Network X’s Post

We're excited to hear from Forward Networks, Inc., Aviz Networks, and Nile at Networking Field Day #NFD34! Read on for more details about the schedule, content, and ways to participate in the conversation. #NFD34

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new." - Socrates For 5 years, IKAGG CONNECT has been a pioneer in helping businesses Connect, Collaborate, and Grow. Our creative approach and innovative offerings have set us apart in the networking world. Change has been woven into our organization's DNA since Day #1, fueled by our unwavering commitment to Members First. As I shared in a post back on January 10th*, times they are a changin', and it's time for IKAGG CONNECT to change with them. Because of how businesses pursue new opportunities, handle daily operations, and engage with each other in this post-pandemic world, IKAGG CONNECT is fully committed to doing whatever it takes to meet the ever-evolving needs of our members and the business community. And this is exactly why - moving forward - you'll see a different CONNECT. We are dedicated to providing an elevated networking experience, unlike any other, with the goal of helping businesses NETWORK MORE IN '24. Every IKAGG CONNECT meeting will be: > MORE Effective > MORE Efficient > MORE Energizing > MORE Engaging I've overhauled our meeting structure from the inside out, and I can't wait for you to re:CONNECT and experience it firsthand. Our members are ready to elevate their networking and continue the CONNECT legacy of #TogetherIsAmazing, building deep relationships and referral partnerships. If you've attended CONNECT in the past, I personally invite you back to experience #theIKAGGdifference and up-level your networking. In St. Louis, MO, our weekly meeting schedule has changed. Starting this week, you have two ways to CONNECT: > Wednesday from 9-10:30 at the LaQuinta near Westport Plaza > Thursday from 9-10:30 at Sunny Street Cafe in Des Peres For those in the Wilmington, NC area, our meeting days and times remain the same. While 2023 brought its share of business challenges, it's time to move forward. It's time for MORE. And if your networking organization isn't committed to you and the growth of your business, we invite you to join us. There's always room at our tables. And we can't wait to re:CONNECT with you. IKAGG (I Know A Guy / Gal) www.IKAGGevents.com | www.IKAGG.com #TogetherIsAmazing * https://lnkd.in/gaSpjgHA

How to get techies (or anyone) to talk, part 2 (I shamelessly stole this idea from Jan Keck.) I've talked before about getting a networking session started. Question cards are a wonderful way to get people talking to each other while skipping the smalltalk, see this post https://lnkd.in/er-RJsga A nice twist on this networking exercise involves stickers. I learned this the last time Jan organized a meetup in Berlin. - Buy a large pack of stickers and spread them out on a table - Ask a warm-up question. For example, "Pick a sticker that represents a goal you have for 2024 - Everyone chooses a sticker and attaches it to their clothing - People work in pairs to discuss the question and how the sticker represents the goal The stickers serve as an icebreaker throughout the time the group is together. I know it's simple, but giving people official permission to talk to others just works. I bought a pack of 100 funny meme stickers from Amazon. Any set will work if you have a variety of motifs. Stickers with images that represent different situations. Might be something for your next company outing, too. 📌 "How people talk to each other absolutely determines how well the organization will function." -Lawrence Bossidy (Thanks Brendan Mulholland for the picture.)

Networkers, leverage technology to foster connections. In a world where relationships drive success, the right tools can bridge gaps, creating a web of opportunities. Take the step, build your network, and watch your professional landscape transform.

“Networking Squared” is when you introduce two people whose interests align. Here’s the win-win: 1. They become acquainted and expand their circles of contacts. 2. You get an update on what’s new and current in their business. In-person coffee is great, George L. Bischof. Virtual chats work, too. #networking

Are you looking to boost your networking prowess within the dynamic tech industry? here are 5 powerful strategies for networking effectively. Join us today to access detailed insights on enhancing your productivity in the world of technology and innovation. https://lnkd.in/drhnEy4s #TechNetworking101 #TechCommunity #ProductivityHacks #techcommunity #wearepeopleamp #PeopleAMP

In this week’s OPTIC(S)™ Word of the Week, let’s unlock the power of Networking. In the business world, it's not just about what you know, but who you know. Building a strong network can open doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and growth. Here's why a solid business network matters: 1️. Collaboration & Innovation: Connect with industry leaders to share ideas and drive innovation.  2️. Opportunities & Growth: Discover new business opportunities and potential clients.  3️. Support & Resources: Gain access to valuable resources and support from like-minded professionals.  4️. Knowledge & Insights: Stay updated with the latest trends and insights in your field. Let's build a network that thrives on collaboration and mutual success! Ready to expand your network? Join us at EPS and become part of a community that values vision, clarity, and growth. Let's make great things happen together! #Network #BusinessGoals #Connections #OpticsWordoftheWeek  #EPSOptics #OPTICS #EPS

3 reasons why I started the Healthy Competition community: 1. Competitive Intel is a niche job function. Like... SUPER niche. And there's a very limited amount of resources out there to help folks in the role succeed. 2. Networking is hard. Realistically, I only had one or two peers that I could bounce ideas off of. 3. The sensitivity of competitive intel makes it uncomfy to ask questions on social media. My goal is for the Healthy Competition community to solve these problems. And I'm thrilled with its progress so far. Today, competitive intel practitioners can get answers to most questions in minutes from their peers. There are 100 CI practitioners in the community with a range of backgrounds, so the answers are diverse too. But you can also just scroll through the Slack history and see what other people in the CI role are talking / thinking about. I think "lurking" has wrongfully gotten a bad rap in communities. Sometimes we don't know what questions to ask and we just want to see what other people in our field are doing! Members get a 90-day history of conversations that have taken place and can spend 10 or 15 minutes reading and getting inspiration. I think that's pretty cool. Oh, and we're also testing a 1:1 matching program for community members. I'm hoping this turns into an easy way for folks to expand their network and make some new friends. (we're calling it "Compete Companions"—gotta keep it on brand 😁💚) Anyway, I'm biased but I think it's the best community out there if you're serious about competitive intelligence. I'm the moderator but I also use it extensively and stand by the value it offers folks in my role. Learn more and join at healthycompetition [dot] co 🥦