Women in Security: Networking Advice at #SHE1000

Prosecco and cupcakes are not a usual way to start an IFSEC seminar but it was clear from the beginning that Heather White’s presentation on networking for #SHE100 was not going to be an ordinary event.

“I hope you’re all up for a bit of activity,” said CEO Heather White of Smarter Networking to a room full of over 250 standing delegates – including women in security – at the Safety & Health Expo, which took place 21-23 June. “I am going to show you how to work a room and be more effective at networking”.

IFSEC International – which was co-located as part of the Protection & Management Series – is keen to promote diversity in the security industry and the event was one of a series of special seminars and networking events taking place at ExCeL London during the event.

A celebration of women working in the fields involved in the management and protection of buildings and people, #SHE1000 invited female professionals working in security, fire safety, facilities management and health and safety to attend.

At IFSEC, meanwhile, Dr Alison Wakefield – our ‘third most influential person in fire and security’ – shared career advice aimed at women in the security industry. Read an interview with Dr Wakefield here.

Back to #SHE1000, Heather’s practical and down-to-earth presentation covered the essentials of networking including which groups to join and which to avoid, how to make a brilliant impact, how to be memorable and how to strike up meaningful conversation. She also showed delegates how to exit a group gracefully and even tips for avoiding the “network bore”.

#SHE1000 selfie

Making an entrance

When first entering a room at an event, she suggested, take a moment to look at the constitution of the groups around you before deciding which group to join.

“Look at the groups with a glass of wine in your hand, look for warmth and friendliness,” she said.  If the “group was closed” – like one group of delegates attending the session who were huddled together – then they were best avoided  because they were likely to be “into something”.

If the group was “looser” and more open, then this was a good group to join as there was far less intensity. She also suggested looking for people with whom you were likely to have “common ground”.

However, Heather also advised delegates to challenge themselves by identifying a person who “looked scary” and then commit to spending five minutes talking to them. She asked candidates to consider what intimidated them about talking to a particular person and said practicing this exercise would help build confidence for next time.

Meaningful dialogue

Transport and the weather were definite “no-nos” when meeting people for the first time as was “trying to sell” yourself or a product. She said people wanted to “have a good chat” and therefore one of the most important skills was to learn to listen and ensure everyone in the group got a turn in the conversation.

“Forget job titles, thinks of what message you want to get across,” said Heather. “Consider what your expertise is and sprinkle key words into the conversation that are memorable,” she added.

She also said to “identify things you would have done differently” and practice them, be it a warm handshake or introducing yourself for the first time. The good news was you probably would never meet the majority of these people again.

#SHE1000 selfie

Making an impact

“I want you to practice handshakes,” said Heather smiling to the room full of delegates. “You need to create the right impact and good handshakes matter”.

After practicing firm but warm handshakes, she explained to delegates how important it was to create the right impact from the beginning. This included how to approach a person and open a conversation and also how to read body language.

Body language is mainly how people communicate non-verbally and Heather explained a good sign of this was how relaxed someone was in their stance, even if they had their arms or legs crossed.

“I want to get people comfortable so they will hear what I say and not be distracted,” she explained. If the person you were talking to had a glazed look or kept looking over your shoulder, then it was time to either change the conversation or “cut loose” and move on.

Heather White, Smarter Networking

Exit gracefully

Heather explained it was important to have an exit strategy and leaving a group gracefully was as important as joining one although sometimes more difficult. She warned the “toilet excuse was banned” as was looking at your mobile phone as an excuse to leave.

“It’s really nice meeting you, thank you for your time,” Heather explained was a simple and straightforward phrase which was all you needed to exit gracefully. If you were worried about leaving someone on their own, Heather suggested making eye contact with someone else and then inviting them to join the group before you left.

She reminded delegate to exchange business cards before they exited a group and if they were unfortunate enough to get stuck with the “party bore”, then any of the above strategies could be used. However Heather suggested that delegates check first they were not the person “being boring”!

Done well networking could be “inspirational”, said Heather, and in the greatest sense was “changing the world”.

Read a report of this event from our sister site SHP, which writes for the health and safety professional.

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