It seems that the winds of change are blowing: as I write this Hurricane Ike is bearing down on Texas. Perhaps she has a message about climate change. But also as I write, it's been a good week for women: 
 
1)  Quentin Bryce was sworn in as the Governor General for Australia. This is to represent the Queen in her executive role, and   first time a woman has ever held the position. Moreover , she is a woman of a certain age, which means she brings all the experience and wisdom of her years.  People are heartened by her inclusivity.  This news is for the Australian chapter,  but here in England, we are changing the language.
                                                           
 
2)  Not Maestro, but Maestra.  MAXIM Vengerov said it, but  he is an international musician, the male establishment, haven't learnt that the female is Maestra, and interestingly the final vote, came not from the orchestra, but the public, as musicians are notorious for excluding women, either on the podium or in the orchestra. There is a wonderful moment in Blink, about trombones which makes the point about the lack of professional women musicians in positions of power.
 
3)  A serendipitous moment;  an English woman, former teacher, made a bet with her friends that she could live on a £1 a day for a year, and she did.  From which Janet Street Porter extrapolates that it might be a good idea to give women a go at the national economy, perhaps what is needed is a woman's approach
 

"The single most important factor in growing a business, is networking."  Eddie Bullock
 
 "Get out more"
Stephen  Fairley  How to be a Great Coach
 
"Networking is just about making connections. Life is about connections."
 Nicola Horlick  of Bramdean and Bramdiva
 
When we shared our experiences of networking it was fascinating to see the variety of approach and technique, many shared the same experience or used similar techniques, but I want to mention  just a few.
 
Several people expressed their surprise at the serendipity effect, but in NLP  terms, it has to do with being relaxed, being yourself and you attract people and fortune. You become attractive.

I loved the way they expressed two sides of the coin. That you ask for what you want, but that also you give: a compliment, a connection or a network.   Another key word was memory.
Be memorable, but also remember. That means that you listen with attention, so when you next connect you can mention, the family member who was ill, something you have in common.
 
But I will end with a little story given to me: bravery.  Nicola Horlick one of the highest fliers in the city, was  set upon by muggers, threatened and stripped of her money and jewellery. But she kept her engagement ring, she took it off and threw it in the bushes, where she later retrieved it. Sometimes bravery is about believing in yourself, and refusing to see your self as a victim, you always have options.  In fact the guest speaker this year at the  prestigious Woman of the Year lunch held in the Guildhall is a woman who wants to rid the world of violence against women: 

Eve Ensler  Aim High. 

 

Click here to see what the Women of the Year think about networking.