Q. You say that speed networking has replaced speed dating, which is a good thing because speed dating makes me think of “The 40 Year Old Virgin.” In 5-minutes or less, what is speed networking?
A. Speed Networking lets individuals meet one-on-one in five-minute increments, resulting in a fast-paced, exciting and extremely effective professional networking experience. Participants meet up to 20 other individuals, one-one-one, in 5-minute increments. In 5 minutes, attendees can describe their respective businesses, exchange business cards and pass on referrals. When the bell rings, it is time to move to another table and meet someone new.
Are people really pre-screened or are they just randomly thrown together?
Everyone pre-registers online with their name, company and contact information. During registration, you can select up to five industries that you are targeting. This information is used to optimize your introductions at the event. The software also keeps track of every contact you meet and arranges your seating so that you meet as many new people as possible at each event. In addition, thresholds can be set so that the event enjoys a balance of representatives from different industries.
In 5 minutes or less, what is the secret to speed networking? Is it practicing your ‘elevator speech’ so you can get your point across quickly?
Smile and be friendly, let people know who you are and what you do and then stop and try to make it personal. Don’t come to a speed networking event, expecting to make a sale in 5-minutes. If you try to give a sales pitch, chances are you will turn that person off. Instead create a quick, clear concise message about who you are and how you bring a benefit to others. Then invest in being interested with the person across from you. Ask questions and see if there is a way you can help them. Networking is reciprocal!
How did you come up with this idea? Are you a veteran of speed dating?
As a small business owner for a virtual assistance company called Thrive Assistant Services LLC, I needed to do a lot of networking to build my business. I was frustrated with the current networking venues available because walking into a room full of people you don’t know can be uncomfortable and unproductive, even if you are not bashful. I also found myself on occasion, locked in a corner with the one person I did know and didn’t want to talk to. I thought about what would work better and “speed dating” came to mind. No, I have never done speed dating – my husband would probably be upset – but the concept seemed perfect for what I wanted to achieve.
Why do people want to devote such little time to networking? Is it really quantity over quality?
Many small businesses know the value of networking, but with the long hours many of us are already working, it can be very time-consuming. No one wants to spend their networking time at an event and come home with only one or two names that many times aren’t even the people you wanted to connect with. As for the question of quantity over quality, you can’t get to quality without going through quantity. Certainly not every person you meet in any venue is going to be a good connection for you, but speed networking allows you to recognize this in just five minutes and move onto the next person. This saves a ton of time. After the event you can follow up with those that you feel you would like to build a networking or business relationship with.
What’s more important in this setting: business acumen or a great smile?
You have to smile and be friendly, but also come across as a real professional that businesses are going to want to work with. First impressions are important and many times you won’t have the opportunity to change someone’s mind once they’ve decided.
With first-time speed networkers, what’s the biggest mistake they usually make?
They don’t follow up. Speed Networking is a five-minute introduction; it is not the end of the road. Anyone who attends can go to the website www.5minutenetworking.com after the event and locate all the contact information of everyone they met the night before. You can select the ones whom you made a connection with and feel, after building a relationship, will pass referrals to each other. Then make coffee dates and get to know those people. No one passes referrals until they have built trust with you.
Â
Â
