TOPICS COVERED 2011Opening Keynote: A Conversation with Carla Harris
Jane Newton posed questions of Carla regarding her career, her proven strategies for success on Wall Street, and her "pearls" of wisdom to help attendees maximize their potential. Following the conversation Jane opened the session to questions from the audience.
Playing the Right Cards
To lay the foundation for the two concurrent panel sessions that followed, Jane led an interactive session to find out what was on the participants’ minds that day. They learned from our panelists–both men and women–-who candidly shared their insights and tips in two key areas of interest to high-level women on Wall Street: the power of relationships and negotiating for further success.
Holding All the Aces: Building and Leveraging the Relationships that Count
In the "new" world of Wall Street, it's not enough to just work hard and keep your head down. Do you wonder why others seem to get the plum assignment, that visible client relationship, or the promotion you had your eye on? So much of it depends on the power of your relationships. What kinds of relationships do you need to be at the top of your game? Mentors are good but many would say having at least one sponsor makes the critical difference. What is the difference between a mentor and a sponsor and how do you make sure you have the right people advocating for you? Are you getting the most out of the relationships you already have? Let's not forget about also cultivating external networks. If those you have counted on have moved to other firms or left the industry, how do you nurture those connections and strategically fill the holes in your cheerleading squad? This candid discussion featured panelists who spoke about proactively managing your career, enhancing your visibility in your firm and in the industry, leveraging relationships to your advantage, and ensuring you have a seat at the table.
Playing Your Best Hand: Negotiating Your Next Move and Identifying What is Negotiable
You've said you want to "negotiate like the big boys." What is it that the men seem to do that you can learn from? Negotiating your next job, promotion, assignment or even your exit has to do with first figuring out what is most important to you. Sure, money is important but what else matters to you? What other elements might be critical to negotiate so that you can succeed in your role? The audience at this session learned how to "leverage your voice" to make your expectations known and position yourself for a positive outcome. Yes, negotiating can be uncomfortable. How do you get comfortable being in an uncomfortable situation? And what is actually negotiable on the Street these days? The attendees heard what distinguishes those who negotiate successfully from those who are less skillful. The panelists - a woman and a man on Wall Street and a top employment attorney - provided critical insights and strategies to help attendees succeed and secure a seat at the table.
Producing Your Career: Getting to the Top of Your Game
Amy energized the room with a session designed to change the way Wall Street women think about their careers and provided helpful tips for the audience to speed the way to the top of their game.
