Why keeping contact with your Network is important
There is no doubt that networking is an essential part of growth for your business. Sharing ideas with professionals from similar fields can help to find creative solutions, reliable partners and new clients. Most of the networking used to happen over the coffee tables during events, along with exchanging business cards and LinkedIn profiles. This seemed to work pretty great until the black swat-COVID 19 broke in.
Many things around us have changed recently, new rules regarding social and physical distancing, hygiene regulations, remote work integration and much more. The whole event production and event experience have changed: event marketing has changed, ticket sales have changed, sponsorship value has changed and essentially networking is changing.
Modern networking is no longer a coffee table chat about businesses’ pain points; it’s a constant search for solutions behind the laptop screen. Despite common sense, virtual networking might require some extra efforts to make it work. Those are a few tips on how to make your online networking work!
Use Networking and Matchmaking tools
Many platforms have already implemented or are about to implement virtual networking and matchmaking tools. They help you to meet people from similar fields or common interests. Which, honestly, makes networking a lot easier.
Do your research
Matchmaking tools are not always available during online events, try to get to know who is going to attend this event next week you are attending. Use hashtags and event organiser social media pages to connect with other attendees.
Admit that our home offices are not perfect
It’s okay to have inconsistent video or audio quality. It’s okay that you and the person you talk to could hear your kid screaming behind the door. It’s okay to have some family pictures attached to the wall behind you back. Our home has never meant to be our office and we all are trying to adjust.
Businesses change the way they do things and everyone is affected. We are in the process of rethinking how people and businesses interact. Soon we will see new businesses providing best solutions to network virtually evolving, meanwhile sit back, grab a cup of coffee and meet your potential business partner and be part of this change!
Written by Galina Butsyak, Head of Customer Experience in Startup Grind Helsinki. Startup Grind is the world’s largest community of startups, founders, innovators, and creators. We bring like-minded yet diverse individuals together to connect, learn, teach, help, build, and belong. We do this daily through our local events, flagship conferences, startup program, partnerships, and online media + content – collectively reaching over 3.5 million individuals worldwide.
To learn more about Startup Grind Helsinki, contact Kelvin Chikezie.
Director, Startup Grind Helsinki
+358452516880 / kelvin@startupgrind.com