Small Talk-Small World: A Networking Game for Exploring Connections Through Conversation and Play

Abstract

Networking is an essential part of a successful business career. While it seems easy on paper, there are several barriers that prevent people from actively engaging in networking, one of the most prominent barrier being lack of conversational skills. This exercise with its bingo-like mechanics promotes small talk and casual pursuit of predetermined networking goals. Building upon “small-world phenomenon” and “strength of weak ties” theory, the exercise creates an environment where it is possible to understand dynamics and benefits of networking rapidly while giving a chance for participants to find their own style. The activity is suitable for undergraduate students in business and management–related programs.

Keywords

networking networking game conversational skills experiential exercise in-class activity small world weak ties

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Caldwell

E. F.

Cattermole

(2015). Student perceptions of barriers to networking with employers. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, 5(3), 287–298. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-07-2014-0030

Coward

(2016). Scaling up: Material culture as scaffold for the social brain. Quaternary International, 405, 78–90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.02.019

de Janasz

S. C.

Forret

M. L

. (2008). Learning the art of networking: A critical skill for enhancing social capital and career success. Journal of Management Education, 32(5), 629–650. https://doi.org/10.1177/1052562907307637

De Klerk

. (2010). The importance of networking as a management skill. South African Journal of Business Management, 41(1), 37–49. https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC22385

De Klerk

Kroon

. (2007). Networking in South African businesses. Management Decision, 45(1), 89–103. https://doi.org/10.1108/00251740710718980

de Sola Pool

Kochen

. (1978). Contacts and influence. Social Networks, 1(1), 5–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8733(78)90011-4

Favia

M. J.

(2023). Teaching networking skills to students. Journal of Instructional Pedagogies, 29, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.33423/jip.v29i.6425

Forret

M. L.

Dougherty

T. S.

(2004). Networking behaviors and career outcomes: Differences for men and women? Journal of Organizational Behavior, 25, 419–437. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.253

Fryczyńska

Ciecierski

(2020). Networking competence and its impact on the employability of knowledge workers. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 33(2), 349–365. https://doi.org/10.1108/JOCM-09-2019-0284

10.

Granovetter

M. S.

(1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360–1380. https://doi.org/10.1086/225469

11.

Hellín

C. J.

Calles-Esteban

Valledor

Gómez

Otón-Tortosa

Tayebi

(2023). Enhancing student motivation and engagement through a gamified learning environment. Sustainability, 15(19), 14119. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151914119

12.

Kleinfeld

J. S.

(2002). The small world problem. Society, 39(2), 61–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12115-002-1014-6

13.

Macintosh

Krush

(2017). Networking behavior and sales performance: Examining potential gender differences. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 25(2), 160–170. https://doi.org/10.1080/10696679.2016.1270770

14.

Porter

C. M.

Woo

S. E.

(2015). Untangling the networking phenomenon: A dynamic psychological perspective on how and why people network. Journal of Management, 41(5), 1477–1500. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206315582247

15.

Schnettler

(2009a). A small world on feet of clay? A comparison of empirical small-world studies against best-practice criteria. Social Networks, 31(3), 179–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2009.06.002

16.

Schnettler

(2009b). A structured overview of 50 years of small-world research. Social Networks, 31(3), 165–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socnet.2008.12.004

17.

Surendeleg

Murwa

Yun

H. K.

Kim

Y. S.

(2014). The role of gamification in education: A literature review. Contemporary Engineering Sciences, 7(29), 1609–1616. https://doi.org/10.12988/ces.2014.411217

18.

Tonge

(2008). Barriers to networking for women in a UK professional service. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 23(7), 484–505. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542410810908848

19.

Wanberg

C. R.

van Hooft

E. A. J.

Liu

Csillag

(2020). Can job seekers achieve more through networking? The role of networking intensity, self-efficacy, and proximal benefits. Personnel Psychology, 73(4), 559–585. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12372

20.

Wolff

H.-G.

Kim

(2012). The relationship between networking behaviors and the Big Five personality dimensions. Career Development International, 17(1), 43–66. https://doi.org/10.1108/13620431211201328

21.

Wolff

H.-G.

Moser

(2009). Effects of networking on career success: A longitudinal study. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(1), 196–206. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0013350