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Speed Networking has fast become the networking tool of choice for networking organisers.
If like most people before their first event you are at all concerned at what to expect and how to get the best from the opportunity then the following may help.
What to expect? The numbers, time, layout and method of changing places varies slightly according to the room etc. but 20 people lined up in a row of chairs, toe to toe and usually knee to knee with another 20 people in an opposing row of chairs. Each of the 40 is trying hard to look sharp, alert and worth talking to. Ready, set – go!
A bell sounds and one of the participants in each pairing begins talking for two minutes, another bell sounds, the partner’s turn now for another two minutes.
After four minutes, a bell rings again, each person in the first row is invited to move over a seat and engage a new partner in conversation as the format repeats itself until everyone has interacted with 20 different people. Hey presto! An hour and half gone in the blink of an eye.
Speed not quality
The format and changing sounds a bit like musical chairs. But this is a serious opportunity. It's designed for busy people to instantly grow their stock of business connections. The technique is called "speed networking," a spin off of speed dating events where romance, rather than business connections, is the goal.
People say that networking is not a natural skill. Individuals often end up standing in a corner feeling uncomfortable. Speed networking overcomes that by forcing people together rather than leaving it to chance.
The number of participants and times allotted to each vary, but usually an event does not exceed 2 hours and can be for 1 hour during the lunch break.
How you get the best from the opportunity.
For a two-minute time slot:
- Sounds strange but don’t sell or try to fit a full speech into your time. The most important thing is smile and be yourself, give a clear introduction of who you are and what you do as a ....
- 30-second tell-me-about-yourself "elevator speech."
- Prepare a 30-second description of what your company does.
- The outcome you are interested in is a follow-up meeting at which you can then sell.
- Watch your partner's face to see what's clicking and be prepared to change tack if their body language suggests you're bombing out.
- If there is genuine interest it will show, so don’t keep banging on with your message. Rather ask the other persons opinion of whether your pitch was of interest to them or even if they know of someone else. Then agree to meet immediately after the session to make arrangements.
- Give your business cards, in this setting, that's expected and not an awkward gesture.
Be sure to follow up
Follow-up is everything, make the arrangement and keep it.
If you make a promising contact, call or e-mail within 24 hours.
Plan your follow-up as you see fit. You may want to meet informally for coffee or more formally if that is required.
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