Business Networking and Sex

(It’s not what you think)

BusinessNetworking and Sex—Not What You Think, by Ivan Misner, Hazel Walker and Frank De Raffele is about gender differences in networking. I've have the good fortune of knowing all three authors.

Here’s a bit about the book: one co-author (Frank) focuses on the man’s perspective, one (Hazel) on the woman’s perspective, while Dr. Misner took the networking expert’s perspective.

One of the important questions the book addresses is “Are men and women really so different?”

Both men and women want business from networking and both are willing to work hard to get it. But they approach it in different ways, and could benefit from learning the style of the opposite sex.

Here are some tips for women dealing with men:

• When asking for help, communicate clearly what you want
• When speaking to men, try to impress them and share your accomplishments
• When spoken to inappropriately, speak up immediately. Don’t accept it.
• Convey an image that you’re a serious business person at all times.

For men dealing with women:

• Slow down. Build the relationship.
• Don’t assume that women don’t take their business seriously.
• Edit what you’re about to say. Filter out anything that’s not business-appropriate.
• Remember that women are at networking events for the same reason you are: to get business.