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| Women Network |
| Sunday, September 23, 2007 |
Last week I attended a Conference, for Women at work Network. End of the day I was so filled with pride and confidence, I thought the conference was well worth the time spent. We had a networking exercise the first thing during breakfast, I realized just how socially stunted I was. I was so reluctant to talk to new people, it was so exhausting. But still I made an effort. There were women from so many different groups, totally unrelated to my job. I checked emails once in a while to not miss work, and sometimes felt like just going back to work, nobody was stopping me. I stuck on.
Women from very high positions in the company were there, some had travelled all the way from the east coast, to talk to us, to motivate us, to energize us. I attended a session by Catherine Kaputa, Author of the Book, U R A Brand! It was a useful session, the lady was able to have my attention all through the session. She said only hardwork is not enough for success. Hardwork+branding= Success. It means that not only should we work hard/smart, we should also learn how to showcase our accomplishments and capabilities in order to achieve success. Recently I have been thinking a lot about this. We have been taught modesty and humility to be the best virtues to have. And suddenly the situation is such that, we can grow professionally only if we showcase our accomplishments for everyone to see.
Education, a degree, years of experience alone will not help us succeed. So many others will share the same qualifications. Some thing that is unique in us, that is what distinguishes us, we need to find that, and brand ourselves in such a way that accenuates our unique quality, that is what would help us succeed.
We had to network during lunch too. We had table topics for conversation during lunch. Our table ended up talking about life in general, various stages of life that strengthened us, not neccessarily work related. Somehow the topic steered towards babies and kids. Me and a friend who were the youngest at the table, ;--), got the inside scoop of what life is after kids, and how women manage such demanding jobs with babies.
I had to go back to work for a couple of hours for meetings, I had to miss a session, but I came back for the closing session. It was again as inspiring as the morning session, with some big shot women telling us how they climbed the career ladder a couple of decades back when the corporate culture was not as conducive to women as it is now. Women have a different set of challenges when it comes to work, I was so relieved to know that all women share the same challenge at work, to not emotionally react to things.There are so many other challenges to be faced, I felt like an amateur. I was certainly awed by the Super Women, all around me, managing to be the best Moms and the best employees. Kudos to all of them!
The closing speech filled me up with pride and a sense of belonging. It gave me new energy and confidence. Its amazing how much difference kinship and companionship can make. A day certainly well spent.
Do check out more about the book U R A brand and the author here, I got a free copy, and I am liking it. It is ironical though, that I should hear about branding, soon after Archana wrote this post. :--) |
posted by SK @ 8:21 PM  |
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| 9 Comments: |
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awesome! you should sign up for more such sessions. They are extremely helpful to get out there and see that you aren't alone as well as the opportunities that others like you have harnessed!
It's a tight rope, balancing modesty and then speaking about your accomplishments. :)
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An awesome time after a week of cribbing eh ;-)
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Hey, thanks for dropping by at my blog! About this post, yes, I have found it to be very true. If you work an inch, then complete the rest of the 11 inches by letting everyone know what you did.
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"We have been taught modesty and humility to be the best virtues to have. And suddenly the situation is such that, we can grow professionally only if we showcase our accomplishments for everyone to see."
Very nicely put. Something I have been struggling to put into words.
So you know Allerton => You work in Qualcomm or TI or some such Communications company?
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Rads, Very true! :--)
Dusthi, Yes, haha. No more cribbing for now. ;--)
Sudipta, Really, work 1 inch and brag 11 inches? Isnt it a little too much?
Ok,
Yes I am glad someone is able to empathize.
I have heard of Allerton, have friends there, but no, am not in communications. :--)
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Hey seems you had a great time! :) I guess I should also attend some Conf like this since I am very reluctant to talk to new people too :)
Btw, promoting the brand, be it a person or a product, in the right manner is the thing to be done to get proper recognition these days, isn't it? ;) But, it's easier said than done!
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Hey, seems interesting. I would love to be a part of such a conference. :-)
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Hardwork + branding= Success
Perfect description!
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Aparna,
Yes it is tougher than it looks. :--( But we have to keep trying, till we succeed. ;--)
Archana,
Yes, it was really refreshing and energizing. I think lot of companies have such conferences.
Anantha,
Aha! Surprise. :--)
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awesome! you should sign up for more such sessions. They are extremely helpful to get out there and see that you aren't alone as well as the opportunities that others like you have harnessed!
It's a tight rope, balancing modesty and then speaking about your accomplishments. :)