310. How important is networking in modern business?

Networking can still bring up images of awkward events, name tags and forced small talk. But in modern business, it can look a lot more natural than that.

Tash and Emma unpack how they have built useful relationships through social media, events and their wider business communities. They also explore why networking tends to work best when you focus on relationships first, rather than what you can get from someone.

In this episode:

🤝 Why networking does not have to mean walking into a room full of strangers and handing out business cards

📱 How social media can help you build familiarity with people long before you ever meet them in person

🌱 Why strong business relationships can take years to turn into opportunities, partnerships or introductions

🪜 The difference between networking with people ahead of you, people at a similar stage and people earlier in their journey

👥 Why building relationships with your peers can sometimes be more useful than only trying to meet the biggest names in your industry

💬 How asking thoughtful questions and showing genuine curiosity can make conversations much easier and more memorable

🙋 Why specific questions tend to get better responses than broad requests like “How do I start?”

🧠 How avoiding networking can compound over time, and why showing up can make future opportunities and conversations easier

The big takeaway? Good networking is less about collecting contacts and more about building genuine relationships over time. Be curious, be useful and stay connected. You may not know where a conversation will lead, but the relationships you build today can create opportunities years down the track.