The importance of making quality connections in business and personal lives was the focus of the Women in Business Regional Network during November.

A dinner in Strathalbyn and a lunch at McLaren Vale early in the month looked at how having the right contacts and forging quality relationships with others could make the difference between success or failure for businesses.

Network founder Carolyn Jeffrey says there’s sometimes a fine line between feeling like a stalker and reaching out professionally to make a connection with people who may be able to assist us in our businesses.

“With such a migration towards doing business and even conducting our social lives online, forging quality relationships has never been more important," she says.

“But this shouldn’t hold women in business back from stepping out of their comfort zones and seeking out quality relationships with people who can assist them in their businesses.

“We’ve seen the network grow dramatically over the past 12 months, largely due to the fact that women are finding quality connections where they can create collaboration opportunities such as sharing space and costs, working together on marketing, learning from each other or simply being there to provide emotional support when things don’t go to plan.”

The presentation challenged those present to think about who they needed to collaborate with and to set an action plan to make it happen.

“A lack of confidence is probably one of the biggest barriers for many women; they don’t think they’re worthy to have a relationship with someone who appears to be more successful or they don’t think they’ve got anything to offer another businesswoman,” Carolyn says.

“We have to push ourselves beyond our comfort zones to reach out to others because you can’t argue with the fact that strength and success can be gained from working together.”

A dinner at McLaren Vale and a lunch in Victor Harbor at the end of the month focussed on another kind of connection, when a representative from nbn™ Local spoke about how to get the most out of internet connections for business, fielding questions and concerns about the nbn™ system.

Michelle Lensink, state government Minister for the Status of Women, will speak at the network’s Christmas dinner at McCracken Country Club in Victor Harbor on Friday 6 December.

The Women in Business Regional Network is open to business owners, managers, staff and those dreaming of owning their own business. You don’t have to be a member to attend events but bookings are essential. 

For more information about the Women in Business Regional Network visit the website or phone Carolyn on 0435 432 203.