New directions: Networking for your own business

Thursday 31st January 2008

Whether you're looking to build a business or land the job of your dreams, networking can find a way.

Lorraine Ellison MBE, 51, runs her own business, Lorraine Ellison Limited, which specialises in international trade support. She's married to John, 57, a businessman, and lives in Helmsley, North Yorkshire

“Women are naturally very good at making connections, and it's true that being able to make contacts has created my business. I left school as head girl at 17 and my first job was as a PA. I always knew I wanted to travel, and I got my first taste of international business working with a firm of architects with offices in Jamaica and Canada (as well as the UK). It was then, through a friend of my husband, that I got my first real break.

He put me in touch with someone who was running projects in developing countries that were funded by charity or government. They hired me to go and work in Africa and Asia, where I was often buying equipment for agriculture, hospitals or schools.

There were hardly any women working out there, but being a woman made it easier and I was often invited into people's homes. In my address book I started noting down things to remind me about each person – the names of their families, what was important in their lives as well as their work.

My next major job was for a chamber of commerce in the UK. I would travel abroad to represent the products and services of their companies, and all my previous contacts proved essential, some of whom had risen to the highest levels.

A typical example being when I met Digby Jones at a networking event while he was still Director General of the CBI (he is now Minister for Trade and Investment). We were both committed to selling the UK overseas and we have since worked together on many projects, sharing our contacts and experiences.”

More ways to network:

For your website
For events

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