MODERN SALES & MARKETING
smell, the face-to-face networking
process is an opportunity for each
gender to learn how to please
the other. To grow as a business
culture, they must keep up with
gender-specific communication
styles and preferences. This means
adapting to expected behavior
- much like when traveling in a
foreign land and observing its
customs to make for a smooth
vacation (not to mention to avoid
landing in jail).
Not only does networking play a
major role in growing a powerful
business, but it also paves the way
for a happy and secure life.
Surely, anyone can see the benefits
of having a pool of amiable friends
and associates ready to look out
for them and send good things their
way. Because of this, it is important
for anyone working in the business
world to understand both the
similarities and differences between
the networking styles of men and
women.
18 ModernBusiness
November 2016
At the end of the day, we all want
the same outcome; we just have
different ways of getting there.
Here are some tips to start you on
your way to career-long success in
networking with the opposite sex:
For women:
• When asking for help,
communicate clearly exactly what it
is that you want.
their businesses seriously.
• Edit what you are about to say,
using filters to sift out what is not
business appropriate.
• Remember that women are at
networking events for business
gain, just as you are.
• When speaking to men, try to
impress them and share your
accomplishments.
• When spoken to inappropriately,
speak up about it immediately.
• Convey an image to others that
you are a serious businessperson,
in all that you do.
For men:
• Slow down and build the
relationship.
• Don’t assume women don’t take
Called the “father of modern
networking” by CNN, Dr. Ivan Misner is
a New York Times bestselling author.
He is the Founder and Chairman of BNI,
the world’s largest business networking
organization. Dr. Misner is also the Sr.
Partner for the Referral Institute, an
international referral training company.