Inside This Edition:

• Simple systems to track connections, stay present in conversations, and build deeper relationships
• What's trending: distraction science, body language that commands attention, and the B+ life trap
• Peer Suite events to help you build your network and get support with your career moves

The Relationship Management Hack That Changed How I Network

Have you ever been in a meeting or at a coffee chat and forgotten important details about the person you are meeting with? This is not because you don't care, but because remembering everyone's children's names, their upcoming holidays, and that project they mentioned three months ago is often impossible when you're meeting dozens of new people as you build your network.

I used to rely on my memory alone, which served me pretty well, to be honest, until I had an awkward moment where someone asked about my mum, and I couldn't remember their parents' names to return the question. My husband heard something on a podcast that he recommended I start doing. It's a simple post-meeting notes system that takes a couple of minutes to maintain.

​In this post, I break down the exact system I use for both work and personal relationships - from the template I create for every person to how I structure my notes after each conversation. It's helped me become more present in meetings, remember the details, and build genuinely deeper relationships without relying on my memory alone!

Events to help you start the year building relationships that can support your year ahead.

📚 DISTRACTION I have just finished Indistractable by Nir Eyal, and while I think much of it could be summed up in a few bullet points, it was an interesting read and something I recommend if you turn to your phone too often. Turns out it's not that notifications are irresistible, it's because we're uncomfortable and trying to escape whatever we're feeling.

📖 READING THE ROOM Have you ever walked into a meeting and immediately felt awkward because you couldn't figure out the vibe? Forbes breaks down how to read a room and adjust how you show up by observing the energy and tone, and easing into conversations rather than dominating them.

🎯 WRONG CAREERS Brilliant people end up in soul-draining jobs all the time, and McKinsey explains exactly why. We often chase a higher salary or an impressive title instead of asking if we're wired for the actual work. The reuslt of this is often a B+ life that looks great on LinkedIn but doesn't feel aligned.

🗣️ SPEAKING UP Your ideas aren't the problem - your delivery is. If you speak too softly, rush through sentences, or end statements like they're questions, people tune out. The fix? Slow down, pause between thoughts, and stop asking "does that make sense?" after everything you say.

🎭 BODY LANGUAGE Forget perfect posture and rehearsed gestures, what actually matters when you speak and commands attention is your confidence, natural personality and willingness to make mistakes.

We've got some brilliant events lined up - from our Women in Finance Networking Morning at The Roof Gardens this Thursday (we postponed from last week, so there's still time to join!), to Member Office Hours on Zoom, Walk & Talks in Regent's Park and Holland Park, and more intimate gatherings throughout February and March.

As we're building out the Peer Suite calendar for the rest of the year, I'd love to hear from you. What kinds of events would you most like to see? More networking mornings? Workshops on specific topics? Industry-focused meetups? Just reply and let me know what would be most valuable for you.

Your friend,
Rebecca x

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