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LaNella Hooper-Williams

Personal Branding Tips and Tools for An Authentically Empowered Career

Your Network is Your Net Worth

March 15, 2018

After 10 years of running my own business, I recently received my official certification as a women-owned business from the Women Presidents’ Education Organization (WPEO). The certification will help open additional business opportunities and will allow companies to include me in their respective supplier diversity counts.Last week, I attended the WPEO’s Annual Awards breakfast at the posh Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Columbus Circle (NYC). It was one of the biggest networking events I had been to in a while, and everyone was buzzing around meeting and greeting and distributing business cards. The event included hundreds of certified women business owners and corporate representatives. As a first-time certified attendee, I was very impressed by the people in the room and how warmly I was embraced.

As I engaged with various professionals during the event, I met a young lady named Dee C. Marshall who asked whether she could interview me on camera. She indicated that she was interviewing a few diverse women business owners during the conference. “I promise,” she said, “It will only take a few minutes of your time.”

I followed her into the main ballroom, and we began the on-camera interview. The first question she asked was, “What do you think has been the key to your business success?” After giving it some thought, I replied, “I think the key to my success has been my powerful network.”

Building relationships and a strong network are among the key components of personal branding. Your network is your net worth!

When I worked in corporate for 25-plus years, I found that my promotions and opportunities always were a result of my hard work, combined with the individuals who vouched for me. And, from the start of my business, my professional network has continued to be instrumental in my ability to secure business. Yes, I’ve had to be competent. Yes, I’ve had to deliver on my obligations, but it’s been my network that initially opened the doors to get the opportunities.

The truth is, most of my business consulting contracts have resulted from existing relationships and referrals. For instance, a few years ago, I was hired as a consultant for a major foodservice company based on a referral from a former Johnson & Johnson colleague. During that time, I became a trusted advisor to the North America President and what was supposed to be a three-month assignment continued for three years. More importantly, when the president decided to move on to another company to become its CEO, he called and asked me if I could continue providing communications support. That engagement lasted another two years.

Another business colleague served on an advisory council for a nonprofit startup organization. One day she reached out to me and asked would I consider responding to an RFP the organization had for communications support. Long story short, I won the contract. Plus, it led to me supporting the statewide efforts of the organization, and I’ve been working with them for more than six years.

As I write this blog today, I am in Pittsburgh, PA working on a video project for UPMC because of my network.

Below are a few tips to help you build a strong network.

How have you benefited from your network? Let me know.

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