Phil Toronto, partner at Vayner/RSE, explains low-cost networking strategies and how anyone can host high-impact gatherings.
Opinion
Toronto: Aimless networking events are detrimental to mental health
“In the field of venture capital, kind of important to Schmooze and network and mingle, but it's usually done with a lack of intention that I think is detrimental. I'll go so far as to say to your mental health, because you're kind of floating around your show …”
Insight
Toronto: Narrow down your role and target niche sub-communities to break into tech
“But if you are trying to get your start and you're trying to break in, I think you find, or you try and narrow in on what you're looking for a bit first, rather than the broad, I want to break into tech, but like what sector do you want to be an engineer? Do y…”
Insight
Toronto: Side parties at major cultural festivals are a networking unlock
“Showing up at a large cultural event and all the ancillary things that happen around it is a huge unlock because you just, you go where the people are and
You figure it out for the most part, but I just showing up is, is a big piece of it”
Insight
Toronto: People are far more open to booking meetings during major events
“The pretense of it being a major cultural event, I think people are more apt to meet with you or get that coffee. Whereas like, if you just show up randomly January, 21st for no other reason, Hey, I'm in LA. No, sorry. I'm busy. There's stuff going on, whateve…”
Insight
Toronto: Major events are ideal for initial contacts, not deep relationships
“To deepen or advance a relationship in a meaningful way, like whether that's friendship, business, whatever, it's really tough to do in that setting. But I think for the initial contact and kind of, yeah, the initial contact and making, making an inroad, I gue…”
Insight
Toronto: Banning work talk makes professional dinner gatherings much more powerful
“The pinnacle rule was you cannot talk about work. Or what you do. And that in and of itself was powerful. And I think freeing at the same time, because I think a crutch that people tend to use for better or for worse is just the first question out of your mout…”