Do You Network Like a Man or a Woman?
Did you know that the majority of business networkers are male? Somebody once told me it was 80%. Which is crazy, because women are actually better at networking than men! Despite the emergence of a number of successful women only networking groups and the increased presence of females in traditional male environments, it is still predominantly a man's world out there.
While I believe women are actually better natural networkers than men, it's the men that largely dictate the rules of the game. Here are three key differences which will give you more insight into the respective minds, and also make your networking more productive:
1. Women do 'small talk' better than men. It permeates their business talk throughout. With men, it tends to be an early part of the process before moving onto business issues.
2. Female conversations are more fluid. Women can bounce in and out of business and small talk and from one topic to another with greater ease than men. They can entertain multiple conversations and themes. Men hit a theme or track, and tend to stick with it before moving onto something else.
3. Women talk outside the talking. They read body language, gestures and facial expressions better than men. They are excellent 'silent networkers'. Men are more focused and in many ways more productive, because they ask the questions they want answers to and are more direct.
Look at the ways in which men and women network. Generally speaking, you are looking at two different animals. And there are great things to learn from both sides.
If men networked more like women they would listen better, build stronger relationships more quickly, get to know people more personally, keep in touch better and build more trust.
If women networked more like men, they would find networking more productive, more lucrative, more effective and more accessible. They would be taken more seriously, develop more credibility and generate more business opportunities.
It pays to know these differences, as they help you play the game and appreciate the opposition. I can see you people watching at your next networking event!
© Rob Brown 2009. All Rights Reserved. To publish or reprint any Rob Brown article, the following must be included:
Rob Brown is one of the UK's leading authorities on business networking and referrals. He is an inspirational conference speaker and author of over 40 publications, including Amazon best-seller How To Build Your Reputation. Go to www.rob-brown.com for your free 60 page copy of ‘The 13 Commandments of Turning Relationships Into Profits', or get in touch on (44) 115 846 21227 or rob@rob-brown.com for details of his motivational presentations, business winning programmes and relationship-building resources.