Mad as h*ll and can't take it, anymore? Then, ladies, network.
Unlike Howard Beale, the infamous lead character in the movie Network, who ranted and raved on television to blow off steam, women often use the telephone to get things off their collective chests. As a result, women can use their gift of gab as a networking tool in ways men cannot. To wit, can you imagine a group of two or three dozen men chit-chatting during a weekly group networking conference call? Probably not. Men don't generally do good phone. Women, on the other hand, revel in this form of communication.
The Executive Girlfriend's Group (EGG), a cabal of travel industry executives, is the perfect example. Put together by Chicke Fitzgerald, a Tampa, Florida–based innovation consultant, EGG is made up of a base of about 120 women who have the opportunity to “meet” each Friday afternoon for networking, education and a bit of gab. Generally, about 30 women participate in each 90–minute conference call. After starting with an around–the–horn introduction, Fitzgerald introduces a guest speaker, who speaks on topics ranging from leadership and branding to wellness and life balance to social networking. After the 15–minute talk, there's time for Q and A. Next, the speaker hangs up and the "girls" hang out. The group discusses events of the week, whether they be at work, at home, or in the world at large.
According to Fitzgerald, the group is especially effective now, in these days of people working from home…or not working at all. Since it started last August, one–fifth of the EGG has lost jobs due to the economic downturn. So, EGG has evolved into more than just talk––the network is for psychological support and job hunting, too. In fact, several laid–off members are already back at work again, thanks to leads they received from other girlfriends.
Jane has listened in on a couple of the calls. She appreciates that this channel offers kinship in a way online social networking simply cannot. When you talk on the phone, you establish a real connection with people, not just an electronic one. While LinkedIn and Facebook have their place in networking, EGG shows they are not the be–all and end–all the youngest generation of professionals may believe them to be.
Fitzgerald says that women, unlike men, genuinely have to like and trust each other before they will give others business or leads. The EGG, by developing camaraderie through a weekly ritual, offers an extra avenue for making business friends.
While only those in the travel industry can be part of this particular Executive Girlfriend's Group, the concept is worth exploring and expanding to other business sectors. Ponder starting your own group, or consult with Chicke (chicke@solutionz.com) on ways to expand her network to your field.
