The Networking Gap
Making a real connection in a crowded break is hard. Humans are social creatures, but we resort to comfort. Groups form around people we already know. The idea of walking up to a stranger feels intimidating, so we go for our phones. This undermines a main reason for travelling to an event in Manchester or Birmingham: to develop your professional circle. Without a gentle, structured nudge to mix, the potential for new ideas, partnerships, or simply interesting conversations evaporates the moment the bell rings.