24.07.2025
Successful business partnerships and multi-million dollar projects are often born not in meeting rooms, but during seemingly random encounters—at conferences, in an elevator, or even at fashion events. However, behind this “randomness” lies the art of effective networking—a skill that can and should be developed. Anton Kovalyshyn, Senior PR at Raiffeisen Bank and author of the Corridor of Events Telegram channel, spoke about how to turn casual acquaintances into strategic assets during his lecture “Effective Networking” as part of the “Communications and Interaction in Energy” course by Energy Club.
The expert, with 22 years of experience in communications, notably at companies like DTEK and the Energy Company of Ukraine, shared practical techniques for building strong and trusting relationships. One of the signs that a connection has been well-established, according to the speaker, is when the person you are talking to says at the end of the conversation, “Fate definitely brought us together.” This indicates an alignment of both values and business interests.
Why We Get Acquainted: Psychology and Evolution
Anton Kovalyshyn explained that the need for networking is evolutionarily ingrained in us: “We are social animals; we need to be in a pack.” Being “in a pack” not only provides us with security and new opportunities but also psychological pleasure through the production of dopamine and serotonin. At the same time, many people avoid new acquaintances due to a fear of rejection or a misunderstanding of the potential opportunities that a quality network of contacts can open up.
From the First 5 Seconds to Deep Trust
The speaker emphasized that the first five seconds are key to a successful introduction, during which it is necessary to capture the other person’s attention. There are simple techniques for this:
“Sometimes the key to success isn’t a thousand emails, but a simple face-to-face conversation in a perhaps informal setting,” noted Anton Kovalyshyn.
One Person as a Portal to a Hundred Contacts
One of the key ideas of the lecture was the concept of viewing each new person not as an individual contact, but as a “portal” with access to an entire community. “Every person, who has their Dunbar’s number, can bring you from 20 to 100 contacts for the very same lead generation if you develop this contact correctly,” the expert explained.
He cited an example from his own practice where an introduction between two people at an event, who were standing a meter apart and unaware of each other’s interests, turned into a discussion about a billion-hryvnia energy project within minutes.
“The Million-Dollar Phone Book” and Maintaining Connections
Making contacts is only half the battle. Systematizing and maintaining them is no less important. The speaker advised treating one’s contact book as a “million-dollar phone book” and adhering to the principle of “make friends before you need them.” To maintain connections, he recommended periodically reminding people of your existence, sharing useful information, asking for advice, and practicing the culture of follow-up after meetings.
The lecture gave the participants a clear understanding that networking is not a chaotic search for acquaintances, but a purposeful, strategic activity that, with the right approach, becomes one of the most powerful tools for achieving business goals.
About the course: The course “Communications and Interaction in Energy: Strategies for PR, Marketing, GR and Lobbying in Ukraine” from Energy Club is designed to enhance the communication capabilities of companies, promote their competitiveness, and support the sustainable development of Ukraine’s energy sector.
