For Women In Business, Simply Being Well-Connected Is Not Enough

Engaging in the same networking activities as men, such as golfing or having a beer together, the logic seems to go, will increase women’s exposure to work opportunities.  A new study by Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management professors Brian Uzzi and Yang Yang suggests this advice isn’t quite right. While it’s true that highly connected women tend to land better jobs and build their businesses faster, the most successful women also have something they cannot get through “beers with the boys”: close ties with female peers.

Here's the key:

“Men really need a network that’s going to maximize their access and exposure to market information,” says [co-author and Professor] Brian Uzzi. Women, however, “need the same thing men need and one thing more.”

Specifically, women need “private information,” which may include insider tips about a company’s leadership culture and politics, or hints about how to make an impression in a male-dominated industry, for example.

Read on to understand that for a woman to land a top job, she needs different types of networks than men.  Simply being well-connected is not enough.

Being a Women In Business Can be Challenging But You've Got This

Whether you’re trying to find your voice, struggling from the do-it-all mindset, or looking for fellow women to bounce ideas off of, take a minute to step back and appreciate all that you’ve already accomplished.

Yes there are going to be hard days that really tax your patience and ability to move forward. But you are full of grit, passion, and perseverance. You can do this. 

There are over 12.9 million women-owned businesses in the United States, with means a whole heck of lot of women have overcome challenges, and 9 of them were gracious enough to contribute to this collection of the best business advice for women.

And what they all say is being a woman in business can be challenging, but you’ve got this!   

Achievement Brings Its Own Rewards

In the article below, learn about Grace.  Not just any Grace, but amazing Grace -- the untold story.

Grace is a Gen X. She comes from humble family roots with a strong work ethic. She may not have been the high school beauty queen or the class clown, but she learned early in life that achievement brings its own rewards. 

Read:  The story of amazing Grace and women in business

Please Join Me: How To Grow Your Business In Today's Market

Dear Colleague and fellow Women in Business,

I’d like to invite you to attend the upcoming “21st Century Marketing:  How to Grow Your Business in Today’s Market” Conference, targeting Women in Business, to be held at the Anaheim Marriott March 23, 2012.

You can access the Conference agenda (and registration) via the website link below.  I look forward to speaking at the Conference and hope to see you there!

My best,
Laurel

Go here to get more information and to register:
http://www.wboconference.com/