How COVID changed networking practices
An agenda. It was the first thing I would need.
When I moved to Singapore, I expected to sprint from one networking meeting another. I was worried about finding my way, being late, forgetting things. And then…well, nothing! The COVID epidemic arrived, no one ventured out.
What now? Networking had always been my way to conquer new places. However, I started to realize that I would, indeed, need a new agenda. Just not a paper one. And up my Bingo game, especially when there were pineapple tarts at stake.
1. From online to offline and back
At first, there was resistance. This was going to be temporary, right? I expected this to last for a week or two, a month at most. Then the lockdowns kicked in. Zoom and isolation became our common faith. Networking was finally taken online.
There was the euphoria of being able to connect with people. But I also realized that we continue being social beings. Little by little, face-to-face networking meetings started to pop up again. The difference is that most are now more selective. Online is for a first, quick meeting. Face-to-face is when you succeed in the online test.
2. Location, timings, and other inconveniences
I remember the moment my workday had come to an end. Go home, sweet home, or go to the networking event at the other end of town? In most cases, I would end up going, only to regret being stuck in an over-crowded room with business card collectors.
That is a thing of the past. I can now attend any conference on any topic, anywhere. Even the ones that were strictly anti-online have now been forced to jump on the Zoom-boat. What a luxury to be able to tune in at any moment from the comfort of my home!
3. Online networking has become fun
For me, this is the most exciting development. Pre-COVID epidemic, networking formats were very similar. Coffee breaks in dedicated places, brainstorming sessions over the buffet, teambuilding in dusty rooms. But that was before…
Coffee breaks are now speed-networking opportunities in a Virtual Reality lounge where I can pick up my virtual event bag and the virtual business card of a colleague. There are the pre-event team competition games. Or the in-house dinner, delivered by the event organizer, coupled with a virtual Bingo evening where I battled to win tasty pineapple tarts!
In conclusion, the COVID epidemic has given a well-needed boost to the online networking scene. However, the face-to-face networking scene hasn’t said its last word yet.
How has your networking practice changed with the COVID epidemic?
