*英語のみ
| Date & Time | Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 5:30–7:00 p.m. |
| Format | Online (Zoom) |
| Language | English |
| Speaker | Dr. JuanFra Alvarado Valenzuela Senior Director & Senior Researcher at the Entrepreneurship Research Group and Scientific Director at the HvA Venture Centre of Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) |
Overview
This lecture was part of the 13th Global Leadership Café series lecture organized by the Academy for Leadership (ToTAL). The session focused on the role of networking as a core entrepreneurial skill, particularly for scientists and early-career researchers. Dr. JuanFra Alvarado Valenzuela emphasized that entrepreneurship is not an individual endeavor but fundamentally a collaborative activity, applicable across academic, professional, and everyday contexts.
Session Structure and Key Activities
The workshop began with an introduction to the HvA Venture Centre and its approach to entrepreneurship education. Dr. Alvarado presented entrepreneurship as a social process driven by relationships, trust, and shared value creation rather than purely individual ambition. The lecture included several interactive activities designed to encourage self-reflection and practical application:
Activity 1: Purposeful Networking
Participants were asked to reflect on their purpose when networking. The discussion highlighted the importance of giving before taking, supporting others, and approaching networking as a long-term relationship-building process rather than a transactional exchange.
Activity 2: Identifying Key Collaborators
Participants listed their five main collaborators (e.g., supervisors, peers, senior researchers, industry partners). This activity helped clarify who currently contributes to their academic or entrepreneurial journey and where gaps may exist.
Activity 3: Circle of Influence
Participants visually mapped their circle of influence to understand how close and extended networks can support personal growth, research development, and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Key Takeaways
The session concluded with a summary of core insights and a final reflection slide. The main takeaways included:
• Mapping and understanding key connections related to one’s entrepreneurial or academic projects
• Networking with a clear purpose aligned with personal values and goals
• Supporting others and building trust through sharing passion, knowledge, and expertise
• Recognizing that being entrepreneurial is inherently collaborative
Discussion and Q&A
The workshop ended with an open Q&A session, during which participants asked practical questions about managing social relationships, identifying personal strengths, securing funding, and navigating uncertainty in entrepreneurial and academic paths. Dr. Alvarado provided concrete advice on leveraging networks as a safety net and a source of resilience.
Conclusion
Overall, the lecture provided valuable conceptual and practical insights into networking as a strategic and human-centered skill. It reinforced the idea that strong, trust-based relationships are essential for sustainable entrepreneurial and scientific growth, making the session highly relevant for students, researchers, and professionals alike.
Written by:
Ahmed Mohamed Mahmoud, D1, School of Engineering, ToTAL 6th cohort
