How to survive a Zoom breakout room

We’ve all bailed rather than endure these enforced one-to-ones. You were at the wrong events, as they can be a total joy, writes Jon Card?

So there you were sitting, scoffing a sandwich, passively enjoying an online seminar. But then the host threw a curveball at you.

“OK, let’s all go into breakout rooms to discuss what we’ve learned so far…”

Well, I’ll admit it. I’ve bailed at this point more than once in the past 18 months. The idea of being slung into a room, rapidly turning on camera and mike and chatting to some random doesn’t always appeal.?

But now, I’ve learned to love them. Here’s why.???

Shared values

I’ve recently joined an online speed networking session run by The Better Business Network. The group is for purpose-led business and is focused on improving sustainability. Its members believe business can and should be a force for good and not just about profit. These are values I also subscribe to and so it seemed like a good place to network.

As we amassed via Zoom and the seminar leader Hannah Cox (pictured left) told us to focus on helping one another. She also suggested we talk about ‘why’ we were in business, rather than what we did.

Well the following hour rocketed by. I was slung happily into one Zoom room after another where, for eight minutes at a time, I made connections, gave advice, heard chirpy elevator pitches and more. I made half a dozen LinkedIn connections and even sold a book (without actually pitching it).

Attending a meeting where you share values and goals with others can be a great experience. It doesn’t really matter what sector you’re in or where you’re from if you possess a common outlook to those you’re networking with.?

Self-belief

Another group I’m very close to is The Rebel Business School. At its events, I’ve jumped into Zoom rooms where the backgrounds of those present has been very diverse. Different ages, locations, sectors and stages of business growth,? from new starters to quite advanced companies - you’re never quite sure who you’re going to meet.?

However,? Rebel has very strong messages borne out of its founders' beliefs. Rebel co-founders Alan Donegan and Simon Paine believe anyone can start a business and can do so for free. They are firmly anti-debt and great believers in empowering people - they also despise business plans.

There’s a common vibe and ethos that comes out at Rebel events and you can sense it in the breakout rooms, too.?

Last month, I found myself simply chatting to new business owners, all radiating with a new found belief in what they could achieve. The fact that we were unlikely to do any business didn’t really matter - sometimes networking can just feel good.????

Connecting forces

It’s not just the online world where this can happen. The best work trip I ever made was the Clean and Cool Mission to San Francisco, led by Guy Pattison and Will Hill of Stronger Stories, and the connecting force that is Oli Barrett.?

Several years on, the connections from Clean and Cool Missions remain. Last night, a group assembled in 2017 was buzzing in Whatsapp after some recent successes.?

Online or offline, home or abroad, and, of course, in a Zoom breakout room, the best way to network is with those that share the same values as you.

Jon Card is the author of How to Make Your Company Famous and has worked as a business journalist for The Guardian, Daily Telegraph and The Times. He is a public speaker and has delivered talks and workshops on business storytelling, media and press for entrepreneurial audiences at Innovate UK, University College London and The Rebel Business School.

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