The Power of Women'​s Networks

BVT loves to move at pace. It’s what we do well. We have a growth mindset and we recruit talent that will not just tag along for the ride, but really put the boosters on. Not only do we look for the right people to work within our organisation, but also those that work with us. So how do I go about finding people who will share my vision and join me for the roller coaster ride I have planned? Forget business on the golf course, or attending an Old Boys gathering; tapping into talent through my women’s networks is what’s paid dividends. In my experience, women tend to be generous with their networks. They are often candid about what they can and can’t do (perhaps to our detriment) and will say ‘ I can’t do this but let me introduce you to someone who can’ . And so the baton is passed from one woman to another. Generosity in the corporate world is not always recognised for the value it brings. For me, women in business see the value of collaboration over competition, the need for empathy in our approach, and the strength that comes from understanding we are all different. It has been shown that having diversity in a board (minority group with at least 20% representation) will result in a more successful board. Women not only bring that diversity, they will often encourage further diversity. And so I offer a shout-out to all those wonderful women who have pointed me in the direction of other talented women, and organisations such as @Arc Angels (a female investors group), and the @Diversity Agenda (a collaboration to increase women in engineering and architecture) who are promoting more female networks for us all to benefit from.