What is serendipity?

Serendipity is the concept whereby an opportunity arises from an encounter or event that is totally unexpected and/or unrelated to the opportunity being created. Serendipity can be likened to the concept of the “snowball effect” or “serendipity”, whereby one decision leads to a series of consequences.

Although often underestimated, serendipity plays a fundamental role in the professional world. Here’s a closer look at how serendipity can help your business flourish and open up new opportunities!

Unexpected encounters and their positive impact on your business

Are you a professional looking for new opportunities? You should know that they can arise in any context, and sometimes when you least expect them! This concept, serendipity, takes its origin from an old tale and expresses the idea of “serendipity”, i.e., that a totally unexpected encounter, event and/or discussion can lead to rewarding opportunities and encounters.
At a conference, a trade show or even dinner with friends, it’s quite possible to find yourself at the heart of an opportunity you hadn’t even considered. However, while serendipity can lead to unexpected encounters and interesting opportunities, it’s important to know how to seize these opportunities!

Here’s a closer look at how you can make your own luck and boost your business.

Attend professional events

To create opportunities you might not have thought of, we advise you to pull out all the stops! For example, you could attend professional events where you’ll be able to meet professionals from your own or other sectors.

Conferences and seminars

For example, focus on professional conferences and seminars. By attending these events, you may be able to meet people who will provide you with enriching opportunities to boost your business.

Trade shows

Trade shows are also a great place to meet new people who could lead to business opportunities. If you want to boost your network and be surprised by new encounters, don’t hesitate to take advantage of these opportunities!

Let yourself be tempted by non-professional contexts

While trade fairs, conferences and seminars are obviously the ideal places to boost the visibility of your business, don’t forget informal venues (cafés, bars, concerts, art openings, etc.) which can also help you boost your network.

Sign up for a sport!

Sports clubs can be a real asset in energizing your professional circle. Taking part in a sporting activity (ideally a team sport) helps you develop strong bonds and create new friendships, which can sometimes lead to interesting professional opportunities!

Think charity

Getting involved in a charity is also a great way to meet new people and talk about your professional activity!

In fact, friendly encounters can also lead to interesting and promising professional opportunities! If you want to expand your network, don’t hesitate to make the effort to meet new people!

How can you make the most of serendipity?

Just like the 6 handshakes theory, which states that one person can lead you to get to know another, etc. serendipity is based on the same “snowball effect”. In fact, serendipity is based on the fact that an unexpected encounter can have positive consequences and implications.

To maximize your chances of benefiting from this concept, it’s important to adopt the right behaviors.

Be curious and listen carefully

To succeed in attracting the attention of new prospects/contacts, you need to be curious and a good listener. By adopting a positive, people-focused attitude, you’ll increase your chances of making proactive contacts.

To achieve this, you need to network informally, by multiplying the topics of conversation during your meetings. Bear in mind that you can develop your networking skills by presenting yourself effectively and spontaneously.

Reconnect on the network!

After a chance meeting, it’s important to keep in touch! Nothing could be simpler today: your contact certainly has an account on the networks, be it LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook! Don’t hesitate to follow up with an invitation on the networks to give yourself the best chance of creating a truly lasting relationship. You can also spontaneously take your contact’s phone number and decide to contact them again at a later date.

Present your VKARD digital business card

You’ve spent some time with some new prospects, and it seems as though you’ve got the hang of it? You don’t want to pass up the opportunity for a new exchange! Don’t hesitate to offer your digital business card at the end of your meeting, so you can be contacted again later.

To make the most of serendipity, you need to be open to others and friendly. By multiplying your meetings and events (whether professional or personal), you’ll multiply your chances of meeting new people and boosting your networking. These chance encounters can lead to new business opportunities, so it’s important to know how to react to maintain contact once it’s been established!