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9 Tips For Speed Networking
by Louise Yates
More Business Skills Articles
Published on this site: March 20th, 2009 - See
more articles from this month
Have you ever been to a speed dating event? If you have you'll
understand the concept of speed networking.
At a speed dating event you get to meet an awful lot of people
in a very short space of time and the idea is that first
impressions count, if you hit it off with someone and feel that
you have things in common then you can meet up again later and
take more time to build a relationship.
Speed networking is the business equivalent in that you a given
a set period of time (2 or 3 minutes for example) to make
initial contact with other business people. Just enough time to
exchange basic information about your business and the service
that you offer as opposed to an in depth discussion.
The positive points about speed networking are that you get the
opportunity to meet and exchange business cards with a
relatively large number of other business people and at the same
the time limit forces you to move on and eliminate the
possibility of being stuck talking to the same person for a
whole event.
For me, there must also be an informal networking session at
the end of the event where you can take time to meet again with
other people that you felt you were building a rapport with. In
this way you can start the relationship building process rather
than it just having finished with the exchange of a business
card.
In these types of event it's vital to have mastered the art of
effective use of business cards. When you finish a session you
may well have a pile of cards and find it difficult to be able
to put a face to the card at a later date. This is one reason
why my business networking tips below are essential to making
the most of speed networking and speed dating alike.
- Before you decide to attend speed business networking events
take time to understand the format. Is it all speed networking
or is there free networking time too? If you understand the
format you'll go better prepared and make more of the event.
- Part of the above is about understanding how much time you
have with every other person. If it's short then you really need
to have a well practiced and fine tuned sixty seconds
presentation. If you've got a bit longer you can maybe afford to
go a little more in depth.
- You may be required to follow a set agenda in your meetings
such as your name, your business sector etc etc. Knowing this in
advance will help you practice the right subject matter prior to
the event.
- Speed networking when there is a fixed agenda is a very
comfortable way to meet new people so take time to identify
those people that you don't already know.
- Don't be in too much of a hurry to give your pitch, let the
other person talk first, in this way if there are any "common
areas" that you want to exploit, you can then adapt your pitch
to suit.
- Make good use of business cards. When you exchange cards
take time to read aloud what is on the other person's card. The
other person will see this as interest on your part but most
importantly it will help you remember the face and the name at a
later date. You can also use the business card to make notes.
This is an important point when designing your own cards – make
sure that the background is a light colour so that anyone can
make notes on your card.
- Considering point 6 – don't forget your business cards and a
pen!
- Don't loose time searching through business cards to find
your own. Make sure that you have a place for those that you
have collected and for your own. I use two separate pockets in
my jacket or coat.
- Finally, if you feel you have something more to say to
someone and that there could be a synergy – make it clear! Now
is not the time for polite conversation, be direct and let them
know that you would like to have a further meeting and propose a
date and time.
Louise Yates: Shares business networking tips
and advice for word of mouth marketing, generating referrals and
free sales leads
http://www.business-networking-techniques.com together with executive coaching for your business performance,
life and careerat. Learn more at:
http://www.clear-perspectives.co.uk.
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