How the Delta Strain could transform networking in Australia

With the Delta strain now the dominant strain across the world, a space in time has afforded some executives in the US to discover what business networking looks like during this period of dealing with a highly transmissible variant in an environment where vaccinations are not occurring.

On the ground:

Axios’ Joann Muller attended her first live event since the start of the pandemic. She attended the annual Management Briefing Seminar sponsored by the Center for Automotive Research. She noted that:

• The event was hybrid, with 500 executives attending live, and 200 participating online.
• The check-in process was simple and contact-free, drawing on digital connectivity for registration.
• Red and Green stickers were used for guests. Green means: “handshakes OK” and Red: “Not ready for handshakes yet.”

Key quotes:

A female VP attending the event noted to Muller “I’m feeling weirdly anxious. I don’t know how to act around people. I’m wearing my first pants without elastic around the waist.”

Outcomes:

Given the timeline for vaccinations and the Government being in a position where they can make the call Australia will be operating on a zero-case basis ever again. Understanding how to pivot business networking will be of critical concern for the industry. With all eyes on Europe and the USA as test cases.