Illustration : Thierry Cap de Coume
Quebec: the source of networks.
Representing over 2,500 members, the Réseau des Femmes d’Affaires du Québec (RFAQ or Businesswomen’s Network of Quebec) has strived, for over 25 years now, to draw recognition to the importance of women in the economy. It was in 1981 that Guylaine and Henriette Lanctôt set up the Bottin des Femmes. Their aim: to launch an address book assembling the contact details of businesswomen in Montreal and the surrounding area. Very quickly, many women signed up, exchanging clients and services. In 1985, Lisa Cardinal, a self-taught entrepreneur, joined the Bottin and continued to develop it. Henriette Lanctôt then decided to transform the address book into a large network called the Association des Femmes d’Affaires du Québec (AFAQ or Businesswomen’s Association of Quebec). Following the initial advantages and economic benefits for members, the group’s reputation grew in the United States and Europe. In 1993, Nicole Beaudoin took over the association and re-baptised it the Réseau des Femmes d’Affaires du Québec. Ever since, she has managed it like a company head. Today, aged 70 years, Nicole has also founded the Centre d’Entrepreneuriat Féminin du Québec (Centre for Female Entrepreneurship in Quebec). A network and centre adapted to current female needs that offer numerous training programmes. www.rfaq.ca
Female entrepreneurs in the country of Mao.
Ever since 1949, China has committed to promoting the economic status of women. Today, even if progress has taken time, it can be noted that 20% of company heads in the Communist State are women. The latter are supported by an unique association of its type in the country, the China Association of Women Entrepreneurs (CAWE ). Founded in 1985, it includes over 10,000 members spread out throughout the Chinese provinces. This network seeks to play the role of a bridge between female entrepreneurs and the government. It thus accords a large space to the needs of these women and their international renown, by organising training programmes and developing contacts with networks throughout the world. In its activities, the association has greater freedom than the China Women’s Chamber of Commerce, which is subordinated to the Federation of Industry and Commerce. Nevertheless, the two structures participate actively in the emergence of Chinese women in the working world and the overcoming of discrimination.
www.cawe.org.cn
Europe in women’s hands.
Drawing together European female executives and entrepreneurs: this is the objective of the European Professional Women Network (EPWN). Functioning like an immense web, this network includes 17 regional branches (including Barcelona, Berlin, Oslo and Paris) and 3,500 members of over 90 different nationalities. The President, Mirella
Visser, Dutch in nationality, was named “European Woman of the Year” in 2007. The major asset of the association consists of a single Internet platform that puts in touch thousands of businesswomen. On a daily basis, the EPWN aims to give women the necessary contacts and tools to strengthen their leadership. The network also carries out activities with businesses. Over 600 events are organised every year throughout Europe and works are regularly published.
www.europeanpwn.net
Inter-company solidarity in Paris.
Created in Paris in 2001, the InterElles group sets out to link up women’s business networks with scientific or technological leanings. Originally, it was born thanks
to the efforts of female managers from France Telecom, IBM, General Electric Health Care and Schlumberger. Today, the group comprises nine companies including Air Liquide, EDF and Areva. The group’s initial observation was simple: in companies, highly prized jobs remain in the hands of men. It was necessary to make things move, promote gender equality all levels. InterElles acts directly on the ground to increase female recruitment, manage careers and help women to balance their working and personal lives. The network organises themed workshops and holds an annual colloquium around Women’s Day on 8 March.
interelles.canalblog.com
Emmanuelle Gagliardi: "Declining expertise in two sentences”
Emmanuelle Gagliardi is co-author of Le Guide des clubs et réseaux au féminin (The Guide to Women’s Clubs and Networks), creator of the site interdit-aux-hommes.net (devoted to working women and networks), and, in last April, launched L on TOP, a magazine for the female networks.
In France, is the notion of networks well integrated?
Emmanuelle Gagliardi: “Until the age of 35, women are not really conscious of the need for a network. Younger women think that they are no more than Tupperware meetings. They are afraid of being rejected in their companies. But when they get
to a certain level where obstacles are more obvious, they become much more interested in the issue.”
Today there are thousands of women’s networks. How do you choose the right one?
E.G.: “I would advise picking three. The first in relation to one’s studies for career directions, for example. The second should be related to one’s sector of activity of company. This one is very important for all technical and practical questions. Finally, a transversal network (managers, entrepreneurs, gourmets…) enables you to enlarge your fields of action. In all cases, it is necessary to inform yourself on the profiles of people who are part of the network. Generally, it is the president who sets the tone. So her personality counts a lot. Don’t just stop your search with large networks. Excellent contacts can also be found in small organisations."
How can you energise a network?
E.G.: “You need to know what is its speciality, its area of expertise. In short, its added value. And it is necessary to able to decline it in a maximum of two sentences. This is how one can stand out. Others will recall you more easily. Then, the network is cultivated during organised meetings in which you must show yourself to be reactive.”
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