The Network Audit.

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The Network Audit

Time: 20 minutes Tools: Yourself, colourful pens and the biggest sheet of paper you can find.

Pro tip: If you have wrapping paper then you can roll this over your table and use the side that doesn’t have pictures on it.

Context: Let’s inspect your network. How diverse is your network and what resources are already in it?

Instructions: How to create an audit of your network.

Step #1: Gather all your contacts.

Step #2: Draw your own sisterhood map. Sort them out into circles.

Starting with your inner circle Draw a small circle in the centre and write your name.

Then draw a second, slightly bigger circle around this one and write the names of your top 5-10 people in your network that you are already in a meaningful relationship with. Leave space to add information next to the names you have laid out.

Note: These may be your friends, or professional connections you have made. The difference here is that these women will be in your contacts on your phone and contacting them will be easy.

Draw a third, bigger circle around the other two. Write the names of women you’re connected with, but feel are not as close to you.

Note: You will get a sense that asking for a favour from these women feels more of a stretch than your inner circle, who you are more comfortable with asking for help.

Draw a fourth circle that holds all three other circles inside it. Insert all the names of women who you met once at a party, have a business card for, have an awareness of, or would like to get to know better. Even women who you are not yet in contact with, but want to be.

Step #3: Observe your sisterhood network. Take time to digest your connections and the layers in which they live within your orbit.

Step #4: Understand the diversity of your network. With a different colour pen, visit each name and ask yourself four questions:

1. What do I value about you?
2. How do I, or can I, help you?
3. What resources do you bring to my network?
4. What link can I make between you and others in my network?

Once you have done this, you will start to notice where you are lacking in resources and diversity in your sisterhood. This is now an opportunity for you to take steps to include other women and reach out to them, inviting them to join your sisterhood.

Pro tip: If you are really enjoying yourself, you can make a list of all the things you wish to generate as resources within your network. Some examples of this might be:

Age Culture / country Industry / role / position Skillset and experience Wider network and incredible contacts Potential mentors & sponsors Access to investment Diverse roles and skillsets Members of boards you wish to sit on

The result: A visual overview of the resources within your network. Here before you are the connections that you have access to. The ones within your comfort zone and the women you’d like to get to know better. This map can guide you in the choices you now make to reconnect or reach out to women, allowing you to nurture the outer layers of your network, as well as develop the diversity of your sisterhood.