Do you want to build a snowman?

Yes. Like Olaf I want the impossible. I want to build a snowman in Spring and Summer and have it survive. I want to be the person who dares to be different, to push boundaries, and make the impossible possible.

However, building that snowman is not just about negotiating the problems with weather. It is also about managing and setting the expectations of those around you.  This can only be done with effective networking skills and relationships to make it happen.

Networking seems like such a dirty word to many but without it we would never get anything done. We would not move into new roles, develop as individuals and evolve as a business, a person or a society.  Networking is essential a key skill that is needed to help move women forwards into those senior positions. For all the conversations I have had, from the networking events I have attended over the years, networking has been the key to most women getting to the top of their career.  As part of that networking process, there has been an element of mentoring, sponsorship and a sprinkle of good luck.  In all cases without having those contacts, and having these paths laid clear, many women may not have reached the dizzying heights of power that they have reached.  Some would have, however, the journey may have been far more difficult and complex than it needed to be.

So is there some secret way to build your snowman, and make your impossible dream.  Build your network, start off with friends and colleagues at work.  Have them introduce you to other people.  Know what your elevated pitch should be when talking to people.  Have people introduce you to those you want to meet and know.  Map out your connections – Linked in is great for doing this and for meeting people outside of your social network.

Attend social events through and outside of work.  Attend those business events that you always so you will attend but then put off and cancel; you are never quite sure what will come out of these engagements.  However, don’t think attending a few conferences and events is enough to keep them momentum going.  Like a relationship you need to work at it.  You need to nurture these relationships through to completion.

Use sites like your twitter feed, your linked in account, your social media sites, to brag about your success, your learning curves, and what it taught you.  Highlight your achievements and the challenges you overcome.  All of these things build up a picture of who you are, what you want and what you are capable of doing.

A CV is only ever part of the story, but a link to where people can see the complete image is a much better story than a single chapter in the book.

So whose with me in building the snowman, and getting women to the top?  Don’t out off building that snowman until tomorrow, start today, you never know where it might lead and what adventures might follow