Most of us are aware that networking is important, if not vital, to professional success. Networking everywhere has its place but there are some extra advantages to be found in woman to woman networking. In my opinion, the very nature of being women is what makes it work. Women think like women.
Professional women focus on the relationship rather than on the perceived business benefits. Relationships are the real essence of successful networking. Women, in general, understand relationship building. We understand values like trust, support, empathy and friendship. This doesn't mean every woman gets along with every other woman of course, but I've found that women do tend to open up more to each other and to build relationships quickly and easily.
Women, on the whole, are more relaxed and authentic with other women. It is easy to find things to talk about, including your professional and personal goals, or what you are doing. Asking questions often comes more naturally in an all-woman environment.
Networking woman to woman relies more on that trust factor rather than on pure self-promotion. For professional women who have stayed away from networking out of feeling shy, lacking self-confidence, or simply hating the thought of actively promoting themselves, building relationships and trust with other women is a lot easier.
Professional women understand professional women's issues. Things like self-esteem as a woman in a professional world, balancing home and work life, feeling fulfilled as a person and so on. Professional women take these issues and each other seriously.
For women who may be trying to build a home business, working alone, developing relationships with other like-minded professional women can be extremely uplifting as well as have positive business benefits. It can feel pretty lonely sometimes trying to make it on your own and often family and friends don't quite understand, or you may feel judged. Building a network with professional women who do understand can give you that extra boost to keep going. The other great thing about networking through organizations like NAPW is you never quite know where it will lead, perhaps a new joint venture partner, perhaps an idea for a different direction, or perhaps just a great new friendship.
Joining a women's networking group like NAPW, The National Association of Professional Women, is a great way to learn about new developments and thoughts on professional women's issues too. Attending seminars or meetings can be a great way to really get those relationships happening and to keep up with what is going on in your own field and in other professional areas. Meeting new people, finding out what others are doing can keep you inspired and spark off creative energy.
Whether you are on the look out for a new job, just want to help other women succeed, or want to get your business and yourself noticed networking is incredibly powerful. This is not to say professional women should not be networking with men - they should, simply that in my personal opinion woman to woman networking adds extra value all around.
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