Tech Conference Networking

“Let’s celebrate our differences!” — easy to say when you’ve never actually had to WORK through real differences. Here’s the thing: Real differences don’t feel like a celebration. They feel messy, uncomfortable, even threatening. 🧠 Our brains are hardwired to detect difference as potential danger. When someone thinks, works, or communicates differently than we do, our first instinct isn’t to embrace it—it’s to resist it. Recently, I worked with a team trapped in conflict for years. The problem wasn’t competence or commitment. It was cognitive diversity they didn’t know how to handle. 👉 One part of the team was task-focused—eager to get to the point and skip the relational aspects of collaboration. 👉 The other part was relationship-driven—prioritizing emotional connection and dialogue before diving into action. Celebrate their differences? Not likely. 🚫 The task-focused group saw the others as emotionally needy attention-seekers. 🚫 The relationship-driven group saw their counterparts as cold and disengaged. So, what changed everything? Not a shallow celebration of their diversity, but finding their common ground. 🚀 I used my D.U.N.R. Team Methodology to transform their conflict into collaboration: 1️⃣ D – Diversity: we explored their differences without judgment and recognized the strengths in both approaches. 2️⃣ U – Unity: we found their shared purpose—every one of them cared deeply about the team’s success, just in different ways. 3️⃣ N – Norms: we co-created practical norms that guided their interactions and set clear expectations. 4️⃣ R – Rituals: we introduced rituals to honor both styles while reducing friction and fostering collaboration. The real breakthrough? Not pretending their differences were easy, but building bridges through shared values. My honest take: If you’ve truly worked through real differences, you know it’s not about celebrating them—it’s about navigating them with care and intentionality. 💡 Celebrate your common ground first.  That’s how you unlock the power of team diversity. What’s your experience with managing real differences on a team? 🔔 Follow me for more insights on inclusive, high-performing teams. ___________________________________________________ 🌟 If you're new here, hi! :) I’m Susanna. I help companies build an inclusive culture with high-performing and psychologically safe teams.

She was visible in the room but invisible online. A client said to me recently, “In person, people know who I am and what I bring. But online? You’d never know it.” And she was right. In person it was clear she had decades of credibility. She was the person people turned to when decisions needed to be made, things needed to get done, problems solved, or trust established. Her peers knew it. Her clients knew it. Her team knew it. But when someone Googled her, her LinkedIn profile came up, and the message simply didn’t match. 📉 A profile that undersold her expertise. 📉 Inconsistent or non-existent activity. 📉 A digital first impression that didn’t reflect the reputation she’d earned. And here is the challenge with this - people don’t separate offline from online anymore. ✨ The client meeting you tomorrow has already looked you up today. ✨ The board member you’re pitching to has already scanned your profile. ✨ The graduate considering your firm has already checked your team’s presence. ✨ The investor you’re meeting next week has already searched your name. ✨ The client referral you haven’t even met yet has already formed an impression. If your online presence doesn’t reflect your offline reputation, it creates disconnect before you even enter the room. “Are they really the expert?” “If their business is as strong as they say, why can’t I see it here?” You’ve worked too hard to be invisible. The good news? You don’t need constant posting or flashy campaigns to close that gap. What you need are the right foundations: ✔️ A profile that communicates value, not just a job title. ✔️ Consistent, purposeful activity that mirrors how you show up in person. ✔️ A digital presence that builds trust before the first handshake. Because your reputation shouldn’t depend on which version of you people happens to find first. Make sure the person people meet online is the same one they already trust in the room.

People often come to me and ask, "How do you even start small talk at networking events? I never know what to say!" At first, I’d just say, "Relax, just talk!" But then I realized, some people really don’t know where to start. It’s not that they don’t want to talk, they just freeze because they’re unsure how to begin. So, I came up with a simple framework that’s easy to remember and actually works. It’s called FROG. Here’s how it goes: 1/ F - Family People love talking about their family. Whether it’s their kids, parents, or even pets, it’s a topic that almost everyone connects with. Ask: "Do you have kids? How old are they?" or "Do you visit your family often?" 2/ R - Recreation Hobbies are a great way to connect. Whether it’s sports, hiking, or Netflix shows, finding common ground here can keep the conversation flowing. Ask: "What do you usually do to relax?" or "Are you into any sports or shows lately?" 3/ O - Occupation Work is a safe, go-to topic. People spend so much of their time at work, so asking about what they do is a natural conversation starter. Ask: "What do you do for work?" or "How did you get into that career?" 4/ G - General Interest This is where current events come in. Whether it’s a big festival, a trending topic, or even the weather, use something relatable to break the ice. Ask: "Did you hear about the incident?” See, it’s simple and flexible. No matter who you’re talking to, one of these topics will work. You don’t need to memorize a script, just choose a letter, ask a question, and let the conversation flow naturally.

6 Unconventional Networking Approaches That Work For Introverts: Context: You Don't Need Events To Network Most people think the best way to network is by attending industry events. But the truth is, that's just one way to do it. And if you're an introvert? It's probably not even the best way to do it. Here are 6 ways you can network efficiently and land solid referrals, even if you are an introvert: 1. The Value-First Connection Request Most messages ask for help without giving value. Research what matters to them and lead with something useful. Use this template: “Hi [Name], I saw your post on [topic] and shared it with my team. The insight on [specific point] was spot on. Would love to connect and learn more about your work in [industry].” 2. Article Response Strategy Generic “Great post” comments go nowhere. Reference specific insights from their article and ask a thoughtful question. Here's how: “Your point about [X] reminded me of research on [Y]. How do you think this could affect [Z]?” 3. The Common Ground Approach Common ground outside work can spark better conversations. Leverage shared interests to build connections smoothly. Here's how: “I noticed we both enjoy [interest]. I recently [related experience]. Do you have anything similar coming up?” 4. The “Specific Question” Method Broad “pick your brain” requests get ignored. Ask one narrow, researched question. Here's a template: “I admired how you handled [challenge] in [project]. I’m facing something similar with [Y]. What’s one tactic that made the biggest difference?” 5. The Collaboration Invitation Co-creating content builds relationships without cold networking. Feature your connections' POV in content you are working on. You can do this by: – Asking them to share a quote – Inviting them to your podcast – Co-collaborating with an article Use this template: “I’m working on [content] and would love your perspective. Would you be open to [invite]?” 6. Strategic Group Engagement If someone from your target outreach is asking a question on a specific platform? Instead of replying in the comment section, DM them with the solution. Use this template: “Hi [Name], I saw your question on [platform] about [topic]. I’ve dealt with this before and found [brief tip] helpful. Happy to share more if useful!” 🧭 Karina avoided events and still landed 2 “dream job” offers in 70 days with our tailored outreach strategy. Want to build a similar plan? Grab a free 30 min call and we'll map it with you: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

Most working professionals don't know how to make the most of industry events. This is the season of Industry events in India with conversations happening across all major cities. As a professional it’s quite likely you would be attending at least a few of them. But the question is – Are you making the most of them? Here’s some guidance to help you do exactly that. 1.      Plan your sched around the conference agenda – All conferences usually display the agenda in advance. You are not likely to be able to attend all especially if there are some concurrent sessions. Keeping your interests and objectives in mind, make sure you know in advance which sessions you are going to attend. 2.      Create a target list of people you want to meet in advance – Whether your objective is networking or business development, make sure you have a Top Target list ready in advance. Since you are also likely to run into friends and ex-colleagues, this way you will not get distracted. 3.      Meet relevant people at the right time – For example, better to meet a speaker after his/her session is over. Pro Tip – Mention an idea or thought the speaker shared – your compliment becomes more credible, and the speaker will connect better with you. For catch up with friends, the lunch time is a great option. 4.      Scout the partner stalls smartly – Most conferences have sponsor partners showcasing their products. Do block some time to move around and pick up brochures, etc. Once you get back to work, you can go through the same and initiate conversations with those that you want to take a deeper look at. 5.      Share your learnings with others who were not able to attend – Not everyone can get out for an entire day or more to attend these valuable conferences. They really would love to know what interesting information was shared. You could help your community by creating a post on Linkedin listing your top learnings. At the recent ETHRWorld #futureskills conference, I had a chance to do all of this and meet up with some cherished HR fraternity colleagues. Anything else that one should keep in mind while attending such industry meet ups? Would love to know your thoughts. Do share in the comments. #networking #growthhacks #careers #collaboration

In a world where every executive has a firm handshake and a stack of business cards, how do you become the person everyone remembers after a conference? After attending dozens in the past decade, I've developed a strategy that transforms conferences from transactional meetups into relationship goldmines. ♟️Pre-Conference LinkedIn Strategy The real networking begins weeks before the event. Review the speaker and attendee lists, then connect with key individuals on LinkedIn with a personalized message: "I noticed we’re both attending the Stand & Deliver event. I'd love to connect. See you soon." This pre-conference connection creates a warm introduction and significantly increases your chances of meaningful engagement. 👗👔The Memorable Wardrobe Element In my early career, I blended in at conferences. Now? I'm known for wearing a little more color (often D&S Executive Career Management teal) or patterns that are professional yet distinctive. When someone says, "Oh, you're the one with the great dress," you've already won half the networking battle. 🤝Contribute Before You Collect** Instead of collecting business cards, focus on providing immediate value in conversations. Can you connect someone to a resource? Share relevant research? Offer a solution to a challenge they mentioned? The executives who stand out aren't those who take the most cards—they're the ones who solve problems on the spot. What networking approach has worked for you at recent conferences? Share in the comments below! #ExecutiveLeadership #NetworkingStrategy #ConferenceSuccess #ProfessionalDevelopment

Does “Packaging” still matter? The other day, a former client reached out, looking for a particular service provider. I immediately thought of someone I’d heard great things about—word of mouth was solid. They were known for doing excellent work. So I went online to find links to their social media pages and that’s where the problem started. Instagram? Mostly personal and church-related posts. Now, there’s nothing wrong with that, but there was little to nothing about their actual work. LinkedIn? Worse. There was no clear positioning, no compelling proof of expertise, nothing that would make an executive take them seriously. So, messaged them directly to ask for links showcasing their work. When they finally sent me something, the content itself was decent, but the packaging was off. The visuals were subpar. The presentation lacked polish. It just didn’t exude credibility—it didn’t match the standard that decision-makers are used to. And sure enough, when I sent it to the executive, the response was lukewarm. Here’s the thing: executives, especially baby boomers who built their reputations in a pre-digital era, need to understand that in today’s world, “packaging” is just as important as substance. People are accustomed to: ✅ High-resolution images that showcase professionalism ✅ Well-designed brochures that exude credibility ✅ Polished social media pages that demonstrate thought leadership If you’re a serious professional or entrepreneur looking to attract high-level clients, partners, or board roles, your digital presence must reflect the level of excellence you bring to the table. 4 Ways to “Package” Yourself for the Digital Era 1️⃣ Polish Your Online Presence • Your LinkedIn and Instagram should be aligned with your expertise. • Remove outdated, blurry, or irrelevant posts that don’t contribute to your professional brand. • Have a clear, compelling bio that tells people exactly what you do and who you serve. 2️⃣ Invest in Professional Visuals • First impressions matter. Your headshots, brand assets, and marketing materials should reflect quality and attention to detail. • Hire a photographer for high-resolution images and invest in clean, visually appealing designs. 3️⃣ Create Content That Demonstrates Credibility • Don’t just post about your work—package it in a way that resonates with decision-makers. • Share client testimonials, case studies, and industry insights in a structured, easy-to-digest format. 4️⃣ Make It Easy for Others to Refer You • If someone wants to recommend you, do they have high-quality links, a website, or a brochure they can send effortlessly? • Have an up-to-date portfolio, a polished LinkedIn profile, and a professional one-pager so people can confidently introduce you to their networks. Perception shapes opportunities. You might be amazing at what you do, but if your packaging doesn’t reflect that excellence, you’ll struggle to get the attention you deserve. Do you agree or disagree?

Are you an Old‑School Event Marketer or a New‑School Event Marketer? Old‑School: - “Bigger booth, bigger budget” = strategy - Swag splurges & steak‑house dinners with zero ROI math - Measures success by registrations instead of pipeline - Treats the conference as a one‑day stunt, then closes the spreadsheet - No persona segmentation, same agenda for prospects, customers, & partners - Relies on badge scans, fishbowls, and luck for lead capture - Ignores virtual or hybrid formats (“We’re an in‑person company!”) - Engagement stops when the lights go off, no post‑event nurture track - Decisions made on gut feel, not unit economics or understanding the P&L New‑School: - Begins with ICP clarity and a revenue‑backwards event brief - Maps the entire attendee journey: pre‑event teasers → in‑event moments → post‑event campaigns - Uses AI for smart matchmaking, personalized agendas, on‑site coaching, and post‑show enrichment - Integrates every touch into CRM & RevOps dashboards: CAC, payback, influenced ARR, CLTV - Collaborates with Sales & CS to find expansion opps with customers, not just hand-offs - Blends formats: micro‑webinars, community roundtables, regional pop‑ups, to lower CAC and widen reach - Scores success on quality meetings, pipeline velocity, and expansion revenue - Runs Calendar & Capacity tests to right‑size staffing before adding headcount - Partners with the CFO, budget tied to strategic KPIs, not vanity metrics - Knows why the event hit (or missed) the number and evolves assumptions quarter‑to‑quarter Event marketers can’t win on their own. The best know how to involve each team throughout the process. It’s not just execution. It’s communication, evaluation, and impact. In conclusion, new-school event marketers are strategy partners. Not task rabbits. New-School event marketers pick modern event tech. Check out Accelevents --> https://hubs.la/Q03fjrP30

Stories build brands. The best-performing posts on LinkedIn? They're not just expert tips. They're not fancy frameworks. They're STORIES. Because stories hit differently. They show your truth, your voice, your journey. And they connect like nothing else. I’ve tested it all: ✅ How-to guides → Decent engagement ✅ Bullet lists → Gets the job done ✅ Professional tips → Standard stuff But every time I post a story? My inbox lights up with messages like: “This happened to me too.” “I felt that.” “Thank you for sharing.” Here’s what I’ve learned about storytelling on LinkedIn: ✨ Start with tension → “I almost lost my biggest client” ✨ Add real emotions → “My hands were shaking” ✨ Share the shift → “That’s when I realized…” Your career is filled with stories: Big wins Hard lessons First-day fumbles Moments of doubt turned into growth Don’t just tell people what you’ve done. Tell them how it felt. What it taught you. What it changed. That’s personal branding done right. 📩 Want to build a story-led LinkedIn profile or elevate your personal brand? DM me – I help professionals like you turn their experience into influence. Let’s make your LinkedIn speak for you. #PersonalBranding #LinkedInTips #CareerGrowth #Storytelling #CareerSpotlightCoach #LinkedInCoach

I've had the opportunity to work in three different countries with colleagues from all over the world.🗺 In my experience, I have found that following these tips has helped me build strong relationships with colleagues from different backgrounds. These relationships have been essential for my success in diverse work environments. 🍁Be respectful of different cultures and perspectives. Be mindful of your colleagues' cultural norms and values. Avoid making assumptions or judgments. It's important to remember that not everyone comes from the same background as you, and that's okay! Create a positive and supportive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. 🍁Be a good listener and listen to what your colleagues have to say, even if their ideas are different from your own. Be willing to learn from others. Not everyone will agree on everything. Be willing to find common ground and compromise. The important thing is to be willing to listen to each other's perspectives and find solutions that work for everyone. What are your tips for building effective relationships in diverse workplaces?