Chapter-to-Chapter Resources
WLI Events: Networking

Wisdom of Many

• Women are by nature relational – networking is plain old-fashioned girl-stuff - simply a part of being a woman. Networking events are not only opportunities to link with important contacts – they are opportunities for community, for just plain social interaction, for fun, laughter, sharing, story-telling – and plain old relationship building!
• Business – yes, but people – yes, yes!
• Building networking opportunities as part of the WLI is a great career-advancement strategy.
• Informal “mentoring” can occur through networking events – and mentoring is one of the highest valued career-advancement strategies.

Sometimes that which is in front of us is the hardest to see. This can be true with the importance of networking. Think of the words: “net-working”. Much like the words “web site”. We all know the “web” goes and goes and goes. (Anyone who has created a web resource site like this – knows how what can be posted is endless!) There is a visual image behind each

Who know the true root of the word “networking” – but it stands to reason it could be related to fishing. When a fisherman (or woman!) works the nets he/she tosses them out where they might result in the best catch, visits them often, and reaps the rewards – or comes up with little or nothing! (Depends on where you toss them!) But casting your nets and reaping the rewards can result in great personal and professional rewards – including expanding your career and advancement opportunities.

Chapters can take the opportunity to give women the opportunity to “work their nets” as part of the chapter’s WLI plan because it is such a natural thing to do. One chapter offers a regular WLI monthly happy-hour for women to share their stories and strategies to succeed in their workplaces. Another offered a networking event – preceded by a “bring a business suit” to help a local “Dress for Success” program for disadvantaged women... Another is planning an actual educational event in a popular date-making “networking” format where “mentors” (experienced leaders) stay at a table, and “mentees” (learners) float from table to table with certain time limits – and specific questions for them.

Point is: Networking works as a career-development strategy because women have always “gone to the well” to be with other women – and while they’re there they learn what the other women know! Women teaching women through their experience.

Examples - WLI Events: Networking

Book: She Wins-You Win by Gail Evans, Former Ex. VP CNN
Easy Read Book on Women Helping/Supporting Women

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