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Networking is one of the most effective ways to meet potential
clients, get referrals or to achieve your goals.
We have put together a
summary of the most frequently asked questions about speed
networking.
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Why should I attend a speed networking
event?
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How do I know the contacts I
meet during the speed
networking event will be relevant to my
business?
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Why don't you run industry-specific
events?
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Why should I try speed networking?
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How do I prepare for a speed
networking event?
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What is the format of a Speed
Networking Event?
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How do I get the most from a speed
networking event?
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Who Should Attend?
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Where will events be held?
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What is included in the ticket price?
Why
Should I attend a speed networking event?
If you are in business speed
networking works as a great tool to get your message out to a
wide audience.
Face to face
contact is worth more than a thousand prospective phone calls or
letters. Rapport is quickly established and common ground found
in just a few minutes. The key to speed networking is
contact sharing. It is conservative to say that most people have a contact book of at least 50 people that they regularly
socialise and or do business with. Therefore at an average speed
networking event you potentially have access to a network of at
least 1250 people, many of whom may be directly relevant to your
networking goals.
With a reach like
this, it certainly won't be long before you are in touch with
the people that you want to meet!
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By using your
personal network of contacts to help others, they in turn they
will assist you in your networking and business goals. This help
often comes in the form of personal recommendations or third
party referrals - the best kind of recommendation you can have.
"Six degrees of
separation is the theory that anyone on earth can be connected
to any other person on the planet through a chain of
acquaintances with no more than five intermediaries"
Source:
Wikipedia
This theory has
been proven many times over through speed networking so perhaps
you should test it for yourself!
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Why don't you
run topic-specific events?
This is what makes
speed networking special. Because the emphasis is on sharing
your wider contact base it doesn't matter that everyone doesn't
work in the same industry. In many cases it works out far more
effective this way because the scope is far wider.
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The beauty of Speed Networking is
its efficiency. Because you have a set amount of time in
which to meet each contact you will find that your time is spent
meeting the optimum number of contacts within a short period of
time. Many people say that they meet more new contacts during
one event that they would normally meet throughout the course of
a year!
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In order to get the maximum value
from speed networking we recommend that you prepare a short
pitch about yourself, your company and what you are looking to
get out of the event. Our friends across the Atlantic typically
refer to this as an "elevator pitch". Essentially a concise,
carefully planned, description about your goals in simple
terms that can be delivered in the time it would take a ride in
a lift.
Some attendees may also to
summarise this on paper and present each attendee with a copy as
they meet them. If you have them its always a good idea to bring
plenty of business cards with you to distribute during the
event.
Its also
advisable to bring to pad to take notes.
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A speed networking event begins
with drinks and a welcome introduction from our facilitators.
You will receive a list of every attendees name along with their
contact details that can be used for note taking.
Guests
will then be asked to sit in pairs at numbered tables which corresponds to
a number they have been allocated. The first networking session
will then begin and will last approximately 5-7 minutes, after
which our host will make a signal and guests will then travel to
their next allocated table in numerical order. This will continue until
everyone has met.
We ask that you divide each
session in half so each participant gets to speak for an equal
amount of time.
After the speed networking
sessions have finished guests are encouraged stay for a drink
and an informal chat to maximise the networking potential of the
event.
Events will
normally begin at 7pm and will last approximately 1.5 to 2
hours. Half way through we have a short break during which light
refreshments are available.
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In order to make the most from an
event it is important to remember that networks and referrals
can only grow if all participants are mindful of the new
contacts they have made during the event and remember to pass on
their details to others after the event.
If you are passing on referrals to
your new contacts, they will do the same for you and before long
the real benefits of attending a speed networking event become
apparent!
Even if you can't
help every person you meet directly its always worth holding on
to their details just in case you can help them in the future.
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Anybody with an interest in
growing their business, increasing networking potential or
furthering their career prospects.
Some people attend with a
view to finding new customers. Some seek suppliers, partners or
investors.
Others do not have a specific agenda but know that increasing
their contact network can only ever be a positive choice.
We do not screen our clients. You do not have to
be a business owner neither are you required to hold a certain
level of management in order to attend and benefit from
attending. Anybody with a business, social or career goals in
mind may
attend.
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Original Networks Speed Networking
events will take place within hotels and meeting facilities
throughout London and the UK. Venues are chosen to be informal
and we do not require you to wear formal business attire. Events take
place either during lunchtime or early evening and will
sometimes incorporate a drinks reception and sometimes a guest speaker prior to the
start of the event. Event specifics are detailed on the relevant
event page.
Our venues are
always hired exclusively for the event.
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What is included
in the ticket price?
Along with you
entry to the event your ticket price normally includes a glass of wine or
soft drink and nibbles which are served after the event. We also provide
drinking water throughout the event.
Certain events
include further drinks and snacks during and after the events
however this will be detailed on the event description page.
Still got
questions? Please feel free to
contact us
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