Session One – Strategic Networking for the Boardroom
Ask ChatGPT the question “How do I network strategically to get on a board” and you receive a copybook response.
“Networking strategically to secure a board position requires a focused approach. Here are some steps you can take:
- Identify target companies
- Attend industry events
- Join professional associations
- Build your online presence
- Network with executive recruiters
- Seek advisory roles
- Build relationships with current board members
- Position yourself as a thought leader
- Be proactive
- Stay persistent and patient
By employing these strategies and approaches, you can increase your chances of networking strategically to secure a board position that aligns with your expertise and aspirations.”
Here at Women on Boards, we could not have written it better had we tried.
So why not just get on with it!
Doing all of the above activities takes time, commitment, confidence, know-how and a certain amount of ‘chutzpah’. For the introverts & ambiverts it can vary from excruciating to exhausting, while the extroverts can find it exciting and invigorating to start with but hard to maintain momentum.
- How are you networking for board roles, and what success are you having?
- Are you managing to build real connections or just shaking hands with people at networking events and seeing them again next time?
- What impression are you leaving with people who can help you to achieve board and committee roles?
This session will give you the building blocks to identify and sustaining relationships and networks that will support you to achieve boardroom success. This includes:
- How to get to know the people you would like to know
- The 5Ps of successful and meaningful networking
- Going beyond transactional relationships
- Reflecting your values and purpose in your boardroom goals
- Building an ‘Elevator Pitch’ and knowing when and how to use it
Session Two – Making the right impression
Building networks with executive recruiters, board members and chairs of nominations committees is a critical component of your networking strategy for the boardroom. The second session in our workshop will feature panel members who have deep expertise in recruiting for board and committee roles. In a facilitated panel discussion, they will look at:
- What makes them feel comfortable to put you forward for a role?
- When should you contact them, and what should you communicate?
- What recruiters are looking for in a candidate when they interview
- Separating yourself from the pack – what makes you stand out?
- How to go beyond transactional relationships with recruiters/board prospects
- When you didn’t get the role – how do you follow up/seek feedback and stay front of mind for people so when a vacancy comes up, they think of you
- The pros and cons of taking the direct approach to board chairs and NEDs vs going through recruiters
Workshop inclusions:
- A 3-hour face-to-face workshop with morning tea and guest panel (8.45 am - 12.20 pm)
- Please Note: Your workshop registration includes a complimentary seat at the director lunch that follows. You will be automatically registered for the lunch. If you have any dietary requirements or are unable to atted the luncheon, please email us at [email protected].
Workshop Presenter: Claire Braund
Co-Founder Women on Boards Australia and the UK
Executive Director, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Past directorships – Central Coast Conservatorium Ltd, The Women’s Club, Coast Shelter Emergency Accommodation Ltd, the Foundation for Australian Agricultural Women
As the co-founder of Women on Boards, both in Australia (2006) and the UK (2012) it goes without saying that Claire has a wealth of experience in working with women who are seeking board roles. She is an informed, entertaining and engaging presenter who brings the world of boards across a wide range of sectors alive to participants and is able to quickly connect the dots and match people to areas aligned to their skills and interests. Claire is an experienced Non-Executive Director on small businesses and large Not-For-Profit organisations and has a deep understanding of the board environment across a wide range of sectors.
Connect with Claire on LinkedIn
Guest Panelist:
Natasha Olsson-Seeto - Chief Executive and Co-Founding Partner, OnTalent
Natasha has more than 25 years of executive recruitment experience at CEO level, with extensive search experience across a wide range of industries. She has largely completed a Master of Leadership through the University of Southern Queensland.
Natasha commenced her career with PricewaterhouseCoopers before being appointed Director at Deloitte, where she led the firm’s recruitment practice. Since then, she has led a number of local boutique search and selection firms and served as Australian General Manager for Executive and Commercial Recruitment at a leading global recruitment firm. During this time she built and maintained a loyal client base while continuing to deliver executive level recruitment assignments.
Her specialist areas include C suite and senior management appointments, transformational leadership roles, and unique positions with a strong strategic remit.
Natasha later served for 12 months as Queensland and ACT General Manager for a major Australian recruitment firm, where she led 18 branches across two states before launching OnTalent.
She is a Director on the OnTalent Board and serves on the National Board of the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association, where she is an elected past Chair for Queensland. Natasha is also a Non Executive Director and Chair of the People, Performance and Culture Committee at Foodbank Queensland, and an Ambassador of the Brisbane Club.
Workshop Booking Terms and Cancellation Policy
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