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,...

I outlined my thoughts on networking last month and why I feel we are off track. If you missed it, you can read it here. Before we can analyse networking, why we do it, and how we might do it better, I believe we must first define what networking is and perhaps understand where the definition of what we know as networking has come from. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, networking is defined as: The exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions....

This post was originally published on LinkedIn on 15/10/22. You can view the original here. I talk to a lot of people about starting and building communities. It is so often the reason people come to me in a work capacity, and when it isn't, it's a subject that usually comes up quickly in conversation. People want to build spaces for connection and belonging not just for others but, in many cases, for themselves. There is a certain glamour to founding something, be it a company but also in...

If you’re a marketer like me, you’ll be aware of this industry's language and ongoing rhetoric. The ads that follow you around on Facebook, the promise of ways to sell online, ways to build funnels to “earn while you sleep.” Whilst everyone is entitled to their opinion, for me, the extractive nature of some marketing tactics is getting rather tiring. Ethics in marketing is something that I’ve been exploring for a while. Whilst ethics themselves are very personal, the key for me recently has...