Building Bridges, Not Just Business: The Power of Networking Across Industries
Written by Yew Peng Fong, CCO of SRKK GROUP
I recently had the chance to attend the HP Amplify Conference 2025 in Nashville, and frankly, it was a refreshing change of pace. Events like these offer a much-needed break from the daily grind, providing me with the space to fully immerse myself in what truly drives our industry forward. That moment underscored for me the transformative power of face-to-face networking and later inspired me to write this article.
As the Chief Commercial Officer at SRKK Group, a core part of my role is identifying new opportunities and nurturing meaningful relationships—not only with existing customers and partners but also with potential ones. And there’s no better way to do that than by engaging in person. Whether it’s a quick chat in a buzzing expo hall or a deep conversation at a roundtable, the best connections often happen face-to-face.
From my perspective, events aren’t merely platforms to showcase what you do; they’re opportunities to build bridges, exchange ideas, and align with those who share a passion for growth and innovation. Here’s why I believe networking is essential to any organization’s success:
New Opportunities
One of the most valuable aspects of attending industry events is the chance to meet key players, potential partners, and collaborators—and even get an insider’s look at some of the most successful companies through exclusive corporate visits.
Last year, I had the incredible privilege of joining the Malaysian Consortium of Mid-Tier Companies (MCMTC), a powerful network of local CEOs. It opened doors to behind-the-scenes experiences with some of Malaysia’s leading businesses. Sitting down with their leadership teams, exchanging stories, and seeing firsthand how they scaled their companies gave me a fresh perspective on what it takes to grow and sustain a business.
Those real, unfiltered conversations with like-minded peers across sectors didn’t just spark new ideas for SRKK but also deepened my understanding of the diverse strategies and bold thinking that truly fuel business success.
An Avenue for Insights Across Industries
When we network, we gain exposure to insights that extend far beyond our own industry.
Take the fashion industry, for example. While it may seem worlds apart from technology, my experience attending KL Fashion Week 2024 proved otherwise. The event’s emphasis on innovation highlighted a universal truth: creativity, adaptability, and forward-thinking are the common threads that drive progress across all industries.
Attending events like these helps shape our strategic direction at SRKK, encouraging us to embrace cutting-edge technologies and adopt sustainable practices that resonate with the values of modern businesses.
Strengthened Partnerships
While events are a great way to build new connections, they’re just as powerful for strengthening the ones we already have.
At the HP Amplify Conference 2025, I bumped into one of our panelists from TRANSFORM 2025. What started as a casual “How have you been?” quickly turned into an unexpected deep dive into the latest shifts in the business landscape. Sometimes, having connections with people in senior positions unlocks a whole new level of dialogue—one that’s candid, honest, and packed with invaluable perspectives that you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.
And beyond the business talk, it’s not uncommon for some of these partnerships to blossom into genuine friendships, bonded over shared interests like fashion and lifestyle. At the end of the day, business is about people, and authentic connections are what drive long-term success.
As I reflect on my experience, these moments shape my strategic vision and fuel both my personal and professional growth, further solidifying my role as CCO as I continue to engage and collaborate with people outside of work.
So, here’s my simple advice: say yes to those invites, block out time on your calendar, join any events you’re invited to, and collect those business cards. Together, we can keep building bridges and learning from one another.
And who knows? That casual conversation over a cup of coffee might just lead to your next major business breakthrough.
