Business Networking and Sex - Ivan Misner [98]
. Men preferred either structured or an unstructured networking event. Women felt OK with either.
. Both men and women felt that other people were more uncomfortable networking than they felt about it themselves.
. Men felt stronger about transactional aspects of networking. Women felt stronger about relational aspects of networking. Men spent a little more time networking.
. Women received a higher percentage of the business from networking than men.
. The more time either men or women spent in their networking efforts, the higher the percentage of business they generated. The more often people used systems to track their business from networking, the more likely they were to feel that networking played a role in their success.
Men and women are not so different in the success they desire in business and networking. However the process, the mindset, and the way of making the results happen are very different. The reason is that we have different ways of viewing the world. Some of this comes from nature and some from nurture. What it means is that if we want to be more effective, we must learn how to respect, appreciate, and embrace one another’s differences. We must understand that we can work more effectively together as a team in business and in our networks. We just need to learn to be adaptable, empathetic, sensitive, and understanding that THEY are not you.
You can and will beat the odds. The exception doesn’t have to become the perception. It can be you!
Here is some parting advice from the whole team to take with you into your brightest future potential for networking success.
We Say . . .
We’re all trying to get to the same place. It will be much more profitable for all of us if we can help each other along the way. Here are a few things to guide your success in networking with the complementary gender:
For the Ladies For the Guys
• Don’t get stuck in the credibility phase of the VCP Process® . Ask for what you want. • Slow down and build the relationship.
• Work through the VCP Process® in the proper order of its phases. Don’t race through the credibility phase.
• When asking for help, communicate clearly exactly what it is that you want.
• Make and maintain eye contact.
• Make time for networking.
• When speaking to men try to impress them and share your accomplishments. • Listen and ask relational questions.
• Don’t assume that women don’t take their businesses seriously.
• When spoken to inappropriately, speak up about it immediately.
• Don’t hit on women at networking events.
• Dress for business at business events. • Edit what you are about to say, using filters to sift out what is not business appropriate.
• Put systems in place to trackyour business.
• Stay in contact with and follow up on leads, referrals, and acquaintances made. • Stay in contact with and follow up on leads, referrals, and acquaintances made.
• Diversify your networks. • Stay informed about the best, most current, and cutting-edge networking practices.
• Remember that networking is ultimately about getting business, so ask for both business and referrals.
• Develop and use systems for your networking activities.
• Convey an image to others that you are a serious businessperson, in all that you do.
• Make time for networking.
• Speak to relate not just to impress.
• Get educated about referral systems. • Remember that women are at networking events for business gain, just as you are.
• Don’t lump all men into the same group.
The difference between us is a great advantage, not a disadvantage. By following the steps we have outlined in this book, you should be able to develop a more productive relationship with members of both sexes. As we bid you adieu, we send you off into the complex blue yonder of coed professional networking with gender-specific simplified checklists.
Good luck, and stay tuned to BusinessNetworkingandSex.com for the latest developments in business networking AND sex!
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