Olga Stajdohar-Paden

ABOUT THE PRESENTATION
Networking – some misapprehensions and what to do about them
Networking is not a new notion. It has been important since ancient times to know people and be well connected with them. Good relationships among tribe members used to be a precondition for survival, both members as individuals and the very tribe. The empress Maria Theresa had sixteen children and many of them were sent to courts around Europe to build connections. The well known 18th century economist Adam Smith traveled for more than one year around the Europe as a companion and teacher to a rich young man. Namely, it was a habit of rich families of those times to send their youngsters to travel around visiting other rich important families of Europe and build connections for future business ventures.
Nowadays the situation is not any different. On the contrary, in the world of fast changes, the world of growing generation and circulation of information, it is even more important to know people, that people know who you are and trust you, so you can react quickly and precisely.
One of the Eight Quality Principles stated in the ISO 9000 standard is: People at all levels are the essence of an organization and their full involvement enables their abilities to be used for the organization’s benefit.
Many companies neglect this fact and instead of encouraging their employees to network they make it difficult to them of even forbid them. Many companies just fail to use the resources employees have in their heads and in their connections.
Another Quality Principle says: An organization and its suppliers are interdependent, and a mutually beneficial relationship enhances the ability of both to create value. Of course, if you want to reduce the quantities you keep in your stock, because it is an expense, and still be sure you will be able to deliver your products on time, you have to have reliable suppliers. Good relationships and networking is the key.
There are lots of misapprehensions concerning networking but they all can be overcome. The article deals with mistakes individuals usually do at networking and what to do about them. The mistakes organizations make at networking and will be dealt with as well.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Olga Stajdohar-Paden basic education is electrical engineering but since many years she has been involved in quality issues. She has been quality manager of the first accredited laboratory in Croatia since the year 1997 and this includes human resources management as well. She actively participates in domestic and international conferences and seminars as organizer and presenter and is the author of many published articles in domestic and foreign magazines. She organizes courses and gives lectures for laboratory staff covering topics such as Laboratory on the free market; Laboratory documentation management; Interlaboratory comparisons; Management of testing equipment; Laboratory staff competences.
She is the author of the book ”To swim with ISO and stay alive – What is quality and how to manage it in business and private life”.
She also believes in life long learning and takes every opportunity to improve her knowledge and skills in many areas. Networking is one of her favorite activities.