You want to expand your network to a different industry. How can you make it happen?

I like the personal touch and attend workshops and conferences. I find that often attending sessions that can extend my intellectual reach in other disciplines or discussions starts by listening to others in a focused environment. I recently attended a conference on climate change, while it is not my area of expertise, I was able to contribute on the socio economic impact to underserved communities. However the greatest benefit came from networking and agreeing to future research and collaboration with others who were experts in their disciplines related to climate change.

Identify events, conferences, and professional associations related to the industry. Participating in these events can provide direct access to industry professionals. Similarly, online platforms like LinkedIn are invaluable for connecting with industry experts.

Identify Your Target Industry: Begin by researching and identifying the industry you want to explore. Understand its nuances, key players, and current trends.

Tap into Your Existing Network: Leverage your current connections for introductions and insights. You might be surprised by how interconnected industries can be.

The easiest way to network with people in other industries is through your relevant association. That might be sales, marketing, accounting, supply chain, HR, IT..... Attend the chapter events and the annual conferences and connect with the members.

When interacting with new contacts, show genuine curiosity about their work and the industry. Well-thought-out questions not only demonstrate your interest but also encourage meaningful dialogue. Networking is a two-way street. Think about how you can offer value to your new contacts. This could be through sharing your expertise, offering support on a project, or connecting them with someone in your existing network.

Attend Industry-specific Events: Attend conferences, webinars, and networking events tailored to the industry you're interested in. These gatherings provide an excellent platform to meet professionals actively involved in that space.

After making a new connection, follow up promptly with a personalised message. Express your appreciation for their time and reiterate your interest in the industry. Keep your new connections informed about your progress and insights you’ve gained that might be of interest to them. Sharing relevant articles, reports, or event recommendations can also be a good way to stay in touch without needing a direct ask.

Utilize LinkedIn Effectively: Optimize your LinkedIn profile to reflect your interest in the new industry. Join relevant groups, follow industry influencers, and engage in discussions to establish your presence.

-Join clubs that have a mixed group - attend webinars on that topic - go for speed networking events - work on sounding like a strategic expert - read about the trends and research on the topic - develop skills by doing a skills gap

Networking across sectors is vital for not only your growth and development but for your ideation, problem solving and innovative thinking. Join local business groups, meet people and then try to visit their work place, get a tour, have a coffee, share challenges… too many of us make the mistake of thinking that our challenges are unique to our sector/industry, most are actually generic and people focused. Don’t overthink who to meet and why, the best connections often come from the places you least expect it.