There is so much advice in the press these days about the importance of networking for businesswomen, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. The mantra appears to be— join, attend and participate often. But when the advice jumps from page to practice, confusion often reigns.  What groups are the right ones—institutional, segregated (sex, industry, position, revenue), professional, career building, small, large, charitable, civic, all of the above?  One recent article in the Los Angeles Times quotes an expert who suggests that “leveraging” is the key to the universe and success is won by those who attend meetings regularly–sometimes as often as once a week.

I am all for networking, and I practice it on a regular basis; however, if I followed the advice given in the many articles I have read to date, I would not only be poorer for it (memberships and events are expensive) but would end up spending my days racing from one meeting to another without the time to concentrate on my core responsibility—my business.

So, after 25 years of running a successful small business and wandering down many paths—some dead ends and others, thankfully, not—I thought I would share 5 personal experiences that may help others “separate the wheat from the chaff.”

1. Early on in my career, I joined several groups—including charitable organizations that supported or were supported by women in business. The end result, I became frantic trying to decide which meeting would be the most productive. I did way too much, and found the whole experience very unsatisfying: I never really got to know the group or anyone in it. I learned fairly quickly that you can’t leverage relationships with people you don’t know.  You may see the same faces every few months, but without a modicum of quality time, networking, leveraging or whatever you want to call just doesn’t happen. If you are going to get involved, I suggest you pick one or two groups that are of interest—personally, philosophically, professionally—and participate as a full-fledged member. Do this and you have set the stage to develop real relationships that are both enriching and leverageable.  And when the time comes for a referral or advice, it will be given because the request is based on genuine, personal connections.
2. About 5 years ago I joined a national organization for women in business called WBENC (the Women’s Business Enterprise Council http://www.wbenc.org/About-WBENC ). This organization is a 3^rd party certifier of businesses owned, controlled, and operated by women in the United States. They are the nation’s leading advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers to America’s corporations.  They hold a major summit each year which hosts an impressive “partner showcase” for many major US corporations that subscribe to their service. The same meeting hosts informative breakout sessions moderated by key business leaders and impressive guest speakers. Last but certainly not least, “matchmaker” opportunities are made available throughout the year with WBENC corporate partners. Though I have yet to receive any direct business as a result of my certification (and this may be due to my company’s particular field), I have found my relationship with WBENC informative, the members interesting (I joined a committee and made a few friends) and certification as a title marginally worthwhile.  I am still a member and plan on remaining active.
3. I eventually decided I wanted to branch out, and upon the recommendation of a colleague, I joined a women’s CEO group that promoted itself as an all female version of TEC (http://www.tec.com). Unfortunately, it was nothing like TEC. Instead, an unskilled moderator managed the meeting so poorly that the chapter eventually disbanded. However, almost in spite of itself, the organization fielded some incredible members from highly diverse professional and personal backgrounds. The most valuable part of my experience came from the fact that it gave its members an opportunity to discuss pressing business issues, share advice, and vet new ideas in a safe, non-competitive environment (each chapter was limited to about 15 members—a perfect size since only about 10 members make it to each meeting).
4. About 2 ½ years ago, seven members from this last group went rogue and banded together to form its own, very informal meeting. We meet over a glass of wine or something softer each and every month. We act as armchair psychiatrists for one another. All successful business owners, we run companies with revenues ranging from 3 million to 15 million dollars. Members hail from different industries and backgrounds. The group is comprised of youngsters, oldsters, a CPA, MFA, a CFP and an Ivy League MBA. We are all at slightly different stages in our career but have one big thing in common: we all own our own businesses and struggle with many of the same challenges. We originally came together because we craved non-judgmental support in an intimate setting: we have no committees, minutes, homework assignments. Rather, ours is a freewheeling forum in which we discuss everything from exit strategies to managing a relationship with a business partner who just happens to be your husband. We are discrete, supportive and act as a safe harbor when needed. In my mind this is quintessential relationship building.
5. So, what’s the ‘take away”? First and foremost, relationships make the world go ‘round and it takes time and effort to build them. Second, value your time and select your involvements carefully, disconnect from the obligations that aren’t working and remember not to over extend yourself.  Then, get involved and the rest will follow.

Susan Roth took the helm of Trims Unlimited in 1985. Since then the company has regularly been recognized as one of the nation’s fastest growing and most successful Woman Owned Businesses.

“I just wanted to forward along the first team photo from our IPO celebration in EMEA. Our shirts look FANTASTIC, and we could not have pulled this off without TRIMS!”

Business Etiquette: 4 Cautionary Tales

I don’t know about you, but I barely have enough time to run my small business let alone…

6 Things To Consider When Hiring An SEO Firm

Formal Place Setting

Tips That Will Make You a Pro

• Unless you are the host, do not ask to be seated at the table until the host arrives
• Before taking your seat, ask if there is a seating plan*
• Once seated, immediately place your napkin on your lap
• When ordering be mindful of cost—when in doubt follow your host’s lead
• Try to choose dishes that are not overly messy or difficult to eat
• Remember potables (drinks) are on the right and edibles are on the left
• Never season your food before tasting it**  
• When taking butter or other condiments for your bread plate, take enough to use for more than one serving. Then rest your butter knife across the top of the bread plate until more is needed (NEVER LICK YOUR SPOON OR KNIFE AND CERTAINLY NEVER USE IT AGAIN IN A COMMUNAL DISH—think of George’s  sin of double dipping on Seinfeld!)



Digging In

• The time to start eating has several seemingly contradictory rules. You can
  • Wait for everyone to be served unless the host instructs the guests otherwise
  • Wait until two or more diners are served hot dishes (an old Emily Post rule)
  • Wait until the host lifts his/her fork to dine or tells you to start

• When eating soup, always tip the soup plate away from you and not towards the body and impending disaster. The same holds true for your soup spoon. Fill your spoon by dipping it away from the body (it’s a big no-no to raise a soup plate to your lips to finish the last drop or  wipe it spanking clean with a piece of bread)
• It’s not necessary to finish every  bit of food on your plate (it is also not a compliment but bad form to wipe your plate clean at any time)
• When eating food that requires help onto a fork, use a small piece of bread to place the bite onto the utensil (except in rare instances, avoid using your fingers as a utensil). For pasta, if you are given an oval soup spoon, use it to help corral your food onto your fork.

 When you are done eating, place your fork and knife side by side on your plate. This signals to most waiters that you have finished.          

When you are done place your fork and knife side by side.

 
* Hosts usually plan a business breakfast, lunch or dinner with specific objectives in mind and seat their guests accordingly.
**A good friend who was the managing partner of an international law firm relayed the following story:

A group of litigation partners took a promising young associate out to lunch—all was going along swimmingly until the hosts noticed that the their guest added salt to each course without tasting his food, first. No one at the table said a word, but all of the partners noticed. When the meal concluded, the partners agreed that something as small as seasoning your food before sampling it was indicative of a more serious trait—that of someone who makes decisions without having the all the facts. Enough said. 

Pamela Hillings, one of the authors of Manners in a Minute, is still teaching business etiquette in Southern California.  Pamela can be reached on LinkedIn.

Susan Roth/Trims Unlimited

The Solution:
Trims suggested they make Apple®, the nation’s most Iconic home grown brand, their signature gift. To each branded Apple® Touch, Nano or Shuffle, Trims downloads a specially selected playlist and includes a custom branded CD in matching sleeve.  All gifts are specifically gift wrapped in custom packaging to suit the cultural tastes of the host country—most recently red boxes and gold ribbon for gifts delivered to China.   

Is your company looking to expand business relationships abroad in 2011, but unsure of proper business gift giving etiquette or international protocol? Trims is here to help via email: info@trimsunlimited.com or by phone: 877-481-8864.

Don’t forget, you can now shop online 24/7 for all of your business gift needs at: www.info.trimsunlimited.com.

For Chinese New Year etiquette advice, download Trims’ Chinese Etiquette Primer.

Longchamp 

This classic French brand is well known the world over for their finely crafted canvas and leather luggage, bags and accessories.  We love Longchamp for their luggage and travel accessories that are both beautiful and at the same time practical for everyday use. We invite you to browse the new offerings from Longchamp now available in the Trims Store, each a perfect gift to commemorate your next corporate event. 

Steuben

An American classic, from awards and recognition gifts, to barware and tabletop items, Steuben offers a wide selection crystal and glass gifts perfect to magnify life’s important moments and milestones.  Steuben gift items are now available for purchase in the Trims Store.

Expert Customization

To learn about the customization options available for either Longchamp or Steuben products, and for volume pricing inquiries, please contact a Trims consultant toll-free at 877-481-8864 or by email at info@trimsunlimited.com.

Tumi Meridian Folding Card Case
Retail: $59.00
Trims Sell Price: $29.00

Tumi Alpha Folding Card Case
Retail: $58.00
Trims Sell Price: $29.00

Tumi Alpha Stripe Gusseted Card Cases (Black & Brown only)
Retail: $60.00
Trims Sell Price: $28.00

For a personal touch, any of these card cases can be embossed with your logo for an additional $5.50 per piece.  Minimum order for decoration: 10 pieces.

Of couse, all Tumi Card Cases include elegant Tumi gift boxes.

For more information or to place your order, please contact a Trims consultant toll-free at: 877-481-8864 or by email at info@trimsunlimited.com.