- buildbetter
- Posts
- Harnessing the Power of Cross-Industry Networking
Harnessing the Power of Cross-Industry Networking
Learning from professionals in other industries can forge innovative connections and broadened perspectives.
Devin Keane
November 29, 2023
Read time: 5 minutes
Hi Proactive Professional,
I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and wore pants that had just a bit of extra room.
While I sat on the couch in my food coma, I thought about a weird paradox we often face in our careers—I'm calling it the Career Specialization Paradox.
It's this idea that to succeed, we're advised to specialize. But while focusing deeply on one area hones our skills, it can also unintentionally block us from wider viewpoints that could significantly improve how we work in our specialized field.
I turned to my left to explain this to my Grandma Irene:
"It's funny, we're encouraged to focus on increasingly specific areas throughout our careers in order to become experts and stand out in the job market. Like when I was in investment banking, I had to choose a particular field to be noticed, so I picked healthcare banking and learned all about its special quirks.
However, this kind of specialization usually means we just study the same things and people within our small area, network with others who think just like us, and become good at what's already known.
But what if there's a better way to do things than the usual way? I might never discover it if I'm only surrounded by people who think like I do. What's your take, Grandma?"
Grandma Irene replied:
"Whose turkey did you like better? The one your mother made in the oven or the one I deep fried?"
Putting aside the fact that my Grandma ignored me again, I came to a great conclusion.
"Wait, grandma, you are wise beyond your years. Thanksgiving experts had been baking turkeys in ovens for years, refining for the perfect oven-cooked turkey. The process still takes 5+ hours and yields hardly crispy skin. But after people adopted the deep frying technique from the french fry professionals, a 20-pound turkey could be cooked to crispy skin perfection in just 51 minutes.
I guess the same applies to specializing. It's great to dive deep into a specialty, but we can’t only limit ourselves to that information. Instead, we should network across various fields to expose ourselves to different thought processes, problem-solving techniques, and creative inspirations.
It's about finding that unexpected analogy, that unique approach that can revolutionize our own field. Thanks, Grandma!"
But as I turned to Grandma, she was sound asleep. Apparently she knocked out right as I complimented her. Sigh. Another opportunity to become the favorite grandchild came and went.
As I dozed off before dessert came out, I thought of Paul Graham’s, co-founder of Y Combinator, quote about diversifying perspectives.
"Stop putting yourself in a box by speaking with people only directly in your field and start networking with people in various industries with diverse backgrounds. The diverse perspectives and ways of doing things helps you learn, adapt and custom fit methods in your field that allow you to become a unique expert."
Let’s dive into why networking across different industries can be a game-changer and how to do it effectively.
How to Harness the Power of Cross-Industry Networking:
1. Breaking the Echo Chamber
Staying within the bubble of our industry can limit our exposure to new ideas and trends. Cross-industry networking shatters this bubble, bringing fresh insights and sparking innovation.
Fresh Perspectives: Engaging with professionals from other fields can challenge our thought processes and introduce us to novel approaches. Ask a tech entrepreneur how they tackle customer engagement and you might find a strategy that revolutionizes your next marketing campaign.
Trend Spotting: Trends often jump across industry lines. By the time they reach your field, they might be peaking. Networking outside your industry can help you spot these trends early and adapt them to your advantage. It's the reason why companies like fitbit have designer collections for their smart watches focused on the newest fashion styles in watches.
2. Leveraging Diversity for Problem-Solving
Diverse professional circles are not just about having varied contacts; they're a rich resource for problem-solving. Different industries tackle common problems in unique ways, and there’s much to learn from their successes and failures.
Unconventional Solutions: A challenge that’s a dead end in your field might have a ready-made solution in another. For example, healthcare professionals have adapted inventory management techniques from the retail industry to improve their supply chains.
Collaborative Innovations: Sometimes, solutions don’t exist within any single industry but can be co-created through collaboration. Cross-industry partnerships can lead to breakthrough innovations that redefine the way we work.
A great example of this is the link between automotive and gaming industries. Car manufacturers have teamed up with video game companies to use gaming technology for designing virtual prototypes, which speeds up the car design process and allows for extensive testing without the need for physical models.
3. Building Your Cross-Industry Network
So, how do you start building a network outside of your usual circles? Here are some strategies to help you build bridges across different industries:
Attend Diverse Events: Step out of your comfort zone and attend conferences, webinars, and social events hosted by other industries. The goal is to be present where the conversations are different from the ones you’re used to. Instead of attending a networking mixer exclusive to fintech workers, attend events like Pitch on the Pitch where we invite founders, investors and tech enthusiasts to play soccer together and then network after! Sign up here
Use Social Platforms Strategically: Platforms like LinkedIn allow us to connect with professionals across the globe. Join groups that are not directly related to your field, engage with posts that you find interesting, share your insights, and reach out directly to people with personalized messages to learn more about what they do.
Offer and Seek Mentorship: Mentorship is a two-way street that can cross industry boundaries. Seek mentors from different fields and offer to mentor others in your area of expertise. The exchange of knowledge and experience is invaluable.
4. The Follow-Up: Cultivating Cross-Industry Relationships
Building the connection is just the start. To truly benefit from cross-industry networking, you need to nurture these relationships over time.
Stay Curious: Keep asking questions and show genuine interest in their work. Remember, the aim is to learn and share, not just to collect business cards.
Provide Value: Whenever you come across information that could benefit your cross-industry contacts, share it with them. It demonstrates that you value the relationship beyond the initial connection.
BONUS: 5. 10 Conversation Starters for Cross-Industry Networking
Cross-industry networking can seem like a leap into the unknown, but it's one worth taking. The cross-pollination of ideas and the expansion of your professional network can lead to unexpected and rewarding career developments. There’s no telling what types of knowledge you may pick up as a result.
As we wrap up, I encourage you to think about the industries you’re curious about and take the first step toward building those connections. What’s one industry you’re aiming to network with?
What I’m committing to this week for building relationships (time commitment ~3 hours):
âš˝ Co-hosting Pitch on the Pitch: Soccer Networking for Tech, on Thursday at 7pm ET. Sign up here! (~2 hours)
🤝 Joining the Verci collective to connect daily with their diverse community of technologists, artists and creators (time n/a)
đź‘‹ Setting up networking conversations with three people in different industries than mine (~45 minutes)
🤔 Reflecting on my week this Friday: What cross-industry networking have I done that led to the most innovation in my work? (~15 minutes)
Helpful links:
Best of luck building,
Devin