Networking in France, American style
July 11th, 2009 | Published in Features, Info & Advice | 17 Comments
WWNG. Left to Right: Joelle Millery, Sara Freitas-Maltaverne, Mickey Farrance, Claire Cudrey, Kelly Rigotti
by Mickey Farrance
When I moved from my native New York to California in 1980, I knew almost no-one in my new place. Twenty years later, when I moved from California to Grenoble, I left behind the extensive network of friends, colleagues, and business associates I had acquired during my time there. And I knew no-one here in Grenoble – time to start over!
I looked for opportunities to meet new people, and found the social/cultural association Open House. It’s an excellent group for newcomers, and the people I met there helped me settle in and integrate into my Grenoble life. Without even thinking about it, I automatically began networking – making acquaintances, finding friends.
In addition, one of the most difficult aspects of starting a new chapter of my life in Grenoble was adjusting to not being able to work. Quite simply, I’ve been working since I was 16 years old, and working for a living is just part of my personality. Being a stay-at-home spouse was interesting to try, but I missed my working life. Where could I meet other English-speaking women and reconnect with professional life in France?
I discovered the Women’s Professional Networking Group in Lyon, France, and joined them immediately. Lyon is a bit far away to go for regular meetings, though, so I began a local group with some of the professional women I’d met in Grenoble through Open House.
Today, the Working Women’s Network of Grenoble has formed a wonderful international network of colleagues, business associates, and friends. The group started in 2004, and incorporated as an official French association in 2006. We describe ourselves as “…an association of English-speaking professional women living and working in the Grenoble area. We build and maintain business and personal connections that help us in our daily work and lifetime careers.”
The association has about 60 members, both employed by area companies and entrepreneurs / self-employed. A few are “between jobs,” or in transition as I was when I first arrived in Grenoble. It’s a good support system for expat professional women who are unable to work – for example, because of visa issues – to maintain professional ties while they are here.
Networking in France is a relatively new phenomenon. This is partly because of cultural differences in perception about what is appropriate behavior among strangers. We get around the cultural issues by networking à l’Americain – networking in English, American style. Our meetings are structured and timed. We have an agenda and tools specifically designed so that members introduce themselves to the group, describe what they are looking for and what they can offer to others, and then pass leads to one another.
Another common mis-perception about networking is the (mistaken) idea that networking means using people. In the WWNG, we work on the principle that networking is about transforming relationships. It’s about turning strangers into acquaintances, and acquaintances into allies. Networking is about looking for opportunities to help others and to create opportunities for others to help you. We apply the Golden Rule of networking: What you give out, you get back.
“[The WWNG] has really opened the doors of networking for me: simple, clear, and effective. Thanks to the philosophy that underlies the techniques, I’m finally at ease in professional meetings and able to make an initial contact comfortable for me and others…In the professional domain, the goal is to forge new ties that can be mutually beneficial.” Claire Cudrey, Cézame Connexions and WWNG member
In addition to our regular monthly meetings, the WWNG also organizes other types of professional development and networking events. For example, we’ve hosted several Professional Enrichment Program series of workshops designed for women in career transition, and 5 years now we’ve hosted full and half-day Professional and Personal Development Seminars. The most recent of these, Networking2, brought together nine local, professional networking groups to share information, knowledge, and leads.
Networking works – it works for me, and it works for anyone who’s willing to expend the time and energy required. And for newcomers to Grenoble, networking effectively is a great way to integrate successfully into Grenoble life.
For more information about the WWNG, or about networking for professional advancement, contact me:
President, Working Women’s Network of Grenoble
Tel. 04 76 72 31 15
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July 16th, 2009 at 3:12 pm (#)
It’s great to read about the WWNG here!
I have been a member for some time now, and find it a valuable resource. I have attended Professional Enrichment Sessions in the past which helped encourage me to take that next step towards my new career. Now that I am ready to start creating my new business plan, I am sure that my contacts at WWNG will play a big part in this next stage of my professional life. Articles like this really get the word out and I hope to meet some new people in the Fall who heard about WWNG through this website!
July 16th, 2009 at 9:18 pm (#)
Hi Amy,
Glad to hear you’ve benefitted from WWNG membership. Be sure to stay in touch and tell us about your new business adventures !
Regards,
James
July 18th, 2009 at 2:04 pm (#)
I concur Amy.
Through WWNG, I met fabulous women and ended trying out some of the great advice given to me during those PEP sessions.
Thanks for the exposure!
July 19th, 2009 at 6:55 pm (#)
I have known Mickey for nearly 6 years, and had the opportunity to work with her about 3 years ago when I was Sales VP at Soitec in Bernin. She was extremely helpful, along with Sophie BOISSIER of Youtopie, in training our small team on developing and delivering a very key presentation to Nokia. Mickey’s understanding of technology businesses was a real bonus.
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 am (#)
I can only join Amy and Joëlle in saying that WWNG is a great network, support system and a place where we can swap experiences, resources and ideas. Having a more “professional” approach as the one provided by Mickey makes a big difference compared to the more “social” approach usually favored by other French networks. Keep up the good work Mickey!
July 28th, 2009 at 2:04 pm (#)
I have been a member of WWNG for 4 years now and have successfully transformed myself, career and entrepreneurial business thanks to the professional women in the group. It is an excellent mix of give/take for those seeking a truly professional network. Let the networking virus spread freely!
August 4th, 2009 at 7:53 pm (#)
Mickey’s energy, professional manner and pedagogical approach in creating WWNG are impressive. With WWNG, she has become an important ‘thread’ in the Grenoble ‘fiber’.
September 4th, 2009 at 1:58 pm (#)
[...] move to France, I was in a transition phase in my professional life. I joined organizations such as WWNG (Working Women’s Network of Grenoble) through which I took workshops which helped me to make the [...]
September 17th, 2009 at 10:58 am (#)
I’ve seen the WWNG grow from day one when Mickey had the wonderful idea to bring professional English-speaking women in the Grenoble area together to build a networking system that would amplify professional opportunities for all. In the early days, when I was just opening my psychotherapy practice in downtown Grenoble, and Mickey was looking for a “home” for the WWNG, meetings were held in my office. Not only was it a pleasure for me to watch the WWNG become a vibrant hub of professional activity, but my own practice grew thanks to the many women who consulted me and referred others to my practice.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:18 pm (#)
[...] began without knowing a network of colleagues to provide referrals to my practice. Fortunately, the Working Women’s Networking Group (WWNG) was born at the same time as I opened my practice. Meetings were held in my office, so women [...]
October 7th, 2009 at 3:59 pm (#)
Hi Michelle,
Love your website and so good talking with your yesterday. So glad you are happy and doing so well.
Love, Mom (Audrey Colgrove)
October 8th, 2009 at 2:06 am (#)
Mickey
We were pleased to see the W.P.N.G. of Grenoble is effective in it’s objectives. Your being a spoke in the wheel of a great organization is super.
Wishing positive results in your goals.
R & R
October 8th, 2009 at 7:17 pm (#)
Great to come across this site, I’m playing with the idea of moving to France with my (French) other half, I am a business women and feel slightly daunted at starting over again. I find networking sites over here in Dublin really beneficial, the support offered being the most key thing. Best of luck.
October 27th, 2009 at 5:50 pm (#)
Hi Mickey,
I’m Maggie, here with my hubby, I am teaching law (in English) at the moment in the Ecole de Management, otherwise lost in Grenoble, be glad to join your group meet people make contacts!
Very many thanks,
Maggie Frearson
06 47 12 74 04
December 18th, 2009 at 10:05 pm (#)
my wife is going to be teaching as a visiting professor at the University of Grenoble–an old book I have states that French taxes include
taxes on USA income if a person earns income in France and stays in France more than 6 months– I know taxes are complicated — so you may not know the answer to this
so if can refer me to a tax expert that would be excellent
October 18th, 2010 at 12:14 am (#)
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February 3rd, 2011 at 7:34 pm (#)
[...] les articles récents, ne manquez pas en particulier Networking in France, American style, écrit par Mickey Farrance, la dynamique présidente de Working Women’s Network of Grenoble. [...]