“Creativity is just connecting things.” — Steve Jobs.
In business, the biggest breakthroughs often come from the smallest, most unexpected connections. When you step outside your industry bubble and talk to someone who solves problems differently, say an architect, a fitness coach, or a fintech founder, you start to see patterns, ideas, and solutions you never would have discovered alone.
That’s the power of cross-industry networking, the kind of collaboration that fuels disruptive thinking.
What Exactly Is Disruptive Thinking?
Disruptive thinking is about challenging norms and spotting opportunities others overlook. It’s how entire industries evolve. When markets shift overnight and technology advances faster than ever, businesses that think disruptively are the ones that thrive.
But here’s the catch: you can’t think differently if you only ever talk to people who think like you.
The Limits of Staying in Your Lane
Most professionals spend their careers surrounded by people in the same field, attending the same events, reading the same trade journals, facing the same problems. That’s what we call an industry echo chamber. Inside it, ideas tend to improve gradually, not exponentially.
The problem? Incremental thinking rarely leads to transformation.
Where Cross-Industry Networking Changes the Game
When you connect with professionals from completely different sectors, you’re exposed to fresh frameworks, tools, and ways of thinking.
It’s like switching lenses on a camera — suddenly, you see new angles.
A healthcare consultant might learn data security best practices from a fintech expert.
A retailer could use gamification techniques borrowed from the gaming world to boost customer engagement.
A manufacturer might collaborate with a software company to automate processes and cut inefficiencies.
These intersections don’t just lead to new ideas — they create new revenue models.
When Networking Sparks Real Innovation
Take the example of a BNI member who runs a logistics company and connects with someone in digital marketing. Together, they design a campaign that not only markets delivery services better but also streamlines client onboarding through automation.
That’s not just networking — that’s networking that works.
Or imagine a local café collaborating with a fitness studio to co-host “wellness mornings” — coffee, community, and a workout. Both businesses gain visibility, share audiences, and build credibility through collaboration.
Cross-industry networking builds these unexpected bridges that drive both innovation and growth.
Why It Works
You gain access to diverse insights: Different industries face different challenges — and different solutions.
You attract collaboration, not competition: It’s easier to partner when you’re not fighting for the same customer.
You stay ahead of trends: You’ll often spot shifts in technology, consumer behavior, or regulation earlier through diverse conversations.
How to Put It into Practice
Attend multi-industry forums and business meetups where conversations cross boundaries.
Use LinkedIn or BNI Connect to reach out to professionals from fields you’ve never explored.
Set a personal goal to build relationships in at least three industries outside your own this year.
Stay curious — ask, “How do you solve this problem in your business?”
You never know which conversation might change the way you think about your own.
From Connections to Collaboration
Cross-industry networking helps in building bridges that inspire disruptive ideas, spark innovation, and unlock opportunities you couldn’t have found alone.
Because sometimes, the person who transforms your business may not be in your industry at all — just in your network.
