Here we take a deeper dive into post pandemic networking through the lens of those in WA who held two events over two weeks that attracted more than 100 members and guests.
WA YFP Chair Elodie Castagna told InFinance that the two events indicated a pent-up demand for face-to-face networking events, adding: “People are keen to get away from just webinars and shake hands.
“That’s how you can get a rapport with colleagues and peers.
“While webinars are still relevant, they are quite transactional. And Zoom can also a be bit quite distracting.”
The first event with Westpac showed how FINSIA can partner with other financial services bodies to bring together leaders from different industries who are able to inspire the next generation of leaders, according to Elodie.
“The feedback we had from the audience was that they enjoyed being able to have one-on-one conversations as they moved around tables to speak to the eight leaders who we had at the event.
“People liked it because it was more intimate.
“Then there was the Sundowner with both YFPs and our senior Regional Council members. Again, it was successful because both sides were able to connect and learn from each other. Networking works both ways.
“The fact that there were still so many people there after 9.00pm is also a measure of its success.”
Fellow committee member Boris Divis recalled our virtual Current & Future Leaders during the height of the pandemic in 2020 as he explained why in-person networking was so much better.
“The atmosphere at our Westpac function was so comfortable and that made it so much easier to talk to individual speakers,” he said.
“There’s not enough emotional buy-in when it is done remotely. It’s one thing to meet a CEO virtually, but it’s another thing to meet them and shake their hand.”
But Boris, who says he would go to one or two networking events a month pre-COVID, says that even though there has been a desire to reconnect, networking events may need to change.
He has noticed that the impact of the Work From Home (WFH) phenomenon has led to some people becoming a little more choosy about turning up to events.
“When you factor in that people are working from home, you can see why they might not want to come back into the CBD,” he said.
“That’s why networking events have to be a must-attend rather than being just good to attend.”
Lashan Wanigasekera, who has been on the WA YFP Committee for the past three years, is also aware of a reluctance to get back into the CBD - especially from those who have entered the workforce during the pandemic.
“I’m hearing from people that everyone going to a job interview wants to know about the WFH policy,” he said.
While he used to attend at least one or two networking events pre COVID, he has also noticed roadblocks to a return to networking sessions being a guaranteed full house.
“With time being your most valuable commodity, I’ve been noticing people asking: ‘Is it worth me going’.
And given his own success in finding roles and progressing in his career, it’s clearly quite surprising for Lashan.
“Networking was key for me in getting roles, from when I was at university through to where I am now, so I would urge those in financial services to get involved – especially in Perth which is such a small market where everyone is connected.”
