Highly Effective Networking: Yiannis Gavrielides Of Covve On 5 Strategies for Successful Networking, Both Online and Offline
An Interview With Athalia Monae
Another key strategy is to always practice active listening when meeting someone for the first time. Being a good listener is crucial to understanding what the other person’s challenges and interests are, as this will help you find common ground. For instance, a colleague of ours, Doug Lester, an executive coach and career strategist, once expressed his desire to create materials to help young people network better. I suggested we collaborate on this, aligning his goals with ours, and it led to a very productive partnership.
The art of networking is pivotal in today’s interconnected world. Establishing meaningful connections can accelerate career growth, foster collaborations, and create opportunities that might otherwise remain hidden. Yet, the dynamics of networking are intricate, often requiring a nuanced blend of authenticity, strategy, and adaptability. And with the digital revolution, networking has transcended beyond face-to-face interactions to virtual platforms, expanding its scope and complexity.
In this series, we would like to discuss the art and science behind effective networking. We are talking to seasoned professionals, career coaches, networking experts, and thought leaders who’ve mastered both traditional and online networking techniques.
As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Yiannis Gavrielides.
Yiannis is the CEO at Covve, empowering professionals to grow and nurture their contact network through the development of innovative products. With a vision for strengthening meaningful connections, he collaborates with global thought leaders to share knowledge and make it accessible to people who are interested in proactively managing their networks. In addition to connecting with people, Yiannis loves food, cocktails, and theater and actively supports entrepreneurship through Invelopment Partners.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about networking, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
It all started with a serendipitous conversation I had with my co-founder, Alex, who I met while working in the London corporate world. We noticed that our success in business development and recruiting relied heavily on the strong relationships we built with clients and contacts. However, I felt frustrated on two fronts.
First, networking was often perceived as this uncomfortable thing in which you would attend an event, sip wine, and make awkward conversations with strangers. We just didn’t have the know-how or preparation to make these events worthwhile. The second issue was that we lacked the right tools for relationship-building. Sure, we had LinkedIn and CRM systems, but the former was more focused on self-promotion while the latter prioritized closing deals, not building genuine relationships.
From this conversation, Alex and I decided to start a company to help people nurture and manage relationships, one centered on valuing relationships in terms of who the other person is, not just what they can do for you.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of the main reasons I switched from corporate work to entrepreneurship is that I love working with people and getting to learn about all their passions and interests. I believe that when you take a genuine interest in what people care about, that creates the most productive work environment. The interesting story is how this mindset led to me becoming the co-founder of a thriving cocktail bar.
This was back when Covve opened its first office in Cyprus when we were a team of only four people operating out of a small building. A friend and I happened to share a love for cocktails, and this led to us teaming up with an award-winning bartender who hosted events. As a side hustle, we helped this bartender grow his business and train other bartenders. Eventually, we turned our office’s ground floor into a training area that looked like a bar. Our friends often gathered there after work, turning it into a bit of a speakeasy. Now, it’s known as Lost + Found Drinkery, and is ranked among the top 50 bars globally.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
One character trait is that I love connecting with others and nurturing those connections. Whether it’s making introductions, exchanging stories, or simply enjoying each other’s company, building relationships brings me joy. As you can imagine, having a love for working with others is pretty important in my line of work.
The next trait would be that I’m good at motivating and working with people toward a common goal. For example, driven by my passion for theatre, I wanted to develop a theatre discovery app to help people better engage with the London theater scene. I needed a partner and many friends suggested an experienced product manager, Michael Hadjijoseph, who has a strong passion for music. We met over a coffee and a few years later, we sold Stagedoor, one of the leading theater discovery apps in London, to Trafalgar Entertainment.
The third trait would be perseverance, a crucially important trait in the field of entrepreneurship. A good illustration of this comes from Covve’s early B2B days. We had interest from several large London-based companies due to our existing relationships. However, we soon realized our small size made it difficult to manage the necessary long sales cycles for working with corporations. So, we pivoted to B2C and secured more funding to make the necessary changes. It took quite a lot of perseverance to get through that pivot. Now, as a more established company, we’re back to B2B sales, better equipped for the longer sales cycle.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that we are all on the same page. How exactly do you define “networking”?
Within Covve, we see networking as more than just meeting new people — it’s about engaging in mutual conversations, building rapport, and following up to nurture deep relationships. For that reason, we’re a bit frustrated with the current definition of networking, which tends to prioritize quantity over quality. We believe in taking a proactive approach to networking, dedicating time to reach out to new and existing contacts, rather than merely reacting to opportunities as they arise. It’s about cultivating meaningful connections and nurturing and maintaining them over time.
To illustrate further what I mean, we recently interviewed Professor Robin Dunbar, a leading anthropologist, and an expert on how we, as humans, form relationships. According to Professor Dunbar, the success of a first meeting between two people is highly dependent on a sense of mutual understanding and trust. But once you have that foundation, you must continuously build on it over time to form deeper connections. That, to me, is what networking is all about.
In today’s digital age, how important is face-to-face networking, and how do you balance it with online networking?
To go back to some of Professor Dunbar’s research, face-to-face networking will always remain a far more powerful means of connecting with people. This has a lot to do with things like direct eye contact, body language, and physical gestures, such as handshakes or gentle touches on the shoulder. Research shows that these things produce oxytocin and endorphins, which allow us to trust others more easily and form deeper connections.
That said, we can and should supplement face-to-face interactions with online networking. Modern technology has given us a host of avenues for communication, and these can be especially useful for following up with people after an initial face-to-face meeting. However, it’s important to be cautious of the pitfalls of online networking, which can create a false sense of connection. Clicking “Like” on someone’s social media post is certainly convenient, but it’s no replacement for face-to-face communication. For instance, for significant life events like a career change or the birth of a child, it’s best to reach out personally rather than relying solely on digital gestures.
How do you maintain and nurture professional relationships over time, both in person and online, to ensure they remain fruitful and mutually beneficial?
I think it all comes down to having a system for keeping in touch with people. Everyone should establish their own system in which they decide who they want to stay in contact with and how frequently they’re going to speak with them. Consistency is key in this process, as it helps build trust and rapport over time. This is why we developed Covve, a relationship management tool similar to a personal CRM. It not only reminds you to stay in touch with people but also helps you prioritize who to reach out to each week.
I’d also add that it’s really important to care about each relationship. You really need to understand what the other person’s needs are because, in relationship building, your priority should always be to give rather than take. For example, maybe you learn that the other person needs an expert in IP law, and you have a contact who fits that bill. Introducing them not only fosters trust but also provides a reason to reconnect and inquire about the outcome of that introduction.
How important is personal branding when it comes to successful networking, and how can individuals develop and maintain a strong personal brand both online and in person?
Personal branding is definitely important, as it allows you to showcase your strengths and attract potential collaborators. It’s also very important to expose people to what you’re passionate about, and I think many people overlook this aspect of personal branding. By communicating what you care about and the hurdles you face, you make it easier for others to relate and connect with you. The key is to be consistent in your personal branding. When done effectively, this should ease the transition from online interactions to offline relationships.
Do you prioritize quality or quantity of connections? How do you determine when to invest more time in a particular relationship?
So, there are two things I want to address here. First, I think there are many young professionals who feel anxious about building their network because their current one is so small. We hear all the time from people who say, “But I’ve only got 20 contacts.” I believe, though, in embracing what you have by building on and nurturing those relationships, since those relationships will lead to other relationships and so on. That can open a lot of doors and it doesn’t matter where you start so long as you start somewhere.
Secondly, don’t hesitate to reach out to experienced leaders in your field. One thing that really surprised me early on in my career is how willing many people are to accept calls from passionate individuals seeking advice or opportunities. For example, I once mentored a young person in food science, and I encouraged him to directly contact CEOs in the field. I would say that more than 70 percent of the people he called were willing to talk. As long as you’re genuine in your approach and express your passion, you’ll find that many leaders are willing to engage with you.
As for quality or quantity in relationships, I’m definitely 100 percent in favor of quality. This is especially at events, where it’s crucial to identify individuals who are genuinely interested in you and whom you’re interested in. Rather than aiming to meet as many people as possible, it’s better to do thorough research, target specific individuals, and focus on building rapport. While it may take speaking to several people to find those connections, I see this time as well invested.
What are your “5 Strategies for Successful Networking, Both Online and Offline”?
For me, the top strategy is to be systematic and proactive about staying in touch with people. As humans, we tend to be more reactive with our networking, like bumping into someone at an event or randomly at work. Rather than relying on chance encounters like this, we should have a plan to build consistent communication to establish trust and rapport.
For example, I once had a meaningful experience with someone I met through a mutual friend. We discovered shared interests during our initial call, such as barbecuing, board games, and our passion for helping people build relationships. By following up and collaborating on projects like podcasts and videos, we strengthened our bond and supported each other’s work.
Another key strategy is to always practice active listening when meeting someone for the first time. Being a good listener is crucial to understanding what the other person’s challenges and interests are, as this will help you find common ground. For instance, a colleague of ours, Doug Lester, an executive coach and career strategist, once expressed his desire to create materials to help young people network better. I suggested we collaborate on this, aligning his goals with ours, and it led to a very productive partnership.
The third strategy would be a willingness to always offer assistance. This ties back to the importance of staying in touch with others and listening to their challenges. By doing so, you can extend a helping hand, whether it’s recommending someone for a job or aiding in finding new business opportunities. More often than not, such acts of kindness are reciprocated, creating a cycle of mutual support.
Next, I would highlight the importance of making introductions among your contacts. By connecting two people, you are playing a crucial role in networking for two main reasons. Firstly, if your introductions are effective, you’re adding value for both individuals. Secondly, it’s an excellent way to stay connected with people, because when you facilitate a connection, you remain top of mind for both parties. That can lead to either or both parties reciprocating by introducing you to their network, thus expanding your connections further.
And the fifth strategy would be a willingness to reach out to people. The key here is to find a simple reason to connect without overthinking it. At Covve, we help people by scanning news related to their contacts’ companies, hobbies, and locations, giving them a reason to connect. For example, I have a friend in Madrid, and when my Covve app notified me about unexpected snow in Madrid, I simply messaged him about it. That simple message turned into a meaningful conversation about his family and mine, all sparked by a small trigger like the weather.
Another important aspect is how you convey your message. For instance one of our workshop panelists, Dr.Vaneet Sandhu, recommends using emojis as a communication tool, which can add an extra layer of emotion to your text and make it more engaging and casual. In today’s digital age, we receive dozens if not hundreds of messages every day, so it’s crucial to make yours stand out by keeping them lively and showing some vulnerability. Whether it’s offline or online, expressing emotions and keeping the conversation light can make a big difference in nurturing relationships.
What role does diversity and inclusion play in your networking approach? How do you ensure that your network is inclusive and represents a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds?
Well, I think first of all, we need to stress the fact that it’s really important to connect with people who have different perspectives and backgrounds from you. It’s not always natural, as people tend to gravitate towards those similar to them. However, diversifying your network has numerous benefits. Firstly, it enhances your communication skills by exposing you to different communication styles. This makes you more empathetic and adaptable in your interactions. Secondly, it broadens your understanding of life, business, and career from various angles, aiding personal growth.
Now, as to how you should approach building relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds, I think it’s very important to be open-minded and patient. Building rapport may take more time due to differences in perspectives, but regular and attentive communication can help bridge these gaps. Once trust is established, treat these relationships like any other, nurturing them with proactive effort to keep them alive and thriving. The challenge lies in building rapport initially. After that, maintaining the relationship shouldn’t be an issue.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I think that’s exactly what we’re trying to do now with Covve. We’re working to bring people together who have common goals and each member of our team brings their own influence in how we do that. Our approach emphasizes community over individuals, hence the creation of Connection Crew, a community group made up of people who share the same goal of helping others build meaningful relationships.
This involves a monthly workshop in which we invite experts on relationship building to share their insights and practical tips. These interactive sessions allow participants to practice these skills in real time, fostering new connections and friendships. Our ultimate goal is to address the growing loneliness epidemic by empowering individuals to connect authentically and make a positive impact on others’ lives.
How can our readers further follow you online?
You can follow us on LinkedIn. We also have a newsletter called The Networker, in which we share a lot of curated material on how people can stay in touch with others and build meaningful relationships.
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
About the Interviewer: Athalia Monae is a product creator, published author, entrepreneur, advocate for Feed Our Starving Children, contributing writer for Entrepreneur Media, and founder of Pouches By Alahta.
Highly Effective Networking: Yiannis Gavrielides Of Covve On 5 Strategies for Successful… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.