Networking in the Healthcare Field

Over the next 3 months, I’m hosting 4 major events in France, UK, USA and KSA. Beforehand, I want to share my top tips on how to get the best out of networking. 1. Set Clear Targets Action: Make a hit list of the top 10 companies or people you need to meet. Research what they care about—know their wins, pain points, & what they’re hunting for before you walk through the door. Outcome: These conversations won’t just happen by chance. By doing your homework, you’ll turn a five-minute chat into a deal-building moment. Schedule meetings in advance, & after the event, send a tailored follow-up email that shows you were listening. 2. Take the Stage (Literally) Action: Get on the agenda. Whether it’s a keynote, panel, or fireside chat, nothing says “I’m the one to watch” like holding the mic. Use this time to address the industry’s biggest challenges & position yourself—& your company—as the answer. Outcome: Speaking builds instant credibility. It’s not just exposure; it’s authority. Post-event, share the highlights on LinkedIn & invite attendees to continue the conversation, turning an audience into a lead pipeline. 3. Own the Floor Action: Don’t just lurk—work the room. Engage with key exhibitors, ask questions, & position yourself as a resource, not just another pitch. Be direct but curious: “What’s your biggest challenge this year?” and “How can I help?” are powerful openers. Outcome: You’ll stand out as someone who listens. Take notes during conversations, & follow up within 48 hours with a personalised message. Not a generic “great meeting you”—send actionable insights or specific ideas that move the ball forward. 4. Host the Inner Circle Action: People bond better in a more relaxed setting than over Wi-Fi. Organise an exclusive dinner, roundtable, or cocktail event for a curated group of heavy hitters. Keep it intimate—this is about building relationships, not just showing off. Go easy on the heavy sell. Outcome: People remember who brought them value & connections, not who handed out free pens. Post-event, share any key takeaways & book one-on-one follow-ups to solidify what you started over drinks. 5. Hack the Tech Action: Use every tool at your disposal—event apps, LinkedIn, QR codes. Pre-event, reach out to attendees & book meetings. At the event, swap contacts digitally to keep things seamless, & use a CRM to track every interaction. Outcome: You’ll leave the event with an organised roadmap of leads, not just a stack of business cards destined for a desk drawer. Follow up strategically with segmented, value-driven emails & keep the momentum alive. The Bottom Line: Trade fairs & exhibitions aren’t just networking. Preparation, presence, & follow-up separate those who close deals from those who just collect swag bags. Be human. Don’t think of this as just a branding exercise but an opportunity for long term partnerships. Be genuine - your new contacts will become close contacts, if not friends. Make it count! #revenuegrowth

I’ve been having lots of conversations about LinkedIn for events from organisers wanting to drive visibility and engagement, to exhibitors heading to upcoming tradeshows, and everyone in between. Whether you’re hosting, exhibiting, or attending LinkedIn can help you get more out of every event: ✨ More visibility 🤝 More connections 📈 More business outcomes Yet LinkedIn is often underused in the event space. A one-and-done post. A quick thank you. A flurry of activity... then silence. But here’s the thing: the event isn’t the beginning and it shouldn’t be the end. To get the most value, LinkedIn should be part of your strategy before, during and after the event. Here’s how to make the most of it: 🌠 1. Be LinkedIn Event Ready Your profile and company page shape your first impression often before anyone meets you. They should tell a clear, credible story that aligns with your event involvement. Organiser Tip: Create a LinkedIn Brand Kit for your speakers, exhibitors, and team – banners, hashtags, talking points, and example posts. Exhibitor Tip: Use an event-themed banner to show your stand details or branding. 🌠 2. Build Relationships Before the Event The most valuable connections rarely start cold on event day. The lead-up to the event is prime time to increase visibility, build familiarity, and position yourself as someone worth connecting with or visiting at the stand. Organiser Tip: Spotlight speakers, exhibitors, and sessions early and use tags to amplify. Exhibitor Tip: Shortlist people you want to meet - clients, prospects, collaborators, media and start connecting early. 🌠 3. Maximise the Event Experience Use LinkedIn to take people behind the scenes, amplify moments as they happen, and make your presence visible to those who couldn’t attend. Organiser Tip: Have someone live post from the floor, tagging participants and sharing session soundbites. Exhibitor Tip: Make it easy for people to connect with you it creates immediate pathways to keep the conversation going. 🌠 4. Keep the Momentum Going This is the stage where most people go quiet, but this is when the real relationship-building begins. Use LinkedIn to keep the conversation going. Share your takeaways. Follow up with new connections. Repurpose content into future posts. Organiser Tip: Share a highlight post and set the stage for what’s next even a “Save the Date” works. Exhibitor Tip: Send a personalised follow-up message referencing your chat. 🌟 Key Takeaways LinkedIn is one of the most powerful tools you have to extend your event beyond the room. It allows you to build relationships before the first handshake, stay visible throughout the event and strengthen credibility and connection long after the banners are packed away. And if you'd like support to develop your own LinkedIn event strategy that's more than one and done, I’d love to help. Because showing up is just the beginning. #linkedin #events #eventmarketing

A survey focused on secondary care clinicians, primary care clinicians and trainee doctors, reveals that 18% of physicians rank social media among their top three channels for staying informed about new medical developments. This trend underscores the growing importance of digital platforms as sources of up-to-date medical knowledge. Physicians, who are busier than ever, are finding value in the immediacy and accessibility of information shared through these platforms. As part of the Physicians Research, Elsevier Pharma & Life Sciences Solutions has surveyed 1,307 physicians to understand how they use online resources and social media platforms for professional purposes. The conclusion is that the preferred platforms are a mix of professional and general social media. Physicians are not just using social media casually; they are strategically selecting platforms that best suit their professional needs. While platforms like LinkedIn (41%) and YouTube (52%) are popular among physicians for professional networking and educational content, there are also specialized platforms designed exclusively for the medical community. For example: • Doximity is widely used in the USA, with 52% of American physicians engaging on this platform. • Sermo is a popular choice in the UAE and Poland, with 49% and 43% of physicians respectively utilizing it. • DailyRounds / Marrow is a favoured platform among physicians in the UAE and India, with 32% of physicians in the UAE and 21% in India actively using it. • Doctors.net.uk is the go-to platform for 55% of UK physicians. These platforms offer a secure environment where physicians can share insights, discuss clinical cases, and stay connected with peers globally. The influence of social media on physicians extends beyond mere information gathering. The survey indicates that after reading a medical-related post, physicians are likely to take further actions such as: • Clicking on links to access full articles or research papers (47%) • Using search engines to delve deeper into a topic (45%) • Reading & engaging with peers on the same post (35%) These actions demonstrate that social media is not just a passive consumption tool but an active catalyst for continued learning and professional dialogue. The survey also highlights a significant concern among physicians: 74% are worried about the security of their private information on social media, however 50% believe social media can be beneficial for their professional career. Social media is reshaping how physicians access information, connect with colleagues, and advance their careers. For physicians, leveraging social media effectively can lead to better patient outcomes, enhanced knowledge, and a stronger professional network. #physicians #socialmedia #medicaleducation #linkedin #pharmaceuticals

🌍 How do you keep a network of more than 150 partners alive? In short: through active exchange. By talking to each other. Listening. Sharing experiences. This is what we practice at Healthcare Shapers. Yesterday was a great example of this in action: Craig A. DeLarge, MPH, MBA, CPC, one of our partners from the US, was in Ingelheim for a workshop with his client. For me, coming from Eltville in the Rheingau region, that’s just around the corner. So we spontaneously organized a transatlantic, yet very local get-together. Together with Dr. Georg van Husen and Stefan Lorenz (both partners who also live in Eltville), I drove to Ingelheim and we enjoyed an evening full of lively conversations — and even made some new connections along the way. A highlight for me: I told Georg about my visit to Australia in October, where I met Shaun Jackson, founder of a ThromBio, company focused on stroke treatment. Georg himself founded tenac.io GmbH a digital health company specializing in the analysis and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The result? 👉 A message to both experts to continue the conversation. 💡 Networking means passing the ball forward. By the way: at least once a year we invite all German-speaking partners to meet in person. When we started back in 2013, we were 27. This March, we expect more than 50 participants for the first time! Anyone who hasn’t experienced one of these meetings will hardly feel the true power of this network. That’s where new interest groups emerge, continue working on shared topics — often closely linked to the development of new business. 🔑 My view on the key success factors of a strong network: • We are not a company, but a network of like-minded people • A network only works if everyone actively contributes • Active contribution requires commitment — driven by personal value • Value looks different for everyone: revenue, visibility, support, exchange, enjoyment • Set realistic expectations, communicate them, and hold each other accountable • Success must become visible within a reasonable timeframe — otherwise engagement fades • Don’t wait for others to pave the way. Take initiative and get started. 👉 Networking means creating opportunities for exchange, using them, listening — and enabling connections. #Networking #Partnership #Collaboration #Community #DigitalHealth #Leadership #KnowledgeSharing

A question I've got repeatedly lately is, "How do you recommend building a network in healthcare" and part of the follow-up to that question is usually, "what events do you recommend I attend"? It's probably easier to write it and send people this link than it is to repeat it each time. We also sell a "Must Have Guide" that outlines people to follow, networking advice, and events to attend for $9 but I've given it away so many times for free that Antwan D. Williams has given up on telling me to stop doing that 🤣 So here goes, free. The thought process: If you are a hospital administrator, going to a hospital administrator professional association event is probably a really hard place to stand out, especially if there's a lot of attendees. Chances are you all have to dress similarly, and you'll run in to all sorts of people who either have your same job or who are competing with you for the job you want. Not the ideal setup. My 2024 and 2025 advice is to: Go to an event where healthcare isn't the only thing on the agenda, but where there will be healthcare people. SXSW is on my list. It was the first event I went to outside of the true healthcare realm and truly changed the trajectory of my career. It's 100,000 people big (all across the city of Austin, TX across 100+ venues). There's probably 1,000 healthcare people. So, when you meet them, it feels like kindred spirits. They're excited to see you and excited you made the trek across town from the main stage performances to the smaller healthcare floor in one hotel. Your odds of spending quality time with people doing interesting things in healthcare are greatly increased. My 2nd recommendation is international. Upcoming events include MedTech World in Malta in November ( 👋 Dylan Attard MD, MRCSI, MEnt., HealthTech Forward in Barcelona in December (Barcelona Health Hub), London Tech Week in June 2025 (Amber Preston) and HLTH Europe (Henry Stoneley) June 2025 in Amsterdam. Planning ahead, you can spend the same amount on the experience as you would going to Tennessee but you get the added benefit of being a relatively small group within a larger group. There's incredible US leaders (if that's where you want your career to be) that go to these events (you can see on the speaker list or on the LinkedIn posts with the event hashtag) that will be overjoyed to talk to you about how good a chocolate shake from Shake Shack really is, or why Jimmy Johns can deliver food actually freaky fast. You'll stand out, your network will grow, and you'll expand your worldview (or your healthcare ecosystem view if you stay in the states). Free advice, usually around $8 not including taxes. Take that for what it's worth. And, tell me where you're going! 🛫

Ever notice how some medical reps get welcomed like old friends while others get avoided like an IRS agent? (yeah, today's date made me think of that reference). The difference isn't your product—it's being perceived as a resource that provides valuable information that isn't always connected to using your product. Finding golden intel isn't complicated: set up industry alerts, follow the right LinkedIn gurus, and—revolutionary concept—pay attention to the things you see working in some accounts that other accounts aren't doing. When sharing insights, ditch the robotic "studies show" approach. Instead, try: "That reimbursement headache you mentioned? Memorial Hospital solved it with a documentation tweak that's saving them 20 hours weekly. Thought of you immediately." Leave behind something they'll actually keep—a clean, personalized summary with YOUR analysis added. Not just facts they could Google, but your perspective on what it means for THEM. The uncomfortable truth: if you only bring insights (or donuts) when pushing for a close, you're as subtle as a code blue announcement. The HCPs and stakeholders who remember you aren't the ones who got the best pitch—they're the one who think, "That's the rep who helped me solve a problem even when I wasn't buying." What conversation-worthy insight are you bringing to your next call that makes you memorable whether they're buying from you or not? And... Do think this might be worth a bit of pre-call planning since it creates a level of distinction few medical reps enjoy?

Meaningful partnerships are important to me. Lately, a significant portion of my work has involved connecting professionals in the healthcare innovation sector. My trip to Dallas last week started with organic introductions I made in 2024. Some may view making business introductions as a simple and quick process. The process takes time, and time has a cost. In healthcare, innovation doesn’t thrive in isolation; it takes the right connections to move ideas forward. But real impact happens when we prioritize relational partnerships over transactional exchanges. It’s about building trust, fostering mutual respect, and creating opportunities that solve real problems. Here are my thoughts on how to make meaningful introductions: ✅ Lead with Value, Not Ego. Don’t focus on what’s in it for you. Prioritize how both sides benefit from the introduction. Relationships built on genuine value last longer and go further. ✅ Know the Gaps Before You Fill Them. Understand the pain points of both parties. High-impact connections happen when you address a critical need or opportunity. ✅ Vet Ruthlessly, Introduce Thoughtfully. Not every connection is worth making. Be selective and introduce only when there’s a clear alignment of values, goals, and capabilities. Protect the integrity of your network. ✅ Do Your Homework. Before making an introduction, ensure you have a thorough understanding of both parties to effectively explain why the connection is significant. ✅ Frame the Introduction with Context. Set the stage. Provide both parties with sufficient background information to understand the relevance and potential of the relationship. Clarity upfront fosters respect and avoids wasted time. ✅ Stay in the Loop (But Don’t Hover). Follow up to see if the introduction was valuable, but don’t micromanage the outcome. Relationships that thrive are built on trust, not control. ✅ Be a Problem Solver, Not Just a Connector. Your role doesn’t end with the introduction. Be available to offer insights or guidance if needed as the relationship develops. ✅ Protect Your Network’s Trust. Introduce only when it makes sense. One mismatched connection can erode trust and weaken your credibility. Guard your network’s reputation as carefully as your own. ✅ Build for the Long Game. Relational partnerships aren’t built overnight. Consistently show up, add value, and nurture trust over time. Sustainable impact comes from authentic, long-term connections. ✅ Celebrate the Wins. When a connection you made leads to something great, acknowledge it. Recognize the impact and reinforce the power of trusted relationships. Relational partnerships move healthcare forward. When trust and respect are the foundation, introductions become catalysts for real change. If you’re serious about advancing innovation, be intentional with your connections. It’s not about quantity. It’s about quality, trust, and lasting impact. 🔥 #healthcareonlinkedin #partnerships #innovation #sme

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆? Especially in the MedTech world where innovation is the name of the game. But if you play your cards right, these events can be a goldmine for knowledge and connections. Here’s how you can make the most out of your next MedTech conference in five easy steps: 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 First things first, know what you want to achieve. → Are you there to learn about the latest regulatory changes? → Or are you scouting for potential partners? ↳ Whatever it is, defining your objectives will guide your entire conference experience. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮 Don’t just show up and wing it. → Go through the schedule and identify must attend sessions and speakers. ↳ Knowing who will be there helps you plan your day and avoid missing out on key insights. 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 Yes, networking is crucial, but don’t just collect business cards like Pokémon. → Engage in meaningful conversations. → Take an interest in others’ work and share your expertise. ↳ It's about creating lasting connections rather than just contacts. 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 Conferences often have dedicated hashtags. → Use them to join the conversation. → Share your thoughts on sessions and connect with other attendees online. ↳ It’s a great way to extend your reach beyond the physical venue. 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗨𝗽 The work doesn’t stop when the conference ends. → Send follow-up emails to people you met. → Mention something specific from your conversation to jog their memory. ↳ This solidifies the connection and could lead to exciting opportunities. So, what’s your strategy for your next conference?

If you think your technical expertise is enough to protect your career, think again. Ask any leader and they’ll agree - it’s your relationships, not your résumé, that keep you safe. At Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) Convergence, I asked Brian Savoie and Mario Arbesu for the best career advice they’ve ever received. Brian shared something his grandfather told him years ago: your network will keep you safe. And he’s absolutely right. In RA and QA, your network isn’t just a safety net - it’s how you stay current. Regulations shift. The guidance keeps changing. Teams move. Having people you can call, compare notes with and learn from makes all the difference. Because opportunities don’t just come from hard work. They come from people who know you, trust you and remember how you showed up. Then Mario shared something that builds on that perfectly: be a good person to people. Because MedTech is a small world. You’ll cross paths with the same people again - just in different roles, at different companies, wearing different hats. And no one wants to work with someone who makes things harder than they have to be. So what does this look like in practice for RA and QA? It’s checking in with peers when new guidance drops and sharing insights instead of keeping them to yourself. It’s saying yes to mentoring someone who’s just starting out. It’s staying curious, generous and connected - even when you’re busy. Those small things build the trust and credibility that last far longer than any job title. Between them, there’s a truth we don’t talk about enough in RA and QA. Your network keeps you safe. Your character keeps you connected. Be intentional about both. If you take one thing from this, remember that your technical expertise will open doors, but your relationships are what keep them open. Who in your network has helped keep you safe?

I sat across from a colleague who was on the verge of giving up on medicine. A brilliant mind, yet he felt trapped. What changed his path? Networking. Here’s how you can harness the power of networking to pivot your career in medicine. Whether you're an earlycareer physician or a seasoned practitioner, networking can redefine your trajectory. Think of it as building a bridge between where you are and where you want to be. Here are actionable steps to leverage networking: ✅ Start with your current network. → Reach out to mentors, colleagues, and even patients. ↳ You never know who might have the connection you need. ✅ Attend medical conferences and seminars. → Not just for learning, but also for meeting likeminded professionals. ↳ Use these events as opportunities to discuss your goals and aspirations. ✅ Join professional organizations. → Become active in groups like the American Medical Association or specialtyspecific societies. ↳ These groups often have career resources and networking events. ✅ Utilize social media platforms. → LinkedIn isn't just for corporate professionals. ↳ Engage in discussions, post your insights, and connect with peers globally. ✅ Seek informational interviews. → Identify and reach out to physicians who have made similar career changes. ↳ Learn from their journeys and ask for advice. ✅ Offer value before asking for help. → Share your knowledge, offer to help with projects, and be a resource. ↳ Relationships are reciprocal, and giving first often leads to receiving. Remember, a single conversation can open doors to new opportunities. Networking is not just about exchanging business cards. It’s about building meaningful relationships that can guide you to your next career milestone. Start today. Who will you reach out to first? 🔔 Follow me, Dr. Heath Jolliff, for more tips ♻️ Share with your network to help them