Empower Me! The Empowered Black Women’s Network

Keeping in spirit of Diversity tune in to Friday’s show. The topic is Power Brok(h)ers- Women of Color in Hollywood. When you think Women of Color, you automatically think Oprah (on an executive level) and a handful of women who ae in front of the cameras. But there are so many more talented women of color who behind the scenes who are relegated to the background. We’ll discuss the (lack of) women of color in power positions in entertainment and take a look at how women can pursue a productive career in Hollywood….and not just in front of the camera. There are executive producers, talent management agents, deal makers, and movers and shakers who happen to be Women of Color. The problem is, you hardly hear about them. Tune in at 9AM EST http://www.blogtalkradio.com/viewsfromthetop as we put the topic on the table and discuss ways to circumvent the ol’ boys network for Hollywood.

Hi ladies.

The numbers are increasing, and that’s a good thing. I am so excited by the progress and connections being made. I’d love to see more dialog and growth though. So I propose a contest.

I’m putting together two gift bags to go to the top two winners. All current members can enter the contest. Here are the rules:

* The goal is to increase membership organically and responsibly. Everyone has received the email from me outlining the policies for joining. I will repost them here. You can then copy and send it to women you feel would benefit from and be beneficial to the network. They must be women serious about networking and being a part of an active growing network.

* When you make a referral, ask them to sign up to join on the Linked In group AND on Ning. Have them include a note saying that you referred them. This is the only way you will receive credit for the referral.

* You must be a registered member on the Linked In AND Ning sites.

* Your referrals are not eligible to participate in the contest. Only existing members. (they can catch the next one).

* Go into the Ning site and periodically blog about your experience in recruiting members. Maybe you can share tips with the other members on effective ways to recruit quality members.

* Be mindful of who you refer for membership. Remember, this is your network too. Be sure these are women who will give to AND take from the network. If you wouldn’t ordinarily network with them, do you really think they’ll be a fit? If not, don’t refer them.

* The contest began at 9AM EST this morning, and will last until August 1, 2009 11:59PM EST.

Now on to the goodies. The bags will contain some great items. Among the prizes we have a body set (Luxuriously addictive….in a good way) compliments of Habibi Body, two movie tickets, a copy of my book Go Ahead Talk to Strangers, Agape Nutrition Bars courtesy of Chef Carolyn Akens, Empowered Black Woman t-shirt, Fearless Networking coffee mug, and several other great items.

So, happy recruiting!

Adrienne Graham

We’ll find out! Be sure to tune in to my radio show Views From the Top Monday morning at 9AM EST. We’ll be having a healthy discussion on the need and role of Diversity Initiatives. I have the pleasure of have a panel of wonderful dynamic and powerful women who will lend their expertise and experiences in diversity.

The show which will air live on Monday, July 20th will focus on Diversity and how it plays a role in professional development, advancement and opportunities for women in the corporate and business world. We’ll have several prominent women on to discuss the trials and tribulations of corporate diversity, and most importantly inclusive diversity. We’ll also focus on companies that are getting it right. Some of the topics we’ll discuss are:

• Initiatives companies are taking to ensure inclusive diversity
• Opportunities & professional development that are available to women (especially women of color)
• The need for the diversity discussion in 2009, where we stand today and what the future holds
• Tips for women to navigate career success when there is a lack of diversity initiative
• The role and need for affinity groups/networks in 2009 and beyond

So if you want to be part of the discussion and possibly solutions, make sure you tune in and feel free to call in with your perspectives. We might have to extend the show some, but as it stands, the show is 90 minutes. www.blogtalkradio.com/viewsfromthetop

The panelists include:

Norma Henry– Information Technology Chief Diversity Officer and Program Manager at Verizon Business in Virginia.
Jane Hyun– President and Founder of Hyun & Associates in NYC and author of the book “Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling”.
Michelle Greene– the newly appointed Director IT of Governance, Application Architecture and Acquisitions within the Building Efficiency Division at Johnson Controls in Milwaukee.
Deepika Bajaj– founder and president of Invincibelle, a company empowering diverse, multi generational workforce and women to thrive in a multicultural world.
Leslie Sanchez– Republican strategist and former adviser to President George W. Bush and founder and CEO of Impacto Group LLC, a communications and market research firm, which specializes in defining social and economic trends affecting women and the emerging U.S. Hispanic community.
Carol Wyatt– is the Director of Human Resources for the BE 100 inducted Carol H. Williams Agency in Oakland, CA.

Be sure to tune in and call in with your questions and comments 347-215-9362. The chat room will be open during the show.

You’re probably doing it wrong.

If networking just doesn’t seem to work for you or benefit you, you have to step back and ask yourself a few questions:

• If you’ve joined groups or networks, do you participate?
• Have you initiated contact with members?
• Do you share your expertise & knowledge?
• Do you attend any events hosted by the groups or networks?
• Do you reach out to people before you actually need something just to say hello or keep a connection going?

If the answer is “no” then yes, you’re doing it wrong. Networks only work to your benefit when you put in time and effort to make them work. Don’t sit on your butt waiting for results to fall at your feet. You’ve got to give to get. I’ve seen many people approach networking, especially online/social networking in a “build it and they will come” manner. That doesn’t work, and in fact it only leads to failure.

Networking is about relationship building and trust. People like to help or do business with people they know. I’m more inclined to refer someone if I know about them and have communicated. I will not go out of my way for a complete stranger. Posting articles in a forum is not the same as getting to know people or rather showing people who you are. There has to be dialog. I can read all the article in Fortune Magazine, and think they are wonderfully written and thought provoking. It doesn’t mean I’m going to run out and do business with writers.

Once you decide to network, you have to follow it through. Make yourself available and approachable. Position yourself so people want to seek you out. By the same token, reach out to people as individuals. Establish that rapport and continue cultivating it.  Share your knowledge, but openly seek the knowledge of others too.  It has to be a two way dialog in order for it to work and be successful.

So how will you network today?

Til next time.

Adrienne Graham