My thoughts on the Future of Work

A bunch of unstructured thoughts to provide a look into how I approach technology and the space I'm building in.

Technological advancements around AI, IoT, Smart Cities, and more are reshaping the way we live and work. It's crucial to consider the future of work and the role that efficient, accessible, and secure advancements for the average person will play.

My mission is to design, build, and equip people with tools to make upward momentum more efficient, accessible, and secure for everyone—or even possible at all.

I don't come from money, which might explain my itch to scratch here. So I've decided commit to building tools to help people control their ability to “make it.”

For most, the first checkpoint on the path to "making it" is figuring out financial stability.

If you want to make money, you have to talk people… The right people.

At its core — this is what professional networking is. Talking to the right people.

We have 3 tools to build a professional network.

1. Word of mouth
   • Friends & family
   • Alumni networks
   • Clients and customers
   • Colleagues & bosses

2. Proximity & Convergence (U.S. Events Industry —$330B/annual)
   • Panel discussions
   • Pop-ups, mixers, fireside chats, Gallery openings, fund raisers etc..
   • Conferences & Trade Shows

3. Technology
   • Social Platforms: LinkedIn, Upwork, Bumble Bizz, Twitter, Insta…
   • Sched, Salesforces, Martech etc..
   • Link in bio, popl, linktree

Word of mouth is about anyone who will or can advocate on your behalf but it’s also about your ability to talk to the right people.

The U.S. Events industry was spawned because it turns out when you get a bunch of relevant people in the same room for a few hours, you can get business done. Companies decided to get really efficient at this since they were paying so much to be in the same room with "the right people" at all these events.

This created the ecosystem of technology for the purpose of “professional networking”… they built things like lead-generation, CRM platforms, “data enrichment,” and more… All in the effort to basically just be able to talk to the right people and to grow their businesses.

This has led to an efficiency divide between consumers and large companies. Large companies have their marketing and sales funnels, while the average person is left with the golden hammer of social media to grow their network awareness.

Hello, Golden Hammer problem 👋
The average person is left to adapt social networks for professional networking purposes, or attempt to use a digital resume with a news feed to content-farm or cold DM their way to success. No wonder everyone says they hate LinkedIn.

Now, I personally don't think people hate LinkedIn. I think they hate the idea that this is the only option available for building a professional network outside of turning their social media into a billboard.

Most people know that advertising isn't the best way to forge meaningful connections, but when it's the only choice, I believe that's how you end up with this:

So anyway, if we are only six degrees of separation away from everyone, the solution I see is finding actionable ways to make the right information available to the right people in the real world, and doing it in a way that feels like talking to your neighbor rather than selling at a trade show or being an "influencer."

Our first tool aims to bridge that gap, enabling individuals to find and engage with people they are already in proximity to, and close the gap with those who can help them succeed professionally.

With access to data and a relatively simple suggestion algorithm, we've created an experience that fosters upward mobility, regardless of one's background, social status, or geographic location.

The hardest part is just sharing what you do

There are many barriers for people attempting to realize their full potential, with countless missed opportunities resulting from a lack of efficient means to communicate one's professional identity.

I thought it was obvious - Create a platform for people to easily share what they do and how someone can work with them.

Package that entire answer to the question "so what do you do?" into something that feels closer to a food delivery app.

My data is matched with receivers [restaurants → relevant professionals], and recommendations are made based on what [Uber Eats → Bandto] knows about what I need or want, and then BOOM, I have a tangible result that leaves both parties fulfilled.

I think it's literally just about utilizing data and objectives to produce results for people.

Convergence, Proximity, and the future of cities.

The concepts of convergence and proximity have always been essential to human beings. By shaping our interactions and experiences both online and offline, we utilize proximity to build the world around us. Convergence refers to the integration of various aspects of our lives, while proximity focuses on the importance of physical closeness.

Obvious examples of human convergence and proximity to achieve one's goals:

• College/universities

• Jobs

• Conferences/events

• Community organizations

• Public parks

• Places of worship

• Farmers markets

• Concerts

These examples bring together people from diverse fields, backgrounds, objectives, etc., via common interest. We use social media platforms to connect us with friends and family regardless of geographical distances, but it's time to utilize platforms or these bricks in our pockets to interact with our physical environment for the purpose of work. I liken it to the assassins in John Wick receiving data about a job on their phone at a bar.

[I just love this idea of assassins having to go through onboarding slides to join the underground professional network service.]

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Networking has a “Last Mile Problem”

So, this "last mile" problem comes from not being able to fully realize the potential of convergence and proximity. You do all this work, pay all this money, and come all this way to be around people that you might be able to talk to.

The solution lies in providing individuals with actionable insights.

Tools are needed to leverage convergence and proximity effectively, ultimately bridging the gap between potential connections and tangible outcomes. If we solve this last mile problem, we can help people utilize convergence and proximity, paving the way for more fruitful and purposeful interactions anytime you step out of the house.

As cities around the world strive to become smarter and more efficient, "professional networking" must evolve to support these initiatives. Our project aligns with the vision of future of smart cities by offering a platform that promotes collaboration, innovation, and economic growth. I believe that by connecting individuals based on their professional interests and goals, we can cultivate a thriving ecosystem that benefits everyone.

Simply put... Talk to your neighbor.

Note: Implications of a more productive society

When professional networking becomes more efficient and accessible, society as a whole benefits from increased productivity and innovation. By empowering individuals to connect with the right people and opportunities, we can unlock untapped potential, drive economic growth, and promote a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities… sometimes the answer is the obvious one, eh?

Harnessing the power of AI for upward mobility

Look.. it’s coming with or without us. As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize various aspects of our lives, integrating AI into professional networking has the potential to significantly impact individuals’ ability to generate upward momentum. By leveraging AI to cut through inefficiencies and identify valuable connections, we can ensure that people from all walks of life have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed.

The future of work demands a more efficient, accessible, and secure approach to professional networking. By building a platform that addresses these challenges, we can break down societal barriers, promote upward mobility, and contribute to the development of smarter cities. As we integrate AI into our solution, we can empower individuals to take control of their professional journeys and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

We must be the ones to lay down the conduit of our future, to help make sense of the chaos and untangle the wires of life. To provide a tool box and framework for people to make informed decisions and ultimately get to work.

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