Page 128 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2017

mars vs venus
BUILDING NEW RELATIONSHIPS
Networking Skills for Women Not Same as for Men
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster photos courtesy of Angela Juzang and Vivian Champaigne
Angela Juzang
Vivian Champaigne
Chances are you’ve heard the saying “men are from Mars, women are from Venus,” but what it all boils down to is that men and women have some core differences. By that token, it makes sense that men and women would socialize and network a bit differently too.
According to Meghan Casserly in her Forbes article, “Understanding How Women Network,” the two genders have completely different narratives. “A man thinks, ‘Who do I know who has what I need right now?’ — could be a job, investment tip or tickets to the game — and then he asks for it. Simple,” said Casserly.
Women are generally more complex and see things from a
lot of different angles, not just one straight-lined route. As a result, women’s networking
takes a more roundabout form. “In an effort to personalize professional networking, women normally try to create connections or friendships,” Casserly said. “Before we think, ‘What can this person do for me,’ we ask, ‘What can I do for her in order to get what I need.’”
Keeping these key differences in mind, what are some of the most effective ways to network with other women? Finding common ground is a great place to start. “Ask open-ended questions, and if you have limited time with
the person, schedule a follow- up,” said Angela Juzang, director
of marketing and business development at Garden Park Medical Center. “It can also be helpful to include extracurricular involvement and personal details as part of your introduction.”
When it comes to networking, it’s important to have a purpose behind your words and actions. Though it may be easier to talk with people you already know, it’s crucial to seek out new relationships. “Be sure to meet people outside your normal networking circle,” said Vivian Champaigne of Camellia Home Health and Hospice. “Make sure each new contact leaves you knowing the name of the business you work for and what you’re about.”
Networking and building
new relationships is all about conveying your message in a clear and concise manner. One of the best ways to do that is to have
a developed image or personal brand. “Your brand is about defining what is important to you personally and what is strategic professionally,” said Juzang. “It starts before you even enter the room.”
128 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • September 2017
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