Business networking - a snapshot

Dotwhack · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 15:12

Hi all,

Just returned from a speed networking event and thought that I'd review it for those who might be considering attending something similar.

The venue - a hotel reception room (1* rating at a guess)
The event - speed networking. For those of you thinking 'speed dating' you're along the right lines. Two lines of chairs facing each other, 1 minute per sales pitch and handing out of a lot of business cards and literature.

The attendees (from the pile of business cards I received):

2 x web developers
1 x seo-er (that would be me)
4 x event organisers
1 x image consultant - you don't come across those everyday!
2 x life coach type people
1 x business adviser
1 x packaging supplier
1 x jute bag supplier
1 x printer - highly surprised there weren't more printers
1 x mortgage adviser
1 x outsourced admin service
1 x local press
2 x business solicitors
1 x archive company
1 x voice recognition company
2 x local radio stations
1 x toastmaster
1 x will solicitor

Didn't get a couple of business cards so those people have left my brain and gone into obscurity already!

The verdict - 1 minute per pitch wasn't really quite long enough and certainly made my head spin. On a positive note though I now have my opening sales pitch down to a T. Personally I think that was quite a productive afternoon, met a few potential clients as well as people offering some services I'm interested in. Not many people hung around to network after the event but I have my suspicions that has something to do with it being Friday afternoon....

I'm planning on attending more events and would recommend networking to others.

DavidT · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 18:33

Give it 7-10 more years and an accountant might give it a go! (just kidding)

Did the event organisers happen to organise speed networking events?

Image Consultant... had a client about 10 years ago wanting a "King Maker", some-one to make them become a "King" so to speak. Image Consultant might be the same.

Cracking Media · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 20:02

Sounds like it was great. Thanks for the feedback. Even more importantly, what did you wear?

Calibre Designs · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 20:05

Thanks Danielle - sounds really good and the numbers of each profession is very low giving room to expand.

I bet your pitch got better as the afternoon developed.

Would be interesting to know how much business you end up gaining.

Lasting Designs · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 20:36

I went to one a while back and the noise was awful, like a bird reservation at feeding time. Put me off attending one aagain...

Calibre Designs · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2008, 20:39

Looking at your list again - no graphic designers...

Image consultant - would that be branding or fashion???

emily · #7 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 12:13

That's a great round-up Danielle. I was surprised there weren't more web-types there but I'm not complaining

tax-sorted · #8 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 12:21

must try and get to one in future!

Rhyemba · #9 (**permalink**) 06-09-2008, 16:45

Hi,

Sounds like it was good fun. Will have to think about these for the future. Keep us updated on how much response you get.

Regards

Rhyemba

http://www.rhyemba.blogspot.com

wecando.biz · #10 (**permalink**) 07-09-2008, 09:12

I attended a 4Networking event on Thursday at Heathrow and that was also interesting: 40 seconds each round the table (about 30 attendees) to say what we did, then a minute to grab your three meetings. Each of these was 10 minutes. That was pretty much it other than most stayed on afterwards to network further. I saw business done but, interestingly, the two people had networked online and established a connection first.

Not everyone is suited to the self promotion and full on friendliness such events require, so online networking like here and on our site provides an interesting alternative (or at least complement).

IH