In this episode of Making Waves at C-Level, Thom Singer dives into the power of connections and their crucial role in career success. Reflecting on the pandemic, Thom notes the significant disruption to networking and community engagement, which left many professionals isolated. While the world has reopened, enthusiasm for in-person networking hasn’t fully returned to pre-pandemic levels, and membership organizations and business nonprofits have struggled to regain their momentum.
Thom emphasizes that real career opportunities come from meaningful connections, not just from social media interactions like tweets, TikTok videos, or getting likes and shares. While digital engagement has its place, it cannot replace the value of personal relationships. He stresses that those who fail to re-engage in their industry and community may miss out on career advancements, inadvertently allowing these opportunities to go to others.
To maximize networking potential, Thom provides insights for both event planners and attendees. He advises event planners to actively create environments that foster networking:
Create Networking Opportunities: Design events to encourage networking during happy hours, breaks, meals, and other activities, making them exciting and conducive to meeting new people.
Engage Speakers: Encourage speakers to participate in the event beyond their presentations. Speakers should mingle with attendees, facilitating networking and contributing to a sense of community.
Interactive Sessions: Design breakout sessions where speakers ask questions and engage the audience, promoting discussions and connections among attendees.
Icebreaker Activities: Implement icebreaker activities to help attendees meet each other, especially at the beginning of the event and during key moments like breakfast.
Facilitated Learning Conversations: Set up areas for attendees to discuss what they have learned from keynotes and breakouts, sharing best practices and experiences.
Leverage Technology: Use technology before, during, and after the event to enable attendees to comment, share insights, and connect with each other.
For event attendees, Thom offers practical advice on making the most of networking opportunities:
Be Open and Approachable: Stand around, smile, and start conversations. Avoid isolating yourself by being engrossed in your phone.
Ask Questions: Engage with speakers and fellow attendees by asking questions about their experiences and what they hope to gain from the event. This sparks meaningful conversations.
Follow Up: After meeting someone, follow up with them. Adding them on LinkedIn or to your email list is not enough. Schedule one-on-one conversations to build a genuine relationship.
Thom underscores that building connections requires intentional effort and engagement. Meeting someone once does not equate to forming a network. Instead, it’s about cultivating long-term, mutually beneficial relationships. He concludes by calling for a movement towards more deliberate and meaningful connections, highlighting that those who actively facilitate networking and community-building will see significant benefits in their careers.
This episode serves as a reminder of the profound impact that connections can have on professional success and the importance of re-engaging with our communities as we move forward from the disruptions of the pandemic.
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