Networking in 2021

Subgroups, serendipity tool, and happy hours

One common phrase that keeps cropping up on Network Capital and LinkedIn is “looking to connect”. There is nothing wrong with it but it makes it a bit hard on the receiver.

In a world of connection requests and remote working, networking becomes a superficial exercise. Yet building a diverse network is a single high leverage activity one can do for professional success. It helps you expand your luck surface area, stumble into new opportunities, and building meaningful relationships.

To make networking easier, fun, and effective for Network Capital subscribers, we host -

Note - Network Capital subscribers Ashish Kumar, Abhilasha Sinha, and Shobhit Nair have discussed effective networking strategies in their Network Capital masterclass. In this newsletter from our archives we had explored how you can send smart connection requests.

Subgroups

We have over 100+ subgroups that help our subscribers from all over the world connect. These are lead by Network Capital leaders who curate the experience for their respective subgroups.

The subgroups ensure -

  1. Zero spamEach and every member on Network Capital is verified. This ensures that all our subgroups have no spam. Only verified and relevant information is shared.

  2. Exclusive access and insightsNetwork Capital is a community of interesting people doing meaningful things. This ensures that members in our subgroups share unique opportunities, events, and insights. For example, our London subgroup members hosted Dr. Mukund Rajan for their city meet-up; the impact investing subgroup got free passes for India Impact Investing Week worth Rs. 5000; and members of our policy subgroup daily share interesting research papers and analysis. 

  3. Support on your specific requests/interestsWe have a subgroup for all topics and geographies that you can think of. Have a very specific request? Want to find people with similar interests? The Network Capital subgroups will help you with that.

  4. Fun!Our subgroups are not all work. If you’re a pet owner, art lover, or book worm - there are subgroups for you as well. From hobbies to professionals interests - our thematic subgroups ensure you take time to have fun as well.

The Serendipity Tool

Every alternate Thursday and Saturday we facilitate connections between Network Capital subscriber in groups of 3-4 people based on shared interests and backgrounds. The Serendipity Tool operates with a combination of -

  1. Our AI Algorithm that matches you to two other members based on the areas of interests you share. The idea is to not create predictable matches of ‘like’ people, but to have a balance of comfort, surprise and delight in each of the group matches our algorithm recommends. 

  2. Circumventing the scheduling and small-talk. Most conversations (especially with acquaintances) tend to start with a tinge of awkwardness and a plethora of emails for scheduling. We avoid this by having a weekly fixed slot for the session and by sharing prompts and context for each group to get all Serendipity Tool Sessions started. As we take care of the logistics and the experience, we expect all members to show up on time and be respectful in their conversations. 

  3. The shared context of the Network Capital community. Over the past couple of years, we have worked on multiple products, helped numerous people get to their dream job and college, found many meaningful partnerships; but amongst all of this we value and cherish the Network Capital community we have build the most.

With the Serendipity Tool, we want help members build shared experiences and and relationships. We have never been an advocate for networking for the sake of networking. Instead, we believe in the potential of random encounters, serendipity and meaningful conversation.

Happy Hours

Every Wednesday at 10pm (IST) Network Capital subscribers from all over the world join in for a weekly check in to share who their week went by. In 2020, the Happy Hours have lead to some really fascinating conversations of books, politics, technology, and life in a physically distant world.

Your Network Capital Team

⚡️If you are new to Network Capital, start by going through our most popular - masterclass (Career Principles with Nobel Laureate Robert Shiller); newsletter(Writing Fast and Slow); and podcast (The art of writing with Dr. Shashi Tharoor)

🔮 As a subscriber you get access to ALL masterclasses, podcasts, newsletters, fellowships and 1:1 mentoring sessions. 

💝 Connect and network with other Network Capital members here. You can sign up for a networking session and our serendipity tool here.