Why you should network with your peers, not just your mentors
We have a tendency to approach a career as a “ladder” –always looking upward to the next promotion or raise. There’s no doubt that networking with advisers has benefits, but it shouldn’t simply be limited to your mentors or role models. When you’re young, “networking” often means meeting people more influential than you are. However, […]
5 things you’ll miss if you’re not at SheHive London
SheHive is coming to London! For 4 days, SLA is taking over Facebook HQ for a professional bootcamp. Between August 18 and 21, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with the coolest people in London. This will not only be a great experience for established entrepreneurs and professionals, but for aspiring career women of all […]
What you should know about co-working
Co-working has been a growing trend around the world, a trend that is spreading across Africa as well. If you’re in charge of a business, particularly a small startup, you know that running your own office space can be seriously distracting. “The internet is down! What should we do?” “This place is dusty, was the […]
Recently graduated? How to make unemployment work for you
In recent years it has become common to find yourself unemployed after graduating. How you spend those few months in unemployment (or years if we are keeping it all the way real), could add a lot of value to your development. Use that time to invest in yourself and begin the journey of personal branding. […]
How to make the most of your introversion
In a conversation with a group of people, I pointed out that I perceived a colleague to be an introvert. The look of indignation on her face said it all, she took my words as an accusation. Girl, if she had pearls on she would have clutched them! My colleague later explained that while she […]
Competition, what competition? Why collaboration might just be your strongest asset
Collaboration is a game where everyone wins. You build your network, expand your audience and strengthen your brand. As ambitious women, chasing our dreams is part of what gets us up in the morning. While it is important to protect our ideas, we have been taught to keep our distance from the competition while […]
9 reasons you should (seriously) consider an internship
I started giving proper thought to my career during my second year at university. The buzz towards the end of that period was crazy, and getting an internship was all everyone seemed to talk about. The energy was amazing; everybody wanted to get into big firms, especially the investment banks. I would be having lunch, […]
Get these four mentoring elements right & reap the rewards
‘Get yourself a mentor!’ I bet most of you have heard this sentiment shared at one point or another during trying times in business or career. What always amazes me is the matter-of-fact way this is normally mentioned. When you get a chance to probe what precisely a mentoring relationship ought to look like, don’t […]
Yasmin Says: Mastering the art of the email follow up
At the end of a networking event or conference, you may end up with dozens of business cards in your portfolio or your purse. While getting the initial card is definitely important, it’s even more important to master the art of the email follow up. First things first: a few days after the conference, send […]
Yasmin Says: How to make your network your net worth
We’ve all heard the phrase “Your network is your net worth.” And though, it may seem like one of those cheesy phrases that’s only appropriate for fridge door magnets and tacky self-help books, its 100% true. For young entrepreneurs like us, networking is especially important for a couple of reasons: As you grow your network, […]