Highlights from the Nafe Conference
By Annette Richmond
 Several weeks ago, I attended Nafe's 30 Years of Women@Work Conference in New York City. For two days I had the opportunity to mix and mingle with amazing women from across the country. One contingent traveled to New York all the way from Hawaii.
Like many conferences, Women@Work was filled with workshops and networking opportunities. Keynote speakers, like Pat Mitchell, president & CEO of PBS, gave advice and provided inspiration. What bowled me over about this conference was the level of energy.
Seven hundred women working together created a powerhouse of energy. Forget the Energizer Bunny®. Women are the ones who just keep on going.
A whirlwind of activity, the conference began with a Networking Reception and finished with a Gala Awards Dinner honoring the Top 25 Companies for Executive Women. Regional meetings gave attendees an opportunity to connect with women from their local communities.
If you couldn't attend Women@Work, here are five of the lessons we learned:
- Say what you want - During the Town Hall, Elizabeth J. Smith, IBM Corporation, emphasized the importance of saying what you want. Smith explained that she learned this lesson after being overlooked for a position. She was surprised to learn the reason: no one thought she would want to travel because of her children. The kicker? She didn't have any children. Smith's advice, don't assume that your supervisor knows what you want. Speak up.
- Don't take it personally - Remember those words from the Godfather? The ones that come right before something bad happens, "It's not personal, it's business." Well, that holds true for legitimate businesses as well. One of the biggest mistakes women make in business is taking things personally. Next time one of your ideas is passed over, remember, your idea, not you was rejected. Put it behind you and move on.
- Get the credit - Picture this. At the monthly meeting, you suggest an idea. Nothing. Five minutes later one of your male colleagues makes the SAME suggestion. The rest of the group jumps on the bandwagon. Sound familiar? When someone repeats your idea in a meeting, Betty Spence, Nafe, suggests immediately responding with a phrase like "I'm glad you picked up on my idea." If that's too much to start with, be sure to mention it to the offender and others in the group (including your boss) after the meeting. Practice the adage: Take credit, where credit is due.
- Networking is essential - Don't have time for networking? The truth is, you can't afford not to network. Networking is the single most important strategy to success. Get started by lunching with co-workers. Once a month meet with someone who works for another company in the same field. Join organizations in your community. Remember making connections is only the first step. You need to follow-up. Creating a network is more than collecting business cards. It's making the time to develop mutually beneficial relationships.
- Share the burden - If you're still trying to do it all, stop. Give up the notion that you are the only one who can do the grocery shopping, laundry, etc. It's time to ask your partner for help. Single moms, find another single mom you can buddy up with and swap babysitting duties. You spend time creating a business network; don't forget to create a support system at home.
If you're not a Nafe member, now is a good time to take another look. There's a fresh wind blowing through the thirty-year-old organization. Pint-sized dynamo Carol Evans, founder of Working Mother Media, is at the helm. And, with the help of Betty Spence, president, and Melissa Wahl, executive director, Evans seems to be shaking things up from the inside out. If they accomplish half of their goals, they will have created a national organization for working women, including small business owners, that's truly special.
Visit Nafe online to learn more and find a network organization near you. Or contact Nafe to start a group in your community. (If you're in Fairfield County visit Fairfield Network of Executive Women)
Connecting with other women can help speed you on your path to success. I'm already looking forward to next year's conference. See you there!
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