Creating our networking tribe

Creating our networking tribe

Following a summer of events including talks and panels, the WISH London Board decided to take a more relaxed approach to our early autumn event.

On the 28^th September we ran a successful ‘Networking: back to basics’ event at the JLL offices in Soho. Frances, Janine and the wider team planned and delivered an evening of structured and informal sessions, focussed on developing networking skills and supportive relationships, and sharing top tips with the 70+ attendees.

In order to add an element of fun and surprise, we used coloured dot-specific groupings to encourage networking and to help the attendees to fight the well-known urge to stick to those we know.

Key takeaways included:

Bring your whole self to your networking - we’re not job titles talking to other job titles, but humans speaking with other humans.

Yes, people buy people, but networking is not about hard sells. Bring your natural curiosity and find out about your potential clients and partners - nosiness helps!

Don’t force it - nobody clicks with everybody, move on and find someone with whom you do connect.

Create a networking tribe that works for you and don’t change your values to fit into spaces where you don’t feel comfortable.

Don’t assume if you are young or new to the sector that what you have to say is any less important.

Help others - if you see someone struggling at an event or meeting, give them a hand.