November 2010 saw me take part in my 1st ever networking event.  As a backroom girl this was a daunting experience that I continually questioned the validity of.

As an introverted person happy with routine, procedure and doing the job I know well, networking is extremely challenging for me.  However, looking for new direction for our company and trying new business development methods a womens networking group was suggested to me by Ginny Atherton of Precept Optimum Performance.

As a visitor to the Women In Business Networking group I experienced something very new and interesting.  Yes it was strange to be in a room of business women, but very pleasant to find a friendly welcoming atmosphere of like minded people.

After surviving my 1st meeting and feeling exhilarated by the experience I committed to the group and became a member in December 2010.  Each month I have the challenge of standing up in front of a group of women and presenting my company in 60 seconds. Not an easy task, Firstly dealing with the nerves and secondly how do you sum up in a mere 60 seconds exactly what it is my company does?

Training provided by the WIBN has enabled me to focus and deal with both of these issues making it more bearable to stand up and do the presentation, which is also helping me to grow as an individual and move my comfort boundaries to places I wouldn't have expected.

To make the most of these new skills I have decided to be very bold and publish my 60 seconds past, present and future. I would appreciate feedback to find out if I am getting our company message across.  Do you understand what it is our company does?

Is networking worth it for my company?

For me it is early days to say for definite, but I can see as an individual I have a great place to learn new skills and test them out without feeling to self-conscious.  In addition it will be great if we can work with new companies and businesses and I really look forward to helping the other companies in the group out.