How virtual events have influenced your ability to network and stay connected
The inaugural ONLINE 2021 YTM “WHY” BYO Dinner
Influence and change can be both intentional and carefully considered.
I started running speed networking event in 2013 having found I was often wasting time at business networking events that had no structure, or too much structure and prevented real conversations. What I needed to grow my business was knowledge, experience and opportunities and I knew I was not alone.
I ran speed networking events for two years, but began to realise that more purposeful conversations were essential to really build trust and go beyond mere transactions to sustainable relationships.
My past career experience in the travel industry, education and building networks and community and resourceful approach, empowered me to design and deliver a variety of structured formats that kept networking interesting and encouraged a range of conversations and learning opportunities that enhanced the events and supported the YTM community to grow in confidence and knowledge.
In 2016 I introduced the YTM WHY Dinner to provide the opportunity or speakers to step out of their comfort zone, to lift their profile, to leverage the reach of YTM and to boost their confidence. We have had speakers who have said they were just “ too nervous to go on” , or had never presented to a roomful of people or used powerpoint before… and after they've actually competed, have asked “ When can I do it again?”.
For me, that's what it's all about it and I am is so proud that those who choose to work with YTM, have the support and the opportunity to step out of their comfort zone in a safe place and to grow, personally and professionally… perhaps , that’s the teacher in me!
Over the years the WHY dinner topics have covered:-
Why do you do
Why not
Why does it matter
Why you.
Then, last year, I had to change my thinking. I had believed that you could not network effectively online. Incorrectly I thought, you needed to be in the same room.
When we went into lockdown in March 2020, there was no alternative but to move online. If I was to have a business and keep my community supported and connected there was no choice.
We did not run the WHY dinner event in 2020, believing the dinner was a very special event and the speakers and judging panel needed more than a “zoom” room for the effort they put in.
Increased digital skills
Kate Carnell, the Small Business and Enterprise Ombudsman spoke at YTM in July, 2020 and shared her belief that digitally we had jumped ahead 3 1/2 years, quite possibly she would now say, we have jumped forward way more than that!
What I have learnt over the past 18 months is that networking is possible online, particularly as my unique formats adapted well to the online space.
Looking back on 2020, we found we had gone from 11 live events to 24 online events and predict that during 2021, we will have run more than 36 events.
Anything is possible with a supportive network, and I knew we would be able to find a way to run something special if I stepped out of the “zoom” comfort zone and used a new platform that I had experienced as a participant in 2020.
My creative juices started to flow as I set out to create an experience that would deliver a fabulous night and produce the inaugural Online YTM “WHY” BYO Dinner, complete with speakers, networking, Guest Presenters, expo facilities and chat rooms, using the platform Hopin. It would just take a change of mindset, some courage, willingness to learn new things, some creative thought , practice, a desire to provide an experience out of the box that would support my community and provide some distraction from lockdown and an upgrade of my technical skills!
So with just 3 weeks notice the event was transformed from LIVE to virtual with the theme - WHY:Influence and change matters.
How lockdown has influenced and changed virtual events
When you are running an event of any kind, photography plays a part in recording the special moments and mark the occasion.
For virtual events, Simon James , a YTM Member and Partner, who is also a fantastic photographer telling stories through pictures, made the following suggestions :
People’s Choice Winner- Anna Ronald
consider your set up- where have you got your desk
what are you wearing
take a selfie with the screen behind you
for a dinner event, what are you eating
and, when you go into the smaller rooms for chats , you might go to get everybody together and do something crazy .
Virtual events have also helped us to continue networking and stay connected . They have removed barriers because it doesn't matter now where you are, what country are in or even what state you're in.
We can access people, near and far- both speakers and participants .Even those with ill health or a disability can now be included and we've had speakers from all states of Australia and also from Canada and New Zealand. All these things have been influenced by a need driven by the virus changing or lives, but have also shown there is a way forward. Our perception and understanding of how we can connect and contribute and build community has opened up opportunity for flexibility and convenience.
What else does it mean? We are more sustainable, less omissions from the petrol and fuel to travel to events, less waste materials, …so many good reasons that have been influenced by the change to online it's not all bad.
I believe in the power of networking and having the opportunity to connect with you and connect you with others, helped me get through this time to focus on something positive and productive, to test the boundaries and to change things up because networking is a life skill and is an important strategy for your business. Networking provides support, knowledge and connection with likeminded people who understand the challenges that we each are facing.
Over the course of the event, participants heard from speakers, engaged in conversations and had some fun, expanded their network and took some photos.
Influence and change is not all bad!
Following on from the event the feedback was great and probably my favourite comment from an attendee was- “It was the best “night in”, for a long time”.
Kerryn Powell, is “The Network Catalyst“ and founder of Your Time Matters , a connection strategist, conversation starter who thrives on building communities and creating the right connections for those seeking strategic allies to make a positive impact through connection, contribution and community.
Tapping into her diverse career portfolio, Kerryn draws on her experience, skills and knowledge to encourage, support and empower business owners, professionals, teams and individuals to create true connection through authentic conversations that build real relationships, boost confidence and generate business and opportunities.
Since 2013 Kerryn has provided opportunity for more than 3000 business owners to engage in more than 12,000 conversations, both face to face a\ and through online events as part of her business, Your Time Matters. BOOK a call TODAY, and have a conversation with Kerryn to see how she can help you make your every conversation count and grow your business.