Ways to Encourage Networking During Training

As part of designing learning that is engaging, we plan for ways to encourage networking during training. Networking is an important part of success for people at all levels of organizations. The more matrixed an organization is, the more important it is for people to have a well-developed network of stakeholders they can call upon.

Whether your training is held as a virtually facilitated session or an in-person workshop or event, you can find ways to encourage networking during training. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Provide a ‘getting to know you’ lookbook-style document on participants prior to the session. This can be created in a jointly accessed file on Microsoft Teams or could be assigned as pre-work to participants and then compiled by your coordination and logistics team.
• Create a networking questionnaire that prompts participants to discover and uncover information about their program peers.
• Build structured networking time into your agenda. In a virtual setting, you can use randomized breakout rooms to form smaller pairings and change the breakout room structure after 3 minutes, using several rounds. Sprinkle these into the virtual session.
• Hold networking events such as drop in open hours for breakfast or end-of-day get togethers. In the virtual world, if your budget allows, you can use applications to support these mini-conferences such as AirMeet.

Whichever method you use to encourage networking during training, keep in mind that not everyone is comfortable or skillful in networking. For those who could benefit from guidance, we offer a quick infographic that will help build confidence. It includes four tips:

1. Identify people you can add to your network to assist in achieving a key project or initiative you may be involved in at work.
2. Identify senior leaders and guests who have similar backgrounds to you (i.e., studied certain curriculum, worked in similar roles in career, etc.). Identify what was similar and what was different compared to your history.
3. Find people in the workshop who could connect you to people who are key influencers and/or in a position to help you in the achievement of your career aspirations.
4. Identify people who have similar working styles and preferences as you and how this way of working has helped them in their current role (i.e., likes lots of data, enjoys collaborating more than working alone, etc.).

Consider using it with your participants to encourage networking during training; we’ve included an example: PPS Networking During Formal Learning Infographic