Hey, I’m Lindsay, the host of Make Sense w/ Lindsay T., Lady Engineer®, a weekly podcast where my guests and I simplify complex topics at the intersection of people & technology. We analyze whatever hot mess is in the news, evaluate trending innovations through a human-first lens, and take deep dives on a need-to-know basis.
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Networking is a key skill for career advancement and personal growth. But how do you do it effectively and without feeling icky?? In this week’s episode of Make Sense, we delve into five key strategies inspired by the insights of Marion Siboni, a savvy networker and Founder of La Creme de La STEM™, the global support system for female founders.
1. Build Your Network Proactively
Don’t wait until you need something to start networking. Build relationships with people you admire and respect, even if you don’t immediately see a direct benefit. This proactive approach allows you to form genuine connections without the pressure of immediate gain.
2. Give Before You Get
The principle of reciprocity is powerful. Offer value to others without expecting anything in return. Share your knowledge, offer assistance, or simply be a supportive presence. When you genuinely help others, you’ll be surprised at how opportunities come your way.
3. Connect on a Personal Level
Beyond professional titles and job descriptions, seek common ground with people on a personal level. Share stories, hobbies, or life experiences. These shared connections can deepen your relationships and make them more meaningful.
4. Follow Up, But Keep It Short and Sweet
After a networking event or conversation, follow up promptly. Send a brief message expressing your gratitude and reiterating your interest. Keep it concise and focused on the specific connection you made.
5. Be Clear About Your Expectations
When you reach out to someone, be clear about your goals. Are you seeking advice, a job opportunity, or simply a friendly chat? Being specific helps the other person understand how they can best assist you.
Additional Tips:
- Leverage Technology: Use tools like LinkedIn, Twitter, and email to stay connected with your network.
- Attend Industry Events: Conferences, workshops, and meetups are excellent opportunities to meet like-minded people.
- Join Professional Organizations: These organizations can provide valuable networking opportunities and resources.
- Practice Active Listening: Pay attention to what others are saying and ask thoughtful questions.
- Be Yourself: Authenticity is key to building lasting relationships.
By implementing these strategies, you can build a strong and supportive network that can open doors to new opportunities. Remember, networking is a long-term investment, so be patient and persistent.
In this week’s episode of Make Sense, Marion and I also talk about:
- What it takes to build a community of men and women, successful and “failed” entrepreneurs, to support female founders
- The new playbook startups and unicorns need to survive
- How to leverage CRMs for relationship building over a linear sales pipeline
Reference the full show notes below.
From Awkward to Awesome:
How to Maximize Your Network
Like a Natural
The above listicle is a good start. This guide will accelerate your efforts, including step-by-step instructions and templates to get you organized and engaged with your network.
Type: PDF Guide # of pages: 33
Choice Quote from Marion Siboni
“I know the power of my network and that helped me when I started building my own company because I was just one text away from any answer I needed.”
– Marion Siboni, Founder, La Creme de la STEM™
Buck the media hype cycle. Calm the fear-mongering. Laugh at the inanity of Tech CEO “hero culture.” Be the smartest person in your peer’s LinkedIn feed:
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction
01:48 Segment One: Crystal Ball, what does the future hold?
02:05 Unicorns Need a New Playbook to Survive
04:20 Many Generative AI Companies Will Die
06:14 Expect to See More AI Sales Agents Built Into E-Commerce and Social Channels
11:09 Segment Two: Who Needs a Safety Net? Tails of Entrepreneurship
11:34 Supporting Women in Tech and Innovation
18:45 Challenges in Accessing VC Funding
22:18 How Female Founders are Maneuvering Around VC Gender Bias
28:01 The Value of Including Unsuccessful Founders as Mentors
32:03 Segment Three: No Scrubs, Just Solutions: Strategies and techniques to elevate innovation
35:09 Build a Network Before You Need It
36:59 Connect on Personal Matters
41:25 Be Clear on Your Expectations
Where to find Marion Siboni
Marion Siboni is the founder and CEO of La Creme de la STEM ™, a private network for early-stage female founders in STEM offering a holistic support system that includes exclusive insights from exited entrepreneurs and connections to vetted investors. Over the last decade, Marion has excelled in pivotal business development roles at Techstars, MongoDB, Shift (an AI unicorn), and Cisco.
Marion Siboni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marionsiboni/
La Creme de la Stem™ on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lacremedelastem/
La Creme de la Stem™ Website: https://www.lacremedelastem.com/
Subscribe to the Newsletter on entrepreneurship, community building, and inspiring women: https://lacremedelastem.substack.com/
Where to find Lindsay Tabas
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaytabas
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LindsayTLadyEngineer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaytladyengineer
From Awkward to Awesome:
How to Maximize Your Network
Like a Natural
The above listicle is a good start. This guide will accelerate your efforts, including step-by-step instructions and templates to get you organized and engaged with your network.
Type: PDF Guide # of pages: 33
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- Resources to elevate the way we innovate
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- Opportunities to meet IRL
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