#22 Strategic Networking - Are you still talking - or are you networking already?! - with Marilen Schwald & Stefanie Fehr of womenmatter/s

Fish in the Boardroom

With Marilen Schwald & Stefanie Fehr

There is a long line of research showing that women face greater barriers than men when it comes to finding professional opportunities through networking. We also know that women need different approaches than those long-established by men to successfully build and utilize their networks.

womenmatter/s is a career guidance program that helps ambitious women in the beginning stages of their careers navigate these challenges. Stefanie Fehr and Marilen Schwald founded womenmatter/s so that others can benefit from their knowledge and experience in what it means to stay true to yourself as a woman while advancing your career.

In today’s episode, Stef and Mary shed light on why we might find it hard to engage in networking, and how this relates to inequality in the workplace. The insights they provide help to understand the role of all-female networks in the career development of women, and how companies can proactively utilize them to support their employees.

They also talk about how diverse professional relationships helped them in their own careers, and share practical and broadly applicable tools for strategic networking.

What you will learn

• Networking is a skill that you can develop. Being strategic about your efforts is key whether you are an extrovert or an introvert.
• The four aspects of a successful network and why they are important.
• Building and maintaining a network that can help you achieve your goals requires knowing the value you bring to the table.

Tips

• Build female network groups inside and outside of your company.
• Build your own personal boardroom where you include people to whom you can attribute different roles (e.g. information, power, mentor).
• Set regular reminders to keep in touch with your network. Combine talking to your contacts with activities you are already doing to maximize your impact.

Resources:
Research: Men and Women Need Different Kinds of Networks to Succeed:
https://hbr.org/2019/02/research-men-and-women-need-different-kinds-of-networks-to-succeed

Step by step guide to strategic networking:
https://www.womenmatters.ch/blog/willst-du-wissen-wie-du-am-besten-auf-leute-zugehst-und-netzwerkst
Icebreaker questions : https://www.womenmatters.ch/blog/lade-dir-jetzt-die-aufwaermfragen-herunter

Networking opportunity:
Join the womenmatter/s Circle: https://www.womenmatters.ch/warteliste-circle
Books on strategic networking:
Adam Grant :Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success
Zella King & Amanda Scott: Who is in your personal boardroom?

Find Stef & Mary online

Website: www.womenmatters.ch
IG: womenmatters_network
LI: womenmatters
LI: Stefanie Céline Fehr
LI: Marilen Alison Schwald