Networking is all about building relationships, according to IT executive Sharon Bailie.

Mrs. Bailie, who is programme manager for the IT department at XL Capital, spoke yesterday to a group of local business women - at a meeting of the Organisation of Women in International Trade Bermuda (WIT) - on the dynamics of networking.

Speaking of the term networking, Mrs. Bailie said she preferred to see it as building relationships - whether personal or professional.

Mrs. Bailie said that for her, networking had been one way to advance her career - she called it her number one job strategy - but also a "cool avenue" to talk with others about things that interested her, including interests outside of work.

Getting in to the dynamics of networking, Mrs. Bailie said networking - which happens through various mediums; in person, by mail, E-mail or telephone - can differ depending on the setting and who is involved.

Mrs. Bailie spoke of working in IT during the early 80s in what was a male-dominated industry.

She said: "With very few women in my field of business, most opportunities to network (build professional relationships) were at technology related cocktail parties or business conferences, predominately attended by men.

"What lessons did I learn? As I listened to these men, I realised that they would talk about things they had acquired. They would talk about powerful things. In their personal lives they would talk about cars, boats and golf scores. Professionally they would talk about their offices, their positions, status, accomplishments, stock options..."

In contrast, Mrs. Bailie said it became clear to her that in building relationships with other women, it was about what was missing in their professional lives - rather than, as men did, talking about current achievements.

Mrs. Bailie added: "For while we have been socialised to `network' and build relationships, we are conditioned to the idea that it is not `good' for women to boast."

Boasting was something that Mrs. Bailie said women should do. She added that it should not be seen as bragging but rather letting people know that you are competent and professional.

She also chided women in management for too often putting all praise on `their teams'. She said that although a team is important, one should also be recognised for one's individual efforts.

And she said an individual, not the team will get the promotion.

In conclusion, Mrs. Bailie said there is however a certain etiquette to follow when networking.

As part of that, she said be mindful that you are taking up someone's time, follow-up with contacts and do not attribute information from another person that could compromise your contact.

As testament to the power of networking, Mrs. Bailie - who is also the program director for WIT - said out of nine jobs over a 25-year career in Information Technology, she had only applied for two jobs. The rest of her career opportunities, she said, had come out of contacts that she had made over the span of her career.