Schwartz’s mother, Judy, has a post-retirement job. She’s her daughter’s right arm.
Networking isn’t limited to “networking” events.
Opportunities for networking are everywhere we are — from our neighborhood and church to the office and civic organization. For example, Schwartz’s friend Carol, a busy mother who bemoaned her lack of networking opportunities, just wasn’t paying attention, Schwartz said. At her child’s sporting event, Carol was surrounded by nearly 100 adults — parents, grandparents, friends. “I said, ‘Carol, this is your social scene,’” said Schwartz.
Use your network for good.
Networking can lead to important connections, as Schwartz’s friend Hedy M. Ratner, founder of the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago, proved. Ratner was determined to have Oprah Winfrey speak at one of WBDC’s important functions. Consistently rejected when she called Winfrey’s office, she turned to her network and asked if anyone had a connection to Winfrey. One friend mentioned that she and Winfrey worked out at the same gym. Ratner bought a short-term membership there, managed to “bump into” Winfrey one day, talked to the star about her WBDC event and managed to get Winfrey to speak at it. The story prompted one of Schwartz’s most memorable lines: “There’s a fine line between networking and stalking.”
Do your homework and be prepared.
Read the newspaper, know something about current events, do a little research about the event and learn a little bit about people who might be there beforehand. Be a good listener; ask questions. And follow basic etiquette. Dress appropriately for the event and be on time.
“Whoever said it was fashionable to be late was just late,” said Schwartz.
