Happy to share my experiences. (equally happy just to listen to others!)

Hi everyone - I'd like to suggest that we hone in on specific challenges we've had here, so that we can really cut into actionable advice for each other. Tirath, Nick, Kalina, John, I'm interested to know what you've tried and why.

Nicky or I would be happy to share our experiences with Leancamp here, if you'd like. Leancamp came about from trying to be helpful. really, by trying to make connections to benefit others first (and reaching out when necessary.) It was less about networks and more about people, so to me feels more framed around being inclusive to people, than assuming there's an exclusive network that needs to be penetrated somehow.

I think Rob Fitzpatrick and Eze Vidra might be good people to invite too, as they have useful stories to tell on this topic, and in particular, blogging in these scenarios. Rob came to London to get involved with the media industry, and Eze is established in quite a few places around the world.

I think this question, in a broader sense, is related to the issue of "founder/market fit"

http://cdixon.org/2011/06/19/foundermarket-fit/

Personally, I think you're screwed. If the situation is at all interesting then the people in the room have vested interests and established agendas that you are competing with. If they haven't invited you, then inviting yourself - however you do it - is going to be unappreciated.

If you have to, make an open and honest offer of what you could bring to the table, but be prepared to accept the answer "no".

But I think of the problem in a different way : what ecosystems am I currently embedded in/attached to and how can I make a meaningful contribution? The harder you look the more you'll uncover systems/networks/ecosystems that you're already part of.

I think the main issue is not networking in general, but networking with the people you need and want to get involved with. Brillian idea!

This is an interesting problem and one that I do personally face. However, without a more focussed agenda, I wonder if a session like this would boil down to a discussion of generic networking tips...?

I'd be interested in discussing the role of content strategy in this task (and keen to share my perspective.)