In conversation with Helen Bantock
Regional Director of the The Athena Network Richmond and the owner of Kite Web Design.
What I loved about this conversation with Helen is her understanding of the importance of relationships at every stage of network building.
Read the full interview below:
1. What is the Athena Network?
The Athena Network is a network founded in 2005 by Jacqueline Rogers for women in business. The vision for the network is to build a community of female entrepreneurs, business owners and executives who wish to be supported while growing their business through connections and mutual collaborations. The network is comprised of regions, and groups within those regions and so it works at a local level. It is mainly UK based but we have groups in Copenhagen, Singapore and Sydney.
2. How did you initially get involved and what is your role now?
I initially got involved, rather reluctantly, 9 years ago. I had preconceptions about what being part of a network would be like, I could not have been more wrong. Being part of the Athena Network grew my business and it gave me so much personal growth and professional development by learning from other people's areas of expertise.
Two years ago I took over the role as Regional Director of the Richmond region. I set myself a vision for what I wanted and a strategy for how to get there. I wrote that vision, stuck it up there on my notice board and made sure to look at it every day. My goal was to create a really inclusive, business focused place while maintaining a light touch, so people didn't feel there was a barrier to being involved. As Regional Director, I facilitate the programme of events, chair meetings and curate the membership so we have a wide range of sectors represented in each group.
“I set myself a vision for what I wanted and a strategy for how to get there. I wrote that vision, stuck it up there on my notice board and made sure to look at it every day.”
3. How do you find new members?
For cultivation, we do use social media marketing. I will also reach out to potential members directly on Linkedin or call them for a chat. I go out to network in other places like local Richmond Borough initiatives. I always ask the organisers if I'm allowed to mention the Athena Network within their network. Having good relationships with other networks is really important, and it's not just about the fact that they know a lot of other people. Other networks will become your cheerleaders on social media, they will advocate for you and introduce you to potential members. We also encourage our members to invite others along, sometimes asking directly if they know someone in a particular area.
“Having good relationships with other networks is really important… Other networks will become your cheerleaders on social media, they will advocate for you and introduce you to potential members.”
4. How do you keep members engaged?
Mainly people stay because they feel seen, and because they feel heard. Part of my job as regional director is to facilitate this and observe relationships. Are they forming those relationships with other members of the community? Not only do we have business development training in our meetings, which is delivered by members in that area of expertise or their expertise running a business, but we also have network skills training. And that network skills training is there to give people a framework of how they should deepen those relationships. And once they deepen those relationships they are in with their feet under the table. We run periodical Network Strategy Masterclasses for new and existing members to delve deeper into helping them have a networking strategy.
“Mainly people stay because they feel seen and because they feel heard.”
5. How do you build a community virtually?
Building connections online comes with its challenges but the format of our meetings works well online. The format is always the same across the network so everyone knows what to expect. We start each session with small break out rooms which give people a chance to warm up and start connecting informally. Sometimes walking into a physical space to network can be really daunting so the online format makes people feel at ease. I have found that our virtual meetings tend to be more focused and business oriented but we pair this with in person social events so that members can get to know each other personally as well as professionally.
6. Is there another network or community that you take inspiration from or think we should look at?
Female Founders Rise, created by an Athena Network alum Emmie Faust. Their mission is to provide advice and access to funding to help female founders succeed.
7. If you had one sentence of advice for someone wanting to build a network for good, what would it be?
With your main aim and vision in mind, network online and in real life, be open to any conversation that may happen, you are building the relationships you may need now, or in the future.
