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As every entrepreneur knows, networking can make or break your business. From finding a possible business partner to connecting with venture capitalists, those Friday drinks at your co-working space hold endless possibilities. Now, however, we’re all working from home, and it’s become a lot harder to meet new people. You might find yourself lacking inspiration, feeling demotivated in your business, or craving interaction with like minded individuals. The pandemic has stopped us being able to do many things, but networking isn’t one of them. Here are some ways you can network virtually - without any awkward Zoom quizzes.

Before the arrival of LinkedIn, Bumble Bizz, and co-working hubs full of entrepreneurs looking to network, connections were made through friends of friends. Read any of the classic business books by the likes of Dale Carnegie or Mark McCormack, and they’ll say that your success comes down to who you know. You don’t have to come from a family of well-connected entrepreneurs - you can build your own valuable network that will help you achieve your business goals. Start by going old-school, and think about everybody you know. Do you have friends or friends-of-friends who would be interesting to connect with? Reach out! A personal introduction helps break the ice, and gives you something to talk about. You never know - your friend’s former colleague could end up being your business partner.

Online communities have come into their own during the pandemic. Opt for something industry-related, or for a more general community where you can meet people who run all types of businesses. The benefit of online communities is that they often have built-in After eight weeks of singing, dancing, acting, sewing and design challenges, and dozens of original looks strutted down the runway, the Netherlands has its first Drag Superstar – Envy Peru. The fifth international version of RuPaul’s Drag Race came to the Netherlands mid-September and showcased the top drag performers in the Netherlands (and one from Belgium) with looks that were ‘everything’ and left us ‘gagging’! And with the best track record in the franchise’s her-story, the Amsterdambased Latina drag queen was crowned the first Dutch Drag Superstar. Anyone who knows me knows a few things about me: I love to travel, I can mix a perfect cocktail, coffee is my best friend, and I am an über-fan of the competition show phenomenon known as RuPaul’s Drag Race. So you can imagine my excitement when it was announced that my beloved Drag Race was coming to the Netherlands! And this season in my beloved Netherlands did not disappoint. The eight-episode season featured some of the best looks, fashion, performances, fun and humour of any of the other seasons. And like most of the other seasons, the backstories of the contestants, including their trials and hardships, were on full display. networking activities. Look for online directories listing members alongside information about their industry and business, and reach out to people who look interesting to you.

Some communities also hold coffee roulettes, pairing members each month who then meet for a 30 minute virtual coffee. Random pairings allow you to meet people you might not otherwise have connected with, opening your business up to new opportunities for collaboration. You might also have the chance to host a workshop within your online community, opening up your business to new possible clients. From personal experience, my membership of Found & Flourish, an international supportive community for female entrepreneurs, had led to endless new clients and opportunities which I could never have foreseen. It’s worth doing some research and making use of free trial months to find an online community that suits you.

Social media has a bad reputation for being a distraction when it comes to work. But when it’s used wisely, you can use Instagram, Facebook, and particularly LinkedIn to connect with new people of interest. On Instagram and Linkedin, make use of hashtags to find people to connect with in your industry. Consider joining a couple of free Facebook groups, introducing yourself and asking if anybody would like to connect. These groups are also useful for asking specific questions, like recommendations for an accountant or business lawyer, or tips for good online courses.

Make sure that your profile across all social media channels is up to date, and shows you at your best. No one wants to respond to a message from a half-empty profile, or one that doesn’t explain what you and your business do. Ensure While the show is undoubtedly entertaining because of the talent, the ‘campiness’ and the sheer joy it brings, it is becoming a very important cultural and social symbol beyond recreational viewing. Season after season the show is serving as an educator to the masses on important LGBTQ+ and social subjects, it highlights the reality of marginalized groups subjected to bullying and ridicule, and it offers a beacon of hope for LGBTQ+ youth who feel out of place in their current surroundings. Once limited to the lesser-frequented neighbourhoods’ cabaret scene, the worldwide sensation that is drag is now on the international television and internet stage for the whole world to enjoy. This season’s winner, Miss Envy Peru, is a perfect example. Envy, or Boris Itzkovich Escobar ‘out of drag’, is a native of Peru, having come with her mother to the Netherlands when she was four years old. In his youth, Boris knew he was different, but coming from a Latin American ‘macho’ culture, as Envy described it in her on-screen confessionals, those feelings were suppressed. Envy even recalls realizing she was gay and wanted to deny it even to herself, since it in the culture she was from it was something to be ashamed of. Furthermore, only knowing stereotypical things about gay culture, she didn’t want to be associated with it and didn’t come out until age 21. Later, learning about LGBTQ+ culture, particularly what this culture entailed for a gay man, Envy got to opportunity to not only be her true self, but to express herself in an artistic, fashionable way, that took her all the way to winning the first season of Drag Race Holland. you’ve got a profile picture, you’ve shared key information in your bio, and you provide links to your website for added authenticity. Once you’ve started a conversation via social media, suggest having a virtual coffee date or phone call so that you can develop your relationship further. Stick to ‘owned’ channels as much as possible (email, phone calls, texts) so that if LinkedIn or Instagram were to shut down tomorrow, you wouldn’t lose all your contacts.

Finally, consider approaching people in alumni groups. These might be hosted on Facebook or LinkedIn, and include everyone who attended the same high school or university as you. You might not have been friends at the time 10 or 15 years ago, but it could just so happen that your former classmate is now a high-profile CEO, and you’d love to grab a virtual coffee with her. Don’t just stick to your former year group, either - search for people a few years above and below you, and see what they’re up to now. Your shared educational background gives you something to talk about, and you never know what might come out of it!

Written by Phoebe Dodds

Founder of BURO155

Other stories emerged of bullying and being disowned by friends and family. But what the contestants display time and time again is that by believing in yourself, ‘finding your tribe’ and not letting society and other people’s opinions hinder you – you can achieve anything you put your mind and heart to. It’s an amazing message to young people all over the world who might feel marginalized or forgotten or may be in a similar situation – many of these stories are shared on the show and even some who were inspired as youths by the show are now contestants on it.

Recent seasons have also opened up the discussion about gender identity and gender roles. The statuesque contestant from Rotterdam, Ma’Ma Queen, used the stage of the show to express their non-binary gender identity through jaw-dropping looks, fashion and unforgettable acting and performing. But it was when their father joined the show for the infamous ‘makeover challenge’ and they walked the runway together in full drag and with fake pregnancy baby bumps that the message of acceptance by family members was really brought home. The beautiful story of allowing their child to be themselves put a tear in everyone’s eyes.

Many people might see the show as entertainment for the LGBTQ+ community, but its message and appeal transcend this limited perception. It offers messages, learning and new perspectives and yes, a whole lot of fun, campy entertainment!

Old city Eva Abilova

2020 is an important year in the history of the Old City of Baku, Azerbaijan. Twenty years ago, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) listed the Old City of Baku, as well as its unique attractions as World Cultural Heritage sites. Thus, throughout the 2020 – Azerbaijan celebrates the glorious history of the Old City.

What makes the Old City so exceptional today? The reason is simple: there is no other site in the world comparable to it. It is a unique living city - museum under the open sky, located in the heart of the capital city Baku. It is built in the shape of an amphitheatre on a 22 hectare area and carries heritage of different civilizations and religions. Nowadays, Old City is a historical-architectural reserve and is preserved by the government.

Old City, with its more than two thousand years of history, is a symbol of pride for Azerbaijani people. It has defied attacks of powerful empires such as Persia, Arab, and Russia until Azerbaijan gained its independence in 1918. Being re-built and renovated after every attack, Old City glorifies the resistance of Azerbaijanis against invasion throughout the history. Even the fortified walls of Old City, with small openings for cannon balls, represent the fighting spirit of this unique place.

In Old City, every brick and every corner shares a distinctive story, which makes it a must-see destination for all history, art and culture lovers of the world. Not surprisingly, Old City has become a subject of inspiration for many local and international films.

As you enter Old City, you may feel yourself in a different world – somewhere in the medieval times fairy tale, in one of the 1001 nights’ stories. Modern and vibrant Baku booms outside the walls of this city, while you can experience completely different aura within the fortified walls of Old City. You can easily get lost in Old City, as you walk through medieval labyrinth of beautiful narrow streets, underground tunnels and pass by artesian wells, baths and caravanserais. It is hard to say when Old City was formed. Different historians have different assumptions. The archaeological excavations conducted in Old City have surfaced different artefacts dating back a few centuries BC. It points that the Old City was formed very early in the history.

In the medieval times, Old City was a centre of trade and crafts, located on the Silk Route, on the crossroads of Asia and Europe. Caravans of camels would pass through it carrying silk, spices, herbs and different rare and exquisite goods. During medieval times, Old City was a capital of Shirvanshahs - the first feudal state in the north-east of Azerbaijan. It was during the reign of this feudal state that the beautiful fortified walls of the city and unique palace complex were built. The latter, named after Shirvanshah’s state, consists of 9 buildings (the court house, the palace, the bath, the burial-vault, 2 mosques, mausoleum, eastern gate and a storage place), and was built between XIII-XV centuries.

As you walk through the fortified walls of Old City, you can see a mystical cylindrical structure in the distance. It is called Maiden Tower – the symbol of Old City and of one of the main historical attractions of Baku, as well as Azerbaijan. In the ancient times, the Caspian Sea was stretching at the skirts of this Tower. Nowadays the sea has receded and as a result, there is about 200 metres walking distance between the tower and the sea. Maiden Tower consists of 8 floors, its height is 31 metres from north and 28 metres from south and it is connected to different parts of Old City with underground tunnels.

The true purpose of Maiden Tower or origin of its name is an enigma. Some say it was a defence structure. However, the structure of Maiden Tower is not suitable for defence purposes. Recent discoveries point that this unique structure was built during the VIII-VII BC. This has led historians to assume that Maiden Tower was a temple of Zoroastrianism (the first religion of Azerbaijan). The discovery of bronze fish figure near Maiden Tower has given rise to the assumption that Maiden Tower might have been built in honour of a water goddess. There is also research indicating that Maiden Tower was an observatory at a later stage of history.

It is not surprising to assume that Maiden Tower could have served as a Zoroastrian temple. Traces of Zoroastrianism can be seen all over Old City. A mosque in Old City, named after its architect Mohammad, lies on the ruins of a fire temple. Zoroastrian heritage of Azerbaijan can be seen in other parts of Baku (city of winds in Persian) as well: There is an Ateshgah - Zoroastrian fire temple, as well as Yanardag - unique Burning Mountain in the suburbs of Baku. These monuments attract fire worshippers from all over the world, even today. The recently built Flame Towers – trio skyscrapers in the shape of flame in the centre of Baku - also complement the Zoroastrian heritage of Azerbaijan.

If you ask the story behind the name of Maiden Tower, locals will share different legends about it. One legend says that a ruler called Khunsar occupied Old City and built himself a beautiful palace. After some time, his wife Zummriada gained more power and declared herself a goddess. Maiden Tower, thus, was built for her. According to this legend, Zummriada isolated herself in this tower for many years and so, the tower became a symbol of virginity. According to another legend, a ruler forced her daughter to marry a person whom she did not love. The girl, in love with someone else and hoping to change the decision of her father, asked him to build a tower and wait for the wedding until the tower was finished. However, when the tower was ready, the ruler did not change his mind. Seeing this, the girl climbed the tower and threw herself from the top of it. Thus, the tower was called Maiden Tower. Nowadays, couples visit Maiden Tower to honour the iron will and loyalty of this girl from this legend.

Words are not enough to describe all the beauties of Old City. You need to see the fairy tale streets with your own eyes and for this you need at least two days. It is still inhibited by local native population, who are very hospitable and eager to share the history of this beautiful place. Old City has become a place of choice for offices of some embassies and international organizations, as well as residencies of foreign ambassadors. Today, very popular Formula 1 Grand Prix races also take place around the fortified walls of Old City of Baku. Tourists coming for these races make sure to visit Old City while they are in Baku, Azerbaijan.

In the market place of Old City you can find shops selling authentic carpets, old oriental music instruments and souvenirs. You can visit art galleries hosting exquisite selection of Azerbaijani art or you can dine in museum-cafes, where you will be served special delicacies and sweets of Azerbaijani cuisine.

The small model of the Maiden Tower can also be found in Minimundus Attraction Park located in Carinthia, Austria, as a heritage of Azerbaijan. You can find more information about Old City at the website of Old City reserve https://icherisheher. gov.az/en. However, to find the secrets of Old City of Baku, visiting Azerbaijan is necessary.

Written by H.E. Mr. Fikrat Akhundov Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands