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Tee time an icebreaker for women executives... Ability to play golf, talk about the game build business relationships, enhance career gains. When Kristen Schwark goes about her business as a real estate agent in Greenwood, Ind., golf invariably comes up."It's a great way to start conversation, and that can lead into business talk," Schwark said. "One thing I've found is that if a man finds out you play golf, they think that's really neat. So, if in conversation, a prospective client says they play golf a little bit, I might just suggest we go play a round. "Golf can be excellent common ground." Schwark is one of a growing number of women across the country using golf as an important business tool. That practice has long been used by men in the workplace, and now more and more is being used by women. In a study conducted last year by Golf For Women magazine, 73 percent of 1,000 women surveyed agreed that playing golf had helped them develop relationships and networking for business. More than half in executive positions agreed that simply being able to talk about golf had made them more successful. In a separate study, 705 women in Fortune 1000 companies were asked about the factors they felt were holding them back at work. Forty-one percent cited exclusion from informal networks, with golf being the most often mentioned. "A lot of women think that golf is about doing deals on the golf course and most of the time that's an invalid perception," said Hilary Bruggen, president of Washington D.C.-based Strelmark LLC, who gives corporate workshops on leveraging golf for business and career gain. "What I've found is that golf is really about relationship-building on a personal level and building trust. You can accomplish all of those things in just a few hours on a golf course." Schwark said she has found that to be especially true with regard to real estate. As an agent, Schwark has found golf is the perfect icebreaker. "If you can get someone out on a golf course, and get them relaxed, you can talk about things and it just kind of takes the edge off," Schwark said. Bruggen said that while playing golf can be an important business tool for women, it can backfire if you masquerade as a golfer. "You don't have to be a pro, but you do need to be good enough to hold your own," Bruggen said. Tips for mixing golf and business Hilary Bruggen, president of Washington D.C.-based Strelmark LLC, gives workshops on how women can leverage golf for business and career gain. Here are three tips on how to avoid what she terms "golf course business blunders." Dress appropriately: If you're going to go out for a business round of golf decked out in pink and green, you're going to stick out like a sore thumb. Women should stick to the business color basics on the course. Know golf etiquette: Know where to stand when your playing partners are teeing off and putting. If you are always looking at their chests or their backs, you will be in the right place. Relax and have fun: You'll play better and, if your clients are having a good time, they will be more open to doing business. © The Detroit News. All rights reserved. (Reproduced with the permission of Gannett Co., Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.) June 26, 2005
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