We’ve wrapped up at FITUR in Madrid. The largest tourism fair for the Spanish-speaking market.
In terms of work trips, this was for me the most intense one. It’s 5 days long! Either I’m getting older or it was really intense. Both could be true.
But as always, these trips are much more rewarding than they are intense. If I put it on a scale, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
People ask me where am I going next. As soon as I got back from Madrid, I already booked a ticket to Adventure Travel Networking event. A hybrid event, where the in-person event will take place in London at the end of this month.
Some also ask me if going to these events and traveling so much is intense for me and if I like it.
For one thing, I love that I get to meet interesting people from all over the world. I’m motivated to help our company grow it’s offerings in Slovenia. So in that sense, it’s easy because of my drive to do these things.
I’m also learning more about myself on this topic through the book Social Chemistry. In the book, the author explains 3 different archetypes of people in terms of our networks.
Expansionists, conveners and brokers.
Expansionists are known by their huge networks. They are individuals who know a large number of people and can operate across various social networks and communities.
They are good at making connections and are often the ones you turn to when you need to "know someone" in a particular field or industry.
She also explains that in your 20s, when you’re at the beginning of your career, being an expansionist can benefit you the most.
In this period, it’s beneficial to meet as many people you can from different walks of life. It’s beneficial to go wide and not so deep.
On some level, I was already doing this unconsciously in the past few years. Now I want to internalize it and try doing it even more.
In-person, I plan to do it at conferences, fairs and by organizing events of my own. To do it virtually, I did something I didn’t plan to.
I downloaded the Instagram app again. I was without the app for almost 6 months! A kind of a detox you can say.
I was focusing only on publishing on LinkedIn and growing there, which has been great for growing my professional network - one of my biggest goals.
But I neglected one important aspect - people want to connect with people on a personal level and IG or TikTok have huge potential to do that.
While LinkedIn can be personal, it’s not nearly as much as IG or TikTok.
The other important aspect is also fun. For Gen-Z, it has to be seen as fun first. I’m still working on the fun part.
Yesterday, after downloading the app again, I published a story about our study tour to Iceland. I received a lot of engagement on the post and one person actually applied immediately after that.
It hit me that I should focus more on these platforms and try to inspire more people. And at the same time keep my mental health in order. That’s why I don’t plan to be a consumer on the platforms but only a creator.
Easier said than done, I know. How could you not scroll and admire all of the great content??
But I have to learn self-control at some point, right?
I’ll keep you updated and let you know how that goes.
For those of you who want to be inspired by Nordic beauty, there’s still a chance to join us in Iceland for our study tour.
We’ll soon be closing applications though, so hurry up.
If you’re ready to take your knowledge and network to the next level, click on the button below.
Hope to see you there!