Keys to Effective Networking

Networking should be taught in all schools as a life skill that everyone needs. Being strong at networking will enrich your life and your family's lives on both a personal and business level. It will drive your career and it will help you achieve your goals – whatever they are. It may be that you are looking for a new career move or maybe even to launch your own business. Maybe you need support getting your child into the college of choice. Maybe you need to be steered toward a special restaurant, boutique or weekend get-away spot. Maybe you need a new lawyer, financial advisor or realtor. Effective networking can help get you to wherever you want to be. 

The good thing about networking is that everyone can be really good at it. It is an ability that anyone can develop with a little guidance and a personal commitment. But it takes consistent effort doing certain key things well.

On July 22nd GardenState Woman held its 2nd Annual Networking Event in the Mansion at Fairleigh Dickinson University.There was plenty of time for attendees to network with other motivated New Jersey women. Everyone left the event a much more capable networker!

The networking discussion focused on key topics such as:

*  who should network and why? The answer may surprise you.

*  what are the keys to effective networking one-on-one and in group situations?

*   what are the real benefits of effective networking? Great examples were shared.

*   why people, including most women, don't ever really develop and use their networking skills?

*  how to overcome the things that are stopping you from being a great networker?

*   what are the essentials to effective networking? If you don't do the key things well you might just as well not bother.

*   are women more or less effective than men when it comes to networking? Why?

*  should you join one or more networking groups? Which one(s)? Or maybe should you start your own?

The discussion was led by a panel of experienced, successful networkers including:

Marla Bace who specializes in marketing strategy and communications.

Prior to joining Brinton Eaton in 2009, Marla was responsible for the Global Marketing Best Practices Group at UBS Wealth Management. She has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry. She started her marketing career at Nabisco Foods and has held positions at Ernst & Young, JP Morgan, Prudential Financial and Financial Executives International.

Marla is responsible for developing, implementing and updating comprehensive marketing plans and accompanying strategies to build the firm’s consumer brand and stimulate revenue growth. Key responsibilities include marketing and client communications, branding, online and offline marketing all designed to enhance the customer experience and help grow the Firm.

Marla has embraced networking, not as someone responsible for sales, but as an individual who respects the need to know good people and to introduce good people to each other as a way of establishing and growing her career.

Diane has worked in hospitality, public relations, advertising and event planning for over 35 years. She is a member of Meeting Planners International, The James Beard Foundation, The Association of Bridal Consultants and the Chaine des Rotisseurs. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Patriot's Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America and a volunteer for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She is an avid fan of networking and has over 600+ connections on LinkedIn giving her over four million in her network.

Deb Di Gregorio – Founded Camares Communications Inc. in 1982

Marketed technology companies for over 20 years. Since the mid 1990s has taken dozens of companies on line, built their web presence, marketed for ROI and conducted extensive, deep web analytics to ensure their ROI. Can smell vaporware from 50- paces. Never believes venture capitalists or investment bankers and knows the real deal when she sees it. Inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame of New Jersey 2003.

Wendy Flanagan, President Brand4Market

Wendy knows all too well how difficult it can be to start networking, to move out of your comfort zone, to listen to people and retain the value of their offerings. She's embraced networking as a career essential, chairing NJ MarCom large networking events for marketing, communications and creative people to help them find the resources they need to build business in NJ. Her networking is equally focused online, with LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Plaxo and Foursquare. Wendy greets a room of people or requests a connection online with belief founded in philosophy from Dale Carnegie: "You can close more business in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you."

Jack Killion, General Partner – Eagle Rock Diversified Fund

Jack, husband of Judy Chapman (Garden State Woman Founder) has developed a diversified career that was driven by successful networking.. He started two publishing companies, owned an industrial company, developed a leadership position in the thoroughbred racing industry, consulted with small to large cap corporations, heads his own 10 year old investment fund and taught in three MBA programs He has served on various Boards and belongs to several networking groups, three of which he started including one for MBA graduates of MIT's Sloan Business School..

All  the discussion leaders "get" effective networking and understand the power of the concept. They shared their networking wisdom and experiences with the rest of us.

There was plenty of time for a lively Q&A with all of the presenters.

This important event was rich in content that applies to and can be leveraged by all women.....professionals from the legal, accounting, banking, healthcare, consulting and other fields; business owners and corporate leaders; educators and government and healthcare leaders; stay at home moms and others looking to get back into the work force or to enrich their lives. All women learned and benefited from this unique event.

One of the attendees who really "get it" when it comes to networking brought her 15 year old daughter who blew everyone away with her personality, smarts and determination to become a good networker. She passed out as many business cards as she collected!

If you would like a copy of Jack Killion's presentation at the event please  email him directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

And watch for details on the next event Garden State Woman will be hosting in the Fall to enhance women's networking skills and results.