1. Networking Anne Stevenson Moira Bailey Mary Brown

2. Questions Why are you here tonight? What do you expect to get out of tonight? How many new people have you met since you came in?

3. What is networking? “…the process of contacting and being contacted by people in our social network and maintaining these linkages and relationships.” (Warner Burke (1993) in Travers et al (1997)) Social networks: –Professional Associations –Work colleagues Internal External –Others Family Friends NALC, Rotary

4. Where do men use their networks?

7. Women’s Networks: problems a backlash from men a safe environment which the women are not willing to expand out of perceived to be elitist “Mother’s Meeting” can provide women with exit strategy from organisation

9. Networking: The benefits Individuals Information exchange Collaboration Career planning and career strategy making Professional support/encouragement Visibility Access to diverse skill sets and power Increased job satisfaction Increased creativity Better diversity management Organisation Flexible Can be set up quickly Connect people in organisations/ industries/sectors Provide a sense of ownership to members –self-organising –choosing own development initiatives Can create a culture of high aspiration in which success is the norm

10. Networking in Organisations Informal Space Time Recognition of benefits Mechanisms to meet –Buddy/mentoring system –Opportunities to socialise Formal Organisational networks –Funding –Administrative support Professional Encourage membership and participation

11. What makes a successful networker? Willingness to: –Meet lots of people –Find out more about them Why are they at the networking event? What do they do? How can I help him/her? Reciprocity: how can she help me? –Keep in touch –Provide advice/support when needed and appropriate

12. Gender Equality: Networking issues Feminist ideologies Longitudinal changes Group development Role models Permission to be a woman

13. Why network? “Anything and everything could happen to a woman who connects with another in this (network) space. She might get a new job, a business tip-off or the promise of an introduction to a useful contact; or she might hear an inspiring story of female success, or access advice on how to negotiate reduced hours; maybe she’ll come away with the name of a reliable babysitter or a good plumber. And, more likely than not, she’ll have shared her own experiences and knowledge with other women too.” McCarthy, (2004) P90.

14. Questions Why are you here tonight? –To network What do you expect to get out of tonight? –Opportunities for career and individual development How many new people have you met since you came in? –Lots

15. Networking Questions and discussion