What's the best way to build a network? With Isabel Berwick and Kirsty Newman

What's the best way to build a network? With Isabel Berwick and Kirsty Newman

Author: Deloitte UK June 17, 2025 Duration: 39:34
The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business
Business

What you know matters, but who you know matters more. 

That's not quite how the original saying goes, but perhaps it's time for an update. Whereas once 'It's not what you know, it's who you know' might have been whispered and accompanied by a raised eyebrow, things have shifted. 

A strong network doesn't, or shouldn't, act as a substitute for our skills. But it can provide us with more opportunities to demonstrate them. According to LinkedIn, 70% of jobs aren't even advertised on job websites, with 85% of all jobs filled through networking. 

So, your network, and your ability to network, really matter. But despite its undoubted importance, why does it often feel awkward for so many of us?  

The mere thought of circulating a room chatting to strangers or more senior colleagues, can feel daunting and uncomfortable in equal measures. So much so that one in four of us don't network at all.

So, how do we overcome the discomfort and find a way to make networking work for us? And build mutually beneficial networks that will help get us to where we want to be?

That's what we're exploring with leading FT journalist and author of The Future-Proof Career, Isabel Berwick and Kirsty Newman, Market Chair at Deloitte UK, in this episode of The Green Room, as we ask: What's the best way to build a network?  

Tune in to find out: 

  • Why some of us find networking easier than others
  • The difference between being strategic and being inauthentic when networking
  • How businesses can facilitate networking – for their people and their clients
  • Conversation starters to use the next time you network

Enjoyed this episode? Check our website for our recommendations to learn more about this topic: deloitte.co.uk/greenroompodcasts

You can also watch our episodes on Youtube: youtube.com/@DeloitteUK 

Scope here:  scope.org.uk

Guests: Isabel Berwick, leading journalist and author of The Future-Proof Career, and Kirsty Newman, Market Chair at Deloitte UK
Hosts: Lizzie Elston and Ollie Carpenter
Original music: Ali Barrett


In The Green Room: Questions That Matter Most In Business, conversations move beyond surface-level trends to examine the underlying forces reshaping the commercial landscape. Hosted by Deloitte UK, this award-winning podcast creates a space where complex, pressing questions are met with clarity and depth. Every discussion is built around a single, significant inquiry, bringing in leading voices from across various sectors to unpack it. What you'll hear is not just commentary, but substantive strategic analysis and expert insights designed for leaders and professionals who need to understand the 'why' and the 'how'. The dialogue consistently returns to critical, interconnected areas like digital transformation, the practical implications of AI and technology, evolving leadership models, and the realities of the future of work. It also delves into core business strategy, the pathways to genuine innovation, and the urgent demands of sustainability and climate action. This podcast functions as a dedicated forum for thought leadership, where each episode provides a focused lens on the topics that define success and responsibility in modern business. The aim is to equip listeners with perspectives that are both broad and deeply relevant, turning abstract concepts into actionable understanding. It’s a resource for anyone looking to engage with the substantive ideas that are currently challenging and changing organizations worldwide.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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