heightens your verbal skills. This is a great time to have important conversations. Attend networking events, ask for that raise, plan to negotiate deals, and work with your clients.? Since you will be the most irresistible, try to plan ahead of schedule. You are a magnet!?

?What are some questions that could get you started at a networking event?

Smile and start with wishing them a good day. I often start with “Happy .. insert day of the week here”. This opens the conversation on a human level before diving headstrong into “who are you“ and “what do you do”? We feel comfortable when we are relaxed, and not over thinking about what the person will say next or what witty comments I need to respond with.

My next favorite question is what exciting project (s) are you working on at the moment? If they aren’t working on something in their professional life they may be in their personal life, about to climb Everest, getting ready for that trip of a lifetime.

We are humans before we are working career machines, connect with the human side and naturally weave your professional questions into the conversation.

A great template for questions in networking environments are GLIDE questioning?

GLIDE is a structure to use to create questions that:

Get you helpful information

Lead to interesting conversation

Are about something in your contact’s knowledge base

Demonstrate market or industry knowledge

Express a relevant skill or expertise you possess

?Example GLIDE question:

“When Mella suggested I reach out to you, she mentioned you also started as a patent attorney before making a transition into product management. What I love about that work is being part of making new ideas come to life. Also, I admittedly enjoy the pressure of tight deadlines and the challenge of coordinating diverse client needs, particularly in technology, which is where I’ve been specializing in patent work. Can you speak to the core skills you engage from your background as a lawyer in your current role?”

Do you think that networking could actually help individuals achieve certain things in their careers? (I.e promotion, new opportunities)

Yes, networking is a powerful way to grow your contacts and build relationships with a diverse range of people. The more targeted people you know, the more you have a contact to reach out to when you have a challenge. You will always be in a much better position to find a solution to your challenge or to help your contact by connecting them with the right person. I recall attending a short course event, namely to gather insight about the industry when a talent scout approached me, and after hearing I worked for a well known production company who made programmes for a rival SVOD she requested to put me forward to a well known TV show she was currently recruiting for. Attention goes where energy flows.

Now go check where you are in your cycle and plan your next networking events on your terms!

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