The Network Effect

Thank you to Shawna Lemon and Robbie Hardy for inviting me to participate on the Empowering Women Together panel discussion "The Network Effect". I’m blessed everyday by my network and I loved hearing advice from the exceptional women on the panel. Here are a few highlights from them:

Networking can have a negative connotation. Think of it as relationship-building rather than networking.  Grace Ueng, Savvy Growth

Be your authentic self. What works for one person’s personality won’t work for another. Jack Perez, Kuel Life

Take the coffee chat. You never know where it’ll lead. Anne English, Bamboo Strategic Advisors

Go to where the energy is in the room. Those are the people you want to be with. And remember WIN – you are Worthy, Intelligent and Necessary. Jacqueline Whittenburg, Dereck Whittenburg Foundation

Connections are more valuable than currency. Cindy Foye, Fierce Female Founders

Ask people their story rather than what they do. It’ll immediately take the relationship to a different level and help you remember them.  Ebony Wilkins, Self Help Credit Union

Follow-up afterwards even if (and perhaps especially if) there was someone you wanted to talk with who you didn’t meet. Or perhaps there was more you wanted to discuss. Dana Newell, Benton Newell Communication

SVQ – Share yourself, Add value, Ask a question. Three guideposts for every interaction. Jane Sommers-Kelly, JSK Leadership Coaching

Tell the story for someone else. Lift up and promote others by sharing other people’s story. Devon Williams, Ward and Smith

Get involved in organizations on committees and boards. You’ll develop more meaningful relationships and grow professionally. This one’s from me, Karen Albritton, Thinc Strategy