Blog Archives
Network Like a Pro
In a recent post we discussed the gender gap existing in pay and opportunity for women in the workforce, highlighting 4 areas identified by experts as problematic. (For more information check out What’s Holding You Back at Work -click on the link and it will take your right there!). Each week we will focus on one of these areas and offer suggestions to improve skills and increase opportunities.
Today we’ll talk about team building. Keep in mind, men are better at building a team around them that accentuates their strengths. They are also better at networking, a key component of building a team. Men will connect and help colleagues they barely know. In contrast, women feel they need to build a relationship before helping, leaving them with far less contacts.
So here are 3 things you can do to start building that important business network:
Be nice. Sometimes this can be the hardest thing to do, especially when you are dealing with difficult coworkers or clients, but people are drawn to nice people. Being polite and respectful is a key element in developing successful contacts and often overlooked. Take the extra time to ask a personal question or two and always project a positive attitude. Your enthusiasm will come through loud and clear!
Project success. As we’ve discussed in past posts, the clothes you wear and the way you speak impact the way others treat you, especially at work. Dressing and speaking professionally lets people know that you mean business and should be treated with respect. Everyone wants to do business with a winner!
Create remarkable business cards and use them. Size and shape really do matter, ladies. Thin, boring business cards are often overlooked in today’s busy corporate world. Consider throwing out your standard card and investing in one that is uniquely shaped or made of unexpected materials (plastic, for example). Most experts agree that it’s a good idea to include a picture on your business card. Pictures give cards a more personal feel and people will be more likely to remember you if they can put a face with the name.
Sources & Resources- click on any of the links below for more information!
David Lindahl, 5 Easy Ways to Network Like a Veteran.
Dan Schwabel, 5 Ways to Network in the Real World.
Do you have any networking tips you’d like to share? Please do so by commenting below!
Roll Like Trump- The Art of Negotiation
In business you don’t get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate. ~Chester L Karrass
In a recent post we discussed the gender gap existing in pay and opportunity for women in the workforce, highlighting 4 areas identified by experts as problematic. (For more information check out What’s Holding You Back at Work -click on the link and it will take your right there!).
In the next weeks we will focus on each of these areas and offer suggestions to improve skills and increase opportunities.
Today we’ll discuss negotiating skills. Remember, men are more likely than women to negotiate for pay, promotions, and recognition throughout their careers. This is the primary reason that the salary gap increases over time.
So here we offer 3 tips to prepare for salary negotiations so that women can close the gap and earn to their full potentials!
- Do your research. Leave no stone unturned when researching the typical salary range for a job. Most employers set salaries based on what they currently pay people to fill similar roles and what they believe competitors are paying. So prepare yourself by doing the following:
- Gather all the information you can from websites like salary.com, vault.com, and payscale.com to determine the appropriate salary range for the job.
- Network- Experts agree that the best source of salary information is other people in the same field. Use Facebook and LinkedIn to connect with experts in your field.
- Get advice from career counselors if you’re having trouble determining salary range.
- Understand the demographics. Geographic location, industry, and company size can impact your worth. Understanding these subtle nuances will give you more confidence that your requests are reasonable.
- Be flexible. Demonstrate you have an open mind by thoughtfully considering job proposals other than your own. The key is to know what you care most about, whether it is money or other aspects of the job offer, and stick to those points.
- Negotiate for more than just salary. Think about facets of the job that will make it satisfying: opportunities for advancement, challenging assignments, the chance to work with senior executives. These nonmonetary elements are often overlooked but are as important as money and should be determined right along with salary.
Sources & Resources- click on any of the links below for more information!
Amy Gallo, How to Negotiate Your Next Salary.
Sakina Rangwala – washingtonpost.com, How to: Negotiate Salary.
Have you had a successful salary negotiation you’d like to share? Have you ever been caught with your pants down? Please share your thoughts by commenting below so that we can grow together!
