Speed networking

[mutt k]

I keep getting e-mails about speed networking events in London, which I presume are in a similar format to speed dating evenings. Has anyone tried one of these, or is it just a way to meet 20 watercooler or photocopier salesmen in an hour?

[steviebee]

mutt k said:

is it just a way to meet 20 watercooler or photocopier salesmen in an hour?

Yep! That's what you get.

I've trief many different networking events and all I've achieved is a decent mortgage and no business.

I went to one just the other week at the Raddison at Stansted and ended up on a table of 8 people with 5 of our most prolific local competitors!

[D-Angle]

I run speed networking events myself. Who you end up meeting can vary depending on the event, my advice would be to try a few and see what works for you. There are lots of formats of events going as well as speed networking, and it's worth seeing which you prefer and who goes to the various events. You do run into a lot of salesmen sometimes, but you will meet some useful contacts too if you search for them.

My best advice would be to look at who that person knows rather than just whether or not they want to buy from you. For example, you might not think a florist can be of any help to you, but if I told you the florist I know provides all of the flowers for corporate functions and matchdays at Man United, who do you think he might know that could be a good contact for you?

Hope that helps, and if you're ever in Manchester at the beginning of the month, drop me a line and I'll give you a PHers discount.

[Mon Ami Mate]

If you want to network, and you haven't tried it already, I'd thoroughly recommend www.ecademy.com. It takes a bit of time to establish yourself there, but it has paid dividends for me.