Visible Networking

NET - Happy Anniversary EPWN!

Happy Anniversary to EPWN, and congratulations for 10 years of great events and hard work!
Now EPWN is an influencial pan-European network of dynamic, bright and open-minded members.

 

NET - Interview Selma Prodanovic (from EPWN)

Please find below an interview of Selma Prodanovic who is Chief Networking officer. What a fantastic job! I found this interview on the European Professional Women's Network (EPWN) website.

Q and A with chief networking officer Selma Prodanovic.

Q: How common is the post of Chief Networking Officer in European firms?
A: As CNO, not common at all, but I expect this will change in the near future.

Q: Which companies are embracing the idea of the CNO? Are they from particular sectors or European countries?
A: This is a position which SMEs understand much better than corporations. Some small businesses call the position Chief Relationship Officer, which, in my opinion is different to CNO but it is based on the same idea – building long term relationships for future business development. The SME needs “quality” relationships much more than corporations who have the “quantity”, but still the corporate world will have to move in this direction.

As I said in my announcement for the WCN event on the topic: "People make the difference statements made by leaders such as David Ogilvy or Jack Welsh are even more true today. It is not just about the individual knowledge and expertise, it is about the ability to connect the unconnected and with it create new business opportunities, foster innovation, enable long term business relationships, motivate employees and ensure sustainable development.”

Q: How would you define ‘networking’?
A: Unfortunately, ‘networking’ is not the correct word anymore. In the U.S. , they use “connecting” more than ‘networking’, and I tend to use ‘brainsworking’ instead. Today, networking describes establishing and keeping ‘contacts’. Especially the online networks allow you to have tens of thousands of ‘contacts’ but what is the purpose? How many of these contacts can you really use, rely upon and trust? How much do you know about these people? Of course, there are ways to manage such networks (be discussed on another occasion), but in my view it is more about a balance between quantity and quality, between diversity and trust. The sooner networking becomes a professional skill, the faster the position will be established. I lecture, train, coach and consult individuals and companies on how to use this skill to develop their business, creativity, and innovation.

Q: Can you name any companies that already employ CNOs?
A: The online network OpenBC has a chief networking officer, as does the Brazilian company Net-Bridges ( Octavio Pitaluga). I am member of the Net-Bridges Advisory Board.
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Technorati: socialnetworking, businessnetworking, epwn, interview

NET - EPWN workshop on negotiation (06/06/06)

Career Booster: workshop on negotiation
It was another excellent event/workshop organized offered by EPWN, and I am glad I could make it!

We were around 30 people, which was quite impressive considering the weather was exceptional on that day. The workshop was prepared and conducted by two speakers: Michelle Tucker and Francesca Biondi.

They have done a very good job in terms of preparation,
and all the participants received some materials found by
Francesca, mostly on businessballs (by Alan Chapman)

a few pictures
    

Please check all the pictures on my photo album or on flickr.

Videos
Please find below 5 videos I shot during the event. In those videos you will listen to the two excellent organizers/speakers, Michelle and Francesca: they introduce the theory of negotiation, how important it is to prepare, and answer a few questions from the dynamic audience.

a few notes
* Negotiation is often perceived as a loaded word: to the contrary, it is a neutral word!
* It is important to "test the water": make some research first
* You always need a backup plan: what you would do if you don't get it
* Work on your BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement)!
* And remember: IF YOU DON'T ASK, YOU DON'T GET!

my remarks
I am quite experienced in negotiation, thanks to an extensive use within my company (my colleagues, my manager) or with my prospects and clients. I am always interested in learning new technics, sharing knowledge and experience, and I also want to better understand why women usually don't ask!
* It was a useful workshop, especially for people who have limited experienced in negotiating, who don't dare to do it, or who don't know how to prepare.
* It was neutral and most of the discussion, remarks and advices could apply to a woman or to a man.
* Michelle & Francesca covered the preparation and the key to a succssful negotiation, and that was excellent.

But I wish we had more time to insist on the meeting itself: the psychology during the conversation, the way to make the other party praise your work, the things that you musn't do...
I am sure, EPWN will organize another workshop and this time I would be pleased to be one of the organizers/speakers!

If you share an interest for networking or/and if you were attending the event, please leave a comment and send a trackback to link our blogs!

And please also check my post on the EPWN event on Networking with Carole Stone!
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Technorati: epwn, etheryl, socialnetworking, businessnetworking

NET - EPWN with Carole Stone (16/05/06)

The Power of Networking: Carole Stone
As I am traveling extensively, I usually miss most of the excellent events organized in London by the dynamic European Professional Women's Network-EPWN's team.

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that event on EPWN's online platform (Netvestibule, provided by Etheryl): as I am passionate about social/business networking, I made sure to be in London to attend and meet Carole!

After the presentation, I was pleased to get a dedicated copy of Carole's latest book "The Ultimate Guide to Successful Networking" her top tips on how to make good friends and useful business contacts.

a few pictures


Please check all the pictures on my photo album or on flickr.

Videos
Please find below 5 videos I shot during the event yesterday evening. In the first two videos, Anne Bouverot and Michelle Taylor present the excellent EPWN network, and introduce "the queen of networking in the UK", Carole Stone.

Carole Stone
Carole is known as 'the Queen of networking' and runs her own media consultancy business. For chairmen and chief executives of some of Britain's biggest companies she brings together business people, journalists and politicians to discuss issues that concern them all. Her database of 26,000 names is still expanding, and includes a multitude of professional & business people, among them some of the most important & influential people in the land.

some networking advices from Carole
* Work the room, and stick to your goal (I am going to stay for 1 hour, and I spend 3/4mn max per person...)
* If needed, do some research prior to the event
* Don't hesitate to go to people, whatever their age or business rank they like people coming to them. You can start with people who are alone, or ask the host to introduce you...
* Carry 2 glass with you to have an excuse to leave! ;)
* Manage your contacts and the business cards you grabbed (cf: my advices on how to Manage your contacts more efficiently)

a few questions from the audience
* Do women network in a different way from men?
* How can you network with people from a different age/"generation"?
* How to recommend/help people you don't know directly and/or who are not very good?

If you share an interest for networking or/and if you were attending the event, please leave a comment and send a trackback to link our blogs!

NET/HR - Job features: EPWN & Etheryl

Job forum
 
   

Mentoring
Find out more on the Mentoring section on www.EuropeanPWN.net

Interesting articles
Find interesting articles on the Career section of www.EuropeanPWN.net

NET - News: Improvement of Netvestibule's interface

Etheryl has improved its netvestibule interface for EPWN.

The useful forum section is even more easy to use because now you can now browse by Topics, by Keywords, by Authors... Thanks Yann Lechelle!

   

VDO/NET - Profile (EPWN)

NET/VDO - Interface: EPWN / Etheryl

Interface
The purpose of that post is to show you how to use the Netvestibule platform, tailored for the excellent European Professional Women Network (EPWN).

I won't show you every single feature, but I will insist on the key benefits: you don't have too much time to spend, and you want to fully utilize that excellent platform.

As usual, the first step is to create your profile: that is the most important step in terms of visibility. (video)

Then, I will invite you to check the video you will find at the end of the post!

Video
In this video, I will cover the following features of the interface -> Welcome page, Members forum, Job Forum, Calendar, Buddies, Files and Directory.

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Technorati: video, videoblogging, epwn, socialnetworking, businessnetworking, socialsoftware

NET - Review: EPWN / Etheryl

 

Notation criteria
* Interface (easy to use / user friendly, efficient, comprehensive)
* Members (quality, coverage, profiles)
* Premium services (offer, flexible, value for money)
* Visibility (google, usage, coverage)
* Other (success, offline meetings, value added services)
   
Good
   
Not so good
   

NET - About & Business Model: EPWN