Readers had an excellent threadjack some time in the past about the very best networking occasions for ladies, and I assumed we’d spherical up a few of their responses and open the ground for a much bigger dialogue. The preliminary request was for “inside ladies occasions for attorneys, future summer time associates, and so forth. — as in, what sort of occasions we’d attend and assist. I’m interested by others’ ideas – have you ever attended any occasions like this that have been a success? Any you hated? That is for a gaggle of 10-15.”

Previously, we’ve mentioned whether or not female-only networking teams SHOULD be a factor… and a few readers HATE them, whereas others have had nice experiences and met cheerleaders and mentors. However we’ve by no means actually mentioned, should you’re GOING to have a female-only networking group, WHAT to do on the occasion. (Apart from: issues could have modified a bit lately, as work has gone distant or hybrid and other people should be reluctant to do indoor occasions.) So let’s talk about!

And once more, earlier than we get began, remember the fact that not everybody likes networking occasions for ladies, in any respect. One commenter famous that she hated all the ladies networking occasions she’d been to, saying: “I wish to be invited to the occasions the boys attend and be meaningfully included in these.”

A number of readers particularly hate all stereotypically female occasions, particularly if males’s occasions or common firm/agency occasions aren’t equally themed.

I really feel like that is actually arduous to do with out leaning into cringey sexist stereotypes. Spa day, mani/pedis, arts n crafts, boutique purchasing – BARF. No legislation agency in 2023 needs to be endorsing the concept “X [legally protected class of people] actually likes [stereotypical activity associated with that group]!”

The Finest Networking Occasions for Ladies: Reader’s Experiences

Internet hosting a speaker to speak a few discrete subject, in addition to her profession path.

In my subject, we had nice success for a lunch sequence the place a unique speaker (lady) was invited/launched at every one and gave some intro discuss their work/profession path and often with a short presentation a few helpful subject / studying level after which a query/reply session. Throughout the finish dialogue, they answered questions on something, and we regularly received into very helpful life/profession administration discussions. It was nice for networking, discovering potential mentors and was a free lunch.

Tea at a elaborate lodge. One reader (who wasn’t a fan usually of girls networking occasions) did notice that her favourite occasion was a tea at a elaborate lodge close to the workplace that “had no agenda. It was nearly as enjoyable because the observe group vacation meal at a restaurant that included everybody.”

Drinks at a elaborate boutique (the place you COULD store, however don’t should).

A non-public tour of a museum, adopted by drinks.

Wine tasting (though it will exclude individuals who don’t or can’t drink for no matter purpose).

Spa occasions. These have been probably the most cited by the readers, however opinions have been VERY divided — as readers identified, males have been both aggravated they weren’t invited, or else they appeared down on the ladies attending the occasion as a result of they have been “losing a day.” (One other reader instantly mentioned “completely not.”)

On the professional facet, although, some folks did have nice experiences at a spa! One reader famous:

We did a elaborate spa afternoon, with one service, therapeutic massage or facial or mani pedi coated by my firm. They successfully purchased out the spa, so it was solely colleagues in all of the facilities and firm additionally offered gentle snacks. males have been additionally allowed to hitch however it was clearly being provided to counter stability all of the sporting occasions. It was unbelievable. Additionally confirmed {that a} $400 therapeutic massage is admittedly not that completely different from a $150 one! We additionally do a number of boutique health lessons, typically by way of the ladies’s group, typically open to all.

What Not to Do at Networking Occasions for Ladies

Don’t solely deal with parenting points. Some readers famous that they have been actually postpone when “ladies’s networking occasions” solely centered on work/life stability and childcare points — they famous that these occasions ought to have been introduced as occasions for mother and father, with fathers invited and included as nicely.

Notably in Large Regulation or different intense jobs, readers famous, a number of the ladies go away earlier than they’ve children — so these sorts of occasions actually weren’t relevant. As one commenter famous: “In case your lens for caring for feminine staff solely addresses balancing work with parenthood, you then aren’t addressing the wants of your junior colleagues.”

Don’t pull folks out of different networking alternatives to do women-only networking. As one reader described: “they did a “separate however not equal” method the place time is taken away from bigger occasions taking place and narrows networking alternatives, i.e., lunch networking that pulls you away from bigger networking lunch or a pre-conference breakfast that pulls you away from assembly with purchasers.”

Don’t do occasions that educate ladies how one can community like males, similar to {golfing}. “At my previous agency, they organized a golf occasion to assist ladies study to community. I feel that was dumb. You’re not going to be networking with males the way in which that males do. When you already occur to be good at golf, perhaps, however it goes in opposition to being genuine. I’d by no means study to select up golf to community. Nothing might be extra lame.

Don’t solely deal with make-up, garments, and floral preparations (!). One reader remembered:

Simply don’t be my previous agency, the place such occasions included “floral preparations”, “new traits in make-up”, and a few form of mindfulness workshop (which was okay I assume, however form of mentioned should you’re burdened, you must handle your stress higher). Once I instructed workshops extra geared to succeeding in a male dominated occupation, I used to be instructed the committee “wasn’t political”. Ugh.

Readers, over to you — should you’re attempting to plan a networking occasion for ladies, what are the very best actions or themes? Do you favor easy actions similar to a usually scheduled lunch? (When you hate the very thought of networking occasions for ladies, would you go to something?)

Inventory picture through Deposit Photographs / diego_cervo.