An Insight into Networking from everywomanClub Member Melanie Eusebe

Melanie Eusabe in a red dress standing on a street

Melanie Eusebe is a passionate advocate of networking. Melanie has been a Management Consultant at IBM and now Ernst & Young specialising in transformation strategies for global organisations. She regularly speaks at business, entrepreneur and diversity events and has started several community initiatives and social enterprises, including the Trade School Westminster, the Black Screen Guild Awards and Phresh Ideas, a small business start-up consultancy. Here she describes how networking has influenced her career and shares her networking secrets.

1. WHEN IN YOUR CAREER DID YOU REALISE IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A STRONG NETWORK?

In mid-career, when I began looking for a promotion. I realised that my options were wider than my existing job so networking could help.

2. DID YOU ACTIVELY BUILD YOUR NETWORK? IF NOT HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?

Networking has always come naturally to me. I didn't wake up one day and decide to start doing it. In pursuing my passions I meet people with similar interests, so now I'm well networked in financial services, women in business, entrepreneurs and the food and wine world. When I arrived in the UK from Canada ten years ago I knew no-one. It was either build connections or stay at home watching television. Fortunately I've always loved meeting people.

3. WHAT HAS YOUR NETWORK ENABLED YOU TO ACHIEVE?

It has helped build my career. For instance, I aimed to become an E&Y consultant so over three years I networked my backside off among people in financial services, black and women's networks, and by the time I was asked at the interview if I knew anyone at E&Y I could reel off about 25 names.

4. WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE OUTCOMES OF YOU BEING ABLE TO CONNECT PEOPLE?

Businesses have been founded and partnerships formed, and I have linked service suppliers and customers. In my mind I have a web of people and I am always trying to make connections – if you tell me you want to learn about wine or photography, I will say I know someone who can tell you about that.

5. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE LOOKING TO BUILD THEIR NETWORK?

Follow your enthusiasms and interests. Get to know what other people are interested in and match people up so your network grows naturally.

6. HOW DO YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR NETWORKS?

You have to keep at it, making sure that it's about giving rather than receiving and ensuring your communications are relevant to the people involved. When networks get large don't be tempted to just send out the same message to everyone – that's not networking, it's marketing.

7. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE ATTENDING THEIR FIRST NETWORKING EVENT?

Ensure it is for people with a common purpose such as entrepreneurs or cyclists, rather than just a random networking event. Then be what you are where you are – don't pretend to be someone you're not. When I was first interested in wine I said I didn’t know much about it but wanted to learn and people were happy to help – everyone responds to gentle enthusiasm. If people don't want to talk to you, or say negative things, remember it's more about them than about you. Don’t let it put you off.

8. DO YOU HAVE A FUNNY NETWORKING STORY TO SHARE?

When I first came to the UK I went to a women's networking event and started talking to another woman about learning new skills. I said I was learning kickboxing and Taekwondo and she replied that she was taking dance lessons, so I started talking about how tough it was getting your body into unfamiliar positions. Then the keynote speaker was announced and it was her – I had been talking to Esther Rantzen about her experience in Strictly Come Dancing.

ARTICLES FOR YOU

Not a member yet?

Meet your goals and develop your skills on the everywomanNetwork. Join 1000s of other members today.

FREE NEWSLETTER

Not a member? If you would like to hear about our latest content, news and updates, sign up to our monthly update newsletter.