By Nelly Yusupova
CTO, Webgrrls International
Founder, DigitalWoman

How can you stay relevant in the ever-changing world of technology?

That’s the question we strive to answer at Webgrrls International, where since 1995 our organization has provided thousands of women a way to stay relevant when it comes to working in the increasingly technical workplace and world.

As technology evolves and changes—seemingly at the speed of light—businesswomen working in a variety of industries have joined Webgrrls, an organization that helps them “stay in the know.”

At our monthly meetings, held in cities around the world, we discuss the latest technology trends, help our members answer questions about business and technology challenges—and develop new business contacts and friends. Members also can connect online.

But what really sets us apart as a networking organization are the relationships that are built at our monthly meetings, events, and workshops. That said, our tech-savvy members know that networking online is often more convenient and efficient.

Consider These 3 Tips to Staying Relevant in a High-Tech World

1. Network online. In-person connections allow people to connect on a much deeper and richer level than online connections, but they are limited to proximity. The mistake most people make with building relationships online is letting the connection made online wither on the vine and not taking the online connection to the next level. If relevant, ask your contacts if they would like to talk on the phone to discuss ways you can work together, or if possible, even meet in person.

Keep the following in mind:

• Online profiles and participation is not about a “here I am … hear me roar” data dump and broadcast; it is a strategic approach to find the people and businesses that you can help and work with.
• It is important to leverage the opportunity to connect online to take your business relationship to the next level. You need to leverage the tools to expand your network of contacts and to find the opportunities that serve you and your potential clients and customers.
• LinkedIn (there are many others) is a great social networking platform to start professional relationships.
• Twitter can be used for business development.

2. Learn in groups. With so many tools and technologies coming out on a daily basis, it is nearly impossible to stay on top of everything by yourself. So surround yourself with groups of people who have similar interests and goals. Through sharing and frequent information exchanges, you can learn at a much faster rate.

3. Learn to speak high-tech. No matter what business you are in, you have to use technology to serve your customers better, whether it’s building an interactive website, a web application, or a mobile application. It’s critical to be able to be able to speak in the terms that your tech team understands so that you’ll be able to manage the project, and keep it on track to be delivered on time and on budget.

For more information about Webgrrls International, visit www.webgrrls.com.

About Nelly Yusupova

Yusupova is a web technology specialist, consultant, and strategist, and she is a motivating and inspiring speaker. The CTO of Webgrrls International, she has been at the forefront of the online women’s movement since 1999. She is responsible for building and maintaining the technical infrastructure of the organization that support the 100 chapters across the country and around the world.

She develops Internet strategies for companies (large and small), including website development, SEO, and social media, and she shows and encourages them to leverage technology and the tools they need to help them achieve their online goals.

For DigitalWoman, Yusupova is a speaker and corporate trainer. She keynotes and participates as a speaker, moderator, and panelist at many of the major industry events throughout the country, and she conducts workshops and seminar teaching about technology, social media, blogging, and overall effective Internet strategies. Click here to learn more.