Business comes through formal and informal networks, which are often male dominated
The structure and nature of most legal business networks do not accommodate other demands on women's time
Women often need encouragement to make time to invest in the development of their own business
Women’s business networks can act as stepping-stones to developing networking confidence
Networks run by and for women are more likely to consider the demands of their often wider commitments
Women often adopt male styles of communication while in their company
Women can be more free to communicate about broader issues when networking among themselves
The art of business networking is an issue, a fear or a skill gap for many talented and hard working professional women
Women often resist capitalizing on their personal relationships for business purposes
Unlike men who often develop personal relationships (golfing, fishing, sports, etc.) to acquire new business, women often develop personal relationships with their business contacts and then resist exploiting those relationships for personal gain
How Can a Women’s Network Help Me Achieve My Business Goals?
Over 70% of new business is gained through word of mouth
Networking is a critical marketing strategy
Being a member of a women’s business networking group can help us:
Share ideas, experience and good practice
Meet role models
Combat isolation by making new contacts
Identify and exploit new business opportunities
Develop professionally
Increase self-confidence
Practice networking skills
Support and be supported
Build long term relationships
Better know our market and the broader context in which it operates
Benefit from women’s natural propensity to be inclusive, pie-expanding, supportive, collaborative and reciprocal
What Type of Network Will Help Us Achieve Our Goals?
Most of us already have small support networks of dynamic entrepreneurial women
Even if you don't, if you are reading this FAQ, now you do!
An effective business network requires the participation of at least 50 women
One or more women must serve as the “network champion” who is dedicated to building a strong and effective network
Members who are recruited should be highly motivated to commit to their own and the group’s development as rain makers
Expectations must be realistic -- i.e., each women will be encouraged to take a series of small achievable steps
Each woman's plan can (and often should) be as grandiose as her dreams as long as her efforts are definite and focused
What’s the Point of the Network?
Some members will be just beginning to develop business
Others already have a developed business or “book” but wish to expand it
Others will wish to pursue a new venture
Some members will already have access to many business opportunities
Some members will be excellent speakers or writers
Some members will be joiners and others will be more solitary thinkers and workers
Some members will have that most precious commodity, time, while others do not
In sharing our time; our expertise; our contacts; our skills; our enthusiasm; and, our imagination, we can accomplish together that which we cannot accomplish alone
Who Should be Included in the Network?
Every associate attorney who wants to build her own business so she can be assured of partnership or experience the freedom that a “portable” book of business provides every attorney in private practice
Every law firm partner or shareholder who wants to continue increasing her own business, as well as lending support to the women coming up in the profession, whether inside her own firm or outside of it
Every solo practitioner who wants to increase her business or expand her solo operation to one that includes partners or associate attorneys
Every academic or judicial officer who desires promotion, from untenured to tenured faculty; from faculty to administration; from trial judge to appellate judge; from private citizen to public office; or, from state to federal court.
Every woman who practices “in-house” whether that be for a Fortune 500 company or a family-run business, who wishes to maximize her career by rising to the position of General Counsel or making a career move to her company’s executive ranks
Every woman lawyer who works for an insurance carrier involved in the litigation of claims who wishes to rise to the rank of General Counsel, division head, or executive officer
Every woman lawyer who is in the business of providing services to other lawyers, whether she be consultant, trainer, mediator or arbitrator
Building the Careers of Women in the Business of Law One Relationship at a Time 323.217.5162 (direct) 499 North Canon Drive, Suite 400, Beverly Hills, California 90210 323.852.1535 (fax) www.settlenow.org/wbln
