networx
Networking, Simplified
Team and Roles
1 Product Designer (me)
1 UX Designer
2 UX Researchers
Timeline
Aug - Nov 2024
(12 weeks)
Tools
Responsibilities
User Research
UI design
Prototyping
Usability Testing
Overview
Client - ROI WORX
Vision - Build a revenue-generating platform that helps users make meaningful professional connections while developing the skills to network confidently and effectively.
Networ
X
ROI Wor
Goals
01
Help professionals connect with like-minded individuals who can inspire and support their journeys.
02
Provide tools to build long-term, meaningful relationships—not just fleeting connections.
03
Help in teaching how to network effectively and building those initial professional relationships.
Viability
Desirability
Feasibility
Impact
Achieved a 60 NPS score and 80 SUS score.
why networking
“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”
So, how might we?
Solution #1
Cut through the noise to help users build meaningful connections
Solution #2
Strategize networking at events.
Problem
A major market barrier was users’ resistance to new platforms, with their networks already established in LinkedIn.
Solution
We integrate LinkedIn using its API to pull user data, connections, and activity- helping users improve and manage their existing LinkedIn network more effectively.
Connect with LinkedIn
9:30
AI-Based Matchmaking
Connect with professionals based on
LinkedIn profiles.
We use your LinkedIn profile to find the best matches for you.
Please wait we’re connecting your LinkedIN account...
9:30
Cancel
9:30
Success!
Your LinkedIn network is now part of your Networx journey
Continue
LinkedIN Integration = Zero Switching Cost
Higher User Adoption rate
Problem
Unstructured networking felt overwhelming; users struggled to stay consistent.
Solution
A goal-based networking roadmap with clear, actionable tasks (skills, engagement, events).
→ Applied progressive disclosure and habit-forming design to reduce overload and build consistency.
Home
Matches
Events
Connections
Your Roadmap to Success
Skill Development Tasks
Engagement Tasks
Event Participation Tasks
Draft 10 Personalized Engagement Message
Craft a concise pitch that highlights your expertise, key strengths, and networking goals
Draft message
Post-Event Follow-Up Best Practices
Learn how to follow up after an event effectively (e.g., thanking someone, reminding them of the conversation, suggesting next steps).
Create your Pitch
Pre-Event Research
Identify Key Speakers and Attendees to connect with during the event.
Identify now
Connection with 10 of your saved matches
Connect with 10 new people each week to reach your goal of 50 connections this month.
Connect now
Elevator Pitch Development
Craft a concise pitch that highlights your expertise, key strengths, and networking goals
Create your Pitch
Capture Insights
Take notes on key insights and connections made during the event to enhance your learning and future engagements
Log your insights
See all
Your Current Goal
To find a job by building relevant connections, improving my network, and gaining referrals.
1hr a day
6 Tasks
Roadmap
Analytics
Good Morning, Thomas.
You're making great strides in your professional journey. Keep pushing forward—great opportunities are ahead!
9:30
Home
Matches
Events
Connections
See all
Roadmap
Analytics
24
New Connections
60%
Response Rate
15
Follow-Ups Sent
2
Events Attended
Your Upcoming Events
Oct
30
Oct
30
Featuring
Jane Doe (Google) & John Smith (Amazon)
Philadelphia, PA
UX Design Summit 2024:
Join industry experts to explore the latest trends in UX design and practical techniques to elevate...See more
UX Mentors
UX Knowledge
Good Morning, Thomas.
You're making great strides in your professional journey. Keep pushing forward—great opportunities are ahead!
9:30
Home
Matches
Events
Connections
Metrics track progress and keep users engaged
User sets a goal —> AI generates personalized networking roadmap
Skill Development Tasks
Your roadmap to sucess
Engagement Tasks
Craft a concise pitch that highlights your expertise, key strengths, and networking goals
Draft 10 Personalized Engagement Message
Draft message
Learn how to follow up after an event effectively (e.g., thanking someone, suggesting next steps).
Post-Event Follow-Up
Create your Pitch
Connection with 10 of your
saved matches
Connect with 10 new people each week to reach your goal of 50 connections this month.
Connect now
Elevator Pitch Development
Craft a concise pitch that highlights your expertise, key strengths, and networking goals
Create your Pitch
9:30
Problem
Generic recommendations on networking platforms led to surface-level connections which did not provide much value.
Solution
We used onboarding inputs and LinkedIn data to match users with people aligned to their goals, values, and professional needs.
AI drafts a personalized note by analyzing the match’s profile, activity, and shared interests.
Solution #1
Cut through the noise to help users build meaningful connections
Solution #2
Strategize networking at events.
Problem
Event networking feels awkward and time-wasting.
Users don’t know which events are worth attending or who to meet once they’re there.
Solution
We recommend events based on user goals and profile, and show the attendee list in advance—so users can plan who to connect with and make the most of their time.
Quick video tips to prep
View attendees to connect early
Why this event?
Problem
Users feel lost in large venues and miss key booths or people leading to missed opportunities.
Solution
An interactive venue map with searchable booth locations, event spaces, and attendees (who opt to share location) makes navigation effortless and intentional.
Bonus: A digital business card to share key details and connect quickly
Subscription models
But wait.. how did we get here? Let's find out!
Phase 1: Research
Environmental Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Surveys- 30 responses
16 Interviews
Value Proposition Canvas
Persona & Problem Statement
Phase 2: Ideation
Brainstorming
Storyboards
Client Feedback
Final Solution & Validation
Business Model Canvas
Concept Validation
Phase 3: Design
Design Validation
Usability Evaluation
Final Prototype
Revenue Model
SWOT Analysis
Growth Plan
01. THE CURRENT MARKET
In today's professional landscape, networking is indispensable, with 80% of professionals considering it essential for career success. However, many face significant challenges:
35%
professionals secured job through a connection.
40%
find it hard to stay in touch with their connections.
50%
finds it challenging to connect with the right people.
LinkedIn dominates the professional networking market in the USA, boasting over 230 million users and holding approximately 90% market share.
This dominance presents a unique challenge: professionals are reluctant to switch to new platforms, fearing the loss of established networks and connections.
02. UNDERSTANDING OUR USERS
To explore user needs and challenges, I conducted 16 interviews, gathered 30 survey responses, and observed networking behaviors firsthand.
Students & Recent Graduates
Build professional connections, find mentors, and secure job opportunities
Professionals
Seeking career growth, mentorship, and industry networking.
Entrepreneurs & Startups
Looking for potential collaborators, investors, and business opportunities.
What patterns did I discover?
~65 %
Network through in-person or virtual events.
40 %
Want to network more often but finds it hard to stay in touch with their network
more than
50 %
Face challenges to connect with right people, and are frustrated with lack of responses
03. COMPETITOR ANALYSIS
What did we learn from our competitors?
Overcrowding & Surface-level connections- LinedIN dominates the market but struggles with meaningful engagement due to its sheer size.
Engagement & Retention Issues – Apps like Clubhouse and Lunchclub face challenges in maintaining long-term user engagement.
Event Integration as a Differentiator – Brella’s success highlights the power of combining networking with event management.
Monetization Strategies – Most competitors use a freemium model, with premium features focused on job recruitment, analytics, and AI-powered matchmaking.
Brella
Lunchclub
Slack
Club House
Meetup
Key Features
Allows users to post updates, write articles, and engage with industry content.
job boards, recruitment tools, and application tracking.
AI-Powered Matchmaking
Breakout Rooms
Virtual Booths
Real-Time Analytics:
Event Agenda Management
Uses AI to curate 1:1 weekly matches based on users' goals, interests, and background.
Matches are highly personalized, focusing on creating valuable, goal-aligned connections.
Channels
real-time messaging
creation of rooms based on topics of interest.
Invite-only access
In-app tipping (for creators)
Users can join live conversations
Event Discovery
Networking and Communication
Group Joining and Creation
Event suggestion/discovery( uses GPS)
Strengths
largest professional networking platform
strong recruitment and job search platform
LinkedIn Learning offers skill development alongside networking.
AI-Driven Networking
Data Insights
Scalability
Highly Personalized Connections
Convenient Virtual Networking
Focus on Quality over Quantity
Enhanced Collaboration
Remote Collaboration
Exclusive and community-driven
Casual, low-pressure environment:
Networking Opportunities
Diverse Interest Groups
community building
Weaknesses/Pain Points
Overcrowded- can be hard to stand out
Many connections are surface-level and don’t lead to meaningful interactions.
Premium is Expensive
Learning Curve: may require training to effectively use all features.
Limited Reach
Requires commitment to participate in scheduled meetings
No Content Creation Features
Potential for Information Overload
Difficulty maintaining long-term engagement.
Trust Issues
Lack of visual context
Limited Search Functionality
Unique Value Proposition
combines professional networking, job searching, content sharing, and skill development, all in one place
Combining event management tools with AI-driven networking, personalized matchmaking and post-event analytics for both organizers and sponsors
Focuses on creating highly personalized 1:1 networking experiences, offering curated, goal-aligned meetings for professionals seeking deeper, more meaningful connections
Improved Collaboration
Streamlined Communication
Direct, real-time access to influential figures
Community Building
Diverse Range of Interests
event discovery(uses gps for nearby events)
Cost/Revenue Model
Freemium
Job Postings & Recruitment srvice
Ads
Subscription- LinkedIN Learning
Ticketing & Registration, Virtual booths, ads, AI-powered matchmaking for lead generation, Analytics and
Free model
Freemium Model
Expansion
Freemium Model: Free app with in-app tipping for creators, who can monetize their rooms
Organizer Subscription Fees
Technology
AI- Used to recommend connections, jobs, and relevant contenT
Data Analytics: Provides insights into profile views, job postings, and networking trends
AI-Powered Matchmaking
Relies heavily on machine learning to match users based on professional goals and networking preferences.
Databases and Data Storage
Real-time conversations
Audio-based infrastructure: real-time audio streaming, optimized for low-latency interaction
location based
Phase 1: Research
Environmental Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Surveys- 30 responses
16 Interviews
Value Proposition Canvas
Persona & Problem Statement
Phase 2: Ideation
Brainstorming
Storyboards
Client Feedback
Final Solution & Validation
Business Model Canvas
Concept Validation
Phase 3: Design
Design Validation
Usability Testing
Final Prototype
Revenue Model
SWOT Analysis
Growth Plan
04. BRAINSTORMING AND IDEATION
We kicked off this phase with sticky notes everywhere, whiteboards full of sketches, endless FigJam boards—and, of course, way too much coffee. It was a mix of big ideas, wild what-ifs, and plenty of "wait, what if we tried this?" moments.
Through brainstorming, storyboarding, and client feedback, we refined our concepts, turning scattered ideas into a structured solution.
We created three different storyboards to visualize our solutions, each exploring a unique approach. The client loved all three and, instead of choosing one, asked us to combine them into a single, more powerful solution. [View the storyboard here.]
05. USER FLOW
Phase 1: Research
Environmental Analysis
Competitor Analysis
Surveys- 30 responses
16 Interviews
Value Proposition Canvas
Persona & Problem Statement
Phase 2: Ideation
Brainstorming
Storyboards
Client Feedback
Final Solution & Validation
Business Model Canvas
Concept Validation
Phase 3: Design
Design Validation
Usability Testing
Final Prototype
Revenue Model
SWOT Analysis
Growth Plan
07. USABILITY TESTING
I tested the initial prototype with 8 participants to see how easily they could navigate and use the platform.
Goal: To spot any friction points, gather real user insights, and refine the design based on their feedback.
4 Testing Methods
Private Prototype Testing
Task Based Testing
Measured task completion rates by assigning users real-world networking scenarios.
A/B Testing
Tested different design variations to identify the most effective UI and interactions.
System Usability Scale (SUS)
Participants rated the prototype using a standardized survey to quantify overall usability and user satisfaction.
08. FINAL SOLUTION
09. NEXT STEPS
Partner with events to integrate attendee data and increase platform reach
Expand AI capabilities for smarter, context-aware matchmaking and messaging
Launch closed beta with students and early-career professionals to gather feedback and drive adoption