Utilizing Networking Groups

Are we realising the potential of our networks to make change happen? Most innovation emerges from collaborative projects where teams openly “borrow” & adapt each other’s (often small but powerful) ideas. Many networks & communities of practice could achieve so much more by experimenting together around collective priorities to generate & share new solutions. This is beyond spreading known “best” or “good” practices. It is about innovating to design new solutions collectively. So I appreciated this piece from Ed Morrison about three different kinds of networks: - Advocacy networks are communities that seek to mobilise people, creating pressure to shift policies, priorities or messages in a particular direction. Their aim is to connect & influence rather than to change how they themselves work. - Learning networks are communities of practice. They share knowledge, compare practice & build shared capability. Learning networks often excel at spread & improvement of existing practice, but only sometimes move into structured innovation work. - Innovating (or transforming) networks are communities that combine their assets - ideas, relationships, data, capabilities - to create new value that none could produce alone. They manage collaboration as a process of experimentation: agreeing a shared outcome, running multiple connected tests of change, learning by doing & amplifying what works across the network. https://lnkd.in/edbbexiG. Every learning network has the potential to become an innovating/transforming network. Some actions to enable this: 1. Build a foundation of strong, trusting relationships within the network, understanding each member’s starting point & motivation for change 2. Focus on helping each other to succeed; listen to each others’ stories & plans, co-coach, give advice to each other & build shared inquiry 3. Move from “sharing” or “raising awareness” to some concrete outcomes the network want to change together through collective experimentation 4. Agree some simple norms for the network so that members help each other to make progress, make it safe to try things, fail fast & share incomplete work 5. Encourage multiple, parallel tests of change around similar outcome so projects can “steal with pride” from one another & quickly refine promising ideas 6. Put simple routines in place for noticing patterns (what is shifting where & why), capturing these insights & amplifying them across the network 7. Add additional success metrics including innovations tested, adapted & adopted in multiple places Graphic by Ed Morrison. Content with added inspiration from June Holley.

What you should care about when it comes to social engagement in 2026: (and yes, I spent this Sunday reading Buffer's State of Social Media Engagement in 2026 and distilled it all down for you 😇) 1. Reply to your comments. Seriously. This is the highest-leverage move most people are sleeping on (still, for some reason!). The report shares that posts where creators/brands reply to comments see +30% more engagement on LinkedIn and up to +42% on other platforms. This is the most consistent signal across every platform studied. 2. Your engagement rate benchmark is probably wrong (gasp!) "Good" engagement is platform-specific. ▶️ LinkedIn avg ~6.2% ▶️Instagram ~5.5% ▶️X ~2.5% (or lower, close to 0 for non-premium accounts) A 4% post can be a win or a miss depending on where you're posting. If you're not benchmarking by platform, your reporting is probably off. 3. Carousels run LinkedIn. Carousels have an average engagement rate ~21.7% (I've seen them as high as 75%!). ▶️Video: ~7.3% ▶️Images: ~6.5% An average carousel outperforms a good video. So, if engagement is the goal, this is the format you should choose. 4. Stop obsessing over timing. The data is clear: posting beats not posting, every time. Sure, timing might give you a small lift but content quality is the biggest lever. If you're spending more energy on "what time should I post?" vs what you're posting (and the value you're bringing to your audience) then that's the miss. 5. Consistency over intensity. There's a real penalty for going quiet. Accounts that don't post for a week underperform their own baseline. Even 1–2 posts per week beats silence. You don't need more content. You need consistent content worth engaging with. Bonus number 6. Your format strategy doesn't travel (sorry! and this is why social teams work so. hard.) What works on one platform will not cleanly translate to another. IG Reels = more reach. IG carousels = more engagement. But watch out, because that carousel won't even work on Facebook. The takeaway: Social in 2026 isn't about hacking an algorithm. It's about behaving like a human and being authentic. Reply. Post consistently. Pick formats intentionally. Benchmark correctly. Happy posting! Buffer's full report: https://lnkd.in/gjqp4QXJ 🦓

 🏫Future University 🏫 In responding to one of my recent posts, Julie (JR) Rowland challenged me to envision the future university. I replied with a vision of the future university as a dynamic, decentralised physical and digital ecosystem that integrates education, work, and community service into a continuous learning journey. This new university is designed to adapt to the rapidly changing global landscape, harnessing the power of technology to make learning accessible, personalised, and directly applicable to real-world challenges. Its purpose is to foster lifelong learning, innovation, and collaboration, preparing individuals not just for today's jobs but for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Its value proposition is its ability to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application, thereby enhancing individual capabilities, addressing societal challenges, and driving economic and social progress. Let's imagine a day in the life of a student attending this university: Maria is a learner at Future University, a global network without a traditional campus. Her day begins in her local community hub, a co-working space with advanced technology, including AI tutors, surrounded by a vibrant community of learners, mentors, and professionals from surrounding companies. Maria's morning is spent working on a project with a technology startup, part of her apprenticeship program. She's developing a sustainable energy solution, applying skills learned in her interdisciplinary studies. Her AI tutor facilitates the project, which suggests resources and learning modules based on the challenges she encounters in real time. Lunch is an opportunity for a mentorship meeting at the community hub, where Maria discusses her project's progress with her mentor, a senior engineer with global experience. They use a blockchain-based platform to record milestones and feedback, contributing to her personalised learning record. In the afternoon, Maria heads to an open innovation lab, a collaborative space where students, faculty, and industry professionals work together on research projects. Today, they're analysing data from their sustainable energy project to predict energy consumption patterns. This research is part of a larger initiative shared with partnering organisations across the globe. Maria spends her evening participating in a global skill exchange webinar, where she shares her project experiences with a global audience and learns from others working on similar projects. This platform allows her to connect with peers, enhancing her global network and exposing her to diverse perspectives. Before bed, Maria reflects on her day's learning, using her digital portfolio to document her achievements, skills and areas for growth. This portfolio, secured on the blockchain, is a comprehensive record of her lifelong learning journey, accessible to potential employers and collaborators. #futureofeducation #Highereducation

UK Government Modern Industrial Strategy launched in the last 24 hours: what does it mean? I’ve been exploring this using #systemsthinking and a causal loop diagram (CLD) to map its feedback structures. A few key takeaways which might be relevant #business schools… Systemic Insights via CLD: – Investment → R\&D → Innovation → Productivity → Economic Growth → Investment – Skills ↔ Innovation & Infrastructure → Tech Adoption → Innovation → Productivity Key “hubs” include **Innovation**, **Productivity**, & **Economic Growth**, with **Collaboration** and **Skills** as powerful levers. Negative links (e.g., regulatory uncertainty) can weaken investment, while peripheral nodes (e.g., Net-Zero in our simplified map) may need stronger connections to reflect real-world influence. This underscores the need for aligning R&D, #skills, infrastructure, and #sustainability objectives. So, what should business schools do? 🤝 Strengthen Industry Partnerships: Collaborate with firms & regional clusters on real projects. Connect students/faculty to innovation initiatives, boosting learning and local impact. 💡 Focus on Emerging Skills: Update programs for digital literacy, clean-energy management, & advanced manufacturing basics. Equip grads with in-demand skills that feed productivity and innovation loops. 🚀 Foster Entrepreneurship & Scale-Ups: Offer incubators, mentorship, and finance guidance. “Entrepreneurship → Scale-ups → Innovation” will help startups grow and energize the wider economy 🤝🔬Promote Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Bridge business, engineering, sustainability, etc. Joint projects mirror how “Collaboration → Innovation/Skills/Infrastructure” drives broader outcomes. 📜 Short Courses on Policy Signals: Run workshops on navigating regulatory certainty/uncertainty. Helping leaders anticipate policy shifts reduces investment hesitation. 🌍 Champion Regional Engagement: Partner with local authorities & SMEs to tailor programs to regional needs. Reinforce “Regional Clusters → Growth → Inclusive Growth” and support levelling-up. ♻️ Embed Sustainability & Net-Zero Goals: Integrate clean energy case studies & net zero strategy in courses. Aligns with “Net-Zero → Clean Energy → Investment/Innovation,” preparing leaders for green transitions. 📊 Leverage Data & Analytics: Track outcomes of partnerships, alumni ventures, and skills placement. Measurable impact reinforces further investment and collaboration. 🌐 Build Innovation-Focused Alumni Networks : Create forums where grads in high-growth sectors share insights with current students. Sustains knowledge transfer and industry connections. #IndustrialStrategy #SystemsThinking #Innovation #EconomicGrowth #UK #CLD #Policy #Sustainability #Collaboration #Skills

👉 #LinkedIn is saturated with people selling “growth hacks.” The uncomfortable truth: no one actually understands the algorithm end-to-end. Most advice is recycled folklore, outdated tests, anecdotal wins, or short-lived spikes mistaken for strategy. Based on direct observation across thousands of posts in 2025–2026, the algorithm consistently rewards three things: relevance, demonstrated expertise, and genuine conversation within your professional graph. Not viral reach. Not theatrics. You don’t need to stand out to everyone. You need to stand out to the people who matter in your niche. LinkedIn evaluates your content primarily against your 1st- and 2nd-degree network, shared industries, and topical authority, not the entire platform. Growth is contextual, not global. What actually moves the needle: 1. Comments now outperform original posts. Thoughtful comments (15+ words) from relevant professionals often generate 2–5× the reach of likes. One recent comment crossed 60K impressions while the original post stayed under 100 likes. Comments drive dwell time, signal credibility, and travel deeper into niche feeds. → Five to ten substantive comments per day in your domain will outperform random posting. 2. Depth beats volume, every time. The algorithm tracks engagement quality: long comments, threaded discussion, saves, and shares with context. Ten real conversations outperform 500 drive-by reactions. Engagement bait (“Comment YES”) is now, at best, neutral—and often penalized. 3. Consistency matters—but only within a clear niche. Two to five posts per week are sufficient. What matters is topical focus. Stick to your lane. Authority signals compound when your content reinforces a coherent expertise narrative. Text posts and carousels routinely outperform flashy formats if they trigger real discussion. 4. Design for conversation, not applause. Strong opening lines and experience-backed insights win. Ask questions that invite expertise, not agreement. Respond quickly, especially in the first hour. Early interaction materially boosts distribution. 5. Reciprocity is not optional. Engage first. The algorithm favors mutual visibility within professional clusters. When respected peers comment on your posts, distribution expands—organically and predictably. 6. Dwell time is a hard metric. Optimize for it. External links suppress reach. If you must share one, place it in the comments. Native text, documents, and carousels consistently generate longer session time and better reach. 7. Your profile is part of the algorithm. Headline, About section, and experience shape how LinkedIn classifies you. A fuzzy profile leads to a fuzzy distribution. Authority attracts authority. 🔥 Bottom line: 👉 LinkedIn growth in 2026 is not about gaming the system. It’s about being useful, credible, and consistent in your corner of the ecosystem. Quality compounds. Noise disappears. #LinkedInGrowth #PersonalBranding #ContentStrategy #ProfessionalVisibility

"Make yourself findable"...this is advice that I give to candidates, SES's, generals, executives, and even teenagers. Companies are dying to find you, but they just don't know that you exist. They hire Precision Talent Solutions to find you. Like it or not, LinkedIn is the place where professionals go to look for jobs, look for candidates, and to share/consume content. If you are in career transition, it is more important than ever to be thoughtfully active on LInkedIn. Valuable tips: LinkedIn Algorithm Updates (2025) - Relevance Over Virality: The algorithm now favors niche, expert content over viral posts. Generic or off-topic posts hurt visibility. - Connections First: Posts from your own network are prioritized. A targeted, engaged network boosts reach. - Expertise Signals: LinkedIn evaluates who is posting (based on profile) as much as what is posted. - Ranking Factors: Content is ranked by Relevance, Expertise, and Engagement (especially meaningful comments). - Comments Matter Most: Posts with thoughtful, back-and-forth conversation (especially in the first hour) get a major visibility boost. - Spam Filters: Poor grammar, link-stuffing, excessive hashtags, and overposting are penalized. - Engagement Quality > Quantity: Comments from relevant peers beat lots of random likes. - Extended Reach: High-value posts can reach beyond your 1st-degree network if they gain strong engagement. 2. Content Format Trends - Carousels Still Strong: Multi-image or PDF “carousel” posts perform well, but only if value-packed. - Video & Live Streams: Native videos (not links) and especially LinkedIn Live posts drive the highest engagement. - Image Posts: Still effective—posts with a single strong visual get more attention and comments. - Newsletters: Now a top tool for reach—subscribers are notified every time you publish. Best for long-form, high-value content. - Polls & Interactive Posts: Still underused but powerful for engagement and visibility. - Hashtags/Tagging: Use 2–5 relevant hashtags. Over-tagging or irrelevant tags = spammy. - External Links: Posts with links are penalized. Better to add links later via post edit or use native formats. 3. Engagement Best Practices - Provide Niche Value: Focus on helpful, profession-specific insights, not generic content. - Hook Early: Start posts with a bold statement or question to capture attention. Encourage Dialogue: Ask questions, respond to comments, and spark discussion to improve reach. - Use Rich Media: Mix in carousels, videos, and images to keep your content fresh and engaging. - Go Live or Use Newsletters: These formats offer built-in boost via notifications and dwell time. - Avoid Spam Tactics: Don’t tag excessively, overuse hashtags, or post too frequently. - Grow an Engaged Network: Engage with others to strengthen your own visibility in the algorithm. - Be Consistent & Authentic: Regular, high-quality posting builds credibility and audience trust over time.

The Collaborative Ecosystem: GCCs and External Partnerships As I conclude the #FutureOfGCCs series, one thing is clear: the GCCs that will thrive in the future are those that embrace collaboration as a core principle. The role of Global Capability Centers (GCCs) has evolved from operational hubs to strategic partners. To fully realize their potential, GCCs must create ecosystems that foster innovation, agility, and resilience. Let’s unpack the key areas where collaboration is reshaping the GCC landscape: - Startups: Startups are engines of innovation, driven by agility and disruptive thinking. Partnering with startups allows GCCs to access breakthrough technologies, scale new ideas rapidly, and stay ahead of market trends. These collaborations bring fresh perspectives and the ability to experiment boldly, empowering GCCs to address challenges and accelerate transformation. - Academia: Universities are no longer just sources of talent; they are innovation hubs where research and new ideas flourish. Collaborating with academic institutions enables GCCs to co-create cutting-edge solutions, leverage advanced research, and develop talent equipped with future-ready skills. These partnerships also allow GCCs to shape the workforce of tomorrow, ensuring alignment with evolving industry needs. - Cross-Industry Alliances: The most transformative solutions often emerge at the intersections of industries. By forming alliances across sectors, GCCs can tackle complex challenges such as supply chain resilience, sustainability, and digital transformation. Cross-industry collaborations bring diverse expertise, enabling GCCs to innovate in ways that transcend traditional boundaries. Why does this matter? Because the future of GCCs depends on their ability to move beyond traditional boundaries and embrace a collaborative mindset. It’s not enough to operate efficiently or innovate in isolation. The GCCs that lead will be those that build ecosystems of trust, shared goals, and mutual success. As I close this series, I leave you with this thought: Are you building partnerships that merely support today’s operations, or are you creating ecosystems that redefine what’s possible for tomorrow? Thank you for joining me on this journey. Together, let’s lead the way into the future of GCCs. #FutureOfGCCs #Collaboration

Serendipity by Design: Building the UK's Innovation Wiring – My Evidence to the House of Lords S&T Committee When innovation clusters thrive, it's rarely an accident. They succeed because they are incredibly well connected - everyone involved is only one or two steps away from the advice, expertise, and resources they need. That "wiring" takes years to build, but it's what turns bright ideas into billion-pound businesses. In my book Serendipity: It Doesn't Happen by Accident, I explore how structured networks accelerate innovation. Last month I appeared before the House of Lords Science & Technology Committee to discuss putting these ideas into practice. The key proposal: a national Concierge and Innovation Fellows Network. Think of it as a neural network for innovation - connected experts who can rapidly link people to the right resources, advice, and opportunities. Instead of entrepreneurs spending months hunting for the right contact, they get real-time connections to unlock barriers and accelerate scaling. This isn't about creating new clusters from scratch. It's about improving the wiring between the ones we already have, reducing friction and creating conditions where serendipity can flourish. It’s also about building a distributed system that can respond dynamically to circumstances. What's encouraging? In recent weeks, the Committee has shifted from discussing capital availability to practical questions about concierge-style support and real-time intelligence. The debate is moving beyond "more funding" toward how we actually connect people, knowledge, and opportunity. I wrote two papers for this committee: the original submission and a follow up. You can find these on the Committee web page: https://lnkd.in/e83F4UN6 And of course don’t forget to read my book: Serendipity: It Doesn’t Happen By Accident https://lnkd.in/eyvij9z7

We analyzed 100K+ LinkedIn DMs to figure out what works. Here's what we found: 1️⃣ Personalization beats volume every time Campaigns with copy tailored to the ICP got up to 54.7% more replies. We stopped blasting generic messages and started personalizing based on specific pain points. We're using Clay for data enrichment and personalization, LinkedIn Sales Navigator for precise targeting. Next month target: Scale personalization without losing quality. Why? Take some time to personalize your messages; it'll go a long way. 2️⃣ Short messages crush long ones Messages under 150 characters had 22% more replies on average. We track which message length converts from each persona. We aim to get our point across in as few words as possible - nobody's reading novels. Next month plan: Test extra short hooks under 100 characters. 3️⃣ Contextual outreach destroys generic Messages referencing recent activity (LinkedIn posts, role changes) saw +18% replies. We find relevant reasons to reach out every time. Tool stack breakdown: Clay for finding recent activity, role changes, company updates LinkedIn Sales Navigator for activity monitoring Expandi for sequencing Zapier for workflow automation Next month: Keep refining context triggers - when something works, you optimize it. 4️⃣ Warm approach sequences that build relationships Connection requests sent after profile visits, post likes, or follows saw +30.2% acceptance rates. We make ourselves seen before reaching out. Sequences with 3+ steps performed 42% better than single-message flows. Different relationship temperatures get different approaches. 5️⃣ Multi-channel orchestration across every platform Adding email follow-up after no LinkedIn reply lifted reply rates by 13.8%. We don't rely on LinkedIn only. This is where most agencies lose pipeline - we track everyone who doesn't respond and re-engage via other channels. 6️⃣ Conversational copy beats direct pitches The messages that actually work: "Noticed you're hiring [role] - what's working for you?" (+18.2% replies) "Saw your post on [topic], curious what are you testing right now?" (+19.3% replies) "Saw you joined [company] - how's the first month going so far?" (+21.5% replies) "We analyzed [findings] - worth sharing what others in your space are doing?" (+27.1% replies) The results: 54.7% higher reply rates with personalized outreach 40%+ acceptance rates consistently 18%+ reply rates across campaigns 8%+ positive reply rates The system works because it's not just LinkedIn messaging - it's relationship building at scale with contextual touchpoints where your prospects actually engage. Want the full outbound playbook that's generated 54.7% higher reply rates? 👉 Comment "OUTBOUND" for our 7-day email series on the exact sequences we use.

The Complete LinkedIn Growth Blueprint (That Actually Works in 2025) After helping dozens of professionals transform their LinkedIn presence, I've distilled my approach into this comprehensive playbook that drives real results. The secret? It's not about random posting—it's about systematic implementation across these six critical areas: 𝟭. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Your profile isn't just a digital resume—it's your 24/7 business card. Beyond the basics, your Featured section should showcase your best work, and your Experience section should tell stories, not just list responsibilities. 𝟮. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 The algorithm rewards diversity. My clients see 3X engagement when they balance text-only posts with carousels, documents, and video. But timing matters too—I've found Tuesday and Thursday mornings consistently outperform other posting windows. 𝟯. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 My 5-3-1 daily system works wonders: 5 comments on target audience posts, 3 reactions with thoughtful insights, and 1 direct message to deepen a specific relationship. Small consistent actions compound dramatically. 𝟰. 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 Connections without strategy create noise, not opportunity. I help clients develop audience segments and personalized connection request formulas that convert at 70%+ rather than the typical 20% acceptance rate. 𝟱. 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 LinkedIn becomes your most valuable lead source when content drives inbound connections, and your outbound messaging sequence moves relationships forward naturally. Sales Navigator becomes truly powerful when used within this framework. 𝟲. 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 & 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 What gets measured gets improved. I focus clients on tracking 5 key metrics that actually matter rather than vanity metrics that distract. Our testing framework lets you improve each element methodically. I've mapped out this entire system in my LinkedIn Growth Playbook (see image). What part of your LinkedIn strategy needs the most attention right now? Comment below and I'll share some personalized insights. Need Guidance or more help? Reach me here: https://fh.bio/gkotte #LinkedInStrategy #ProfessionalGrowth #NetworkingTips #ContentCreation #LeadGeneration