25 December 2011
JEDDAH - Women in Saudi Arabia have made networking a crucial part of their working lives in this country.
Gone are the days when weddings, and bridal and baby showers, used to be places where women gossiped or complained about their husbands and children. Working women in Saudi now understand that these social events can help with their businesses.
Networking has always been a part of the male business world, according to Raaed Samargandi, Public Relations Manager at the Saudi Economic and Development Company (SEDCO). "Men have never had a problem understanding the need for networking. It has always been the reason behind social gatherings among males," said Samargandi.
Shaima Jalal, owner of a spa in Jeddah, said that when she first opened her salon she did not have any customers for weeks, not even one who mistakenly knocked on her door. "It was the most depressing time of my life.
I had no idea what to do until a good friend of mine advised me to start promoting my spa. I started by giving gift vouchers to relatives and friends."
Jalal says she took advantage of social events by inviting hosts for free make-up sessions prior to the events. She would then ask other people what they thought of the work done in her salon.
Rawan Basuhaib, a blogger and freelance writer, said that effective networking can be a person's best form of marketing, and can be extremely affordable. "The purpose of networking can vary based on one's agenda, but the primary focus is to meet people and have people meet you."
Social events are perfect for business but Nadia Badawy, a freelance photographer, believes that some events are not suitable for having conversations with potential customers. "I can never make any connections at weddings or events that have singers because the music is too loud. I can't have a decent conversation."
Badawy said she has stopped going to weddings but enjoys other social functions. "The best places to make connections are product launchings or restaurant openings because you know for sure that someone will be there for the same purpose or at least share your ideas."
Mona Hattab, a Syrian interior designer, said that she found it initially quite difficult to network with other women in the early 2000s. "People thought that I was trying to sell them something and wouldn't speak to me. But they later understood the idea after it became quite common."
Hattab said that networking is simply the opportunity to market yourself and your business in a relaxed, social situation.
She said she discovered networking in the nineties. "I was introduced to networking in the United States when I found myself in the middle of Manhattan surrounded by people who spoke of nothing but business even when going for a run together in the park."
Hattab said networking is crucial for business success. "The more people know about her work, the more successful she will become. She should have at least one social function a week where she goes to simply make conversation and talk about her business."
According to the United States Small Business Administration, successful networking involves arriving early, having plenty of business cards handy, circulating to meet the maximum number of people, keeping it relaxed and semi-formal and trying to remember names and faces for future gatherings.
JEDDAH - Women in Saudi Arabia have made networking a crucial part of their working lives in this country.
Gone are the days when weddings, and bridal and baby showers, used to be places where women gossiped or complained about their husbands and children. Working women in Saudi now understand that these social events can help with their businesses.
Networking has always been a part of the male business world, according to Raaed Samargandi, Public Relations Manager at the Saudi Economic and Development Company (SEDCO). "Men have never had a problem understanding the need for networking. It has always been the reason behind social gatherings among males," said Samargandi.
Shaima Jalal, owner of a spa in Jeddah, said that when she first opened her salon she did not have any customers for weeks, not even one who mistakenly knocked on her door. "It was the most depressing time of my life.
I had no idea what to do until a good friend of mine advised me to start promoting my spa. I started by giving gift vouchers to relatives and friends."
Jalal says she took advantage of social events by inviting hosts for free make-up sessions prior to the events. She would then ask other people what they thought of the work done in her salon.
Rawan Basuhaib, a blogger and freelance writer, said that effective networking can be a person's best form of marketing, and can be extremely affordable. "The purpose of networking can vary based on one's agenda, but the primary focus is to meet people and have people meet you."
Social events are perfect for business but Nadia Badawy, a freelance photographer, believes that some events are not suitable for having conversations with potential customers. "I can never make any connections at weddings or events that have singers because the music is too loud. I can't have a decent conversation."
Badawy said she has stopped going to weddings but enjoys other social functions. "The best places to make connections are product launchings or restaurant openings because you know for sure that someone will be there for the same purpose or at least share your ideas."
Mona Hattab, a Syrian interior designer, said that she found it initially quite difficult to network with other women in the early 2000s. "People thought that I was trying to sell them something and wouldn't speak to me. But they later understood the idea after it became quite common."
Hattab said that networking is simply the opportunity to market yourself and your business in a relaxed, social situation.
She said she discovered networking in the nineties. "I was introduced to networking in the United States when I found myself in the middle of Manhattan surrounded by people who spoke of nothing but business even when going for a run together in the park."
Hattab said networking is crucial for business success. "The more people know about her work, the more successful she will become. She should have at least one social function a week where she goes to simply make conversation and talk about her business."
According to the United States Small Business Administration, successful networking involves arriving early, having plenty of business cards handy, circulating to meet the maximum number of people, keeping it relaxed and semi-formal and trying to remember names and faces for future gatherings.
© The Saudi Gazette 2011
