profile

Networking: A New Manifesto

Exploring the intersection between digital connection, community strategy, local communities, belonging, permaculture principles, sustainability, and psychology. My work analyses the systems that prop up our current networking practices and looks at practical steps we can unlearn to build stronger networks that serve both people and the planet.

Featured Post

Networking: A New Manifesto (for the 21st century)

Imagine this; you have seen a networking event that piques your interest. Perhaps it was the event topic that drew you in, the venue that you are familiar with, or someone who has invited you along. You sign up for the event, feeling both curious and excited for what’s in store. Maybe this event will lead you to your dream job, the client you’ve dreamed of working with, or the mentor you need to steer you in the right direction. You arrive feeling nervous but hopeful. As the evening unfolds,...

Many birds sitting on a wire, photographed in black and white

Here are 3 ideas to help you cultivate more connection in your life this week 🔗 (if you're new here, I publish these weekly here, and also on LinkedIn). (1) What brings you here today?I run a lot of events. I attend a lot as well, especially networking ones. The question every business coach will say you MUST have an answer to, and one people dread the most (both asking and answering it) is this: so what do you do? There are so many reasons why this is a really hard question to answer, and...

Three birds on a bare tree branch facing opposite directions

Here are 3 ideas to help you cultivate more connection in your life this week - all about approaching conversations. (1) Have a difficult conversation Especially in the workplace where connection is so important, we have to be prepared to have hard conversations around things like team dynamics, performance and employment. People appreciate it so much more and conversations can help provide resolution and support. Hunter Leonard recently shared the news story from last month about Atlassian...

7 birds sitting atop a series of street lamps

Here are 3 ideas to help you cultivate more connection in your life this week. If you enjoy this week's edition you can leave a comment online if you like. (1) There is joy to be found in fandomsThis newsletter is running late in part because of Taylor Swift. In case you weren’t aware she dropped a number of delightful clues yesterday and announced a new album. Whether you care about this or not makes no difference to me, but it did cause me immense joy and distraction. My Threads feed...

Birds in flight against a blue and orange sunset

I’m back! I was traveling for most of the month of July so had planned to take a week off from this little newsletter and keep it going while I was away. Truth be told, work and travel with family is hard so I decided to focus on the connection with the people around me rather than this for that period. But I’m home now and will resume the usual weekly schedule ;) Here are 3 ideas to help you cultivate more connection in your life this week 👇 This week’s ideas are very much inspired by being...

Birds on a street light

Here are 3 ideas to help you cultivate more connection in your life this week 👇As promised, this week is all about online communities.(1) An idea to help you show up more consistentlyDo you have a few online communities you’d like to be more active in? Use your browser’s shortcuts to create a folder with a list of these communities, and set a reminder to check in on them regularly (eg once a week). A simple reminder and a list of the communities in one place is a great way to get more active...

A group of birds on two wires at dawn

Hello friends, I hope you've had a great week. Here are 3 ideas to help you cultivate more connection in your life this coming week.Because I ran an in-person event last week, this week’s focus is on offline communities. Next week will be online communities.(1) Get in earlyConsider this advice from an experienced event organiser and a PSA (public service announcement) from event organisers everywhere: please buy your tickets early (eg a few weeks out from the event date). So much time goes...

Two birds on a wire facing away from one another

Here are 3 ideas to help you cultivate more connection in your life this week 👇 1️⃣ Selling services on social media If there is one trend I’ve seen growing over the past few years, it's the reluctance of people to buy from service-based businesses solely based on social media. While products on social media still seem appealing, service-based businesses need to look beyond socials. Relationships, and that means networking, are key. A post might generate likes and engagement, but ask...

A row of many birds on a telephone wire

3 Ideas to Help You Cultivate More Connection This Week 👇 1️⃣ Champion the Authors You KnowBooks have been on my mind this week, specifically books by people I know. After almost 8 years creating content on LinkedIn, I've had the pleasure of getting to know several authors. I also co-authored a self-published book nearly five years ago, so I understand the work, love, and sometimes pain that goes into writing. One lesson I learned from my co-author Nicole Johnston (who sadly passed away last...

A bird on wire at sunrise

✨ Here are three new ideas to help you cultivate more connection in your life this week ✨ 1️⃣ Stop "Networking" – Start Community BuildingIf the word "networking" makes your skin crawl, you're not alone. The term has become loaded with expectations of forced small talk and transactional relationships. Here's the thing: you can drop it entirely. Not the activities, drop the word.Instead, think of it as community building. This reframe will help you approach it differently. Community building...

Two birds on a wire facing one another

Here are 3 ideas to help you cultivate more connection in your life this week 👇 1️⃣ Practice Magic I don’t mean the tricks; I mean practising, crafting, and developing an understanding of magical questions. I am a fan of Priya Parker's work and her book The Art of Gathering, and she’s recently been talking about Magical Questions. A magical question helps a group meaningfully connect. It asks a relevant question that everyone can answer, and one that everyone is interested in hearing other...