Networking for Influence and Impact

One of the most underused strategies in business development is bringing people together around a theme. Think about it. Everyone is busy. Everyone gets invited to another reception or cocktail party. Most people say no because they know the value will be surface level. But when you create something intentional, something smaller and more thoughtful, people notice. They make time. A dinner for women GCs in private equity. A roundtable of next generation dealmakers. A conversation between founders and investors who have successfully scaled. These kinds of gatherings give people the chance to connect with peers who understand their challenges. They create space for conversations that don’t happen in a big room. And here’s the part many professionals miss — when you’re the one convening, you’re not just building your own network. You’re helping others expand theirs. You become known as someone who creates opportunities. That’s memorable. It makes people want to stay close to you and your organization because being connected to you means access to something bigger. But it doesn’t end with the event. The real business development happens in what you do afterward. ✔️ If two people hit it off, follow up and connect them directly. ✔️ Share a quick recap of themes from the evening to keep the conversation alive. ✔️ Create touchpoints — an article, a coffee, an invite to the next dinner. ✔️ Build continuity with a series so people look forward to the next one. ✔️ Share high level highlights on LinkedIn to reinforce your role as the connector. Bringing people together in the right way isn’t just about networking. It’s about creating community. And the professionals who do this well strengthen relationships, build influence and grow their business in ways that feel natural. Let me know when you think of this tip and if you will try it! #BusinessDevelopment #ClientDevelopment #Networking #LegalMarketing

𝟱 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲. And, how to overcome them: 1️⃣ 𝗕𝘆𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 & 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 Networks aren’t neutral. Even those with "good" intentions reproduce harm. Common signs? - Certain voices dominate. - Inequities go unchallenged. - Decisions are made by a few. What to try instead? - Shift power dynamics. - Challenge coloniality. - Compensate fairly. Equity must be embodied, not just discussed. 2️⃣ 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁 Bigger isn’t always better. Many networks rush to expand More members, more projects, more activity. They think more is better. But, it’s not. Without deep trust, networks fragment. Momentum fades. The shift? Scale wisely across three dimensions: - Scaling Deep (trust & relations) - Scaling Wide (reach & partners) - Scaling Long (resourcing & well-being) 3️⃣ 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿-𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 Too much structure kills creativity. Many networks try to control outcomes. But real transformation? It’s emergent. The problem? Over-structuring leads to: - Less member agency. - Limited adaptability. - Stifled innovation. What to do instead? - Design flexible systems. - Enable self-organization. - Create adaptable structure. Networks are living systems, not machines. 4️⃣𝗧𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 Engagement is fluid. People’s energy changes over time. Yet, networks often try to engage everyone. The result? - Wasted energy - Disengagement - Misaligned priorities. A better approach? Differentiating engagement (By Michelle Bachman) - Stewards → Hold the network’s core. - Co-Creators → Contribute regularly. - Friends → Stay connected lightly. Engagement needs to be flexible. 5️⃣ 𝗟𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 Passion isn’t enough. Many networks rely on goodwill. But fail to plan for long-term sustainability. The result? - Exhaustion. - Frustration. - Inconsistency. How to address it? - Co-create agreements - Cultivate all forms of resources - Implement resourcing strategies Without resourcing, networks burn out. With a plan, they sustain impact. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 Resilient impact networks don’t just avoid mistakes. They actively overcome them. 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿? Join the Networks Festival. It's a 6 week online space to: - connect - learn - act ...together. There are 30+ sessions on all topics related to impact networks! If you're interested comment "networks festival" or send me a PM. 💬 𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸! How do you address these common pitfalls in your network? What works & what doesn't? Drop your thoughts below! ✅ 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁? - Re-share - Connect with me - Join my Newsletter

Jon Levy wants you to stop networking—and start connecting authentically. The behavioral scientist has convinced Nobel laureates, Olympians, and Fortune 500 executives to cook him dinner through his secret "Influencer Dinners" in Manhattan. Guests cook together without discussing careers until mealtime, creating genuine bonds by removing uncomfortable networking dynamics that feel manipulative. Levy's "Influence Equation" reveals that true influence emerges from connection multiplied by trust, not traditional power metrics. When people invest time and energy together, trust grows organically. His approach mirrors what exceptional leaders understand: sustainable influence stems from relationship integrity and community strength, not transactional exchanges. This resonates deeply with precision-matching approaches that prioritize authentic chemistry over surface-level compatibility. The universal strategy for success isn't collecting business cards—it's creating meaningful connections with those who can impact your life and the things you care about. Levy's work emphasizes that our lives' quality depends on who surrounds us. His book provides practical frameworks for building the belonging-based relationships that drive both personal fulfillment and professional transformation. With love, gratitude, and wonder, Scott

Influence isn’t about power... It’s about connection. But most professionals miss this critical point. Want to become truly influential? Here’s how to master the art: ❇️ Foundation: 1. Build Expertise Be the go-to person. Share insights to build trust. Tip: Dedicate time monthly to mastering a new skill.     2. Develop Self-Awareness Know your strengths—and your blind spots. Tip: Use feedback to uncover areas for growth.       3. Align with Organizational Goals Tie your ideas to the company’s mission for success. Tip: Tailor every pitch to align with key priorities. ❇️ Interpersonal Skills: 4. Master Communication Your words matter. Clarity and brevity build trust. Tip: Rehearse delivery to refine clarity and impact.     5. Practice Active Listening Listening builds trust and fosters strong relationships. Tip: Summarize others’ points to show understanding.     6. Create Emotional Connections Lead with empathy to connect on a personal level. Tip: Use relatable examples to build deeper bonds.      7. Demonstrate Positive Body Language Say more with smiles, eye contact, and open gestures. Tip: Practice confident posture in front of a mirror. ❇️ Building Relationships: 8. Build Strategic Networks Expand influence by building relationships across teams. Tip: Attend cross-functional events regularly to connect. 9. Offer Genuine Support Give to get. Help others without expecting a return. Tip: Assist one colleague weekly to build goodwill. 10. Seek Mentorship Learn from mentors to accelerate your career growth. Tip: Prepare key questions to maximize interactions.      11. Practice Reciprocity Create lasting relationships by giving and receiving. Tip: Track how you’ve helped and follow up often. ❇️ Strategic Observation: 12. Practice Active Observation Read between the lines and spot non-verbal cues. Tip: Observe body language to adjust your approach. Influence is about small, consistent actions. Master these steps and watch your impact multiply. Follow Jonathan Raynor. Reshare to help others.

Most founders think networking is about pitching to everyone they meet. Wrong approach. After connecting hundreds of entrepreneurs through the Bombay Founders Club, I've seen what actually works: → Listen before you speak The fintech founder who landed a major partnership? He spent his first conversation asking about the other person's challenges. Not selling his solution. → Tell stories, not features Your vision becomes memorable when you paint the picture of the problem you're solving and the impact you're creating. → Follow up with value Skip the generic "nice meeting you" message. Share something useful based on your conversation. → Build relationships before you need them The strongest connections happen when there's no immediate ask. → Show up consistently Whether it's events or online communities—consistency builds trust and familiarity. The most successful entrepreneurs in our community understand this: Meaningful connections come from creating collaborative ecosystems where everyone wins. Your network becomes your net worth when you focus on empowering others first. What's been your most effective networking strategy as a founder? #founder #startups #networking

🚀 Excited to share insights from my recent conversation with Cultivated Culture's Austin Belcak from LinkedIn's Career Talks! We dive deep in the latest edition of #GetHired to discuss the art of networking and how it can significantly impact your career trajectory. Here's what you'll learn: ⏳ Think Long-Term: #Networking isn't about immediate gains; it's about building relationships over time. 🏦 The Bank Account Model: Treat each connection like a bank account where you make deposits (interactions) before making withdrawals (asks). ♥️ Genuine Interactions: Engage authentically with your connections, whether online or in person. ♾️ Continuous Engagement: Keep checking in with your network to maintain active relationships. 🫴 Give More Than You Take: Always look for ways to contribute to your connections, enhancing the strength of your network. 🔗 Dive deeper into these insights and learn how else you can maximize your networking efforts for #career and #jobsearch success at the link below.

Just because important people in the organization like you and are friendly towards you … doesn’t mean that you have a great network. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗞𝗟𝗧 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿? 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.  An effective network is one in which key decision-makers (those who influence promotions) know, like, and trust (KLT) your work. 𝗦𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲? 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝟱 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁: ↳  You’re connected to key influencers: Do you have 5-8 senior leaders who can impact your career on your radar? These are the people you need to focus on. ↳  Regular touchpoints with decision-makers: Are you intentionally connecting with these leaders? Regular interaction is key to building trust and staying visible. ↳  Your work is well-known: Do the people who matter know what you’ve accomplished? If your achievements aren’t on their radar, you need to fix that. ↳  You’re involved in high-visibility projects: Are you getting the right assignments that showcase your skills? Being in the loop on critical projects can make all the difference. ↳  You receive feedback and advice from influential leaders: Do senior leaders share feedback, guidance, or career advice with you? If so, it's a sign they are invested in your growth. An effective network is about strategically positioning yourself for success. I wish you a great week ahead!