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Networking in the Age of COVID-19

Leila Chris
Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021
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2020 looked like it was going to be a year full of much-awaited events – before the pandemic, that is. Instead, an unprecedented number of live events have been canceled, leaving the events industry struggling to cope. An editorial by Vulture lists some of the most highly anticipated events that have been pushed back this year. They include The Golden Globes, Bonnaroo Festival, and even the Summer Olympics—the first time since WWII. And these are events that have become worldwide institutions.

It’s a difficult time for the in-person live events industry, including the entertainment, sports, and corporate sectors. Jason Wingard, Dean Emeritus of Columbia University’s Human Capital Management at the School of Professional Studies, reports that the industry could lose around $172 billion in growth and revenue over the next five years. Moreover, all the cancellations have not just affected the industry itself, but also those who rely on events to broaden their network and expand their businesses.

Why you should continue networking

As we continue to navigate through the changes that COVID-19 has brought about, we recognize the value of social networks even more. During these precarious times, we may feel unsupported and isolated—and having a reliable social network could do wonders. “They make us feel more connected to our communities, provide a sense of place and attachment, and though we might be less comfortable asking them for something in a time of need, we shouldn’t,” says Jarin Eisenberg, Groundswell Startups chief operating officer, in a Florida Today editorial.

Evidence suggests that the relationships you form with people within your network can offer you more opportunities to land a job or expand your business, even more than relationships within your immediate community can. Expanding your network also expands the reach that you have, as well as your view of the world. Staying home doesn’t have to stop you from staying connected with more opportunities.

How to network within the pandemic landscape

While you wait for in-person events to come back in full swing, you can still continue growing your network, following these tips:

Follow safety protocols

Since live events are gradually coming back, you have to be extremely cautious and aware about the threat of catching the coronavirus. We talked to Jim Davidson, Adventure Climber and Resilience Speaker, for one of our ESOS episodes talking about bringing back live events, and he stressed the importance of doing research. He asks that you know what the event and venue guidelines are, and have extensive conversations with the planning team on how live events are currently being held. He even suggests that everyone keep a PPE kit no matter where you are, and, of course, that everyone wear a mask.

Adapt to new mediums

With everything shifting to digital, it’s no surprise that live events are too. In fact, there are a number of online events being held via Zoom, Cisco WebEx, and other online conference platforms. You can explore your options and even reach more people online, because you’re not limited to inviting those within your immediate area—a challenge for in-person conferences. Online events actually give you opportunities to connect with even more people and have more insightful discussions with people across different industries, all while avoiding the threat of COVID-19.

Find the right balance

Since most offices have adopted work-from-home arrangements, it may be easy to lose track of when you should be working to expand your network and when you should be taking time off. Amy Quarton, a professor on Maryville University’s organizational leadership degree program says that this problem is especially true for younger generations. “You work when you can, you socialize when you can, those boundaries get blurred. Millennials, who sometimes feel socially isolated from their peers, will have to learn how to manage that life,” she says in a Vice feature on work-life balance. She recommends deliberately putting away your work and “designating time for relaxation” to help you delineate between work time and downtime.

It’s important to keep improving and to keep building relationships, so you can come out stronger and with a wider social network post-pandemic!

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