I have been to a lot of expos, conferences and industry events lately, and one thing I am very aware of is how easy it is to have a great conversation with someone, swap details, and then get swallowed by normal work again.
A couple of messages from WIMWA (Women in Mining and Resources WA) really stuck with me. Dr Mark Williams spoke about the importance of human connection. Laura Tyler spoke about productivity gains and, importantly, what we actually choose to do with the time technology gives back to us.
I love the combination of those two ideas, because it is a perfect mix of my two loves: people and tech efficiency.
AI does not just have to be about doing the work we already do, faster. It can also help us do some of the things we know are valuable but often do not get around to, because they feel too time-consuming.
Following up with people after an event is a perfect example.
Quite the opposite. One approach I use is the Claude browser extension, to remove some of the admin around keeping those connections going.
After an event, I can give Claude:
Then ask it to help me:
The important bit: review the people and the messages before letting it continue.
You will need Claude in Chrome with the browser extension enabled, and access granted to the pages you want it to interact with.
Start by opening LinkedIn in your browser, then open Claude. Upload your business cards, notes or photos from the event and use something like:
“Review the attached notes, business cards and photos from WIMWA. Create a list of the people I met, including their name, company, role and any notes about our conversation. Then find the most likely matching LinkedIn profile for each person. Do not connect with anyone yet. Show me the matches first so I can confirm them.”
Once you have checked them:
“For the people I have approved, open their LinkedIn profiles and prepare a short personalised connection request. Mention that we met at WIMWA and reference our conversation where there is enough information to do so. Keep it natural and conversational. Show me each message before sending.”
Then deal with the bit I am usually guilty of forgetting, the second follow-up. Open Microsoft To Do, Outlook Calendar or Teams and prompt:
“For each person I have just connected with, create a reminder for two weeks from today to reconnect.”
AI can deal with the repetitive admin. You still make the connection.
And maybe some of the productivity gains we keep talking about can go back into having more conversations with actual humans.
Only if you let it write the relationship for you. The approach here uses AI for the admin - matching names to profiles, drafting a first draft, setting the reminder - while you review every person and every message before anything is sent.
Claude in Chrome with the browser extension enabled, and access granted to the pages you want it to interact with. You also need your raw material from the event: business cards, photos of name badges, or your own notes.
No. Ask it to show you the matches before connecting and each message before sending. Automated outreach at volume is how you damage a reputation you went to the event to build.
The second follow-up. Connecting is easy; reconnecting a fortnight later is what most people forget. Creating the reminder, with a note about why you wanted to follow up, is the part that makes the difference.
If you want to get Claude set up properly before you try this, the setup map walks through it step by step.
Read the Claude setup map