Digital disruption has come to networking. It makes it much harder to work the room. 

“Networking has really changed,” an expert Perth networker says.  

“Perth’s a really tough place to network … there’s less structure. People tend to be less social, more time-poor and more selective in the functions they attend.” 

Do your homework, collect market intelligence, prepare and choose your events wisely. 

There are many functions – including a good number of CCIWA events – where you can call ahead, find out which companies will be represented and potentially book yourself a seat on the same table. 

“You get quality time with the person to the left and right of you.  

“You have their undivided attention. It’s having the nous to ring up and say: Can I have a list of the companies that are showing up?” 

You can leverage networking opportunities with thoughtful, challenging blogs and posts that establish you as a thought leader in your field.  

Put yourself on tables with businesses that complement yours, rather than those in the same line of work.  

And don’t buy a table just to fill it with your own staff – that’s not networking.