If you know me, odds are you’ve heard me say “every minute we take away from our business is an investment, so spend it wisely.” As I’ve been speaking with groups about my book, “Lunching with Lions: Strategies for the Networking-Averse” there’s one part of my presentation that creates an interesting deer-in-the-headlights look from audience members. It’s the part of my talk where I ask them how much their time is worth. See, when we … Read more
This week, I presented my talk “Lunching with Lions: How to Survive and Thrive at Networking” (based on my new book) to one of my favorite women’s groups. Before I took the stage, everyone was asked what their greatest networking challenge happened to be. Out of nearly 100 responses, two things stuck out as common conundrums: Dislike/discomfort of small talk and the desire to connect more deeply from the get-go; and The question of what … Read more
Have you ever heard of Dunbar’s Number? It’s the number of people with whom we (as humans) can maintain “stable social relationships”. Relationships in which we know who each person is and how they relate to every other person. That number is 150. How many LinkedIn contacts do you have? Facebook friends? Names on your oh-so-important email list? I’m going to bet it’s way beyond Dunbar’s 150. As business owners, we are challenged to maintain … Read more
First, I want to go on record saying I love men. Truly, I do. Some of the best people I know are of the male persuasion. And, people ask me all the time if I coach men. Well, yes, I do. And I have. But as someone who started her career in the male-dominated industries of engineering and construction management, and who has been in the trenches of business ownership as a woman for 18 … Read more
Many years ago, when I was but a young entrepreneur, I joined a local Chamber of Commerce Leads Group. After my first few meetings and getting to know the other members, a gentleman asked me if I’d like to go to coffee so he could learn more about what I did. “This is it!”, thought my naïve, innocent self. “He’s going to hire me for his marketing. Damn, this networking thing is paying off already!” … Read more
Networking for women can be scary. There, I said it. The thought walking into a room full of strangers, the associated burden of being bubbly and witty, and the pressure to succeed can make even the most confident of us weak in the knees with nerves. Fear of embarrassment, fear of strangers – everything that networking is can leave us feeling fragile and timid, and turning what could have been (maybe, possibly) an enjoyable opportunity … Read more
Full disclosure – until recently, I loathed networking. Loathed. It. The thought of walking into a room full of strangers filled me with all sorts of ickiness. Like most entrepreneurs, I could happily spend my days planning and plotting and scheming to take over the world with my business, without ever leaving my happy little solitary office. Networking? Blah! No thank you. This went on for years. YEARS. Until earlier this year, when I was … Read more
If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you’re happy to while away your days dreaming up new products and fantasizing about your grandiose visions of success. While those are important drivers for any business, there’s another task that’s equally important and a little more down-to-earth – networking. Networking gets you and your company out in front of people, introduces you to new partners and clients, and builds personal connections. Plus, it’s good for you and your business. … Read more